Welcome to
NMedia, New Mexico Entertainment and Digital Industry Association, began in August 2010 to provide a unified voice for local New Mexico businesses interested in a sustainable entertainment industry. We are a non-partisan, trade organization comprised of small businesses that have benefited either directly or indirectly from the industry's presence within the state.
Our Purpose:
NMedia's purpose is to promote the growth of the film and digital media industry in New Mexico. The association will focus on ensuring the continued development of infrastructure required to establish a self-sufficient and thriving industry. The first priority will be to maintain the State sponsored film incentive programs that are all critical to the continued development of a permanent industry in New Mexico.
Our Goal:
NMedia’s goal is to protect the industry jobs already created in New Mexico and to promote the industry as a long-term job generator. NMedia retains two-experienced lobbyists and an active Board of Directors representing established New Mexico companies that work on our behalf formulating strategy. Since August, NMedia has met directly with over 30 legislators, other influential business groups and decision-makers at all levels.
NMedia, New Mexico Entertainment and Digital Industry Association, began in August 2010 to provide a unified voice for local New Mexico businesses interested in a sustainable entertainment industry. We are a non-partisan, trade organization comprised of small businesses that have benefited either directly or indirectly from the industry's presence within the state.
Our Purpose:
NMedia's purpose is to promote the growth of the film and digital media industry in New Mexico. The association will focus on ensuring the continued development of infrastructure required to establish a self-sufficient and thriving industry. The first priority will be to maintain the State sponsored film incentive programs that are all critical to the continued development of a permanent industry in New Mexico.
Our Goal:
NMedia’s goal is to protect the industry jobs already created in New Mexico and to promote the industry as a long-term job generator. NMedia retains two-experienced lobbyists and an active Board of Directors representing established New Mexico companies that work on our behalf formulating strategy. Since August, NMedia has met directly with over 30 legislators, other influential business groups and decision-makers at all levels.
Videos:
New Mexico's Film Incentive: Boon or Bust
New Mexico's Film Incentive: Boon or Bust Part II
New Mexico's Film Incentive: Boon or Bust
New Mexico's Film Incentive: Boon or Bust Part II
Board
Board members represent a number of local New Mexico businesses that have benefited from the opportunities the film industry has brought to New Mexico.
Board Officers:
President - Alicia Keyes Touche, Sandia Productions, LLC
Vice President - Gina Constant, Rodey Law Film
Secretary - Sandy Levinson, Aquila Travel
Treasurer - Richard Gabaldon, Moss Adams
Board Members:
Drew Dolan - I-25 Studios
Jason Lott - Mesa del Sol
Ed Pulsifer - Heritage Hotels
Peter Touche - Sandia Media, LLC
Ken Lingrad - 1680PR
Wayne Rauschenberger - ABQ Studios
Dave Thomas - Exchange Communications
Daren Lewis - HUB International
Denise Baker - DRB Electric
Tom Carroll - Carroll Strategies
Rick Clemente - I-25 Studios
Nick Flor - UNM
Lobbyists:
Randy Traynor
Debbie Maestas
Board members represent a number of local New Mexico businesses that have benefited from the opportunities the film industry has brought to New Mexico.
Board Officers:
President - Alicia Keyes Touche, Sandia Productions, LLC
Vice President - Gina Constant, Rodey Law Film
Secretary - Sandy Levinson, Aquila Travel
Treasurer - Richard Gabaldon, Moss Adams
Board Members:
Drew Dolan - I-25 Studios
Jason Lott - Mesa del Sol
Ed Pulsifer - Heritage Hotels
Peter Touche - Sandia Media, LLC
Ken Lingrad - 1680PR
Wayne Rauschenberger - ABQ Studios
Dave Thomas - Exchange Communications
Daren Lewis - HUB International
Denise Baker - DRB Electric
Tom Carroll - Carroll Strategies
Rick Clemente - I-25 Studios
Nick Flor - UNM
Lobbyists:
Randy Traynor
Debbie Maestas
Join
ENGAGE in the PROCESS—Become a Member of NMEDIA
Why:
Be Part of an Organized and Influential Voice at the Table Participate in Building Awareness of our Industry Attend Regularly Scheduled Networking Events and Meetings Be Included in NMEDIA’s Member Directory Receive our Monthly Update Newsletter
• Be Part of an Organized and Influential Voice at the Table
• Participate in Building Awareness of our Industry
• Attend Regularly Scheduled Networking Events and Meetings
• Be Included in NMEDIA’s Member Directory
• Receive our Monthly Update Newsletter
How:
