Dr. William Cooper (Summit Chair)
Founder and CEO
informitv

Principal consultant at informitv, Dr William Cooper specialises in interactive media services across multiple platforms. As an independent consultant on strategy and implementation, he advises clients ranging from start-up companies to major corporations.

As head of interactive at BBC Broadcast, William operationally managed the successful launch and delivery of landmark interactive services on satellite, terrestrial and cable television across multiple channels and territories.

William was responsible for transitioning interactive publication and playout services from a public service cost centre into a profitable commercial subsidiary and managing the migration of services into a purpose-built multimillion pound technical facility in preparation for the subsequent sale of the business, now known as Red Bee Media. Previously, as head of new media operations, William oversaw the exponential growth of the BBC's online services.

Prior to that, as product manager for the new media division of the Press Association, William led the launch of online syndication services, leading to the creation of a successful standalone business, subsequently acquired by Orange for £98 million. 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. He is co-author of IPTV: Broadband meets broadcast - The network television revolution and the IPTV Guide. William began his career as a broadcast journalist, following a PhD in Communications and a degree in English from the University of Leeds.

 

Bill Scott (Morning Keynote)
Leader, Digital Consumer Media and Entertainment
IBM

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.

 

Neil Holloway (Special Guest)
Vice President Business Strategy
Microsoft International

As of 1st July 2007, Neil Holloway took on an important new role as Vice President Business Strategy for Microsoft International reporting to Jean-Philippe Courtois, President Microsoft International. In this new position he will be leading several key 3 year business strategies for Microsoft Corporation focused on growth and customer experience.

Neil remains a member of the worldwide Sales, marketing and Services Group (SMSG) Leadership Team and the worldwide Consumer Leadership Team (CLT).

From 2005-2007 Neil was President of Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), and was responsible for leading Microsoft Corp’s business throughout EMEA. He focused on the balanced objectives of driving customer satisfaction, improving integration across Microsoft business units, addressing the unique technology needs of diverse markets, and growing the software business in the region.

Before assuming the president’s role in 2005, Neil served as Corporate Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Services for EMEA, and has extensive field expertise establishing programmes that directly address customer and partner needs in the region. His role included leading the business planning processes, enhancing field effectiveness and managing Microsoft’s sales and marketing efforts across the EMEA region.

Since joining Microsoft in 1990, Holloway has held a number of strategic roles in its UK subsidiary. He was appointed Managing Director of Microsoft Ltd. in July 1998 and subsequently was appointed Vice President of Microsoft EMEA in April 2000.

Holloway has an MPhil in Operational Research and Control Engineering from Cambridge University and a BSc Hon. in Mathematics from the University of Bath. In 2008, in recognition of his contribution to international business, he was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from the University of Bath. His hobbies are football, swimming, playing golf and spending time with his family.

 

Adrian Finighan (Special Guest Interviewer)
International Anchor
CNN

Adrian Finighan is an international anchor and correspondent based at CNN’s European headquarters in London. He presents the two daytime editions of ‘Business International’, as well as ‘World News’ from London.

Finighan joined CNN at the start of 2006, a year which saw him anchoring on numerous major news stories, including the summer’s Israel-Hezbollah conflict, the 2006 FIFA World Cup and the 'foiled terror plot' to detonate bombs onboard planes across the Atlantic. In addition to news anchoring, Finighan also works as a correspondent for CNN, which in his first year, saw him covering the huge disruption at Heathrow as the news of the foiled terror plot emerged.

Finighan brought two decades of news broadcasting experience to CNN. He has interviewed countless leaders, politicians and newsmakers, and covered almost every major news event of the last 20 years. He developed his journalistic skills working for the BBC where his ability as an international news anchor was highlighted through his coverage of the Asian tsunami at the end of 2004: he was presenting live as the news broke, and proceeded to stay on air, constantly, for the following six hours watching the developing events in South East Asia.

 

Finighan joined the BBC in 1988 as a radio producer and presenter. He progressed from local radio, where he started the first regional, weekday phone-in programme on BBC radio, to national radio, working as a news reader for Radio 1 and 2 and then onto television, joining the BBC’s business unit. He eventually became one of the regular anchors on BBC World.

His interest in broadcast news journalism began in his early teens. After leaving school, he was offered the chance to study 'on the job' for a recognised journalism qualification with the South Wales radio station where he had been working part time since the age of 16.

 

Dr. Katja Mueller (Chair and Moderator)
Research Director
Point Topic

Dr. Katja Mueller is the Research Director at Point Topic, a UK-based research company.

She manages and develops Point Topic's global Broadband Information Services and UK-centric BroadBand User Services.

 

She is an expert on the socio-economic impact of fixed and mobile broadband technology, speaking regularly at conferences to promote a more research-intensive approach to broadband market research. She also heads a number of consultancy projects for service providers and other entities that seek advice on broadband user trends.

