Production 360 Issue V1.1 September-October 2024

YOUR MAGAZINE FOR SPORT, NEWS, FILM & TV AND EVENTS

V1.1 • SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024

2024: A Year of Remarkable Innovation

Leading vendors reflect on AI, remote production and much more

TM

Let’s make it real.

Hall 8 | Stand B91

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA WELCOME

SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 | 3

Welcome to

Production 360º

As an extension to the news

website, we hope you like our

new offering. It bridges the

gap between a traditional

magazine and a digital

product that can be read

easily across all devices.

Producing an interactive,

fresh and simple format

was always the goal, focusing on four main

pillars: news, products, people and business.

No data collected, no subscription, and no

bombardment of your inboxes.

For over 35 years, I have worked across many

industries and seen the evolution of content

production and distribution. It has become more

challenging for specialist independent publishers

to carve a niche against huge organisations with

unlimited resources. Here at Production360°, we

believe there is still a place for the ‘little guys’ who

ask for a little and offer a lot. Without independent

platforms, sooner or later, everything will be ‘pay

to play’. We have and will never be a platform

that does this. Readers and suppliers will be

left with no choice or voice, and that’s never a

good scenario.

In this first issue, we are kindly supported by

Avid, Ross Video, EMG, Vizrt, Ateliere Creative

Technologies, Panasonic Broadcast & Pro AV,

Lawo, Marshall, LiveU, Clear-Com, Page Melia,

Manor Marketing, 808 Talent, Rise, Leader

Phabrix, so I’d like to thank every one of them.

Your support means the world to us; we couldn’t

have done it without you. Thank you for being part

of our journey.

This magazine will be published every two

months and will strive to cover every important

issue and topic. We value your input and welcome

your contributions. Please send me any feedback

or ideas chris@production360.media or

news@production360.media. If you like what we

are doing, please share it with your own people

and organisation.

Thank you and enjoy.

Chris Cope, Publisher

Production 360º

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 | 5

Publisher

Chris Cope

chris@production360.media

Contributing Writer

David Davies

daviddaviesjournalist@gmail.com

Production

Dean Cook

deancook@magazineproduction.com

Production 360 Media Ltd,

6 The Forum, Minerva Business Park,

Peterborough, PE2 6FT.

Tel: +44 (0)20 3289 8015

Website: www.production360.media

Production 360 is published six times

a year by Production 360 Media Ltd.

© 2024 Production 360 Media Ltd

The views expressed in Production 360

not necessarily those of the editorial or

publishing team.

@production360

/production360

7 Overview: A Year of Profound Change

Contributing writer David Davies explores the

dominant technology trends — from cloud-based

production to AI — that feature prominently in this

issue, and are also set to dominate the showfloor at

this year’s IBC.

8 News and product introductions

Latest production round-up

16 Ateliere: ‘We’re accelerating AI

investment’

SVP Live Products Andy Hooper discusses

the challenges for broadcasters of audience

fragmentation, and the company’s new cloud-native

live production & editing platform.

20 808 Talent: how candidate experience

will drive recruitment success in

M&E’s recovery

Ben Swanton, Founder and CEO of broadcast & sports

media technology recruitment consultancy 808 Talent,

explains how companies can prioritise candidate

experience during the process of talent acquisition.

22 Ross Video: ‘It’s a very dynamic time’

CEO David Ross reflects on the industry’s

unprecedented ‘state of flux’, the profound

impact of AI, and the evolution of video

transportation technology.

26 Vizrt: ‘I’m particularly excited by

advancements in VR and AR’

Michael Hallén, CEO of Vizrt Group, discusses AI and

ML progress, the continued evolution of IP-based

production, and the transformative possibilities of

5G for remote production.

CONTENTS

30 Avid: AI should allow ‘creators to focus

more on the creative process’

CTO Kevin Riley reflects on the continued progress

of AI and ML, the company’s innovative Huddle

video review software, and his expectations for this

year’s edition of IBC.

34 Lawo: ‘A second IP wave is upon us’

John Carter, Lawo’s Senior Product Manager,

Media Infrastructure, reflects on the company’s

latest innovations, the outlook for Generative AI,

and its increasing use of ‘demonstration pods’ at

trade shows.

38 Panasonic: ‘Adoption of AI in AV opens

up new possibilities and workflows’

Guilhem Krier, Panasonic’s Head of New Business &

Market Development | EMEA, reflects on the latest

update to the company’s Media Production Suite

and the importance of collaboration.

40 EMG: ‘Our thoughts are focused on

the industry’s growing emphasis on

sustainability’

EMG / Gravity Media COO Charlie Cubbon and

Interim CCO Eamonn Curtin are looking forward to

an edition of IBC that is expected to showcase ‘how

sustainability and cutting-edge technology can

come together to shape the future of our industry’.

42 Connect, Empower, Celebrate

Rise Women in Broadcast championing the inclusion

and advancement of women in the industry.

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PRODUCTION360.MEDIA OVERVIEW


Beyond the shock of the new

It has, by any standards, been another year

of phenomenal change in the broadcast

& media technology. With the industry

having largely regained its pre-Covid

dynamism, the focus has turned to the

adoption of numerous new technologies,

which — collectively — surely represent the

most monumental shift in production and

distribution workflows since the transition

from analogue to digital got underway.

In this inaugural Digital Edition of

Production360, we’ll explore many of these

historic changes through interviews with

seven of the industry’s leading vendors and

service providers — namely Ateliere Creative

Technologies, Avid, EMG/Gravity Media, Lawo,

Panasonic, Ross Video and Vizrt.

