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Digital Media & Film 44 Doing Business in Connecticut | 2014 unless you're from Connecticut, you might not realize it was born and continues to be based in the heart of the Nutmeg State. When the Bristol-based global cable and satellite TV behemoth first launched back in 1979 focusing on sports-related program- ming including live and recorded event tele- casts, sports talk shows, and other original programming, little did the company know just how much it would impact not only Connecticut's business landscape but the sports and media industry the world over. A solid employment base — more than 4,000 staffers in Bristol — coupled with non- stop construction has made ESPN a major growth engine for economic development in Central Connecticut. "Our business has grown dramatically and our Bristol campus has always been expanding," said Mike Soltys, vice presi- dent of corporate communications. "In our early years, we had little interaction with state officials. That has changed in the past dozen years as the state has created an atmosphere that encourages our expansion in Connecticut." Initially, ESPN founder Bill Rasmussen's plan was to use the network to show UConn sports and the now-defunct National Hockey League team, the Hartford Whalers. ESPN recently completed construc- tion on the largest building on its expansive campus — Digital Center 2 — which houses a studio and production facility. e center had a partial opening in May when the chan- nel's anchor show, SportsCenter, moved its studio there. "We will continue the build out for another year," Soltys said. "We are also just beginning a major rebuild/expansion of our company cafeteria and employee center." ESPN has always done a tremendous job keeping up with the rapidly changing technology in the digital media and film space. In fact, the production of soware and digital products to serve its fans has become an integral and important part of the entire company. "It is incumbent upon all of us to focus on the latest in digital innovation and de- termine how we can bring the right ideas to ESPN," said John Kosner, executive vice pres- ident and general manager for ESPN's digital and print media. "We have a long history and culture of innovation that encourages everyone to take smart risks, learn and keep moving forward. Our leadership provides a certain vision and direction, but good ideas at ESPN come from everyone." Kosner said ESPN has a technol- ogy group that explores and experiments with emerging technologies, including super high-definition television and video streaming. "Change happens very quickly, so we continue to focus on serving sports fans in new and better ways, regardless of the tech- nology, platform or device," he said. Media matters Niche businesses have also found a home in Connecticut's digital media indus- try. Take the Palace Production Center in South Norwalk, for example. e company was founded in 1981 by brothers Jim and Chris Campbell as a response to what they felt was the need for a full-service produc- tion facility based in Southern Connecticut. Nearly 35 years later, business is strong ' …Between just ESPN and NBC Sports alone we anticipate a combined 1,500 new jobs to be created in the next few years. ' — George Norfleet, director of the DECD's Office of Film, Television and Digital Media Industry sPOtLIGHt › Film, TV & Digital Media WWE (Worldwide Wrestling Entertainment) is based in Stamford. The company, which got its start producing wrestling events, has grown into a media giant. it was recently named "Digital media Company of the Year" by the website mashable.com. Notable Connec cut Film, TV and Digital Media Companies WWE, Stamford ESPN, Bristol Blue Sky Studios, Greenwich NBC Sports, Stamford PHOTO/COurTESY > Continued from page 43