People

Jim Ayre, Managing Director
Jim Ayre has a background in educational technology, information provision, and multimedia and has worked on a number of large-scale development projects and research studies particularly relating to the use of technology in Education and Training. While at the Council for Educational Technology (1979-1988) and National Interactive Video Centre (1988-90), he was involved in pioneering work related to the use of ICT and multimedia in education and training and organised in-depth training courses for major international companies and government organisations.

Since helping to found Multimedia Ventures in 1991 he has: been commissioning editor for the company's publications including The Multimedia Yeabook ; provided consultancy and research services to multinational companies, SMEs and public sector organisations; and since 1994 been an evaluator and provided technical expertise and consultancy services to the European Commission's Esprit and IST Programmes. Particular areas of expertise include:

• New media business development and marketing
• New media and eLearning content development
• Collaborative work and learning environments
• The social impact of ICT including scenarios for 'ambient intelligence'
• Technology transfer and take-up of ICT
• New media support infrastructures including public-private partnerships (PPPs)

Jane Callaghan, Director
Jane's background is in educational media, event management and marketing. On graduating she worked in the international marketing department of educational film distributor, Guild Sound & Vision (1980-83). In 1984 she was one of the team that set up the National Interactive Video Centre (1984-86) where she helped establish the UK trade association for the interactive media industries, BIMA (British Interactive Multimedia Association). Jane was conference manager at PLF Communications (1987-89) where she organised conferences on interactive media, smart cards, and technology in tourism. She went freelance in 1989 and among other projects ran the secretariat for BIMA.

Jane joined Jim Ayre and Signe Hoffos to form Multimedia Ventures in 1991. She continued to run the BIMA secretariat and their annual conference and awards ceremony as well as co-editing The Multimedia Yearbook . She has been an evaluator for the European Commission's IMPACT, GIS and Delta programmes. She has organised and produced many conferences and awards ceremonies and in 1999, along with journalist Jane Adams, she set up the Advanced Card Awards.

Jane has spoken at conferences in Cambridge, London, Oslo, Madrid and Perth, Western Australia.