1. Fill out and submit the application below.
2. You will be re-directed to our PayPal link to accept your donation.
3. Click the PayPal link and follow the donation instructions.
Dues/Donation:
Associate Membership $100
Voting Board Membership $2,000
Application:
New Mexico Entertainment and Digital Industry Association (NMEDIA)
TRADE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
ENGAGE in the PROCESS—Become a Member of NMEDIA
Why:
Be Part of an Organized and Influential Voice at the Table Participate in Building Awareness of our Industry Attend Regularly Scheduled Networking Events and Meetings Be Included in NMEDIA’s Member Directory Receive our Monthly Update Newsletter
• Be Part of an Organized and Influential Voice at the Table
• Participate in Building Awareness of our Industry
• Attend Regularly Scheduled Networking Events and Meetings
• Be Included in NMEDIA’s Member Directory
• Receive our Monthly Update Newsletter
How:
1. Fill out and submit the application below.
2. You will be re-directed to our PayPal link to accept your donation.
3. Click the PayPal link and follow the donation instructions.
Dues/Donation:
Associate Membership $100
Voting Board Membership $2,000
Application:
New Mexico Entertainment and Digital Industry Association (NMEDIA)
TRADE ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Editorial
By Alicia Keyes Touche - President NMEDIA
In the past 10 years, the state of New Mexico has engineered one of the most remarkable successes in state history, the growth of the film industry. Starting under Republican Gov. Gary Johnson and developing under Democrat Gov. Bill Richardson, the film industry has had a monumental $3.3 billion financial impact on our state. We are now considered the third most important film center in the U.S., after Los Angeles and New York. In short, our film production industry has been a staggering success for our workforce, for local small businesses and for our students.
The current budget shortfall is leading, understandably and rightly, to questions about the true "cost" of the film rebate. As citizens, taxpayers and film professionals, we welcome accountability and transparency for the film incentives. New Mexico is by no means the most generous state for film incentives (around 20 states have credits higher than ours) but it is known and respected for its stability and for its long-term vision in growing the industry. We therefore would like to caution strongly that our film industry could easily be damaged irreparably. We could lose thousands of jobs in very short order. Let me give you our case for continuing and fostering a film industry in this state.
Currently, the film industry in New Mexico employs 3,000 people directly and another 7,000 people in jobs that support the industry, such as travel agents, hotel and restaurant workers, suppliers and service workers. The extensive list of support industries is across a very broad job spectrum. This is a clean industry with wages above the state's median income. About 10,000 students, mostly college students, are studying film and hope to have a job in the New Mexico film industry when they graduate. If there are no New Mexico companies in the industry, they will follow the jobs to other states, much as we have seen in numerous other industries. In addition, the direct spending from all the movies in the last seven years has been over $1 billion, which translates into direct spending on salaries, equipment and services, all of which stay here in New Mexico. The film and television business has been the shining spot in our poor economy. Thus, the question then is not whether the movie business has been a success, but rather if the state contribution is justified.
The answer is a definitive yes. Last year, the state paid out $66 million in film rebates to production companies, which related to the previous year's $262 million direct spending within our state. That payment, weighed now in our budget crisis, seems significant. But it's not that simple, because for every dollar the state pays out in film rebates, it gets back taxes directly into state coffers in the form of gross receipts tax, corporate tax, personal income tax and property taxes. It is folly to assess the cost of something without measuring the revenue raised and the very real, but often difficult to quantify, impact on medium and longer term economic development.
Studies vary on the return on investment and fiscal impact to the state; but wherever you end up, the result is a relatively small economic development "cost," if indeed it really is a net cost, for the $197 million in actual direct spending last year within New Mexico.
If you apply a multiplier of 3x, that equates to a financial impact of $590 million in 2010 alone. This is new money coming into our state, so if we decide to eliminate or curb this incentive, we will forgo all of the financial benefit for New Mexicans and the numerous jobs this industry has created. Our program is an economic development program, and one that works for the benefit of New Mexico. The state government has done something very right. It has created an industry. We see no reason to let it die or forfeit this opportunity to other states.
The film rebate must not be confused with the Film Investment Loan Program, which is quite separate, is administered by the State Investment Council, and has no impact on the state budget discussions. While it is also an economic development tool, it is wholly discretionary, and loans made by the SIC are fully guaranteed by an approved third party institution so the SIC does not lose any principal at all. Indeed in 2009 and 2010 no film loans have been made.
