Guadalajara, Mexico to Become World-Class Digital Media Hub Through its “Digital Creative City” Initiative

Guadalajara, Mexico to Become World-Class Digital Media Hub Through its “Digital Creative City” Initiative

Guadalajara, Mexico, will soon not just be known as the land of the world renowned tequila or the home of the mariachi music – but as the hub for a new “Digital Creative City”. Located in the state of Jalisco, Mexico’s second largest city and one of Latin America’s most important historial districts is on its way to soon becoming a 21st century city of world-class, environmentally sustainable creative culture and work that will provide a better quality of life for its population.

The “Digital Creative City” is a project resulting from Mexico’s vision to become a strategic node in digital media production for the Spanish and Latin market as well as high value services to world class media partners, as it foresees to grow its $5.6 billion market in creative industries exports and content (film, television, videogames and multimedia). The need for specialized content that caters to the Spanish-speaking market, along with the search of strategic partners for global media companies based primarily in North America and Europe, has also prompted increased interest in the region.

This vision fits into the expected growth in sales of the media and entertainment industries around the world, estimated to be more than $1.5 trillion, according to a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers study “Media and Entertainment Outlook 2009-2013.” Also, Mexico offers the greatest cost advantages for the development of software, videogames, Web and multimedia among 102 countries, according to KPMG’s “Competitive Alternatives 2010” report.

In addition to becoming a world-class digital media hub, Mexico’s “Digital Creative City” project seeks to create a new economic development model that is both sustainable and within the framework of a future prototype urban environment. It also seeks to establish an urban smart solutions living lab to better understand city dynamics through fully integrated system platforms.

The “Digital Creative City” project will enable Mexico to capitalize on its creative culture, as it  implements the largest future urban development of its kind in Latin America. The initiative will also  provide a state-of-the-art platform for media industries via a living lab for integrated urban solutions investments. This ambitious project will provide many key benefits for Guadalajara, including the generation of high-paying jobs, increased cultural exports, and the transfer of cutting-edge technology. 

In addition to the digital media production capabilities, Guadalajara has many other things to offer, which will become key elements of the “Digital Creative City,” such as:

• Jalisco, the state where Guadalajara is located, supports the creation and acceleration of IT Mexican companies and has developed a robust infrastructure for global companies to conduct business in and from Jalisco. The state is a national leader in IT and exports and investments with more than 600 companies forming the largest tech cluster in the country.
• Guadalajara encompasses over 20 universities, providing professional courses covering every area of study, including Engineering, Applied Sciences and Arts.
• Guadalajara is home to two of the most important cultural events in Latin America: the Guadalajara International Book Fair and the Guadalajara International Film Festival; and is the hub to important golf, tennis, and soccer tournaments, as well as cultural and recreational activities.
• Guadalajara has a rich infrastructure, including lodging, condo areas, transportation, stadiums, and services which were further enhanced following the celebration of the Pan American Games 2011, the most important sports competition in the region.
• Downtown Guadalajara is comprised by preserved buildings from the colonial era providing a picturesque backdrop to the modern constructions that have recently emerged at the suburban areas.
• The mild mountain climate of Guadalajara makes it an ideal spot for many types of ventures for residents and visitors. Good weather is considered one of the city’s assets.