Tech, media hiring boosted by move to digital

By Michele Gershberg

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Programmers and engineers again have the advantage when it comes to global hiring, as the transition to digital makes everyone from cellular providers to movie studios expand their technology operations.

Executives speaking at the Reuters Global Technology, Media and Telecoms Summit in New York this week said they were looking primarily for software expertise, as well as digital advertising knowledge, sales reps and call center staff.

A move to outsource technology work to lower-wage countries such as India and China has grabbed headlines for years. But many speakers said they were expanding hiring in the United States and Europe to help support the next stage of Internet entertainment and commerce, sometimes called "Web 2.0."

"We're looking very much for software engineers," said Nokia Oyj (NOK1V.HE: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) Chief Financial Officer Rick Simonson. "We sell devices which is hardware, but our R&D spend which is just below 4 billion euros ($5.4 billion) a year ... is primarily software related."

Nokia is building a plant in Hungary and has been investing in increased capacity in Romania and Mexico, he said.

Movie and television producer Walt Disney Co. (DIS.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) had a similar answer as it builds out entertainment and news Web sites, virtual worlds for its fans and delves more deeply into mobile communications.

"We have a fairly significant team in Seattle ... that is a core engineering and technology hub for all of our operations across the company and we're continuing to hire a range of engineering talent there," said Disney Internet Group President Steve Wadsworth.

In some cases, knowledge of key target markets trumped cost advantage when it comes to bulking up on staff.  Continued...