As might be expected given its prominence

in the industry discussion throughout the past

12 months, Artificial Intelligence (AI) — and its

probable huge impact on the future of media

production and delivery — is an abiding theme of

these interviews. In general, they suggest that the

immediate ‘shock of the new’ is now fading a bit,

to be replaced by specific use cases.

As EMG/Gravity Media’s Charlie Cubbon and

Eamonn Curtin remark in their interview, the

deployment of these technologies provides an

opportunity to enhance efficiency and “allows our

creative teams to focus on innovation rather than

routine work. Across the industry, automation

is poised to transform content production,

management and distribution, enabling more

personalised, data-driven content and faster, costeffective

operations.”

The ability to offload repetitive tasks in favour

of those that lead to more variable and interesting

working lives is an exciting prospect. At the

same time, the potential negative impact of

Generative AI on creatives, in particular, should

never been underestimated. The mounting

concern expressed by writers, musicians and

actors in an industry founded on human creativity

should be absolutely paramount in the way that

we all move forward into this bold new era.

There surely have to be some boundaries to the

implementation of AI/ML, and it’s to be hoped

that the regulatory initiatives presently under

development in the US, Europe and elsewhere

have the necessary effect.

But AI is by no means the only game in town

— or, indeed, subject matter of this issue. The

migration to the cloud and the rise of remote

and distributed production are also having a

transformative effect on the industry, ushering in

a remarkable new era of flexibility and scalability.

In particular, the ability for broadcasters to

cover more news and sports despite sending

fewer personnel out on-location is proving to be

a huge asset — especially during a time when

the demand for content is growing, but securing

commercial revenue streams is becoming more

challenging and unpredictable.

Of course, this being an edition that is published

immediately before one of the industry’s primary

annual gatherings, there is also plenty of coverage

of our featured companies’ latest product

launches and upgrades. We also get to hear

their thoughts on the progress of sustainability

and decarbonisation initiatives — both on an

individual level and an industry-wide one — and

the enduring strengths of the IBC Show.

In addition, we also have some fascinating

insights from Ben Swanton, founder and CEO

of renowned broadcast and sports media

technology recruitment consultancy 808 Talent.

He explains how companies can prioritise

candidate experience during the process of talent

acquisition — a task that is becoming evermore

critical as some areas of the industry (especially

with regard to senior engineering roles) face

increased difficulties in securing the talent they

need to maintain and develop their businesses.

We hope you’ll find this issue a helpful preview

of the technology trends and exciting projects

making headlines in Amsterdam this month. As

we finalised this issue, product announcements

flooded my inbox, confirming media tech’s

unwavering creativity and commitment to

innovation despite the pandemic’s challenges.

And in a wider world that seems to become ever

more fractious and uncertain, the robustness of

this industry is something that should always be

acknowledged — and cherished.

David Davies

Contributing Writer

8 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 NEWS

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Imaginario AI at IBC: Enhances

content creation with AI Video

curation platform and API

Imaginario AI is a video

curation platform and

API that has been trained

to interpret visual video,

dialogue, and audio like a

human. Advanced library

cataloging, easy-to-use

production and packaging

capabilities provide massive efficiencies for creating onset dailies: clip

search and ideation, compliance editing, transcriptions, chapterisation, and

content repurposing for social channels.

Limited metadata or working with animation? No problem. Imaginario

is a labelless multimodal AI platform that curates by visual, speech

and sound, while understanding the passing of time. It features three

modalities, making it more efficient, precise, and cost-effective than

typical MAM and AI labeling platforms that require multiple models for

each type of search and asset type.

Highlight features include:

• Highlight clips permits users to search within text and discover text

chapters to fashion custom video clips. Handles provide room for

necessary adjustments by users.

• One-click to clip feature for long interviews and podcasts.

• Collections categorise assets into easily navigable chapters.

• Our Social Media packaging and branding tool is user-friendly, requiring

only a few clicks.

Imaginario AI vastly simplifies and enhances the content creation process,

empowering post-production and marketing teams of all sizes to

effortlessly distribute more content to a wider audience and better monetise

their assets.

Blue Lucy to launch asset

portal and introduce AI

assistant at IBC 2024

Described as an asset portal, BOLT

provides effortless access to content,

allowing media executives to receive,

review and share content without

navigating complex UIs or waiting for

technical teams to deliver files. The

Blue Lucy team will also demonstrate

extensive integrations and a powerful

AI assistant in BLAM, Blue Lucy’s

proven tool for asset management,

workflow orchestration and

integration, at the show.

BOLT is designed to reconnect

commercial media teams with

their content through three

core functions:

Receive: BOLT provides an

intelligent upload function that

ensures content is received with

the metadata your business needs.

Rather than waiting for content to

arrive and then adding metadata to

it, with BOLT the content request is

delivered along with set parameters

and metadata requirements so

it’s immediately searchable and

can be set to trigger workflows

on arrival. So, your media hits the

ground running.

Review: BOLT puts your entire

content library at your team’s

fingertips — regardless of their

technical capabilities. The portal’s

stunningly simple operation and

focused functionality means

sales teams can search and view

content from any web browser

without having to request

access or learn how to use

advanced toolsets.

Share: BOLT provides a simple

system for content owners to

showcase and monetise their

content catalogue. Now, sharing

content with potential customers

is as easy as adding items to a

shopping cart and secure links to

viewing copies are automatically

created and delivered to

your prospects.

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PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Broadcast Solutions brings

practical, innovative

and sustainable systems

integrations to IBC

Broadcast Solutions, one of Europe’s

largest media systems integration

groups, will show its capabilities in

both fixed installations and mobile

units at IBC 2024. As well as its

presentations on stand 10.C43,

the company will feature one of

its recently completed outside

broadcast trucks and a mobile radio

studio at O.A23.

