Malaysia needs to evolve from a digital content consumption country to also create, efforts are already on the way to balance this mix, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and Google recently hosted a ‘Made For YouTube’ gathering in Kuala Lumpur to nurture and highlight Malaysian YouTube content creators. These content creators were part of a year-long programme organized by both MDeC and Google to develop homegrown talents in line with Malaysia’s goal to be a creative technology content hub of Asia.
The ‘Made For YouTube’ programme was introduced earlier this year to nurture, elevate and expand the influence of Malaysian YouTube channels. Over 20 MSC Malaysia status companies and new start-ups participated in this programme, receiving support in the form of production facilities, development funding, dedicated manpower, growth strategies and strategic advice from both MDeC and Google.
With more Malaysians turning to ‘new media’ for entertainment, the Internet has become a launching platform for uprising stars to breakthrough in the online content industry, ranging from YouTubers, creative content creators and online publishers. ‘Made For YouTube’ showcases the high quality content that Malaysian YouTube creators have developed for the flourishing local scene. Among them, The Grim Film’s “The Long Distance Relationship” with 2 million views, and DiDi & Friend’s “Kalau Rasa Gembira” with 5.6 million views are some examples who have made it big.
“Our collaboration with Google aims to increase the reach, capability and competency of Malaysia’s creative industry by helping home-grown content creators to produce, monetise and commercialise world-class content on the YouTube platform. At present, MDeC is on a game-changing mission to spur the creative content landscape for Malaysia, especially focusing on content for games. This partnership is very much aligned with our aim of positioning Malaysia as a regional hub for creative content”, said Dato’ Yasmin Mahmood, CEO of MDeC.
“Under our Digital Malaysia national agenda, we aim to move Malaysians from consumption to production-centric – creating new income generation opportunities via new digital business models. The creative content industry is estimated to be worth RM 7 billion but at this moment only 15% are local content. We had some successes such as Les’ Copaque’s phenomenal Upin and Ipin series, and we aim to build on the momentum with various initiatives for the creative multimedia industry,” Dato’ Yasmin Mahmood added.
“Google highly encourages content creators and businesses to embrace digital as a platform. We would love nothing more than to help bring more Malaysian content onto the open Web and have Malaysian digital creators to connect directly with their fans.” said Sajith Sivanandan, Managing Director of Google Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and New Emerging Markets.
“The Internet has and will continue to enable YouTubers, creative creators and online publishers become successful. And Google is committed to helping our Malaysian content creators attain that success through our tools and platforms.” he added.
Local success story can be attributed to Les Copaque Production the people who brought Upin & Ipin to many children’s hearts, in 2012 it became a YouTube Partner and since then have uploaded more than 488 videos, gaining 195,000 subscribers with 135 million total views. Currently Les’ Copaque has more than 500,000 subscribers with more than 400 million total views and 3 new videos every week.
