Karim Sarkis’ Post

Thanks to everyone who came to our webinar today on the key takeaways from IBC - International Broadcasting Convention 2024. We heard from our 3 panellists: 🎥 David Thompson, Technology Strategist at the DPP sharing key insights from his research leading up to and during IBC 2024 for the much anticipated Demand vs Supply report. 🎥 Danielle Harper, Account Director at Bubble Agency who joined us to discuss the main themes from IBC 2024 including empowering content creators, understanding shifting audience behavious, sustainability and enhancing user engagement. 🎥 Ian Wagdin, Senior Technology Transformation Manager at BBC R&D, who has worked in media since 1997 and was also featured on this year's IBC Accelerator Programme, driving innovation in the media space. We all agreed on the upbeat mood at IBC, even though things are tough it did feel like there is light at the end of the tunnel. It was clear at IBC that despite the positivity, the industry is still struggling and therefore still looking for strong return on investment and being able to justify spends. Other themes coming out of IBC were: 📹The importance of personalised content for audience retention. 📹Working more efficiently and identifying ways to bring in AI to do more repetitive tasks, such as video editing, to leave the editors to concentrate on the more creative side of their roles. 📹Making use of the cloud to save money and be more efficient. 📹The vital importance of sustainability. 📹Smaller companies are making an impact on the marketplace and demonstrating strong creativity. Thanks to Daniel Jenkins for facilitating, Chris Parry for your input and to all the panellists and attendees. This was a great way to close off IBC for 2024, looking forward to seeing you all next year. #ibc2024 #ai #broadcast #media

Last week I had the pleasure of attending Media Partners Asia's APOS 2024 conference as a speaker, where I got to share the stage with Vivek Couto to talk about the incredible achievements that the Shahid team has delivered over the last 3 years. There are many highlights to call out, and we are certainly very proud of being the Number 1 Streamer in the Middle East, leading in SVOD subs but also growing AVOD users at a strong rate; all underpinned by a strong content strategy paired with great marketing, solid user and data platforms and excellence strived across all functions. A successful OTT hybrid, Shahid is the growth engine of MBC Group and the online destination for Arabic storytelling 🙌 Listening to the other amazing speakers, there are definitely key themes surrounding our industry today: 1) the creator economy and how that is changing the content landscape (and critically, how to leverage or respond to this) 2) big tech's dual impact - as a necessary platform/partner but also as a potential player (particularly in Sports) 3) the importance of a good user experience, and keeping up with changing user expectations 4) bundling - how to compete in a difficult market and how to be innovative in leveraging frenemies and symbiotic partnerships 5) the importance of continuous user engagement and personalisation, for both SVOD and AVOD models, plus how to better monetize content (windowing, ads, etc) 6) AI and how it will impact the landscape - there are many possible and exciting use cases. I particularly enjoyed the Amazon Web Services (AWS) session and their focus on "start small" 7) Last but not least - the importance of local content! Local stories that resonate with the users are key to the growth of streaming (regional) players, and understanding what the audiences want is critical - now more than ever! (Shahid is a good example of that 😉) None of these are overly surprising, and they are certainly topics that we often discuss at Shahid, so it was refreshing to be among other industry leaders to exchange thoughts and potential solutions to these challenging opportunities.

👋 Exciting highlights from LCL's recent Media Inspiration Session, co-hosted with MediaNet Vlaanderen vzw, on 'Media in Transition: A Battle for Talent and Audience.' 🎥✨ This event offered a deeper look into the substantial transformations currently reshaping the media landscape. I was happy to return to familiar territory—a TV studio—to observe the Trends Kanaal Z talk show on this topic closely. The session not only spotlighted the swift pace of technological advancements but also highlighted the ongoing need for media companies to continuously adapt and innovate. As the media landscape evolves, staying ahead means embracing these changes and leveraging new technologies to enhance storytelling and engage audiences more deeply and in diverse ways. With my media background, I witnessed some of these changes from the front row, so it was very inspiring for me to write a report about this debate, capturing all the key highlights. You can discover the most important takeaways here 🤩: https://hubs.ly/Q02yvr530 #LCLDataCenters #LCL #MediaNetVlaanderen #MediaInnovation #DigitalTransformation #TechInnovation #KanaalZ