On show outside is a PaaM —

production as a module — unit, one

of four identical trucks built for Swiss

broadcaster SRG. This powerful

and flexible broadcast unit is an

excellent demonstration of the way

that Broadcast Solutions combines

standardised building blocks with

the ability to tailor details to the

user’s requirements.

Alongside it will be a mobile radio

studio, built for LRT the Lithuanian

public broadcaster. This innovative

vehicle incorporates both a studio

— with a glass wall for public viewing

— and a control room equipped with

a 64 channel eMotion digital mixer.

For visualised radio broadcasts there is also a fivecamera

video streaming system. The studio van is

accompanied by a support vehicle which includes

both a diesel generator and solar panels to provide

power on site

“Outside broadcast units remain a very

important part of our business, and we continue to

deliver new trucks around the world,” said Stefan

Breder, CEO of Broadcast Solutions. “But clearly

media production is changing, and we are also

busy designing and building fixed installations:

studios, master control centres and post

production. Increasingly, these have to be a part of

remote production workflows, and we are experts

in providing the right connectivity.”

Perifery unveils fully

integrated AI-enabled

solution at IBC 2024

Perifery will demonstrate the integration, its use cases and

benefits, throughout IBC 2024. It will showcase how media and

entertainment organisations can simplify asset management

by automating routine tasks, optimising search, and leveraging

scalable media infrastructure. This allows teams to focus on

content creation rather than dealing with the complexities of

managing and locating their assets.

Perifery’s AI workflows and search automation capabilities

address critical challenges in the media industry with a

continually expanding application toolset. Machine learning

delivers intuitive functionality that understands customer

requests for precise content discovery, saving media companies

time and effort. These workflows are universally compatible

and operate seamlessly with both S3-enabled cloud and onpremises

content, delivering flexibility both on-prem and in

the cloud.

Perifery AI+ enables users to describe what they are looking

for in over 20 languages. This transforms restrictive, traditional

search processes into conversation with content, so that

organisations can maximise the full commercial potential of

their assets. This creates a wealth of new information which

is assigned to content, and goes beyond the limitations of

traditional metadata.

“The world makes more video than ever before, faster than

ever before.” said Abhi Dey, Chief Product Officer, Perifery.

“The launch of our integrated solution, allows users to search

for content in a more intuitive way, and enables companies

to streamline, preserve, protect, and monetise media assets.

Ensuring content works for media companies — not the other

way around.”

Riverside TV Studios

“Creating a state of the art facility was a complex

exercise to finance so we were delighted to work with

Adamantean and their creative, collaborative and

competitive approach. They have become a valued

partner to Riverside TV Studios.”

William Burdett-Coutts

Managing Director

Riverside TV Studios and The University of Chichester:

two major new studio installation projects Adamantean

is enormously proud to have financed.

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University of Chichester

“The University of Chichester’s Engineering and Digital

Technology Park has been a ground-breaking development

for the disadvantaged West Sussex coastal region; the

contribution of Adamantean was critical to the successful

completion of this challenging project. Their diligence and

creativity have been greatly appreciated.”

Professor Jane Longmore

Vice Chancellor


PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Cinegy Brings Cloud

Monetisation and Delivery,

AI-powered Subtitling and

IP failover to IBC 2024

Usability in focus: G&D

showcases the latest

tools for broadcast

applications at IBC 2024

on ease of use, G&D develops user-friendly

and reliable KVM solutions that meet these

increasing requirements.

Cinegy, the premier provider of software-defined technology

for digital video capture, processing, asset management, and

playout, is launching two new Air product bundles and an AIpowered

automatic subtitling product at IBC 2024. Visitors to

the Cinegy stand this year will experience a fully virtualised and

containerised back-end infrastructure, delivering 64-channels

of HD playout from a single physical server. This platform

is also used for running Cinegy’s Multiviewer and Capture

PRO solutions delivering real-time monitoring and scalable

video recording.

“Cinegy is uniquely poised to support the convergence of

the broadcast and AV markets to IP thanks to our innovative

software-based solutions and decades of video delivery

expertise,” concluded Weigner. “Cinegy’s products have been

a key component in a variety of projects in recent years, from

scaling hundreds of channels at a sports broadcast network to

monitoring media and entertainment experiences for cruise ship

passengers. We provide the best value and most comprehensive

software-based turnkey solutions for both broadcast and AV.”

EASE OF USE WITH KVM

SOLUTIONS

The demands on broadcast control

rooms are continuously increasing

as they become more complex

and need to integrate a growing

range of cutting-edge technologies.

This growing complexity poses

significant challenges for staff,

as they need to monitor multiple

processes simultaneously and

carry out workflows in parallel. KVM

solutions are designed to serve as

an interface between humans and

machines, improving workflows,

enhancing technology security, and

improving ergonomics. For many

years, KVM systems have been

optimising workflows in studios,

OB vans, and post-production

by providing real-time access

to outsourced computers and

seamless switching between

various sources. With a clear focus

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offers the advantage of being able to flexibly

arrange different computer modules (CPU)

and their sources on a larger workspace. This

module promotes an intuitive way of working,

facilitates workflows through operation on a larger

surface, and enables the creation of efficient

workflows, making the DynamicWorkplace-CON

ideal for complex activities and processes in

broadcast environments.

The module’s multi-viewing function allows

up to eight sources to be operated on four

monitors simultaneously. The intuitive window

manager enables easy positioning and handling

of windows as well as flexible arrangement and

movement across monitors, allowing ergonomic

display of critical data at a central point, thereby

improving efficiency, safety, and response time in

control rooms.

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PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Rohde & Schwarz to

demonstrate energyefficient

technology

innovation at IBC 2024

Rohde & Schwarz is bringing the

latest technologies in television and

radio transmission to IBC 2024.

