Speaker details will be announced soon - to enquire about speaking opportunities please contact Gavin Whitechurch on:
Tel:+44 (0)20 7017 5130 or email gavin.whitechurch@informa.com

Meet the 2008 speakers

Alex Green, MD, Portals, Virgin Media
Alex Green is Managing Director, Online, for Virgin Media, one of the UK's largest media and communications businesses.  He is responsible for Virgin Media's online strategy and customer experience, including virginmedia.com and all online services.  Having joined the business in February 2008, he is playing a key role in the converging worlds of web, TV and mobile.  Alex has wide experience in Media, Telecoms & Technology businesses including 8 years at News International and senior roles at Virgin Group and Johnston Press.

Alexandra Illes, illes cross media

Alexandra has over fifteen years of experience in the media sector. Trained as a lawyer and in business administration, Alexandra has been working in a wide range of media businesses in the UK and in German speaking markets. She started her career as a media lawyer at Clifford Chance, London, and then moved on to the business side of the industry. Amongst others, she worked on the global licensing programmes of sports federations such as FIFA and ATP at ISL, Switzerland, managed an on-line ticketing business (Ticketline) and set up the international licensing business of a 3D digital games production company (Greentube). With her company, illes cross media, Alexandra helps new media businesses entering into new markets, defining and implementing international licensing strategies and clearing regulatory issues.  Over the last two years Alexandra has worked with Zattoo on rights acquisitions in a number of European markets and been responsible for launching the Zattoo TV to PC service in the UK. She lives in London and Vienna.


Anders Blauenfeldt, Product Development Director, YouSee, Denmark 

YouSee is part of the TDC Group and the largest cable operator in Denmark providing services to more than a million households. After working with Internet and Media companies in late 90'es Anders Blauenfeldt joined TDC in 2001 and have worked mainly with Corporate Business Development as well as spending some years in the Middle East establishing a mobile start up in Oman. In 2006 Anders joined YouSee as responsible for product development.
 
In 2008 YouSee launched a webtv product with 17 of the most popular Danish tv-channels, available not only to own broadband customers but to all households in Denmark. The strategy behind this has been two fold - building the market beyond existing homes passed by providing content and services to the whole country, but equally important to provide better service to already existing customers for example by enabling digital cable-tv customers to use web-tv as a multiroom solution within the household.

Antony Carbonari, Director of Interactive & Commercial  Media, BT Vision

Antony is BT Vision’s director of interactive and commercial media. He is responsible for all interactive services on BT Vision, including advertising sales , gambling, T-commerce, participation media, communications and games, which will form an important part of the BT Vision offering.

Prior to this Antony worked for Disney, heading up its European broadband business where he was responsible for launching a variety of video and gaming services including the kids MMOPRG ToonTown, PC downloadable games and the video/gaming/entertainment aggregation service, the Disney Magic Connection.

Before this he headed up Disney's European mobile-content distribution business which included ring tones, wallpapers and Java games. Prior to this Antony worked in a number of roles for the Financial Times including heading the new-media sales team for FT.com.

Oded Napchi, Vice President, Product, HIRO Media

Oded Napchi is the Vice President of Product and client relations at HIRO Media, the ad-supported video specialist.  In his role Napchi is responsible for leading the delivery of the HIRO user experience.  He also oversees the design and development of unique implementations of the HIRO service, working with content owners, broadcasters and portals.

Napchi works closely with HIRO’s partners, drawing on twenty years’ experience working in the media industry.  With experience working in TV and radio broadcasting, Napchi has developed a passion for broadening the horizons of traditional media companies by introducing new technologies and concepts into the media landscape.

HIRO-Media’s Video-monetization-platform inserts personalized advertising into online/downloadable videos, capitalizing content while keeping it free to viewers, via any distribution channel (inc. P2P and Social-Network). NBCU, Nine-Australia and Rambler-Russia have already used HIRO to ‘free their videos’.

