From pioneers to profits

From Pioneers to Profit - the four pillars that underpin the Internet

Public Lecture by Kim Anderson, Chief Operating Officer, Southern Star Entertainment
Date: Monday 6 December
Place: Kathleen Room, Staff Club, University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus
Time: 6-7.30pm

From what began as a network for research scientists, and a communications
vehicle for social and political activists, the Internet has developed, in
just over a decade, into a common vehicle by which almost all human beings
share and access knowledge and information globally. It has become the
world’s virtual repository for information and content. It provides and in
some cases dictates the way we form and manage both personal and
professional relationships, and dominates the way we communicate with each
other. It connects us socially and commercially in almost all areas of our
lives. And it does so through global indexing systems know as Search
engines. For the past ten years it has been about pioneering new
technologies that will enhance our ability to use the internet and manage
its vastness. It has been littered with marketing hype and vaporware -
stories of wealth creation and financial ruin. It has become both a source
of inspiration and aggravation, a helper and a hinderer. But amidst all this
the Internet has become big business. While barriers to entry are still low,
and it is hoped will forever remain so - there are numerous layers of
activity forming, all of which are underpinned by four pillars - Content,
Search, Communication (email and IM in particular) and Commerce. Slowly but
surely each of these has been defined into market segments that are
beginning to redefine business and truly threaten existing business models.

As a leading figure shaping digital technology in Australia, Ms Anderson,
Chief Operating Officer, Southern Star Entertainment, was formerly Director
of Strategy & Technology, Nine Network. She is also a member of the College
of Experts for the Humanities and Creative Arts panel of the Australian
Research Council.

This free public lecture forms part of the Internet Class 04 3 day program convened by CCCS 6-8 December. Following the lecture, Ms Anderson will
launch Gerard Goggin’s new book, Virtual Nation: The Internet in Australia, after which refreshments will be served.