CONTENT-TECHNOLOGY.COM Vietnam’s VTV5 Selects Etere for Three Channels. VTV5 is a state-owned channel catering to 54 ethnic dialects across Vietnam. To meet its expanding audience base, VTV5 upgraded to Etere Ecosystem to manage the playout of three channels. […] The post Vietnam’s VTV5 Selects Etere for Three Channels appeared first on Content + Technology. http://ow.ly/n0mb105xvpr

As the premier event for the media industry, IBC - International Broadcasting Convention did not disappoint. With 4 days, 14 halls, and 1338 exhibitors, it was an immersive experience into the future of broadcasting and content creation. I'm thrilled to share my top insights from this year's event. Top 4 Innovations at #IBC2024: 1. Adspective (Redge Technologies): Their in-stream image manipulation for VOD assets opens up exciting new avenues for product placement and sponsorship monetization. This technology could redefine how we approach content monetization. 2. Ad Signal: A 30-minute discussion with Tom Dunning revealed the power of their video fingerprinting technology. From content monitoring to reducing AI project costs, the applications are vast and promising. 3. Rio Longacre from Slalom delivered an inspiring presentation on how even smaller, local publishers can leverage first-party data to personalize user interactions. This democratization of data could level the playing field in digital publishing. 4. Fincons Group: Their content grading system, which utilizes both public and internal data, caught my attention. I will get back to Sara Montani to explore how this tool can optimize content purchase decisions and scheduling based on data-driven insights. What were your standout moments from #IBC2024? Share your findings in the comments below! #MediaInnovation #BroadcastTech #ContentMonetization #DataDrivenMedia #AIinBroadcasting #ProductPlacement #VideoAnalytics #PersonalizedContent

10 years of impact, innovation, and growth. Discover O2 Media's new identity. ١٠ سَنَوَاتٍ مِنَ التَّأْثِيرِ وَالْابْتِكَارِ وَالتَّحَوُّلِ. اكْتَشَفْ هُوَيَّةَ O2Media الْجَدِيدَةَ. #10_Years_Beyond_360 #Beyond360

Remarkable news from the IOC last week (as covered by TVBEurope - link in the comments below) that the Paris summer Olympics was seen by 5 Billion people, around 84% of the total potential viewing audience. Many have lamented the ongoing decline of traditional linear broadcasting, and it's true that the sight of a family gathered around the living room TV has become increasingly rare, so there's something heartening about the idea that 'totem' events like the Olympics can still bring people together to enjoy shared, memorable moments. As viewing habits and business models change, broadcasters of all kinds need trusted technology partners to help them navigate the shifting landscape. That's one of the reasons why Pixel Power has always chosen an agnostic approach. From 'deploy anywhere' solutions that support legacy and emerging transport platforms to our software-defined architecture that enables new functions to be enabled via software keys, we're committed to improving your efficiency and streamlining your workflows, no matter how you work. Get in touch with us to find out more - follow the link in the comments!

Live with Restream test Restream helps you multistream & reach your audience, wherever they are. test

Catch Vineet Dhawan, Founder & CEO of Digital Convergence Technologies, in an exclusive interview with CXOToday. He shares exclusive insights on how DCT is driving innovation in the OTT ecosystem with hyperlocal solutions with the aim is to help creators build stronger audience connections and unlock new revenue streams. For more on DCT's journey and vision, read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/dPG3UegV #CXOToday #DCT #ConvergeDeliver #OTT #ContentCreators #StreamingPlatforms #StreamingServices #MediaandEntertainment

During our recent LCL Media Inspiration Sessions, organised in collaboration with MediaNet Vlaanderen vzw, we delved into the dynamic shifts within the media sector and the ensuing challenges in securing talent and audience engagement. 🎥 The media landscape is swiftly evolving, demanding not just adaptation to new technologies and shifts in media consumption habits, but also the need to attract the right talent. Our discussion, 'Media in Transition: A Battle for Talent and Audience,' aired on Trends Kanaal Z and featured industry leaders sharing their strategies for collaboration and success in these transformative times. As the media continue to navigate these changes, the insights from these sessions prove invaluable. They enhance our understanding of the challenges and illuminate opportunities for innovation and growth within the media industry. Curious to learn more? Discover the key takeaways from the discussion here 🕵️♀️: https://hubs.ly/Q02yvs-k0 #LCLDataCenters #LCL #MediaNetVlaanderen #MediaInnovation #DigitalTransformation #TechInnovation #KanaalZ