Bob LambQ. What broad technology trends do you think will be front-and-centre at IBC2009?
We expect to see targeted advertising and cross-platform TV services to be prominent at IBC2009. Also the explosive digital signage market should be a prime focus as content providers and advertisers continue to explore out-of-home solutions.
Q. Any thoughts on how the current economic climate will affect the show?
The economic downturn has naturally created a surge of interest in broadcast management. We think that people will be coming to the show specifically looking for solutions that will enable them to improve their business performance and run their operations more efficiently. While we expect show attendance to be down a bit due to the financial crisis, registration for our broadcast management conference on September 10 at IBC remains strong, reflecting the need for proven solutions that can make a difference in the broadcaster's bottom line.
Q. What's new that you will show at IBC2009 and that broadcasters should look for there?
We will be bringing to the show some important new value-added modules for our flagship IBMS (Integrated Broadcast Management System). These include IBMS:Adapt, a new customization platform for the IBMS User Interface, Business Logic and Workflow; and IBMS:OnTarget, which delivers the ability to sell TV commercial inventory using profile-based targeting and enables content and multichannel service providers to sell advertising based upon set-top-box segmentation capabilities instead of being limited to geographic and network-based demographics.
Q. How is your new product offering different from what's available on the market?
IBMS provides a much deeper functional depth and breadth in broadcast business management, replacing multiple disparate systems with a centralized integrated information hub. So broadcasters and cable operators not only experience significant improvements to operational efficiency and accuracy, they also can quickly and cost-effectively launch new services — whether that means new channels, VOD , targeted advertising, etc.
Q. Where are you based, and how many employees do you have? Anything else we should know about your company?
Since its inception in 1998, Pilat Media has been totally dedicated to the business of broadcast business management. Today it is the world's largest and most experienced company 100 percent focused on this space — helping multichannel top-tier broadcasters generate billions of dollars in revenue each year.
Headquarters in London and offices strategically located in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Netherlands and Israel keep Pilat Media on top of industry trends and technologies. Our team of more than 200 professionals is well versed in the local standards and business practices of each region.
Q. How many years have you been going to the IBC show and what's your fondest memory? What's your favorite restaurant or pub?
We have been coming to IBC for ten years. Every year we have a friendly bet on how big the Sony booth will be. This year, we will have to move our bet to our favorite pub in Amsterdam – Café Gollem, which features 100 different kinds of beer, each served in its own glass.