We fully welcome an open discussion and support the approach of taking time to perform a systematic and objective assessment of the costs and benefits. But, we ask that the public recognize that this vital industry is currently a fragile one, and it could be completely wiped out in less than a year. We do not want our film students, in whom the taxpayers have invested, to be forced to go to California or Louisiana to work in the industry. We don't want to kill 10,000 jobs in a period of economic stress. We don't want to drive away big and small movies and all the work that goes along with them. We want to recognize that we have fostered an industry that we should be proud of, one that is just getting on its feet. Now is not the time for hasty actions for short-term reasons that could wreck the industry forever.
Alicia Keyes Touche is president of NMEDIA, the New Mexico Entertainment & Digital Industry Association, a trade association for New Mexico businesses dedicated to keeping the film industry alive in New Mexico.
By Alicia Keyes Touche - President NMEDIA
In the past 10 years, the state of New Mexico has engineered one of the most remarkable successes in state history, the growth of the film industry. Starting under Republican Gov. Gary Johnson and developing under Democrat Gov. Bill Richardson, the film industry has had a monumental $3.3 billion financial impact on our state. We are now considered the third most important film center in the U.S., after Los Angeles and New York. In short, our film production industry has been a staggering success for our workforce, for local small businesses and for our students.
The current budget shortfall is leading, understandably and rightly, to questions about the true "cost" of the film rebate. As citizens, taxpayers and film professionals, we welcome accountability and transparency for the film incentives. New Mexico is by no means the most generous state for film incentives (around 20 states have credits higher than ours) but it is known and respected for its stability and for its long-term vision in growing the industry. We therefore would like to caution strongly that our film industry could easily be damaged irreparably. We could lose thousands of jobs in very short order. Let me give you our case for continuing and fostering a film industry in this state.
Currently, the film industry in New Mexico employs 3,000 people directly and another 7,000 people in jobs that support the industry, such as travel agents, hotel and restaurant workers, suppliers and service workers. The extensive list of support industries is across a very broad job spectrum. This is a clean industry with wages above the state's median income. About 10,000 students, mostly college students, are studying film and hope to have a job in the New Mexico film industry when they graduate. If there are no New Mexico companies in the industry, they will follow the jobs to other states, much as we have seen in numerous other industries. In addition, the direct spending from all the movies in the last seven years has been over $1 billion, which translates into direct spending on salaries, equipment and services, all of which stay here in New Mexico. The film and television business has been the shining spot in our poor economy. Thus, the question then is not whether the movie business has been a success, but rather if the state contribution is justified.
The answer is a definitive yes. Last year, the state paid out $66 million in film rebates to production companies, which related to the previous year's $262 million direct spending within our state. That payment, weighed now in our budget crisis, seems significant. But it's not that simple, because for every dollar the state pays out in film rebates, it gets back taxes directly into state coffers in the form of gross receipts tax, corporate tax, personal income tax and property taxes. It is folly to assess the cost of something without measuring the revenue raised and the very real, but often difficult to quantify, impact on medium and longer term economic development.
Studies vary on the return on investment and fiscal impact to the state; but wherever you end up, the result is a relatively small economic development "cost," if indeed it really is a net cost, for the $197 million in actual direct spending last year within New Mexico.
If you apply a multiplier of 3x, that equates to a financial impact of $590 million in 2010 alone. This is new money coming into our state, so if we decide to eliminate or curb this incentive, we will forgo all of the financial benefit for New Mexicans and the numerous jobs this industry has created. Our program is an economic development program, and one that works for the benefit of New Mexico. The state government has done something very right. It has created an industry. We see no reason to let it die or forfeit this opportunity to other states.
The film rebate must not be confused with the Film Investment Loan Program, which is quite separate, is administered by the State Investment Council, and has no impact on the state budget discussions. While it is also an economic development tool, it is wholly discretionary, and loans made by the SIC are fully guaranteed by an approved third party institution so the SIC does not lose any principal at all. Indeed in 2009 and 2010 no film loans have been made.
We fully welcome an open discussion and support the approach of taking time to perform a systematic and objective assessment of the costs and benefits. But, we ask that the public recognize that this vital industry is currently a fragile one, and it could be completely wiped out in less than a year. We do not want our film students, in whom the taxpayers have invested, to be forced to go to California or Louisiana to work in the industry. We don't want to kill 10,000 jobs in a period of economic stress. We don't want to drive away big and small movies and all the work that goes along with them. We want to recognize that we have fostered an industry that we should be proud of, one that is just getting on its feet. Now is not the time for hasty actions for short-term reasons that could wreck the industry forever.
Alicia Keyes Touche is president of NMEDIA, the New Mexico Entertainment & Digital Industry Association, a trade association for New Mexico businesses dedicated to keeping the film industry alive in New Mexico.
