IABM Journal Article – Executive Viewpoint: Paul Wan Managing Director, UBM Singapore, organiser of BroadcastAsia
This article originally appeared in the IABM Journal, issue 105 which is available to view online here.
BroadcastAsia2018 is Asia’s must-attend international event for the pro-audio, film, digital media and broadcasting industries. Capture the future together with professionals from the industries that are reshaping the broadcast value chain.
Please explain the relationship between CommunicAsia, NXTAsia and BroadcastAsia. What is the thinking behind co-locating these three events under a single, overarching ConnecTechAsia banner?
ConnecTechAsia, comprising BroadcastAsia, CommunicAsia and NXTAsia, represents the converging industries of broadcasting, info- communications and emerging technologies.
We are in an age of digital convergence where the lines between telecoms, media and technology (TMT) have blurred. Tech companies such as Amazon and Netflix have disrupted the broadcast and media landscapes, M&As of telecom and media companies will continue, and new technologies such as IoT, AI, VR and robotics will continue to bring meaningful improvements to every facet of these landscapes.
As this phenomenon permeates Asia, the overlap of industries becomes greater and the region undergoes rapid digital transformation, it is therefore timely to connect all three exhibitions under one mega technology platform – ConnecTechAsia.
Together, ConnecTechAsia presents a holistic view of infrastructure, innovation, services, and thought- leadership, to help businesses and governments in Asia navigate and adapt to this new era of digital convergence.
What’s new at BroadcastAsia this year in terms of exhibition and summit focus/ features/ awards? What are the key technology areas the show is focusing on?
There is so much to see on the show floor! Covering all aspects of the broadcasting value chain, BroadcastAsia2018 will showcase anchor technologies for UHD/HDR, IP Broadcasting, Live Production, Content Media Security, and OTT. This includes latest 4K and 8K cameras, lighting, and jigs from the cluster of cinematography film and production equipment manufacturers, non-linear workflow solutions housed at the TV Everywhere! Zone, and all the equipment and solutions needed by sound professionals at the ProAudio Tech Zone.
The three-day BroadcastMedia track at the ConnecTechAsia Summit will feature a great line up of topics and speakers that table all the latest trends and emerging industry developments. This year, new topics will spotlight the application of frontier technologies such as blockchain and AI to enhance existing industry business models, as well as the role social media plays in broadcasting. Notable topics include Fielding AI Solutions in the Media Supply Chain, Successful Implementation of AI in Broadcast Industry, Creating the New Broadcast Content Economy on the Blockchain and Live Broadcasting via Social Media.
Overall, the conference will deliver thought-leadership and an avenue for industry discourse aimed at helping companies be future ready and equipped to meet the next wave of broadcasting.
BroadcastAsia2018 will also unveil new features aimed at enhancing attendees’ experience and heighten overall show buzz. I am delighted to share that, in partnership with WeOne, a blockchain-based esports tournament and gaming platform, and esports organiser Cresmos, BroadcastAsia2018 will host the first first Southeast Asian League (SEAL) at the new Esports Arena Studio. For the very first time, attendees will learn what transpires behind- the-scenes at esports events. Featuring a three-day live streamed Hearthstone tournament, the Esports Arena Studio will allow attendees to interact with acclaimed esports personalities, players, commentators as well as get to witness real-time production, graphics, audio, encoding, and transmission of the esports tournament.
The esports theme will also spill over to Producers Connect. Back for the second year, this seminar will examine how esports is touted as a sport of the 21st century, the role of tech in this arena, and how brands are getting their game in esports.
Another new feature area is Radio’s New Wave, a full-day seminar dedicated to the future of radio broadcasting. The seminar will drive discussions on trends and behaviours of listeners, the impact of streaming services such as Spotify, Apply Music and Amazon, podcasting, use of audience and data insights to enhance and engage listeners, and the developments of DAB+ digital radio in Asia Pacific.
For those seeking to further understand non-linear broadcasting and alternate content platforms, the new TVeXchange is the place to check out. Held across three days, the seminar will see leading players such as Brightcove, Accedo, TiVo and Verimatrix share knowledge and solutions across multiple topics, from monetisation and analytics, billing and subscription management, to content management, workflow and artificial intelligence and IoT.