Prior to joining HIRO, Napchi was a TV format licensee and content & marketing consultant to leading brands as McCann Ericsson, Sony Ericsson and Israeli TV channels.

In 1999 Napchi founded and managed Valis, together with Ronny Golan and Ariel Napchi. Valis was the first company to launch location based community products, globally.  As Valis' Chief Creative officer, Napchi led the company’s product line, working with brands such as MTV, and Comedy Central.  Napchi was responsible for managing commercial agreements with Wireless leaders such as Vodafone D2 Germany, Swisscom and Motorola.

Napchi founded Valis, following his posotion as the Chief Content Officer of Noga Communication.  Here he was responsible for all content related activity for Israel’s most popular cable channel, across TV, internet, audio and print media.

Prior to Noga Communication, Napchi managed Israel's second-most popular TV station, after previously founding and managing Israel's most popular music radio station Galgalaz.

Bill Scott, Leader, Digital COnsumer Solutions, IBM Global Business Services

Bill Scott leads the IBM Global Business Services’ “Digital Consumer” solution. This solution enables the end-to-end business process of content aggregation, marketing and distribution over both managed and open networks to consumers – and is very much the result of digital convergence. Specialising in next generation business models for entertainment, Bill consults for leading Media and Entertainment, Telecoms and Internet clients to help them define their strategy and to plan and implement complete business solutions.

Bill has worked for IBM Global Business Services since 1999 with a variety of roles in the Convergence space focusing on Digital Media, IPTV and interactive TV. Bill has been responsible for development of IBM’s capability and landmark first-of-a-kind projects in these areas. 

Prior to joining IBM, Bill worked in a wide range of roles for software services, software product and end-user organisations during a 20-year career in IT.

Christopher Stokes, Chief Executive Officer, NetResult

Christopher Stokes has spent most of the past 30 years working within the world of sport. In 2002 he was appointed as Chief Executive to NetResult, a UK based company that specialises in protecting and enhancing the Intellectual Property rights for many of the world’s leading sporting events in the New Media environment. 

As rights owners have sought ways to take advantage of the huge worldwide increase in broadband usage, in particular by exploiting their broadcast rights on a rapidly developing new platform, they have been faced with the complex problem of how to effectively deal with the types of piracy that have caused untold loses to the film and music industries over the past decade.  Tracking down illegal sites, investigating how they operate, withdrawing their financing opportunities and having them closed down in a timely manner is essential if the rights owners’ commercial operations are not to be disadvantaged.

The advent of Peer to Peer sites using file sharing techniques that enable pirates to illegally stream live sporting events to unlimited numbers of online viewers has seriously raised the stakes of late.  To counter the emergence of software programs, mainly developed within China, NetResult operates with a team of Chinese researchers to understand, and effectively deal with, the problems.

Among the rights owners/events that NetResult has acted for include, The Premier League, UEFA, Formula One, NBA, Cricket World Cup, ECB, The Six Nations and Dish Network. 

Prior to joining NetResult, Stokes spent 20 years at the International Tennis Federation dealing with the Davis Cup in his role of Marketing Director.

Ciaran Bollard, Director of Business Development, MUZU TV

Ciaran Bollard is co-founder and Director of Business Development for MUZU TV. Since the inception of the company Ciaran has led the charge on attaining investment of more than €6 million and successfully negotiated key strategic partnerships and content deals with the likes of Bebo, Sony BMG, ITN and countless others. Prior to MUZU TV, Ciaran worked in a number of business development functions within the online learning industry for over 9 years. Ciaran worked for Skillsoft, formerly SmartForce, for 8 years holding various roles including Country Manager, Ireland. Prior to that, Ciaran was a Senior Account Development Manager responsible for managing and supporting some of Skillsoft’s key global accounts.




David Rice, Vice President of Product, Metacafe

David Rice drives overall product strategy and leads development of new features and functionality that advance Metacafe’s leadership position as an innovator in the rapidly evolving online video industry.
David previously served as vice president of products for Yahoo! International, where he identified, launched and managed products for emerging markets.  David has also held leadership positions with MSN and AvantGo.  He started his career with The Boston Consulting Group.
David holds an MBA from Harvard University and earned his bachelor’s degree from The University of California at Santa Barbara.

