BEYOND providing funding and training opportunities, local authorities are roping in international mentors in the hope of giving the country's fledging digital media sector a further boost.

The Media Development Authority of Singapore (MDA) has launched a one-year pilot programme to help match-make local firms with foreign experts who can provide the best guidance for their various business prerogatives.

Called the Business Executive Mentorship Programme, it aims to provide Singapore companies with expert advice on everything from entertainment and media law to merchandising and licensing know-how as they look to expand overseas.

The pairing is done after a review of the participating companies' business plans and an indication of interest from both parties to work together, MDA said.

Five Singapore firms and international experts have been selected as part of this flagship programme.

Local Trade publisher CR Media will be mentored by David Mansfield, executive director of London-based media investment group Ingenious Media, while homegrown animation firm Media Freaks will be taught by Liz Kalodner, executive vice-president and general manager of consumer products for US television network CBS.

Singapore-based content developers Scrawl Studios and Upside Down Concepts have been matched to Jon R Peisinger, president of consulting firm Creative Branding Systems and Stephen Scharf, a partner with O'Melveny and Myers respectively.

The final participant is local production house Verite Productions and it will receive assistance from Andrew Craissati, chief executive of boutique investment banking firm Transpac Media.

This article was first published in The Business Times on November 12, 2008.