• IBC2019 announces conference theme - Consumers First: A New Era in Media  
  • More than 300 speakers to debate and discuss the industry challenges 
  • Esports showcase with a live tournament, keynote and interviews 

IBC2018 forum audience

IBC2019: Consumers First: A New Era in Media 

IBC2019: Industry experts and thought leaders will gather at the annual IBC Show to address the biggest opportunities and challenges faced by the industry.

IBC has announced this year the conference and exhibition dates are now aligned with the conference agenda tracks reflecting the changes across the industry with a consumer first focus.

The IBC Content Steering Group has set the agenda for this year’s conference, made up by a collection of industry leaders across the broadcasting, media and entertainment sectors.

IBC promises invaluable insight from over 300 expert speakers from around the world.

The main conference programme is split into five new tracks, with a different focus each day, covering each stage of the end-to-end media content chain. These include:

  • Create and Produce: Creating Disruption offers insights into new technologies and concepts including interactivity and 8K production.
  • Manage: Automating Media Supply Chains looks at AI and other new technologies that can create more successful media supply chains.
  • Publish:Embracing the Platform Revolution presents new business models that are disrupting the industry.
  • Consume:Engaging Consumer Experiences delves into consumer consumption habits and next-gen fan engagement.
  • Monetise:Scaling Audiences and Revenues shines a light on brands as broadcasters and new models of advertising.

Each track will also feature Tech Talks, which will present cutting-edge technical papers and in-depth discussions on the technology enabling the media content chain.

Changing the game
The Global Gamechangers stage makes a welcome return to IBC, bringing the foremost innovators and business disruptors from across the media, entertainment and technology spectrum to share successes and stimulate debate.

Consumer Technology Association president and chief executive Gary Shapiro; All3Media chief executive Jane Turton and BBC Studios UK Production managing director Lisa Opie are among the confirmed speakers who will discuss their opinions and experiences.

Keynote speakers will set the tone for the entire event, examining the current state of the industry and sharing their visions for the future. They include Youube head of EMEA Cécile Frot-Coutaz; Vivendi chairman Arnaud de Puyfontaine and Amazon Alexa EU lead evangelist Max Amordeluso.

Entering the esports arena 
Arguably the fastest growing sector in the industry is esports which will play a major role at IBC2019. The IBC Esports Showcase, supported by ESL, Lagardère and EVS, will feature a full esports tournament hosted in the Auditorium, bringing the excitement and fan engagement generated by esports events, while demonstrating the size and scale of a typical event.

The showcase will also present a series of esports focused scene-setters, panels, keynotes and interviews.

Media and Telco Catalysts
The new collaboration between IBC and the TM Forum will bring the Media-Telecom Catalyst projects to IBC.

Three unique Catalyst projects will drive open innovation between the telecoms and media industries and include participation from Al Jazeera, Associated Press, BBC R&D, RTÉ and more to exploit 5G, AI, and data management to solve business and technology challenges and improve customer experience.

On the Big Screen
The Big Screen will deliver a comprehensive program of events and screenings that take full advantage of the very latest cinema projection and sound equipment.

Sessions from the BBC Studios Natural History Unit ahead of Attenborough’s next big wildlife epic, Game of Thrones with an exclusive screening of The Long Night and the team behind Toy Story offer insight to Toy Story 4.

Awarding success
The prestigious IBC Awards ceremony will take place on Sunday 15 September to celebrate the industry’s highest achievements.

IBC has confirmed two new awards this year: The Young Pioneer Award which will recognise the outstanding commitment, ambition and achievement of young professionals in creative, technical, commercial or strategic roles; while the Social Impact Award will recognise a company initiative or campaign that is making a positive impact in the wider world.

Register for IBC2019 here: show.ibc.org