TORONTO - Growing a digital business during a recession and debating the future of New Media in Canada are among the themes that will be examined by industry leaders at this month's digital media conference, IN: The Interactive Exchange (IN09), taking place March 17-19 in Toronto.

The multi-stream conference will open with a keynote presentation by Futurist Christian Crews, Principal, andSpace Inc. Crews helps clients create sustainable competitive advantage in highly uncertain environments. Prior to andSpace Inc, Crews was Director of Futures Strategy, Director of Growth Strategies, and Director of Corporate Strategy at Pitney Bowes Inc (NYC).

IN09 will feature two interactive debates on the future of interactive media in Canada with panels that include Richard Stursburg, executive vice-president English services for CBC, journalist and blogger, Ivor Tossell, and entrepreneur Jeremy Wright, CEO, B5 Media. As traditional broadcasters reel from the downturn in advertising revenue, the CRTC is re-visiting regulation of New Media - a sector that continues to grow despite the global recession. Discussion will touch upon new media broadcasting, net neutrality and strategies key to creating globally competitive companies in the digital media space.

IN09's opening media power panel features Jonathan Lister, managing director and head of Google Canada, Stephan Argent, vice-president, digital media, CTV Inc., Claude Galipeau, senior vice-president, digital media for Rogers, and Jeffrey Elliot co-CEO of BiteTV who will discuss the shifting market and the evolution of interactive digital media business models.

Representing the next generation of media entrepreneurs, IN09 will feature Joel Auge of Burlington-based HitGrab, makers of MouseHunt, who recently won $250,000 in a Facebook-sponsored competition. Several other emerging digital entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their product and company on stage at IN09 via the IN the Spotlight program, supported by the Ontario Media Development Corporation and Interactive Ontario.