David Webb, Nielsen Online

The early career of Matthew Dodd was in newspaper, and in 1992 he joined Northcliffe Newspapers as the Groups first ever Group Commercial Management trainee.  His initial role was Regional Marketing Manager for the South West wherein he was responsible for the formulation and delivery of the marketing strategy for ten regional publications. This also included the identification and investigation of new revenue streams, including niche products, new media and other in-paper platforms.

In 1997 he moved to the Evening Standard as a strategic planner and worked on a number of Major initiatives including the repositioning & development of Hot Tickets magazine and the development of two sub brands; You & Your Money and ES Interiors.

In 1999 he joined News International as Head of Panning & Insight and was responsible for the formulation & management of leading edge research for all NI brands to further develop commercial revenues. In his time at NI his team picked up won the Media Week Research Project of the Year and was runner up twice.

In 2005 he joined the Telegraph Media Group to support its move from a product-led to a customer-led company, and played a leading role in the Group’s transition from a print to a multi media organisation.

This involved working closely with Editorial and commercial, at all stages of the life cycle, to drive up the commercial performance and develop new opportunities for the Group.  Major achievements included the integration of many UK different data sets including the online and offline data sets with geo demographic overlays to drive insight and performance. This resulted in Telegraph Online doubling its online audience and overtaking the Guardian as No1 newspaper site.

In April 2008 he joined Nielsen Online as Vice President, Research & Analytics and is responsible for the leading and managing the EMEA research & analytics teams. This embraces data analytics, consultancy & insight including Buzzmetrics and custom research. He also represents Nielsen Online EMEA organization within the wider research community, providing thought leadership on internet and digital media research and is actively engaged with industry bodies and the press on issues relating to the digital analytics and research.

Recent & up and coming conferences include:

•    Insight Show – Segmenting Your Online Customer to Generate More Targeted Research and Marketing
•    Media Research Group - Who’s consuming TV on the Web and what does this mean for the future?’
•    Marketing Week - successfully generating insight for the fusion of disparate data sets
•    Mediatel – Future of Internet Measurement and Research
•    New Media Age – Measuring the Web 2.0

Digby Lewis, Creative Director, Dailymotion

As Creative Director, Digby Lewis oversees content and community for Dailymotion UK. This includes the acquisition of UK-relevant content and sourcing and developing ‘unsigned’ directors though the platform’s Motionmaker programme. Digby also directs the platform’s editorial strategy, original content commissions and events calendar. Reporting to UK MD Kate Burns, he is responsible for ensuring Dailymotion has a wealth of quality content that engages with its audience. In a dynamic and rapidly shifting industry, Digby brings a wealth of experience to the role, encompassing 12 years collectively in TV production, print and online journalism. Prior to joining Dailymotion, he worked as a freelance Producer/Director and journalist making music documentaries and producing VT inserts for major international awards shows. He spent five years on staff at MTV before that, producing MTV News interviews on location and at MTV events and European festivals. Digby began the job at MTV International in 2001 as Pan-European Editor for Online, overseeing the broadcasters digital properties such as the Promax Award-winning MTV Europe Music Awards website. Digby started his career as a diary writer for the Daily Telegraph in 1996 and went on hold editorships at Asia’s leading design and architecture monthly Hinge Magazine, film-publishing start-up In2Film and youth clubbing and music bible Ministry, where he was Features Editor. His career highlights include interviewing David Bowie and producing two half-hour documentaries on ‘The Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang World Tour’. An accomplished guitarist, DJ and producer, Digby lives in South London with his wife and daughter. 

 

 

Eddie Abrams, Chief Executive Officer, IP Vision

Eddie Abrams set up IP Vision in 2007 with former colleagues David Docherty and Phil Walder and French company Netgem S.A. IP Vision has been developed to support the launch of a hybrid STB platform that can operate as a direct to consumer service or as a white label platform that can offer interested parties a managed service solution, reducing both cost and time to market.

