What is new or different at IBC2019?

What is new or different at IBC2019? posted: 25/07/2019

Michael Crimp on IBC2019

As always, the team has worked hard to keep abreast of developments in the industry, and the innovations we introduce are, as always, driven by what our visitors want. So we have brought the IBC conference and exhibition back into alignment, instead of starting and finishing the conference a day earlier. When visitors could take the time to attend for the whole of IBC this made a great deal of sense, but we have to recognise that visitors today make much more targeted trips to IBC, and need to make the best use of their time.

Another important shift we have made over recent years is to actively encourage a younger audience, and to ensure that as far as possible we are inclusive in everything we do.

This year we have taken a major step forward by adding two new honours to our popular and prestigious IBC Awards programme. We will be honouring a Young Pioneer, and significant projects in social responsibility.

Talking of young people, a whole new media genre has appeared from nowhere in recent years: esports. On Tuesday we are converting the RAI Auditorium into an esports arena, with live tournaments as well as conference sessions around it.

The final innovation I would point to is the Media-Telecom Convergence Catalyst, an exciting new collaboration between IBC and the TM Forum. We will see three unique catalyst projects on the show floor, showcasing open innovation between the telecoms and media industries. Participation from Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC R&D, RT and more will show how 5G, AI and big data management can solve business and technology challenges, and improve the customer experience.

What is new for the IBC2019 conference?

The most obvious change is that the conference will now run Friday to Tuesday, ending with the IBC Esports Showcase, a new venture supported by market leader ESL along with Lagard re and EVS. This means that our invitation-only Executive Forums will take place on Thursday (12 September), clear of the rest of the event, allowing us to focus all our attention on these vital, top level summits.

As ever, the conference looks at contemporary issues from a creative, commercial and technical viewpoint, allowing our visitors to form a fully rounded view and take part in the debate about the future of the industry. This year, each day has its own theme:

Friday is create and produce: creating disruption, which includes a look at new technologies including immersive experiences and beyond 4k resolutions

Saturday sees manage: automating media supply chains, which looks at how emerging technologies like blockchain and AI can transform the media business

Sunday we will look at publish: embracing the platform revolution and how the move towards new business models is disrupting the industry

Monday's theme is consume: engaging consumer experiences, and in particular what is going to engage

Tuesday is monetise: scaling audiences and revenues, looking at how brands can lead to new models of advertising.

The lounge talks programme - more informal chats about key topics - will be back, too, looking at topics which are harder to fit into the formal programme. That includes corporate social responsibility and inclusion, too.

But perhaps more important to talk about is what has not changed about the IBC conference. And top of my list for that is that it is completely non-commercial. We are not driven by vendors who spend large: the programme is developed by a group of industry leaders, who have the clout, on IBC's behalf, to attract the most influential speakers. The result is that IBC is the one global forum where the big questions are asked and answered.

I would add that it is the most inclusive forum, too. We have visitors from around 150 countries. Wherever you are from, whatever your level of experience, whatever your specialist interest, you are welcome at IBC.

The final thing that has not changed is that IBC is in the RAI Convention Centre in Amsterdam. By day, that makes it hugely efficient, with a comprehensive exhibition, world-class conference facilities and all the other things that add value to your experience, all under one roof. After hours, you are in one of the world's most welcoming, inclusive, cosmopolitan cities. Why wouldn't you be at IBC?

Why have you added an esports showcase, and how will this add to the overall IBC experience?

The answer is quite simple: esports have rapidly risen to become major global media events, calling for comprehensive coverage and with a unique set of technical and editorial challenges. Where else would you go to understand the issues and possibilities than IBC?

We have always taken the view that you need to see something to understand it, so we have always strived to make the IBC conference experiential. A dry debate without appreciating the extraordinary excitement of esports would be very dull.

So as well as conference sessions - which include the participation of the players emerging from the world of esports like Ginx TV, Twitch, Riot and Blizzard, as well as developers like EA Sports - we will host a live demonstration. Two professional teams from ESL's National Championships in Germany and Spain will go head-to-head on Counter-Strike.

We think this is going to be an extraordinary afternoon, so we are hosting this in the RAI Auditorium, our largest space, which we will be kitting out with all the technology an esports championship demands. Everyone is welcome, and we anticipate a big audience.

IBC has kept its five day format, but aligned the conference and exhibition dates. Why?

I know I use this mantra so often, but it is absolutely true. IBC is run by the industry, for the industry. Our five-day format gives visitors the opportunity to attend over a week

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