Other feature areas include the Innovation Hub – where attendees can learn about the new technologies disrupting the broadcasting and multimedia industry. The Innovation Hub will host ‘Tomorrow’s Media Tool Box – Today’, a session run by IABM highlighting the knowledge and tools that can help attendees dovetail tomorrow’s media into their day-to-day projects and workflows. This includes discussions on real-time video over IP, the reality of VR, how to capitalise on social media interactions, and a clear understanding of microservices.
I also encourage exhibitors to participate in the daily technology tours of the exhibition; there are five different themed tour routes to suit the needs of all visitors!
How many visitors are you expecting, will this be an increase on 2017, and from what countries within the region will the visitors mainly come? Why is it essential for broadcast and media executives in the region to attend BroadcastAsia – what will they learn – and what will they miss by not attending?
The event’s previous edition drew about 40,000 attendees globally and we expect a higher turnout in this year. Our visitors come from more than 70 countries and regions. The top 10 overseas visitor groups are from Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Asia’s broadcast and media landscapes are changing rapidly, the rising number of digital channels, coupled with viewers’ demand for fast and high quality content is accelerating the upgrading of equipment and technology, to help broadcasters as well as digital media providers manage, secure and transmit high quality, continuous streams of information and content.
Industry executives will benefit from navigating the showcases from BroadcastAsia’s 600 global exhibitors and 13 international group pavilions. They can see and experience first- hand the new and improved technologies in UHD/HDR, IP Broadcasting, Live Production, Content Media Security, OTT and Alternative Content Platforms.
On the business front, emerging tech such as AI, blockchain, and VR are giving rise to new business models and revenue streams. The convergence of telecoms, media and technology within Asia will also continue. Therefore as part of ConnecTechAsia, the only business platform in the region that covers the entire spectrum of communication, broadcast and emerging technologies, BroadcastAsia attendees will get to explore the intersection of these three industries on one stage.
BroadcastAsia is a strategic partner of IABM. What extra value has that relationship delivered to the show?
We see a lot of value in partnering IABM. As the only international association for broadcast and media technology, our visions, audiences are aligned, and IABM’s expert industry insight has brought incredible value to enhance BroadcastAsia’s technology showcase and
programme content.
Not only are we able to provide visitors with a more holistic technology showcase by tapping IABM’s global network of members, IABM has also played a pivotal role in curating relevant and meaningful knowledge-based experiences across various platforms at the event.
In developing the BroadcastMedia track for the ConnecTechAsia Summit, and programme for the Innovation Hub, IABM’s market insights and industry connections were critical to programme development and speaker recommendations.
Additionally, we are also leveraging on IABM’s vast network and resources to promote BroadcastAsia; the IABM Journal is a great example!
What advice would you give to exhibitors to help them get the most out of the show?
The high speed of change in how viewers consume content, the explosion of emerging tech, and the merger of telecoms and broadcasting that is instigating change in traditional business models, in my opinion are key areas topping the list of concerns of business leaders in recent times.
BroadcastAsia, as part of the mega technology event ConnecTechAsia that covers the converging TMT ecosystems, enjoys one of the greatest benefits that is the breadth and depth of visitors from other industries that will cross over to visit the BroadcastAsia exhibition.
In the lead up to opening day, we offer all exhibitors a comprehensive suite of content marketing, media promotion, digital outreach, and business matching opportunities that can help them communicate their message and tell their story. It is easy to get lost in the crowd at an event of this scale and we therefore encourage all exhibitors to invest in getting their message out and be heard by the correct audience.
Exhibitors can also visit the UBM booth at the event to find out more about our global portfolio of events that serve more than 50 different sectors.
Anything else you’d like to add that we haven’t covered above?
Lastly I hope all exhibitors will pick up a copy of the ConnecTechAsia white paper we’ve partnered with InBroadcast, an IABM member, to produce. Titled ‘Asia Pacific poised to Lead the Era of Hyper-connectivity’, this white paper will outline independent research on issues specific to the industry landscape in Asia Pacific.
Find out more about IABM’s activity at BroadcastAsia by clicking here.