The R&S®TH1 liquid-cooled highpower

transmitter is the solution of

choice for a volatile future. It offers

the flexibility to adapt to changing

requirements and new operational

models. The improved amplifier

design delivers a dramatic increase

in energy efficiency, representing a

15% reduction in power consumption

over other current designs.

The liquid cooling concept,

allowing more than 90% of all heat

generated to be dispersed to the

outside atmosphere, further reduces

energy requirements and total cost

of ownership. The R&S®TH1 is also

designed for terrestrial transmission

via 5G Broadcast to mobile devices,

opening new business opportunities

by addressing emerging use cases

like live and venue casting, data

delivery to IoT and the automotive

industry, and more.

Rohde & Schwarz has been a

consistent pioneer in DAB+ since the early

1990s, with thousands of its transmitters on-air

today serving hundreds of millions of people in

Europe. The THV9evo, TMV9evo and TLV9 DAB+

transmitters feature excellent signal quality, and

an extremely high transmitter efficiency of 50%

enables reduction of operational costs. At IBC

2024 Rohde & Schwarz will introduce a DAB+

efficiency calculator, which is an interactive

savings tool. When it comes to network

optimisation, the user can provide their own data

and the efficiency tool will simulate a calculation in

real-time.

Signiant Highlights

its Innovative SaaS

Platform at IBC 2024

Signiant, makers of the SaaS

platform that connects more than

50,000 media companies, will

demonstrate new innovations and

partnerships at IBC 2024.

Attendees will experience

hands-on demonstrations of

how top media companies

automate content exchange with

numerous partners, discover and

interact with media assets across

distributed storage locations, and provide remote teams with

quick, seamless access to media assets — all through a single,

unified platform.

Signiant product experts will be available to share insights

into innovations on the platform and new partnerships, such

as the collaboration with TMT Insights. This partnership has

led to the creation of an Intelligent Ingest solution, designed

to simplify large-scale media ingest. Customers can save

time and money through this Intelligent Ingest solution which

enables the planning and tracking of both proactive and

reactive inbound content — from greenlight through receipt.

This new solution streamlines the inbound flow of media files

from a large and diverse set of partners and instantly validates

when components for a given content version are received

against its established title hierarchy. The combination of the

Signiant Platform alongside TMT Insights’ Polaris operational

user interface provides key benefits such as centralised visibility

and control, error reduction, ecosystem agility and flexibility,

ultimately leading to a faster time-to-market.

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16 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: ATELIERE

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

What are your overriding thoughts as this

year’s IBC approaches, and what do you think

will be the primary technological themes?

Sustainability, audience fragmentation, cost

optimisation and Artificial Intelligence will

continue to be the primary technological

themes. With the proliferation of digital channels

and streaming services, audiences are more

fragmented than ever. Broadcasters must find

ways to reach and engage viewers across multiple

platforms, tailoring content and advertising to

different demographics and preferences. And

Ateliere can help with solutions that feature

AI-driven automation and optimisation for live

production, inventory organisation, content

discovery, metadata enrichment, content delivery

and monetisation.

Ateliere’s Andy Hooper:

‘We’re accelerating

AI investment’

Ateliere Creative Technologies’ SVP Live Products, Andy Hooper,

discusses the challenges for broadcasters of audience fragmentation,

the company’s new cloud-native live production & editing platform,

and the appeal of flexible media integration toolkits.

What are going to be Ateliere’s most significant

new products or updates to be highlighted at

this year’s show?

At IBC 2024, we’ll demonstrate Ateliere Live,

a cloud-native live production and editing

platform that lowers the cost of production

and incorporates advanced proxy editing for

true remote workflows. This ensures highquality

content reaches the right platform in

the right format, redefining live broadcasting

with a user-centric approach. Currently used

by leading broadcasters, Ateliere Live offers

50-70% savings per hour of live TV production

compared to traditional methods and can be

a significant enabler for broadcasters to meet

sustainability goals.

We’re also excited to show our award-winning

Ateliere Connect AI, along with its first Generative

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA Q&A: ATELIERE


Enabling Sustainable, Scalable

Growth

…Ateliere Live and Connect AI can update

your media operations based on tomorrow’s key

industry challenges, not yesterday’s assumptions.

AI (GenAI) module. Connect AI transforms media supply chains through

Generative, Multimodal AI and machine learning technologies. It automates

packaging, localisation and distribution while providing real-time, AIdriven

insights for optimising efficiency. An optional enhancement to

Ateliere Connect, this module helps locate lost assets and identify readyto-use

content, ensuring seamless integration with existing workflows. The

module is driven by sophisticated, continuously-learning GenAI engines that

leverage machine learning models.

Together Ateliere Live and Connect AI can update your media operations

based on tomorrow’s key industry challenges, not yesterday’s assumptions.

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18 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: ATELIERE

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

…we offer a comprehensive

solution that anticipates and

addresses customer needs,

driving a new level of

workflow efficiency.

AI & ML are certain to be a key part of the

discussion at IBC 2024. How is automation

changing what you do as a company, and how

do you think it will impact the industry in the

coming years? And how do you expect this to be

reflected at this year’s show?

Ateliere is no stranger to AI — our agile, cloudnative

foundation incorporates AI in various

forms, most notably with our proprietary

technology, FrameDNA. We’re not content with

incremental progress as we believe the current

level of GenAI advancements are exponential. Thus

an incremental approach means you can become

irrelevant overnight.

We’re accelerating AI investment, driven by

a commitment to set the standard for supply

chain monetisation. We hope to redefine the

very essence of efficiency and excellence in

the industry.

Identifying value gaps will help us understand

where we can provide a tangible difference.

