IBC to launch international Content Everywhere events

IBC will this year launch a series of international events to be held in Amsterdam, Dubai and Sao Paulo under the title ‘IBC Content Everywhere’.

The events, which will focus on the markets for producers of rich media, device makers, app builders, digital marketeers and cloud services being created by developments in mobile and internet technology, will make use of near-field communications (NFC) devices to revolutionise the visitor and exhibitor experience, according to IBC.

The new events will replace the existing IBC Connected World brand, which will cease after this year’s show. IBC has already terminated its relationship with BPL, publisher of IBE magazine, which previously provided sales and marketing support within the IBC Connected World zone.

“Video is a huge part of the traffic over the internet, this can’t be regarded as a bolt-on to existing broadcast infrastructure.” says Michael Crimp, CEO of IBC. “One third of the planet will have fixed broadband by 2017, and this demands new business models; platform-specific content; and will appeal to a mobile-centric audience. The challenge is to create business models and relationships that take advantage of this opportunity. We’re going to bring people together, to find answers to the questions presented by this, the next step in the digital revolution for media.”

IBC Amsterdam 2013 will see a live trial using Touch & Connect technology to 1,000 targeted attendees. Users will be able to build a personal community around who they meet and what they see at the show. This innovation will also enable exhibitors to extend their offering across continents, through a virtual presence at multiple events if they wish, according to the event’s organisers.

“One third of the planet will have fixed broadband with interactive access by 2017, so it’s not adequate to regard it as just a ‘bolt-on’ to broadcast infrastructure. There are parts of the world that have already flipped to viewing video and other content over IP, particularly mobile, and these are the markets we will initially address,” said Crimp. “We are seeing a step-change in our industry, and this is going to be matched by a radically different approach and of course IBC’s values of high quality and independence will persist. Whilst there will be an opportunity to exhibit in the normal way, we’ve got some remarkable and compelling new tools to mediate and build communities both at the show and afterwards.”