Members
|
9 Point Productions Aaron T. Jones & Associates Inc. ABQ Economic Development Absolut Video Adela Chavez Ahern Rentals Albuquerque Actors' Studio Albuquerque Economic Development Albuquerque Hardwoods Ambitions Consulting Group American Limousine Annie's Little Sure Shot Best Western Rio Grande Inn Black Dog Construction Co. Brycon Construction Candlewood Suites ABQ Carey Southwest Limousine Carom Investments, LLC Casas de Santa Fe CatWalk Films Inc Century Drywall & Construction Chaparral Electric Co. Choice Stell Company Clarion Hotel Cliff Gravell Cort Furniture Cress Insurance Curtain Cowboy Diamond Vogel Plains Elliott Location Equipment Embee's Property Management Enterprise Rent A Car Excel Hospitality Exchange Communications Film Lincoln County NM Fincham Mobile Storage Floorscapes Guild Cinema Hampton Inn & Suites HDNM Entertainment Hotel Andaluz Hotel Santa Fe Hotel St. Francis HRO Enterprises I-25 Studios Independent Studio Services Indieproduction LLC Ink Well Productions InSight Creative JLS Security & Investigations KB Consulting Kokopelli Property Management Light Language Location Pros LLC Lotus Eye Productions Maestas Consulting, LLC Maleko Grip & Rigging Mario's Catering Marriott Marshall Bear Marylou & Bill Kraemer Masque Entertainment Studios Mayor David Coss Mesa del Sol Motion Picture Set Medics Movin on Livestock NM Mr. Aaron Sacco Mr. Cedric Griego Mr. Jared Evan Davis Mr. Paul H. Smith NAIOP New Mexico Lighting and Grip Over the Rainbow Cleaning PAR IV Speciality Equipment Park It Place Paul Renteria Productions PG Enterprises LLC Premier Concierge RAKS Building Supply Rasberry Concierge Reel Air NM Reel Solutions Residence Inn ABQ Airport Residence Inn by Marriott Reynolds Insurance RG Travel S.A. Sacco @ Associates Santa Fe Stagecoach Line Seabury Development SkyeView Productions Smart Marketing Communications Steven Michael Quezada Studio Concierge TC Enterprises The Goto Corporation Third Bid Producxtions Titan Development Trucks Unique Trula Ludwick Turri Productions United Rentals Venus Sanford Vern Gillum Yearout Mech. Zinc Wine Bar & Bistro |
Testimonials The New Mexico film industry is the largest segment of revenue growth for our business. A loss of incentives would definitely hamper our ability to grow our business and directly lead to a loss of jobs. We are depending on the NM Film Industry to contribute to our growth and success for 2011 and beyond. Allowing these incentives to terminate would be counterproductive and cause irreparable harm to the local economy-a direct impact that would cause our organization to suffer. - Clarion Hotel New Mexico is our main staging point for all work done nationally. If the incentives are altered and production negatively impacted, we would have to move our operations to Louisiana or other state that sees the incentives as a positive program. Of course, we would have to let our NM staff go and our company profits would no longer flow back to the state. -Exchange Communications Our hotels combined yearly revenue has grown to around $350,000.00 per year. That is a tidy sum that will be difficult to replace. Should we loose the film industry. We would be forced to cut back on staff, our local vendors, and the amount of taxes we pay would also decrease. I also know for a fact that my guests buy groceries, clothing, dine out and shop which intern would cause a horrible domino effect. - Excel Hospitality Our business would be affected in the way of lost revenue which in turn could mean loss of employment for those individuals involved in those projects. The subcontractors and suppliers would also be affected for the same reasons mentioned above. We are currently planning to complete rough 12 million dollars of new construction for the film industry in 2011. If the film credits are lost our clients have told us that it will not be financially viable to locate their facilities in New Mexico. -Brycon Construction I feed about 120 people who work on the movie crew breakfast and lunch per project up to 4 projects at a time. My company would leave the state and move to Georgia if we lost the incentives. I would sell my properties and close the corporation. - Mario’s Catering The film industry contributes to 25 - 30% of our annual business income. We employee 7 full time people and several part time people, all of which can be linked back to the film industry bringing jobs and income to New Mexico. - Casas de Santa Fe |
Contact
PayPal
Your application process is almost complete.
Please use the link below to complete application and donation process.
Once we have varified your application and donation, you will be added to our members page.
Your application process is almost complete.
Please use the link below to complete application and donation process.
Once we have varified your application and donation, you will be added to our members page.