Prior to IP Vision Eddie co-founded the interactive entertainment company YooMedia (now Miranda plc) in 2000.  At YooMedia Eddie worked as the Chief Financial Officer moving on to become Director of Strategy and Development. In this role he was responsible for the strategic development of converged media delivery technologies for digital television, web and mobile. Eddie has worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers in London spending five years in Corporate Finance focusing on the development of new businesses in Technology, Media and the Telecoms sectors.

Eddie attended The University of Glasgow where he achieved a BAcc in Finance.

Ed Pettit, Creative Director, BigKid 

Ed Pettit started his career as a radio show presenter and producer, working for various independent stations. Ed spent time at the BBC and Virgin Radio before moving into video.

In 2001, Ed was appointed as Head of Video Content for STV Media, a subsidiary of Premier Models Management.  In this position, Ed played a key role in the development of Street.tv, a cutting edge fashion and modelling website, which marked Ed’s first foray into the production of video content specifically for the web.

In 2002, Ed left STV Media to form Guerrilla, a multi platform production company specialising in video content created especially for the web or funded by brands, where he was a major shareholder.

In 2008, Ed was hired by BigKid as Creative Director, bringing his experience of online video creative, production and of working closely with broadcasters, brands and advertisers to the company.

Jack Davison, Senior Consultant, 3Vision

Jack is a senior consultant at 3Vision - a specialist content consultancy that offers a range of services including Content Acquisition, Strategy Development and Marketing advice.Jack joined 3Vision from UK cable operator Virgin Media where he oversaw the successful launch of Europe’s largest VOD deployment, from initial service definition through to launch. As part of his role there in addition to overall product management responsibilities he was responsible for managing the creative design, usability and branding process, which incorporate a number of waves of testing and research. Prior to Virgin Media he was VP of content at Yes Television, one of the earlier pioneers of IPTV, and in Sales and Development at IMG Media.

Jaime Miles, Senior Director, European Content Services, European Markets Group

Jaime Miles is Senior Director of European Content Services for Level 3 Communications. Jaime’s responsibilities include product management, product development, architecture and engineering, and operations for the European Content delivery business.Prior to this role, Mr. Miles served as Senior Director of European Network Strategy and also held the position of Senior Director, North American IP Engineering. He joined Level 3 in 1998.  Mr. Miles has over 12 years of experience focusing on the business of designing and engineering Internet technologies and services.Jaime is based in London.

Jeff Henry, ITV

Jeff Henry began his career with accountants Touche Ross before joining the BBC.  He then spent six years as a Director and General Manager of Scottish Television Enterprises, dealing primarily with Network programming, production and overseas distribution.In 1994 he joined NYNEX CableComms (now Cable & Wireless Communications/NTL), then the UK’s largest cable company, as Executive Director of Programming and then added the role of Executive Director, Marketing.  He was responsible for the launch of numerous channels on the cable systems as well as the successful introduction of the company’s first pay-per-view events and local programming output.  As director of CPP1 (Cable Partners Programming Partnership) he directed investment into cable exclusive programming.In 1996 Jeff Henry was appointed as Managing Director of London News Network, the joint venture company owned by Granada Media Group and Carlton UK Television, responsible for providing seven day news and programme service for the two London licensees, as well as an ITV national and regional transmission service.  He also ran a subsidiary, I.S.N. (Independent Sports Network), which produced network football and rugby for ITV.Jeff Henry joined Granada Sky Broadcasting, a joint venture between the UK’s two largest media companies, as Chief Executive in March 1998.  He was responsible for three channels Granada Plus, Breeze and Men & Motors on cable and satellite.  He launched all the channels on the new digital platforms and steered them to new record ratings levels.In July 2000 Jeff Henry joined The Hallmark Channel as Chief Executive.  He devised and produced one of the most successful channel launches of the last decade, creating a top 5 profitable channel within four years. He also accepted responsibility as Chief Executive Officer, Crown Interactive Worldwide in order to develop and implement interactive television product from strategy to deployment. In 2001 he was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of The Hallmark Channel throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa overseeing commercial activities in over 30 territories. This resulted in the most profitable period in the company’s history and numerous offers to purchase the business. Jeff was a key member of the team that led the successful sale process. In May 2005 he joined ITV to devise and run a newly created division (ITVC) responsible for developing consumer revenues. In its first year Consumer launched services in mobile, broadband and significant new transactional revenue streams, including ITV Play and ITV Local. The division completed the acquisition of Friends Reunited, SDN and Scoot, making it a significant profit centre for the company. The critically acclaimed re-launch of ITV.com as a world class video online site was completed in September 2007 and successfully increased video viewing 900% within 9 months.  The announcement of a joint venture with BBC Worldwide, Channel 4 and ITV forms an important new branch of the online strategy.

