At this year’s Essex International Scout and Guide Jamboree, over 4,500 young people, gathered from across the globe, had the unique opportunity to dive headfirst into the world of broadcast television, thanks to the support of Ross Video and their partner dB Broadcast. For seven days, participants were immersed in the behind-the-scenes magic of television production, gaining hands-on experience through interactive Tech Labs.
Quickplay – Engaging the Next Generation of Talent with Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Built into Your Company Culture
The media and entertainment industry has long been a catalyst for social change, shaping perspectives through the stories we tell and the voices we amplify. Yet when it comes to creating truly inclusive workplaces that entice diverse talent, many of those in our industry are still writing their next chapter. While we can certainly make the claim that progress has been made, the reality is the finish line is not yet in sight. We must fundamentally transform how we define company culture, ensuring that there is a clear encouragement of all professionals, including leadership, to be their authentic selves.
Bridging the AI skills gap: essential knowledge for media professionals
The media landscape is in the midst of a seismic shift. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the game-changer that’s reshaping how media is produced, distributed, and consumed. Whether you’re in advertising, journalism, content creation, or any corner of the media world, there’s no escaping it: AI is here, and it’s not just for the tech gurus. The most challenging aspect is that once again, even our most seasoned media professionals may need to play catch-up on another emerging technology that is becoming pervasive in everything we do.
Young Person of the Year – bring on the talent
Every year at the IABM Annual Awards, IABM recognizes the Andrew Jones Young Person of Year with a special award. The competition for the 2024 award was particularly intense. In the end, the award went to Ciaran Ennis, Associate Engineer at Techex. However, any of the shortlisted candidates would have been worthy winners in their own right.
We spoke to the shortlisted candidates to find out what brought them into the MediaTech industry, what they enjoy about it and how they see their futures unfolding. They come from a wide variety of backgrounds, and personal drive is a common factor for all of them – as is the support and mentorship they have received. What follow is an inspiring read in its own right and also provides an excellent insight into how to foster the new talent our industry needs to continue to thrive.
IBC2024 – reactions from the IABM Bursary students
As many of us reflect on our nth IBC this year, for some it was the first time experiencing the event. Among them were IABM’s Bursary winners – ten lucky students from universities in the UK, France and Germany who were selected to receive the sought-after award. Their travel, hotel and Delegate Pass were all paid for, along with a daily stipend for food and drink during the four-day event. We’ve gathered together some of their thoughts and reflections on IBC this year to gain a different perspective.
Broadcast Solutions – Driving success through company values
The idea of a statement of company values is nothing new. It’s been around for 30 years, since Jim Collins and Jerry Porras published their book Built to Last in 1994, proposing a set of principles called core values.
IABM Student Bursary scheme – 15 years of fostering new talent for the Broadcast and Media industry
Now in its fifteenth year, the IABM student bursary scheme offers students from some of Europe’s top Media technology courses a Delegate Pass to IBC in Amsterdam.
At IBC24 students from RheinMain University in Wiesbaden, Solent University in Southampton and L’Université Polytechnique Hauts-De-France Valenciennes will once again have a chance to experience everything IBC has to offer – from wandering the many Exhibitor Halls to attending conferences.
Over 100 students have benefitted from the scheme since its inception, with travel, hotel and daily expenses covered by the IABM, together with close mentoring from the IABM team throughout the event to ensure they get the most out of the experience.
Postudio – Driving new talent and inclusivity in post-production
Back in the 80s as a young boy, I witnessed what was the prevalent Business Model of the era – The Manufacturer Model – i.e. when necessity was the mother of invention. Busier families with less cooking time needed Instant noodles, pagers (yes, those antiquated things) when you needed to be reached urgently, Sony Walkman because you needed music when you walked/ exercised or were on long flights.
Pixotope – Educating the innovators: nurturing the next generation of talent in virtual production
The world of media production is evolving at an unprecedented pace, bringing with it a variety of new opportunities and challenges. In particular, the adoption of virtual production technologies has skyrocketed, driven by groundbreaking use cases ranging from Hollywood blockbusters like The Mandalorian to immersive sports broadcasts, such as Nickelodeon’s “Nickified” NFL games. This surge has resulted in an increased demand for high-quality live VFX-heavy content that modern audiences have come to expect. At Pixotope, we are confident that virtual production has become a cornerstone of general media production. To enhance this vision, however, it is essential that there is the continued development of a workforce that is well-equipped and eager to embrace these advancements and nurturing the next generation of talent in virtual production is crucial. The rapid evolution of virtual production brings with it a demand for skilled professionals who can navigate and innovate within these advanced workflows. Right now, due to the exponential adoption and development of this technology, there is a talent shortage within the industry that poses a critical barrier to fully capitalizing on these advancements.
Moments Lab – Diversity and Inclusion to fuel Innovation in the media, entertainment, and broadcast industry
In recent years, we have seen businesses across many sectors re-evaluate their workplace to create a more diverse and inclusive environment for everyone. This initiative is crucial for all industries, and the media, entertainment, and broadcast industry is no exception. Historically a male-dominated space, it remains unbalanced to this day. However, change is happening, and there is cause for hope as the industry looks to become more diverse in terms of gender, disability, ethnicity, and more. Encouraging this shift is vital to creating and maintaining an environment where everyone feels valued, included, and represented. By fostering diversity and inclusion, companies in the media, entertainment, and broadcast sector can not only enrich teams with a variety of perspectives and experiences, but also create a more equitable and welcoming workplace for all.