She is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

 

Anette Schaefer
Director EMEA, Broadband and Entertainment Strategies,
Yankee Group (Chair and Moderator)

"Network operators need to stay ahead of the unstoppable force of convergence arising from digitized content, consumer-embracing technology guerrillas with a grassroots appeal and revolutionary power, and feature rich devices that create options for consumers and increases pressure for new services and functions. Yankee Group believes that the 'Anywhere Consumer' will reject legacy service and choose open platforms, enjoying unfettered access to new applications with new business models connecting to a variety of networks on an ad-hoc basis."

As director of the Broadband & Media EMEA Decision Service, Anette Schaefer manages all research and consulting. Schaefer extensively monitors consumer market developments and the competition in the media industry. She analyzes the technologies and the overall market convergence, strategies and infrastructure.

Prior to joining Yankee Group, she worked 15 years as a management consultant in the United States and Europe. Schaefer advised clients from the cable, TV, media and investment industry—such as Disney, Universal, Bertelsmann, AOL Time Warner and NBC—in market entrance strategies, business planning and marketing of new services. She also participated in the M&A of cable, telecom as well media companies and was responsible for the implementation.

Schaefer has extensive knowledge in the areas of business case development, commercial due diligence, competitive benchmarking, market research, consumer marketing strategy and the overall structure of the global media, entertainment and broadband industry. She also participates regularly as speaker on conferences and is member of international industry focus groups.

 

Dr. Myles MacBean
VP, Disney Online,
Walt Disney Internet Group Europe

"We must look at emerging media like our 8 year olds if we have to see the true opportunity! It is a new medium in its own right, uniquely bringing together rich broadband media assets, interactivity, community and personalisation. The opportunity is to change the way we tell stories not just how we distribute them."

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.

Mission statement: The Walt Disney Internet Group is the “Connected Media” arm of The Walt Disney Company. It is both the publisher of unique new media experiences specifically designed for convergent internet/mobile/DTV media, and also a developer of new platforms for distributing the existing content of Disney, ESPN and ABC.

 

It’s all about the story!

TV, IPTV, WebTV - the consumer doesn’t care. What has always been important has been the story and it always will. This is even more the case for the “Web 2.0 generation” who are the true kings of future media and want “my content” to be consumed “my time, my place, my way” and all at once! In fact the real opportunity for emerging “connected media” is not just distributing linear media in new ways, but creatively exploiting what is a new medium in its own right - changing the way we tell stories not just how we distribute them.

An example of one way forward is the relaunched disney.co.uk with Disney Xtreme Digital - a branded, cross platform, cross media, cross business model, entertainment destination.

We need to give the Web2.0 kings what they want, and to do so we need a flexible new open media ecosystem that learns from the web and recognises where true value is added.

 

Alan Hadden
President,
Global mobile Suppliers Association (GSA)

Alan Hadden has 21 years’ experience in the mobile communications industry, and has been President of GSA since its formation in 1998.

Previously he was on the senior management team of a PCN/GSM 1800 operator (today called T-Mobile), involved in start-up, launch, and expansion phases.

He assisted with discussions with key stakeholders and overseas regulators to establish 1800 MHz as a mainstream band for cellular and new mobile businesses. He represented the company at the GSM Association and the UMTS Forum.

Previously Alan was Industrial Advisor to the UK communications regulator, and represented views influencing regulation and standardisation at national and international level. Alan’s 2nd book, Mobile Broadband with HSPA: Services, Markets and Business Opportunities, will be published later this year.

 

Eran Rom
CEO,
Jungo (Corporate VP, NDS)

Eran Rom brings to Jungo many years of senior management experience.

Prior to his appointment as CEO, Mr. Rom was Jungo's COO helping the company reach a leading role in the home gateway software market.

Before joining Jungo Mr. Rom served as VP of Sales at Phonetic Systems. Prior to joining Phonetic Systems, Mr. Rom held a Vice President of sales and marketing position at Identify software managing Identify's sales and field operation including direct sales force, partner and reseller relations. Before that Mr. Rom served as a Vice President of Product Management at Tecnomatix Technologies Ltd., managing large-scale projects and new product strategy. Mr. Rom also served as a Vice President of Customer Support and Professional Services at Indigo America Inc.

 

Simon Danker
Director of Digital Media,
BBC Worldwide

Simon Danker was appointed as Director, Digital Media in June 2006. Simon heads up the team looking at widening the availability of programmes on multiple platforms including VOD, the Internet and mobiles.

Danker is responsible for brokering global partnerships, such as the partnership announced in March 2007 with YouTube for the launch of a BBC Worldwide branded channel.

In addition Simon works with all divisions within BBC Worldwide on digital media initiatives. Additional responsibilities include the development of BBC Worldwide's iPlayer, a commercial version of the BBC's proposed iPlayer, which would allow people to download television and radio programmes via the Internet. Simon will also oversee a portal which BBC Worldwide is building around Earth, the spin-off box-office movie based on Planet Earth which is due for release in autumn 2007.

Simon joined BBC Worldwide in 2000. Prior to taking up this new role he was Director of UK and Ireland TV within BBC Worldwide's Global TV Sales division. Danker has managed and grown the development of programme sales to Video on Demand (VoD) platforms such as BT and Homechoice. In addition to selling programmes to broadcasters in the UK and Ireland, Danker was responsible for growing the relationship with UKTV, in which BBC Worldwide has a 50% stake.