With help from our new AI customer advisory

council, we’ll scrutinise our industry, analyse AI

offerings, identify commonalities, and pinpoint

where solutions provide real automation results

as well as where they fall short of addressing

client needs. Is it a lack of authentic localisation?

Better customisation options? Improved aftersales

support? A niche requirement that nobody

addresses? Unearthing these value gaps is fertile

ground for differentiation. The goal is to help

move organisations through the change process

necessary to adopt new operational models with

increased automation and simpler, agile processes

across teams and functions.

After critical vetting, we not only adopt bestof-breed

AI technologies, but also seamlessly

integrate these solutions into our Ateliere Connect

platform. Instead of piecemeal AI solutions that

have to be manually operated and then stitched

together, we offer a comprehensive solution that

anticipates and addresses customer needs, driving

a new level of workflow efficiency. As part of our

ongoing approach, Ateliere validates potential

partnerships with technology developers,

service providers, integrators and other industry

stakeholders. This will ensure the right workflow

to successfully service even the most niche

workflow needs.

Sustainability and decarbonisation are also set

to be headline themes. What have been some of

the most significant developments for Ateliere

in this area during the past 12 months?

Ateliere Live’s unique software architecture allows

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA Q&A: ATELIERE


live productions to be run on substantially less footprint than competing

solutions. In an Ateliere Live production pipeline, video stays in the GPU

until just prior to distribution, instead of being repeatedly encoded and

decoded through a chain of video processing steps. In addition, our support

for true remote production workflows can result in a significantly lower

travel obligation for live productions. This all results in a substantially lower

environmental footprint than traditional solutions.

In a more festive development, Ateliere is the headline sponsor of The

Flint Green Line. This unique media industry networking event takes place

in a dedicated Eurostar carriage heading to IBC from London’s St. Pancras

Station. IBC attendees can enjoy low-carbon, direct travel to Amsterdam

accompanied by an afternoon of networking with fellow industry

professionals interested in improving their sustainability practices.

As an IBC visitor, what are some of the new & emerging technologies you

are most excited about this year?

I need to keep up to speed with the state of the art when it comes to cloud and

software based production systems, and especially GPU-based production.

Anything which can make a meaningful reduction in a media company’s

carbon footprint is also high on my watch list.

I’m also very interested in which companies have the most flexible and

straightforward media integration toolkits. Connecting systems into a

cohesive whole is an important task in many production and media supply

chains, and Ateliere is a big believer in the value of specialist tools to achieve

that job cost-effectively.

In terms of potential new features or scope, how would you like to see

the IBC show develop/evolve during the next few years?

Looking ahead, I think the trend towards building media technology

solutions on more standardised IT platforms will result in increasing

amounts of crossover with enterprise video production and delivery. I think

there is potential for IBC to offer forums to explore that crossover, and the

commonalities that may exist and differences that may persist.

More immediately, one of the things I’m always struck by at IBC is how

many opportunities there are to meet new people, network and develop new

connections. But it’s often quite hard to know about everything that’s going

Connecting systems into a cohesive whole is

an important task in many production and media

supply chains, and Ateliere is a big believer in the

value of specialist tools to achieve that job

cost effectively.

on, until you’ve seen the LinkedIn posts from those who attended! A central

events system that organisers can use to register their events and meet-ups

would be really useful. Maybe it already exists, and I haven’t found it yet!

20 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 EMPLOYER BRANDING

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Employer branding: how candidate

experience will drive recruitment

success in M&E’s recovery

Ben Swanton, Founder and CEO of

renowned broadcast & sports media

technology recruitment consultancy

808 Talent, explains how companies can

prioritise candidate experience during the

process of talent acquisition.

As IBC 2024 approaches, the media and entertainment

(M&E) industry is showing encouraging signs of

recovery after the challenges of 2023 and early 2024.

Mergers and acquisitions are gaining momentum, and there’s a

renewed sense of optimism and growth in the air. Historically,

the latter half of the year has been the most productive and

crucial for our industry. This pattern extends to recruitment

as well, with these months being the busiest for hiring and

talent acquisition.

Given the importance of this period, companies need to

prioritise an often-overlooked aspect of the recruitment

process: candidate experience. Unfortunately, many

organisations still stumble in this area — a factor that can make

or break recruitment success and significantly impact your

company’s market reputation. In an industry already grappling

with challenges in attracting new talent and fostering diversity,

equity, and inclusion, delivering a positive candidate experience

is not just beneficial, it’s essential.

VALUES AND PURPOSE: KNOW WHO YOU ARE

A successful employer branding strategy starts with understanding and clearly

communicating your company’s identity. Your culture, values and position within the industry

should be evident at every touchpoint during the recruitment process. Companies undergoing

transformation or experiencing significant internal changes often reveal these issues through

disjointed messaging. Conversely, those with a clear sense of identity and purpose attract

candidates who align with their vision, reflecting these qualities in their hiring practices.

With recent redundancies, particularly in HR and administrative functions, many

companies are dealing with over-stretched teams. This strain can lead to a breakdown

in the recruitment process, ultimately resulting in a poor candidate experience. If your

internal resources are limited, consider partnering with an external recruitment agency.

The right one can act as your PR ambassador, as well as efficiently manage the process,

ensuring that your company is presented in the right way.

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA EMPLOYER BRANDING


BUDGET & ROLE DEFINITION: LAY THE

GROUNDWORK BEFORE YOU START

Before kicking off any recruitment process, it’s

crucial to have all the essentials in place, starting

with budget approval. It sounds obvious, but

there’s nothing more frustrating for a candidate

than to go through an entire recruitment process,

only to find out the role’s budget isn’t finalised.

