Meet the customer fulfilment engineer
07/03/2023
By Jenny Priestley
Published: March 7, 2023 Updated: March 8, 2023
Pebble's Jordan Toner reveals his journey in the media tech industry, including building a mini production facility in a van and driving it across 12 European countries in eight weeks
target=_blank title=Share on LinkedIn class=share-linkedin>
Jordan Toner, customer fulfilment engineer, Pebble Talk us through an average day in your role After completing my morning routine (which includes yoga!) one of my first tasks is to check on support calls that have come through overnight, followed by a regular catch up with my line manager and colleagues on the work to be prioritised and completed for that day. The work varies from a simple configuration of adding another channel to an existing system or helping to build a playout infrastructure from scratch for a new broadcast facility.
I then respond to emails following up on questions from existing customers or requests from our solution architects team detailing future work that will come our way which needs to be planned for.
Some days I'm involved in a kick-off meeting which provides vital information on what is needed for a customer and the timeframe for delivery, others I'm solving the challenge of a complex configuration at a customer site - so looking at the type of channel they play out and the hardware they use to do this alongside our software and then identifying what changes/fixes need to be made to the hardware so that the channel continues to play out successfully. And then there are days where I'm working on a full technology refresh, which means installing new servers whilst ensuring the customers' channel/s stay on air - which is quite the challenge. A tech refresh like this happens in one day!
As you can imagine, working on so many different projects concurrently means that every day is very different!
How did you get started in the media industry? My first job was as a warehouse assistant for a live events company. I helped to design the live events in the warehouse itself, recreating the event locally; my main duties being to test all the kit which ranged from lighting, safety bonds, audio desks (testing faders) microphones, cabling, cameras and finally stress testing the truss.
My next role was working for BFBS as a junior broadcast engineer. I remember my first task was fixing an uplink van - which was quite old! From there, I was then given the task to update the facility's Scala archive system, taking it from the older LTO4 to the newer LTO6 tape generation. I also had to install a whole new robot and chassis as well as a light web interface. At the time, BFBS were using Pebble's Integrated Channel solution which is how I first heard about Pebble!
I also worked for a number of systems integrators to help design and build large-scale production facilities worldwide, the most memorable being for the BBC Lagos Bureau in Nigeria. I experienced a very different side of the world and met some very interesting people; friends I keep in touch with even now.
After some time with TSL, I then moved on to Blackmagic Design as a technical sales specialist for broadcast, where I built a mini production facility in a van and drove it across 12 countries in Europe in eight weeks!
After my time at Blackmagic, I worked on a project for Google Deep Mind to build the best video conferencing facility possible. The backbone of the facility was MTP trunked fibre, enabling a full UHD SMPTE 2110 system - it was all IP, with no SDI at all - across multiple sets of meeting rooms with AI controlled cameras, Shure directional microphones and speakers in the ceilings. This was also recreated in an amphitheatre for a video conferencing experience straight out of the year 3000!
What training did you have before entering the industry? I took a two-year college course in Media Studies aged 16, but didn't return back to education until I was 23. In between, I spent two years working as a 999 call taker for the Ambulance Service, but I eventually went on to study Media Technology at the University of Salford - a big shout out for Laurence Murphy who is the lead lecturer and head of technology there! He undoubtedly helped me land my first job.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry? Because I'm a geek first and foremost! I'd describe myself as a technologist - I like the cutting edge-ness of it all. I've worked on some varied projects in my career so far but never have I worked for a company before with so much trust and freedom like I do at here at Pebble. For me it's the place to be! And I have a fantastic line manager who is very supportive. The industry itself is constantly evolving and there are various debates about the next best thing such as 8K HDR with whispers of 16K on the horizon.
It's also about the people too - especially at Pebble. I recently mentored my colleague Anisa which was really interesting. Having the perspective of a fresh green' engineer who was testing my knowledge was great because she wasn't afraid to ask questions and it was really rewarding to play a pivotal role in her development. It's nice to have someone that you can pass your knowledge on to and challenging the way you do things by constantly checking up on your knowledge. I really enjoy working with my colleagues and all in all I think the team we have at Pebble are the best around!
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours? Be sure this is what you want to invest your time in because it is a challenging job, a lifestyle choice but one that is incredibly rewarding at the same. You nee
LINK: | https://www.tvbeurope.com/business/people/meet-the-customer-fulfilment... |
See more stories from tvb |
More from TVB Europe
28/03/2024
The 4K cameras giving audiences an astronaut's view of Earth
TVBEurope meets Charles Black, founder and CEO of Sen, which has sent a payload of 4K cameras to the ISS to livestream images of Earth to audiences around the w...
27/03/2024
I knew there were cameras, lighting, some buttons and microphones involved': How Crew Room Academy is inspiring the next generation
TVBEurope hears from some of the students who took part in Crew Room Academys Sc...