John Enser, Partner and Head of Music Team, Olswang

John Enser is a Partner and Head of the Music Team.John provides commercial and regulatory advice to clients active in all aspects of the media communications and technology business, particularly those offering audio and video content via digital platforms, whether TV, web or mobile. His regulatory expertise extends to copyright law, content and advertising regulation, consumer protection and the Communication Act.Chambers & Partners 2008 directory describes John as follows: "John Enser's "forward-thinking, progressive" practice sees him advise clients on the commercial and regulatory aspects of their activities across a number of media, and he is ranked in both Broadcasting and Music as a reflection of this. Clients value his ability to "understand contemporary matters and anticipate the legal issues we'll be involved in - he's always ahead of us."John's recent transactions include negotiation of joint ventures and distribution agreements in the broadcasting sector, advising a major retailer on a white-label broadband service arrangement with BT and advising a major broadcaster on the launch of new channels, HD services and internet services. John has also recently acted on the pan-industry Copyright Tribunal case setting online and mobile royalties for composers in the UK. He chairs the industry-wide Television Against Piracy group.

Lesley Mackenzie, CEO and Partner, Nettv247 and 123webtv.com

Lesley joined the start-up Nettv 247 in July 2008, after holding the interim CEO at Kangaroo, the online VOD joint venture between BBC, ITV and Channel 4. Prior to that Lesley worked for News Corp launching the DTH business, Tata Sky, in India and 10 years with BSkyB in the UK. Ultimately as Director of Channels and Operations with responsibility for analogue/digital and enhanced television development with all 3rd party channels.

Michael Comish, CEO and Co-Founder, blinkBox

Michael Comish is the CEO and co-founder of online TV and Film company, blinkBox.Michael helped found one of the pioneers in online video, AtomFilms, where he served as AtomShockwave’s President of international operations across Europe and Asia.  Over a three year period, Michael helped build a business with revenue of $25m which included two global websites with over 15 million unique users a month and a library of over 3000 of the world’s best short films and games. AtomShockwave was sold to Viacom for $200m in 2006.Michael’s experience led him to Channel 4 where he became the Managing Director of 4 Services; a role which included running New Media, the Studio and Post Businesses, 4 Creative and Corporate Development. The early part of his career was spent at Braxton Associates and later as a partner at Mercer Management Consulting, where he advised media clients in Europe and the US.Michael graduated from The University of Western Ontario and later earned an MBA from INSEAD in France.

Michael Steckler, Managing Director, Platform-A UK
 
Michael Steckler joined AOL UK in July 2007 as Interim Managing Director of AOL UK and Vice President of Interactive Marketing, responsible for overseeing the growth of AOL's UK advertising business.

In September 2007 he was appointed Managing Director of AOL UK, reporting directly to Dana Dunne, CEO AOL Europe.  

In July 2008, Michael was appointed Managing Director of Platform-A UK, AOL's advertising sales business, reporting into Brendan Condon, International Head of Platform-A.