This not only wastes time but also tarnishes your

company’s reputation. Ensure that your budget

is firmly established and clearly communicated

from the start. This includes being transparent

about salary ranges and ensuring that candidates

are aligned with these expectations before

moving forward.

Beyond the budget, clarity around the role

itself is equally important. All stakeholders

involved in the recruitment process must be on

the same page regarding the role’s requirements

and expectations. Over the past few years, more

stakeholders have become involved in hiring

decisions, which can be beneficial as candidates

gain a broader perspective of the company culture.

However, this can also lead to mixed messages if

stakeholders have differing expectations for the

role. Establish a clear decision-making hierarchy

and ensure that everyone understands the role’s

requirements and objectives.

INTERVIEW & COMMUNICATION

ESSENTIALS

One of the most common pitfalls in recruitment

is the outdated belief that companies are in the

driver’s seat. In reality, recruitment has evolved

into a two-way process where candidates evaluate

potential employers just as critically as companies

assess candidates. This shift is particularly

important in a sector that is struggling to attract

younger and more diverse talent. Ensuring a

positive candidate experience isn’t a mere ‘nice-tohave’

— it’s crucial for your company’s success.

Effective communication is the backbone of

any successful recruitment process. Candidates

form opinions about your company based on how

the recruitment process is conducted. Timely

and constructive feedback helps candidates

understand where they stand and enhances their

perception of your company, even if they don’t get

the job. On the other hand, ‘ghosting’ candidates

or failing to provide feedback can leave a lasting

negative impression.

Maintaining momentum throughout the

recruitment process is equally important. Delays

and stalls can cause candidates to lose interest

or question their fit with your company. If delays

are unavoidable, communicate them clearly and

set new expectations for timelines. Transparency

about the process — from the number of

interview stages to the expected decision-making

timeframe — helps manage expectations and

keeps engagement levels high.

BUILDING & PROTECTING

YOUR REPUTATION

A company’s reputation isn’t just built on its

products or services; it’s also shaped by how it

treats people, whether they are customers, current

employees or potential new employees. A wellexecuted

recruitment process can enhance your

company’s reputation, while a poorly managed one

can cause significant damage. Candidates who have

a positive experience are more likely to speak well of

In the fast-recovering M&E

industry, attracting the right

talent is more critical than ever.

your company, even if they don’t end up joining.

It’s vital to put yourself in the candidate’s shoes

and understand their perspective. We’re all busy,

and the past 18 months have been challenging for

many in the industry. However, taking the time to

ensure a positive candidate experience can pay

dividends in the long run. Engaging a professional

recruitment agency can help manage this process

more effectively, acting as an ambassador for

your brand and ensuring that your company is

portrayed positively in the market.

THE WAY FORWARD

In the fast-recovering M&E industry, attracting the

right talent is more critical than ever. By focusing

on candidate experience, maintaining clear

communication, and ensuring a unified approach

among stakeholders, companies can enhance their

recruitment processes and secure the talent they

need to drive their business forward.

As we approach IBC 2024, it’s important to

remember that the impressions we leave on

candidates today will shape the future of our

industry. By getting recruitment right, we can

build stronger, more innovative teams ready to

tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities

of tomorrow.

22 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: ROSS VIDEO

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA




The industry is in a state of more flux than

ever before, and that’s saying something! Many

broadcasters are under unprecedented financial

pressures, and suppliers must be closely aligned

with their needs — even though everyone has

different needs. Some customers continue to

be comfortable and best staffed for traditional

hardware-based workflows, whether 12G SDI or

2110, and the ongoing evolution of solutions like

the Ross Ultrix Hyperconverged platform will

continue to get attention.

Other customers are pushing for on-prem

compute solutions and need to figure out how to

manage the connection, orchestration and billing

of these solutions. Finally, some customers are

interested in shifting or flexing to the cloud, and

need to sort through the realities of what’s available

and what those cost. It’s a very dynamic time.

Ross Video’s Carbonite Code

Ross Video’s David Ross:

‘It’s a very dynamic time’

The CEO and Chairman of the Board of Ross Video reflects on the

industry’s unprecedented ‘state of flux’, the profound impact of

AI, the company’s Net Zero progress, and the evolution of video

transportation technology.

What are your major new products or updates

for this year’s show?

Our new free-roaming robotic camera system,

Artimo, will be huge for us this year. People are also

very interested in seeing what we’re doing with

Carbonite Code, our new software-based switcher

built for NDI. Raiden is another new tool from Ross

that I would love newscasts that produce weather

to check out. Our latest acquisition, Bannister

Lake, and the HTML 5 graphic solutions they

offer is another thing we want to expose to our

European customers. There will probably be one

or two other things that I am excited to talk about,

but I can’t tell you about those just yet.

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA Q&A: ROSS VIDEO


Many broadcasters are

under unprecedented financial

pressures, and suppliers must be

closely aligned with their needs.







I have been thinking about this a lot lately, and

ultimately, AI in our industry and our lives will be

like the air around us. We’ll be using it without

even realising it, but we’ll find it difficult to live

without it. I said that to my wife the other night,

and she said you’re channeling David Bowie —

apparently, he said something similar about

streaming music. I don’t want to steal David

Bowie’s words, but that idea really did stick in my

head. It’s almost a question of where we will not

be using AI. Customers are already using it for

metadata and tagging in media asset management

applications. We’re already using it for advanced

face and body tracking with our robotic cameras

using Vision[AI]ry. And we’re using it now to

power our customer support as well — Ross Bot —

which is powered by ChatGPT and will continue

to evolve. We expect it will keep getting better at

answering customer questions and, ultimately,

help troubleshoot product issues.

We’re also using it internally for some of

our software development and writing tasks.