27/03/2024
Adobe reveals Gen AI solutions for content supply chain
Elsewhere, Adobe revealed a new feature in Adobe Firefly, which uses the companys generative AI to easily apply the structure of an existing image to newly gene...
27/03/2024
Best of Show Awards for 2024 NAB Show entries close soon
The awards, from industry-leading brands of Future plc, provide a great opportunity for companies to stand out at one the most attended shows in the industry B...
27/03/2024
Meet the director of IT and operations
By TVBEurope Staff Published: March 27, 2024 Updated: March 28, 2024 CueScript's director of IT and operations, Meghan Tyler, tells TVBEurope about h...
26/03/2024
Crown Works Studios moves forward following council approval
The studios are expected to be one of the largest in Europe, with 20 premium sound stages suitable for major feature film and high-end TV (HETV) productions By...
25/03/2024
Blackbird adds indexing and AI auto sequencing to video editing platform
Twelve Labs AI will enable editors to locate specific storytelling moments within their video content using natural language, said the companies By Jenny Pries...
25/03/2024
Meet the director of strategic marketing
By TVBEurope Staff Published: March 25, 2024 Updated: March 26, 2024 Bruno Fran on, director of strategic marketing at Backlight, talks to TVBEurope abou...
22/03/2024
Grass Valley secures $220 million in strategic refinancing
The company said it intends to accelerate innovation across its entire portfolio, most notably in the AMPP ecosystem following the refinancing By Jenny Priestl...
21/03/2024
Creating a fully managed live sports streaming service
As the way that viewers watch sport continues to evolve, broadcasters and streaming services must keep a finger on the pulse of the market and adapt their offer...
21/03/2024
Planetcast brings OTT in house with Switch Media acquisition
The acquisition transfers full control of Switch Medias assets to Planetcast, enabling integration of their online video solutions with Planetcasts NexC unified...
20/03/2024
Slow Horses, The Long Shadow lead BAFTA Craft Awards
Other Craft Award nominees include The Crown, Silo, The Coronation Concert and Eurovision By Jenny Priestley Published: March 20, 2024 Other Craft Award n...
20/03/2024
Shepperton Studios expansion opens for business
The Surrey facility adds a further 17 sound stages (taking its total to 31) as well as two new backlots By Matthew Corrigan Published: March 20, 2024 Updat...
19/03/2024
How Freelens TV puts science centre-stage for its latest game show
Take Off is a game show where science and innovation meet competition. With 12 contestants pitted against one another in a series of challenges, culminating in ...
19/03/2024
The new name reflects the ambition we've had since the very beginning': Newsbridge rebrands as Moments Lab
The company says its goal is to help media, sports, and entertainment companies ...
18/03/2024
Logging and reviewing: Moving towards a sustainable workflow
Jane Sung, COO at Cinedeck, explains how broadcasters and content production companies can achieve the goal of moving towards creating a more sustainable, effic...
18/03/2024
Altice Media sold to French shipping tycoon for 1.55 billion
The deal includes BFM TV, one of the country's largest 24-hour news channels, as well as documentary channel RMC D couverte, and RMC Story By Jenny Priestl...
18/03/2024
Meet the CEO and founder
By TVBEurope Staff Published: March 18, 2024 Updated: March 19, 2024 Nick Franco tells TVBEurope how he went from being a master plasterer and refurbishi...
15/03/2024
Meet the director of channel development
By TVBEurope Staff Published: March 15, 2024 Updated: March 18, 2024 Jenny Isaksson, director channel development at Vizrt, tells TVBEurope why she enjoy...
14/03/2024
Spilling the tea: The challenges of live music for television
Ciaran Doran reports on a recent RTS Technology Centre event that heard about the challenge of getting sound on live TV events just right, including dealing wit...
14/03/2024
Case study: How post production house Blazing Griffin keeps complex file movement simple
Blazing Griffins technical operations manager Paul Martin explains how the compa...
14/03/2024
Meet the TPN ambassador
By TVBEurope Staff Published: March 14, 2024 Updated: March 15, 2024 Stephen Stewart, former network director at Channel 4, tells TVBEurope about his cur...
13/03/2024
Brightcove adds web-based video editing capabilities to streaming technology platform
The update enables users to repurpose existing video content by editing recordin...
13/03/2024
Water, water everywhere
Vine FX blends practical and CGI elements for ITVs After the Flood, crafting immersive world-building crucial to the post-disaster thrillers authenticity, write...
11/03/2024
Opinion: Making space for inclusion and diversity
Radical Moves River Williams looks at how the broadcast industry can become more inclusive and representative in order to benefit the professionals working with...
11/03/2024
What will the broadcast tech ecosystem look like in the next 5-10 years?
TVBEurope editor Jenny Priestley meets Grass Valley president and COO Jon Wilson to discuss everything from the power of the cloud, AI adoption and this years s...
