Mobile Backstage at Mobile World Congress 2009

Kevin Spacey will host the Mofilm Short Film Festival, and founder and CEO of MySpace, Chris De Wolfe wil lead the speaker line-up for the one-day conference. Mobile Backstage plans on bringing together music executives, filmmakers, broadcasters and gaming industry insiders in a program that aimed at exploring the challenges and opportunities for the mobile phone as a global entertainment medium.

As well as keynote interviews, Mobile Backstage will feature case studies and panel sessions that explore the role of mobile entertainment within the vision of a mobile lifestyle. Topics will include how to harness the potential of the mobile device as the fourth screen; creating a new mobile gaming experience; the role of mobiles in the changing face of broadcast; innovative new business models; social networking on mobile; and the power and potential of mobile broadband to deliver multimedia digital entertainment.

In his keynote interview, will.i.am plans on sharing his perspective as a music artist on the potential to reach a global fan base via the mobile phone. The role of mobile as a distributive, collaborative and creative tool for music will also be explored, as well as the political impact of music, with will.i.am drawing upon his experiences of writing and performing the Barack Obama song "Yes We Can" using sound bites from Obama's speeches.

"Mobile is the medium for the masses," said will.i.am. "With nearly four billion mobile connections across the globe, the potential for mobile to change not only how the world consumes entertainment but also interacts with it is enormous. Mobile Backstage provides a unique forum for discussing both the business of delivering and the art of creating content."

Mobile Backstage confirmed speakers include:

Kevin Spacey, two-time Academy Award-winning actor and director
will.i.am, singer/songwriter and founder of Black Eyed Peas
Alex Caccia, chief executive officer, Ideaworks 3D
Andy baker, CEO Mofilm
Chris De Wolfe, CEO, MySpace
Dan Keegan, head of games, Orange
Dave Springall, chief technology officer, Yospace (EyeVibe)
Martin Blomkvist, head of content acquisition and partner acquisition, Sony Ericsson
Pete Watson, head of business development, RIM
Rob Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Omnifone
Steve Koskie, producer, Dipdive
Volker Hirsch, chef executive officer, Connect2Media
Xavier Carrillo Costa, chief executive officer, Digital Legends Entertainment

"With master-class insights from artists and mobile industry thought leaders who are pioneering new and innovative ways to create and deliver mobile entertainment, Mobile Backstage will provide a unique glimpse behind the content curtain," said Michael O'Hara, chief marketing officer for the GSMA.

The GSMA's Mobile World Congress is the world's premiere meeting place for the global mobile industry, with more than 50,000 visitors expected. For more information on Mobile World Congress, please visit www.mobileworldcongress.com.

For more information, visit www.gsmworld.com.