Before joining AOL, Steckler worked at MSN for seven years, latterly as Director of planning and development for the EMEA region at the Microsoft Online Services Group. Prior to MSN, Steckler started his career at Haymarket and then spent four years in the outdoor advertising industry as head of agency sales at Clear Channel International.

Steckler has spoken on a number of speaker platforms on the future media landscape as well the impact of new technology on consumer behaviour.

Myles Macbean, General Manager of Online Products, Disney

Myles is the general manager of Online products and services for Disney in Europe, a product leader for Disney's consumer web sites globally, and is also head of technology for Disney’s “connected media” services outside of the US. Before Disney Myles worked in various roles in the telecoms and internet market, starting in semiconductor device research and culminating in the leadership of BT’s eCommerce product division.

Nuno Sanches, Internet Products Director, Zon Multimedia

Nuno Sanches started his career at the Boston Consulting Group. After that he joined the Strategy and Business Development Group at Portugal Telecom, where he specialized in  Media and Broadband. He is currently the Internet Products Director at ZON Multimedia, where he manages the Netcabo internet access, the second largest ISP in Portugal and the leader in areas where cable is  available. Nuno holds a MBA from Harvard Business School.”

Oliver Slipper, joint CEO, Perform

Oliver Slipper is the joint Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Perform, a world leader in monetising sport and entertainment rights in digital media. Oliver joined Perform in 2001 when it was known as Premium TV, and in 2006 was promoted from Commercial Director to CEO. As CEO Oliver oversaw Premium TV’s international and entertainment growth strategy and secured its place as the number one provider of digital services for the sporting industry. In July 2007 Oliver negotiated the buyout of Premium TV  by Access Industries, a privately held US-based industrial group with long-term holdings worldwide, and in September the merger with digital rights specialist, Inform Group.In January 2008 Premium TV and Inform Group rebranded to create Perform and as joint CEO, Oliver oversaw the structural and strategic direction of the company and is currently responsible for the Sales and Services divisions of Perform. Prior to Perform, Oliver worked in Accenture’s Media & Entertainment division, working on clients such as Sony Playstation, Cable & Wireless Communications and NTL.

Olivier Dock, Director, All Media Motion Picture Association, Europe

Olivier joined the administrative staff of the MPA’s Brussels Office on 12 August 1996 before providing assistance to the VP for EU Affairs in 1999. Olivier became Deputy Director for EU Affairs on 1 April 2002 and Director of Television on 1 April 2003 before taking his current position on 1 July 2007.He was previously employed by JP Morgan/The Bank of New York (1995-1996), where he worked in the bank's Brussels-based Corporate Actions department.Olivier’s academic qualifications include a BA from the Brussels School for Translators and Interpreters, (ISTI 1991-1995, High Honours), an MA in International Politics from the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB, 2001-2002, High Honours), a European Certificate in Audiovisual Financing and Commercialisation (ECAFIC) from the Sorbonne Panthéon / INA (July 2005) and an MBA with Honours from the Solvay Business School (2005-2007). He lives in Brussels with his wife Eleftheria.

Paul Fisher, Partner, Advent Partners

Paul’s areas of focus are digital media & internet, convergence technologies, software and services. Paul was previously Associate Director and an early investor in First Capital, where he helped to build this European leader in technology investment banking and advisory for the venture capital market.He has also worked in a number of early stage technology companies, including Rawflow, Reevoo.com, OmniPerception and MintDigital and also on M&A for Cassium Technologies, Smart421 & Aim Software. Before First Capital, Paul worked in investment banking at Citibank and Salomon Smith Barney where he worked on the equity -backed derivative market. Paul is a graduate of Warwick University and a member of the Securities Institute where he studied corporate finance. Paul’s Blog can be found here: www.thecoffeeshopsofmayfair.com.