08/03/2024
Anna Valley enters administration
Anna Valley has been working in the AV sector for over three decades, with roots in the supply of cameras and display technology to the broadcast sector By Jen...
08/03/2024
#IWD2024: Meet media technology's inspiring women
To mark International Womens Day 2024, TVBEurope is delighted to showcase some of the inspiring women currently working in the media technology industry By Jen...
07/03/2024
World VFX Day and UpliftHER partner on IWD activities
The speakers will discuss why there are so few women in senior roles, juggling parenthood with a career, LGBTQ+ representation and inclusion, financial literacy...
07/03/2024
Nikon to acquire camera manufacturer RED
Nikon said the deal promises an exciting future of product development that will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in film and video productio...
07/03/2024
If you can see it, you can be it': How the media technology industry can take action to inspire more women to join
In the second of TVBEuropes series of articles celebrating International Womens ...
07/03/2024
More action, please!
R is n McKeniry, head of technology, Gravity Media, explains why the media industry needs to change its mindset in the way it works, and utilise technology to i...
06/03/2024
UK VFX industry welcomes Budget tax relief
According to UK Screen Alliance estimates, the tax relief changes are likely to stimulate an additional £175 million of VFX work to be performed in the UK By J...
06/03/2024
How modern day tech created an age-old monster for Godzilla Minus One
Godzilla Minus One director Takashi Yamazaki explains how Maxons ZBrush helped create the look of the iconic monsters latest big screen outing By Jenny Priestl...
05/03/2024
Screen Scotland sets out six year plan to grow TV and film sectors
The strategy aims to increase the screen sector gross value added (GVA) impact to £1 billion within the Scottish economy by 2030/31 By Jenny Priestley Publis...
05/03/2024
Making a splash
The producers of thriller No Way Up tell Robert Shepherd how they created visually stunning scenes set in the Pacific Ocean, from Basildon and Maidenhead By Co...
05/03/2024
Canal+ ups Multichoice bid by $1 billion, companies agree to enter talks
Both sides said they intend to co-operate and MultiChoice will give exclusivity undertakings to Canal By Jenny Priestley Published: March 5, 2024 Both si...
05/03/2024
IWD 2024: How media tech companies are inspiring inclusion
Ahead of International Womens Day, TVBEurope is publishing a series of special articles around this years theme of Inspiring Inclusion. We start with a look at ...
04/03/2024
Navigating cloud solutions and IP workflows in the evolving European media landscape
The cloud and IP workflows are not just about technology upgrades; theyre strate...
04/03/2024
How rehoused Soviet-era glass and 1980s Moviecams captured Dune 2
Cinematographer Greig Fraser discusses some of the innovative technology used on Dune 2 By Jenny Priestley Published: March 4, 2024 Updated: March 5, 2024 ...
04/03/2024
Global Media & Entertainment Talent Manifesto aims to address media technology skills crisis
Established in late 2023 by Carrie Wootten and Chris Redmond, the Global Media &...
04/03/2024
Accedo acquires streaming technology company Easel TV
The deal will see Easel TVs SaaS platform merged into Accedo One SaaS platform. Easel TVs brand name will be gradually phased out By Jenny Priestley Publishe...
01/03/2024
ITV sells share of BritBox International to BBC Studios
Following the streamers move into BBC Studios' Global Media & Streaming division, global CEO Reemah Sakaan will step down By Jenny Priestley Published: M...
29/02/2024
Cloud playout: A win-win for costs and carbon footprint
Andy Warman, senior vice president of product, Imagine Communications, details how leveraging cloud infrastructure can reduce operational costs and help the pla...
29/02/2024
NAB Show 2024 to kick-off with world's first AI-Human presentation'
Ameca will be joined on stage by Futuri CEO Daniel Anstandig to discuss the findings of a survey into how audiences perceive AI in the media By Jenny Priestley...
28/02/2024
Canal+ must make mandatory offer for Multichoice
Decision follows Canal increasing its stake in Multichoice to 35.01 per cent, which is above the 35 per cent threshold where a mandatory offer is required By ...
27/02/2024
Don't worry about a thing: Building the editing workflow for Bob Marley: One Love
Hula Posts Joel Ouano talks to TVBEurope about how the post production house wor...
27/02/2024
TVBEurope March 2024 issue available to download
The March issue focuses on the on-going move to sustainability in the media technology industry, goes behind the scenes of The Traitors, and discovers how The L...
27/02/2024
UK TV and film industry set for major skills crisis as over a third of workers expect to leave in next five years
Bectu is calling on broadcasters and the UK government to act now and halt the e...
26/02/2024
A lightbulb moment': The story behind The Jury: Murder Trial
TVBEurope talks to the production team behind Channel 4s social experiment to find out how they enabled viewers to look over the shoulders of two separate jurie...