Game company to relocate to BR
12/08/2010

Firebrand Games, a leading maker of racing games for Nintendo systems, announced it will open a digital studio at the technology park on Florida Boulevard in January. When fully operational, the firm will hire roughly 30 people, with an annual payroll exceeding $1.5 million, Mayor-President Kip Holden said. Firebrand produces popular games such as Grid, Race Driver, DiRT and Need for Speed, as well as console versions of Trackmania. The company is expanding into other formats and will soon be available on all consoles, such as the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

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Inside Globalstar's move to Covington and why others may follow
10/08/2010

As CEO of Silicon Valley communications technology firm Globalstar Inc., Peter Dalton has visited much of the United States and worked with businesses across the world. But he’s always kept a slice of southeast Louisiana close to home.

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Report says video games pump $14.1 million into La. economy
08/10/2010

A new report says the computer and video game industry pumped $14.1 million into the Louisiana economy and added 260 direct and indirect jobs. The report from the Entertainment Software Association says the video game industry in Louisiana grew by 16% from 2008 to 2009. The average direct video game employee in Louisiana earned $83,335 in 2009, below the national industry average of $89,781. Despite the growth, Louisiana still remains a small player in the video game industry. California has more than 13,000 people employed in the industry, accounting for 41% of the U.S. workforce. See the full report here. - Baton Rouge Business Report

http://www.theesa.com/facts/pdfs/VideoGames21stCentury_2010.pdf

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Silicon Valley company relocating HQ to North Shore
07/13/2010

A Silicon Valley communications technology firm is moving its headquarters and about 30 jobs to the North Shore, with the promise of adding another 150 jobs by the end of 2011.

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GNO, Inc. launches Green N.O. Initiative
05/18/2010

Economic development group Greater New Orleans Inc. wants to apply the model it used to launch the region’s digital media industry and apply it to businesses focused on sustainability. Its Green N.O. effort will concentrate on spurring growth of businesses and jobs in areas such as construction, renewable energy, coastal restoration, disaster mitigation and water management.

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LSU holding digital media festival
04/20/2010

The LSU Digital Media Fest, which combines educational activities while exposing students to the latest innovations, will be held April 20-24 at Coates Hall, the Varsity Theatre and Dodson Auditorium.

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Baton Rouge submits bid for Google fiber service
03/29/2010

Baton Rouge leaders have completed a request for information to bring Google fiber's ultrahigh-speed Internet service to the city. The Geaux fiBR pitch highlights Baton Rouge's rapid growth over the past five years, along with the city's diverse population, capacity for innovation and likelihood of economic success. While Baton Rouge leaders didn't go to the lengths some cities did to lure Google, such as changing the name of the city, they did make a Web video featuring local singer Chris LeBlanc performing "Give a Gigabit" - a takeoff of the Supertramp hit "Give a Little Bit." The video shows scenes of LSU, downtown and the Mississippi River. To see the video, click here. The "Bring Google Fiber to Baton Rouge" Facebook group has more than 3,350 members. Click here to join.

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Baton Rouge going after Google Network
03/18/2010

Baton Rouge will try to convince Google to bring its experimental fiber optic network to parts of the city by focusing on education, college students, digital media and community redevelopment.

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High-tech Firm's Dallas and San Diego Operations Relocate To Baton Rouge
01/13/2010

Today, Gov. Bobby Jindal joined the executive team of TraceSecurity Inc. to announce the relocation of two of the company's key operating divisions, software development and national sales, from Dallas and San Diego to Baton Rouge. The relocation creates 15 new, direct Louisiana jobs with average annual salaries exceeding $50,000, plus benefits, for a total of approximately 50 jobs in Baton Rouge. Additionally, the company plans to add more than 30 jobs over the next two years. TraceSecurity's workforce in Baton Rouge is more than doubling within two years as a result of the relocations and planned expansion.

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Newsmaker: LISTA Appears on WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge
01/05/2010

LISTA Founder Erich Rapp appeared on WAFB-TV's morning show to discuss the Digital Media Tax Incentive Program. Check it out at the link below.

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Technology in Louisiana: Open for Business
01/04/2010

An Op-Ed Submission by Erich Rapp, charter member of the Louisiana Internet Software and Technology Association (LISTA)

From Shreveport and Baton Rouge to Lake Charles and New Orleans, hundreds of technology-based businesses and thousands of savvy professionals and new college graduates are immersed in the state’s growing Internet software and new media industries.

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LSU gets $1 million for digital innovation
12/22/2010

LSU's Center for Digital Innovation is set to receive $1 million in federal funds, which will be used to add jobs and expand Electronic Arts' local operations. U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu announced the appropriation, which was part of an omnibus bill signed by President Barack Obama last week. A Landrieu aide says the appropriation was added at the request of LSU, which wanted the money to expand its curriculum and provide new training. The money will lead to some more jobs, but a deal between LSU and EA, "is not yet cooked,” the staffer says. EA, which opened a video game testing facility at LSU last year, has said it is looking at moving some jobs to Baton Rouge in order to take advantage of the low costs. Last week, it was reported that EA is looking at moving a development center from California to several Southern states, including Louisiana. The center could employ up to 300 people.

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NOLA 2.0
11/30/2010

A DJ pumps electronic music from the speakers at Republic New Orleans, a cavernous cocktail lounge-turned dance club in the hip Warehouse District.  A man stands on the stage in jeans and a blazer and shouts, "Welcome to the revolution."  And the devoted techies, in town to attend SIGGRAPH, the annual computer graphics and interactive techniques conference, are ready.

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Front Line: Digital Entertainment Changing the Game in Baton Rouge
11/02/2010

Amidst the antebellum homes and Old South traditions that are characteristic of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, something decidedly 21st century is also becoming a part of the city’s culture: video games. An initiative by the state and city to create a video game and digital development hub in Baton Rouge has brought in two major gaming companies — Electronic Arts (EA) and Nerjyzed Entertainment — with others expected to follow. Local officials say the goal is to reach 3,000 industry jobs in Baton Rouge over the next 10 years.

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State could generate 10,000 jobs
10/02/2010

Louisiana possesses the potential to generate up to 10,000 more jobs in the next decade, said state economic development Secretary Stephen Moret. It’s an industry where the earnings of software developers can rival or exceed the pay of chemical refinery workers.  Read the article.

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Louisiana Gets New Tax Incentives For Digital Interactive Media
10/01/2010

Interactive Media tax credit legislation was mentioned on the Gamasutra Web site.

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