I’m even using it at the executive level for all

manner of investigations and proofreading. A few

decades back, people were asking, ‘Do you think

computers may impact the industry in any way?’

or ‘Do you think the Internet is going to affect the

industry in any way?’ And, of course, computers

have affected the industry and our lives more than

we ever dreamed at the time. The internet has

Ross Video’s Artimo Studio

profoundly changed how we do business. Both

have completely disrupted the industry, and I

think the changes AI will bring will be at a similar

scale to those innovations.

Sustainability and decarbonisation are also

set to be headline themes. As a company which

has made great strides in this area recently,

what have been some of the most significant

developments for you in the past 12 months?

There are a lot of companies saying that they want

24 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: ROSS VIDEO

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Ross Video’s Raiden

Ross Video’s Ultrix

to be Net Zero by 2050 or maybe 2030. We are going to be Net Zero in our

factory this year. We recently lit up the solar panel array on our factory roof,

and they generate almost 20 MWh of electricity per month. We are in the final

stages of replacing the remaining roof-mounted gas furnaces with electricitypowered

heat exchangers. We’re phasing out every bit of gas we can find. Our

region’s electrical grid already has an impressive 94% carbon-free footprint,

but we wanted to get to Net Zero this year, not some vague date in the future.

I’m proud of what the team has accomplished.

It’s not just about our factory; it’s also about our products. We have

continued to advance the Ultrix platform, and as most people know,

Ultrix is a phenomenally green platform. It uses far less power than any

competing product or solution. Its compact design reduces electronic waste

and requires less emissions to ship and transport. That can be especially

important in OB vans.

As an IBC visitor, what are the new and emerging technologies you are

most excited about this year?

This year at IBC, I’m particularly interested in how video transport will evolve.

For example, I’m interested in gauging the continued strength of 12G SDI. To

what extent will we see a wider adoption of ST2110 to more market segments?

Will NDI find its place in our industry? There’s a new version of 2110 that’s

coming out called IPMX; how is it being accepted in our industry compared

to the ProAV industry, and will there be more interest in compressed or

uncompressed versions of IPMX? How is transport going in and out of the

cloud evolving? Will SRT continue to be a leader, or is something else in the

wings? What are people using in local compute for live production — will it be

2110, NDI or something else?

I’m also interested in how remote production connectivity will evolve.

Will JPEG XS gain acceptance, or will we be using lower-cost technologies?

There’s lots to learn and talk about!

In terms of potential new features or scope, how would you like the IBC

show to develop in the coming years?

We go to trade shows like IBC to talk to lots of customers and our peers in

the industry to get a sense of the buzz and then try to figure out which parts

of the buzz are real, and which are not. Trade shows seem to be an inflection

point for a lot of change that can happen in the industry, and IBC does an

outstanding job of enabling that to happen.

26 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: VIZRT

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Vizrt’s Michael Hallén: ‘I’m particularly

excited by advancements in VR and AR’

The CEO of Vizrt discusses AI and ML progress,

the continued evolution of IP-based production,

and the transformative possibilities of 5G for

remote production.

What are your overriding thoughts as this year’s IBC approaches, and

what do you think will be the primary technological themes?

IBC is always a great opportunity to meet with our customers and partners,

hear from them their new projects and requirements, showcase our latest

innovations, and learn about the newest advancements in the industry.

I believe the main technological themes will likely include the further

integration of AI and ML for production assistance, advancements in

cloud-based workflows, the continued evolution of IP-based production,

and the increasing use of extended reality to create immersive experiences

for audiences.

We are seeing these concepts in conversations with our customers

regarding new projects and POCs. It’s important to note that these

technologies are not simply trends for this year; the solutions are out there

already, helping transform how content is created, managed and delivered,

[thereby] making it more efficient and dynamic.

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA Q&A: VIZRT


…we will be showcasing

a series of advancements across

our graphics portfolio,

highlighting the latest in dataintegration,

interactive graphics,

real-time rendering, AR and

virtual sets, and more through a

series of live shows, and across

our solution pods.



Last year, we announced we were uniting the

product portfolios for NewTek and Vizrt under one

brand: Vizrt. And following that announcement

we introduced new models in our TriCaster line,

growing it by 50%. This included the very first

TriCaster in the cloud.

Bringing our product lines together has

accelerated our innovation, resulting in a range

of new solutions from our R&D team. We’ve

introduced over 10 new products since the last

IBC, including the first native-NDI multi-channel

video conversion tool, smart video cropping for

streamlined sports social media publishing, new

PTZ cameras, entry-level graphics production

systems, and enhanced security features for

newsrooms. Additionally, we’ve seen significant

growth in the adoption of NDI.

Also, we will be showcasing a series of

advancements across our graphics portfolio,

highlighting the latest in data-integration,

interactive graphics, real-time rendering, AR and

virtual sets, and more through a series of live shows,

and across our solution pods.

We are continuously innovating and updating

our productions, incorporating the latest

technological advancements, which aligns

with our vision and commitment to providing

comprehensive solutions that cater to the diverse

needs of content creators — from small production

houses to major broadcasters.







Automation, driven by AI and ML, is revolutionising

our operations and the industry at large. For Vizrt,

this means developing AI-assisted production

workflows that reduce manual intervention and

enhance the precision of content creation and

distribution. In the coming years, this will lead to

28 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: VIZRT

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

evolving regulatory landscape, including compliance with the Corporate

Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

By embedding sustainable practices within our operations, we are ensuring

long-term viability, resilience, and a better future for both our company and

the broader media tech industry.

more efficient production processes and cost savings for the end-users. At IBC

2024, I’d expect to see numerous demonstrations of AI-driven technologies that

highlight these benefits and set new standards for the industry.