Peter King, Director – Connected Home Services, Strategy Analytics

Peter King, Director of the Connected Home Devices service in the Digital Consumer Practice at Strategy Analytics, focuses on strategic issues relating to the impact of digital convergence on consumer markets. His product specialities include digital television, networked devices, and next-generation home entertainment technologies including HDTV, flat panel TV and digital video recorders. He assesses revenue opportunities from emerging broadband technologies and entertainment concepts for manufacturers and applications developers.
 

 

Rebekah Billingsley, Director New Media, Current

Rebekah Billingsley oversees the new media division of Current in the UK and is responsible for creating a localised proposition with the aim of becoming a top online destination for young people and one of the key social news platforms in the UK. A key focus for Billingsley is building a highly engaged community, creating a unique editorial tone and finding new ways to distribute and monetise Current’s incredible video content.Billingsley has 12 years experience in both commercial management and digital within the media, working across television, newspapers, magazines, radio and mobile. At Bauer Consumer Media (formerly Emap Consumer PLC), where she was Digital Business Director, Billingsley launched Closer Online as well as heatworld.com, the company’s biggest digital success last year.Prior to joining Bauer, Billingsley spent five years at Times Online as Business Development Manager, as part of the initial start-up team heading up Business Development. She was responsible for identifying and implementing new online business opportunities as well as extending the Times and Sunday Times brands online to generate traffic.Between1997-2000, Billingsley was both Commercial Manager and Project Manager of Carlton Digital Channels responsible for extending five pay TV channels commercially, identifying new revenue opportunities and contributing to the company’s future digital strategy.

Rob Bell, VP International New Media, NBC Universal

Rob is responsible for NBC Universal’s international digital distribution efforts in the UK, Scandinavia, Russia, Eastern & pan Europe, covering all new media licensing models and platforms.  Prior to joining Universal Pictures, Rob held a number of senior digital media positions across the music, film and television industries.  He was Senior Director, European Digital Business at Sony BMG Music International, where he played a pivotal role in achieving their European digital business success.  Prior to this, Rob was Business Development Director for new media agency Butterfly Effect and before that, Head of Product Management at ITV Digital.  Rob’s first position on arriving in the UK in 1999 was as Head of Marketing & Operations for online music company MusicState.  In Australia, Rob had a successful career as an investment banker at Macquarie Bank and Banque Nationale de Paris, working in Structured & Project Finance and is also a qualified chartered accountant.

Simon Bevan, Head of Broadcast, Vizeum UK

Simon Bevan is Head of Broadcast at Vizeum UK and responsible for all of the agencies investment across traditional broadcast and new audio visual platforms.  Simon has 14 years media experience and has been instrumental in driving Vizeum's TV offering across VOD, IPTV and other progressive TV variants.  

 

 

Sorosh Tavakoli, Founder & CEO, Videoplaza
Sorosh Tavakoli is the founder and CEO of Videoplaza. He has a background at the media research company MMS, where he has done extensive research on consumption of moving images on different platforms. While doing that research, Sorosh got more and more engaged in the problem of how to make online video profitable. This later turned out to be the first seeds of Videoplaza.

Today Videoplaza helps publishers monetise their video content through its adserver for video. It's a tool built to help media publishers manage, present and track advertising in and around online video content. The main target is the online businesses of companies from the print and TV world.
The VC funded, Stockholm based company has a leading position in the Scandinavian market and is now expanding its business to the UK.
Sorosh has a MSc. in Media Technology from Royal Institute of Technology and Business developement from Stockholm School of Economics, Sweden.

Dr William Cooper, Chief Executive, informitv

Founder of the independent interactive media consultancy informitv, William advises clients on convergence media strategy and implementation. Previously, as head of interactive at BBC Broadcast, he operationally managed the successful launch and delivery of online and interactive television services for the BBC. William began his career as a broadcast journalist, following a degree in English and a PhD in Communications from the University of Leeds.
A regular contributor to international conferences, with papers published at both IBC and NAB, William is a recognised commentator on interactive media and edits the online news service informitv.com.

 
Jay Emmet

Biography coming soon

Steven Surridge

Biography coming soon