IABM Journal 2026 content focus and deadlines 

Here are the main themes and deadlines for the four 2026 editions of the IABM Journal. 

Articles submitted should be 800-1000 words plus supporting images*, including a headshot of the author where possible. Good images really help lift articles off the page/screen, so please make every effort to source suitable ones to support your words. 

We will also consider publishing articles outside the main themes of each edition. Opinion articles addressing key current industry issues are in particular always welcome, alongside interesting case studies. 

AI is also a constant theme throughout many articles; where this is the main thrust of your article, it will be published under an AI theme heading. 

Submissions and correspondence to roger.thornton@theiabm.org

March 2026 – Q1 

Main theme: Creativity & Orchestration 

How will the next wave of automation impact jobs in content creation and production? 

Editorial focus: Tech and activities that boost creativity. This includes both creativity and technical innovation using physical, virtual, or immersive methods. We’ll also look at the impact of AI and automation on content creation and production.  

Keywords: Creativity, Collaboration, Innovation, Content, Metaverse, Immersive, Imaging, Creation, Production, Culture, Automation, AI etc.  

 

Enterprise AV 

Where MediaTech suppliers are entering parallel markets in search of growth and new opportunities leveraging MediaTech but making it more accessible to non-professional users both in the M&E industry and other verticals  using audio visual technologies. 

Keywords: People, technology, markets. 

 

Sustainability 

With the effects of climate change now obvious to all, how is our industry helping to minimize its impact on the environment? 

 

Content chain: Create, Produce 

The latest developments that are enhancing creativity, collaboration, and workflows at the front end of the BaM Content Chain®.  

 

Deadline for finished materials: 21 March 

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June 2026 – Q2 

Main theme: Resilience  

Editorial focus: We’ll cover tech and activities that boost business and technical resilience. This includes security, business and data protection, geographical diversification etc.  

Keywords: Security, Business Continuity, Data Privacy, Disruption, Supply Chain, Standardization, Scarcity, Complexity, Interoperability etc. 

 

Technology and Trends Roadmap 

This is a vital tool for MediaTech suppliers and end-users in planning their strategies. We will explain the changes in this year’s update. 

 

Enterprise AV 

Where MediaTech suppliers are entering parallel markets in search of growth and new opportunities leveraging MediaTech but making it more accessible to non-professional users both in the M&E industry and other verticals  using audio visual technologies. 

Keywords: People, technology, markets. 

 

Sustainability 

With the effects of climate change now obvious to all, how is our industry helping to minimize its impact on the environment? 

 

Content Chain: Connect, Store, Support 

The latest developments in the activities that enable the BaM Content Chain® – moving/delivering content; storing content throughout its lifecycle; monitoring, testing, communicating and running facilities. 

 

Deadline for finished materials: 12 June 

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September 2026 – Q3 

Main theme 1: Efficiency  

Editorial focus: We’ll cover tech and activities that boost efficiency. This includes automation, intelligence, supply chain management, cloud-based workflows etc.  

Keywords: Speed, Supply Chain, Data, Intelligence, Cloud, SaaS, Pricing, Automation, Insourcing, Outsourcing, End-to-End, Best-of-Breed, CAPEX, OPEX, Sustainability, etc. 

 

Main theme 2: Next Generation Talent 

How is our industry supporting the drive to attract new talent and increase workplace diversity and inclusion?  

Keywords: Talent, Skillsets, Workforce, Diversity etc. 

 

Enterprise AV 

Where MediaTech suppliers are entering parallel markets in search of growth and new opportunities leveraging MediaTech but making it more accessible to non-professional users both in the M&E industry and other verticals  using audio visual technologies. 

Keywords: People, technology, markets. 

 

Sustainability 

With the effects of climate change now obvious to all, how is our industry helping to minimize its impact on the environment? 

 

Content Chain: Manage, Publish 

The latest developments in managing and preparing completed content and its publication, including playout of linear and non-linear content; orchestrating the workflow and resources required. 

Enterprise AV: where MediaTech suppliers are entering parallel markets in search of growth and new opportunities. 

 

Deadline for finished materials: 19 August 

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December 2026 – Q4 

Main theme: Revenue Generation 

Editorial focus: We’ll cover tech and activities that boost revenue generation. This includes revenue creation and differentiation. We’ll also look at convergence between media, MediaTech and adjacent sectors. 

Keywords: Direct-to-Consumer, Business Models, Economics, Revenue-Generating, R&D Investment, Convergence, Parallel Markets, Gaming, Consumer Experiences etc. 

 

Enterprise AV 

Where MediaTech suppliers are entering parallel markets in search of growth and new opportunities leveraging MediaTech but making it more accessible to non-professional users both in the M&E industry and other verticals  using audio visual technologies. 

Keywords: People, technology, markets. 

 

Sustainability 

With the effects of climate change now obvious to all, how is our industry helping to minimize its impact on the environment? 

 

Content Chain: Monetize, Consume 

The latest developments in managing rights and royalties, scheduling services, advertising, data aggregation and analysis. Enabling consumption of content on consumer-facing devices, apps, and platforms.  

 

Deadline for finished materials: 13 November 

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*Please ensure you have full copyright clearance for all images supplied. Recently IABM has inadvertently fallen foul of international copyright law because an image supplied by an IABM member had not been authorised for publication. This resulted in IABM having to pay a fine, along with diverting scarce resources to deal with the claim. 

We ourselves take great care that any images we source for our own purposes are cleared for use in terms of copyright. We clearly cannot shoulder responsibility for copyright in images supplied by members that we reproduce in good faith.  

We therefore ask that any images supplied with articles, news stories etc. are cleared for copyright purposes when they are supplied to us. If this subsequently proves not to be the case, and action is taken against IABM, the member (or member’s representative) supplying those images, will be expected to fully reimburse IABM for any costs incurred.