 

Richard Jukes
Managing Director,
Ground Up Media (Gum)

Richard is Managing Director of Ground Up Media (Gum). Gum creates and distributes video content, specifically for digital platforms, building new digital video concepts, targeting mass niche audiences from the “ground up”. GUM offers production, distribution, strategy, technology and sponsorship services that help companies target their business digitally.

Richard’s background is originally in production and post production before embarking on a career in multichannel television. He has over 13 years’ experience of launching, managing and developing a vast array of niche digital television channels, coupled with a broad background of experience in producing and commercialising content through digital platforms, including web, mobile and IPTV.

He has held senior executive positions including Playboy TV, ETV, 4D Interactive and Euro Digital Corporation and worked as a consultant on channel and content strategy for numerous other broadcasters.

 

Russel Buckley
Managing Director, Europe
Admob Inc.

Russell is one of the leading experts on mobile marketing in the world, having overseen nearly 2,000 campaigns since 2000.

Russell is the co-author of MobHappy, one of the most popular mobile marketing and mobile technology blogs on the web.

Before joining AdMob, Russell spent over 15 years working in marketing, including advising leading brands such as Coca-Cola, Diageo, Texaco and Mars.

In 2000, he was recruited to be Director of Marketing of UK-based mobile marketing start up, ZagMe, one of the leading pioneers in mobile advertising. Russell learned about AdMob soon after the launch and immediately saw the potential. He gave up his consulting practice to join Omar and launch AdMob in the European market. Russell is currently Vice-Chair of the Board of The Mobile Marketing Association for EMEA, is a regular speaker on mobile at conferences throughout the world and has published many articles, as well as a white paper on location based marketing.

AdMob is the world's largest mobile advertising marketplace. Founded in 2006, AdMob allows advertisers to reach their customers on the mobile Web and publishers to increase the value of their mobile sites. AdMob offers both advertisers and publishers the ability to target and personalize advertising to their customers in 160 countries and serves over 2.3 billion ads every month.

 

Simon Loe
Head of Sector Marketing
Alcatel-Lucent

In his current role, Simon leads marketing activities to the major telecoms service providers in the UK and Ireland, such as BT, Eircom and COLT. He is also a member of the regional Business Strategy and Marketing team for Alcatel-Lucent’s North & West Europe Region.

Prior to the formation of Alcatel-Lucent, Simon joined Lucent Technologies in 2000 and has now been with the organization for eight years. During this time, he held a number of different marketing roles.

Before joining Lucent, Simon held the role of Technical PR and Marketing Manager for STMicroelectronics for five years and was based in Geneva. Simon holds an MBA from Thames Valley University and a BSc in Engineering Electronics from Warwick University. Simon is also a member of the CIM and CIPR and is fluent in French.

 

Suranga Chandratillake
Chief Executive Officer
blinkx

A technology entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in next-generation search, Suranga Chandratillake founded blinkx in 2004 and launched the company in 2005. After early success, Suranga took blinkx public on the London Stock Exchange in May 2007. Prior to founding blinkx, Suranga was U.S. CTO of Autonomy Corporation, responsible for growing Autonomy’s research and development division in the United States. Before joining Autonomy, Suranga held a variety of roles in technology, sales and marketing at Morgan Stanley, netdecisions and anondesign. Suranga received his MA in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge.

A highly regarded expert on the convergence of the Web and TV, including the future of television, interactive TV and online advertising, Suranga is often invited to speak at leading industry events including MIT’s Emerging Technologies Conference, DLD Conference and Monaco Media Forum. Suranga was recognized as one of the top 10 leaders in Science and Innovation by The Observer’s Future 500 list, and was also named the DEMOgod Winner of DEMO Conference 2007.

 

Niall Murphy
Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer
The Cloud

Niall is co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of The Cloud, where he leads on strategy and strategic business development for the company.

The Cloud is the largest public WiFi network operator in Europe and the pioneer of the neutral host network operator business model for wireless broadband mobility. The Cloud was selected as a Technology Pioneer for 2006 at the World Economic Forum this year in Davos.

Niall is an experienced entrepreneur and technologist, and has devised, financed and built several successful communications technology driven enterprises over the past 12 years.

Previous activities have included telecoms policy, TMT investment, and scenario-based analysis.

Andy McKinnon
WiMAX Principal, EMEA
Motorola Home & Networks Mobility

Andy McKinnon is the Principal responsible for Motorola’s WiMAX business development across Europe, Middle East and Africa.

Andy has worked in the IT and communications industry for over 20 years, with experience of large-scale voice and data solutions, primarily in the wireless space. His achievements include utilising wireless broadband to enhance business and ensure profitability for operators, as well as industry breakthroughs such as the first commercial implementation of 802.16a (pre-WiMAX).

Andy currently serves as chairman of the eco system partners, of the International WCA Global Development Committee (Head Quartered in Washington USA) charged with driving and promoting global roaming for 4G/WiMAX amongst vendors and service providers.

Andy joined Motorola in 2002 from EDS where he was global head of EDS’s WLAN business and was responsible for the company’s mobile consulting practice.