However, we’ve been utilising AI, and AI-driven features, within our

technologies for several years. We’re developing AI-assisted production tools

that further integrate AI add-ons into our technologies from our production

solutions to flagship sports projects, newsroom workflows and more — some

of which will be seen at IBC 2024 for the first time.

Sustainability and decarbonisation are also set to be headline themes.

What have been some of the most significant developments for you in

the past 12 months?

Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond corporate responsibility;

it’s a strategic advantage that benefits our customers and partners, as well

as ourselves. Over the past year, we have been answering the call of our

customers who want to have more sustainable products and solutions by

focusing and optimising our cloud infrastructure and offering.

Internally, we also appointed Avinash Kumar as our ESG Controller. With

his extensive experience and strategic vision, he is helping us integrate

sustainable practices, address ESG-related concerns, and navigate the

As an IBC visitor, what are the new & emerging technologies you are

most excited about this year?

This year, I am particularly excited about the advancements in virtual and

augmented reality. These technologies are pushing the boundaries of how

immersive experiences can be created and delivered.

Additionally, the progress in 5G technology and its application in remote

production is fascinating. It promises to revolutionise live broadcasting by

enabling faster and more reliable connections. I am also interested to see

the latest developments in cloud-based production tools, which are making

high-quality production more accessible than ever before.

In terms of potential new features or scope, how would you like the IBC

show to develop in the coming years?

Looking ahead, it’ll be interesting to see how IBC continues to expand

its focus on merging industries — like we are seeing between broadcast

and pro-AV, which is being phrased as its own vertical of broadcast AV.

And in conversation with multiple analysts at NAB, many of them see the

corporate sphere as one of the fastest growing markets, with the most

buying opportunity.

We can attest to the demand as we have gained a number of new

customers from the corporate market. In the era of hybrid working,

corporates are looking to engage employees, just like broadcasters engage

viewers — and they are looking at what tech they utilise to do it.

Interestingly, we see this year a special AV buyers’ event [is taking place] on

the evening ahead of the show, where IBC has created a speed-pitch event for

around 40 people to support media tech companies in getting their solutions

that could be relevant for the corporate market directly in front of big players

from healthcare, finance and more. I suspect if this goes well, and the buyer

base from the corporate market grows, we will see more sessions and spaces

dedicated to pro-AV innovation.

Virtual Intercom

Intercom in the Cloud

IBC Stand #10.D29

30 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: AVID

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Avid’s Kevin Riley:

AI should allow ‘creators

to focus more on the

creative process’

Chief Technology Officer at Avid, Kevin Riley, reflects

on the continued progress of AI and ML, the company’s

innovative Huddle video review software, and his

expectations for this year’s edition of IBC.




I think we’re going to continue to see the

progression of machine learning and artificial

intelligence use cases throughout the entire

workflows in news media and broadcast.

The big thing that resonated with me last year

was when we saw the start of the transition

from hype and some fear over how [AI] might

impact or jeopardise jobs and roles, to actual,

real valuable use cases and our industry pivoting

towards embracing the technology for good.

[That involves] figuring out how we can drive

efficiencies, [including for] the automation and

acceleration of content generation, and I think

we’re going to see that theme continue into IBC

this year.

The second main thing we’ll continue to see is

a lot of focus around digital workflows and digital

content creation — and all of the work that needs

to go into it to increase speed, efficiency and

acceleration along that dimension.

What are going to be Avid’s most significant

new products or updates to be highlighted at

this year’s show?

We released a new offer last quarter called Avid

Huddle, which we previewed at the show last year

but is now fully released and in the market. It’s a

video review SaaS service in support of one of our

main strategic themes, which is enabling secure,

high-quality, team collaborative video review,

bringing distributed workforces together. With

Avid Huddle, we’ve partnered with Microsoft to

enable media review and approval in a Microsoft

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA Q&A: AVID


Teams environment, to deliver a seamless ‘over the shoulder’

experience in Avid Media Composer where you can view, review,

comment, and sign off on media in a virtual workspace.

So we’ll be talking about that at IBC, along with another

recently-released product, Stream IO, which is our pure COTS

[commercial off-the-shelf] solution for software media ingest

and playout. It underlines our investment towards pure

software and COTS across the Avid video and media portfolio.

We’ve also continued to invest in and develop our capabilities

around story-centric news and broadcast, so you’ll see

continued emphasis and new capabilities showcased at the

show. You’ll also see us messaging strongly around AI and ML.

In particular in the areas of asset management, intelligent

content organisation, searching and arrangement of content

using AI, and leveraging AI for tasks such as application

contextual creative assistance when using our tools.

Indeed, AI & ML are certain to be a key part of the

discussion at IBC 2024. How is automation changing what

you do as a company, and how do you think it will impact

the industry in the coming years? And how do you expect

this to be reflected at this year’s show?

At a high level, when we think about AI, the overarching

theme is really about how we leverage this technology to drive

automation and simplify tasks — meaning that the creators

can really focus more on the creative process and help [some of

those technological concerns] fade a bit, if you will.

So towards that end, we’re very focused around what I call

the bookends of the workflow. [At the creative front-end] it is

about content preparation and organising assets relevant to the

story a news broadcast or news agent is trying to tell. And we

are also focused on the publishing side at the back-end — once

you’re mostly done with a project, how you get it sent out to

distribution, wrap the project, clean it up, and then archive it

with the right metadata so it can be found later and repurposed

if necessary.

Our customers are comfortable with these use cases as they address operational

efficiency and increase the speed of the creative process.

Sustainability and decarbonisation are also set to be headline themes. What have

been some of the most significant developments for Avid in this area during the past

12 months?

[One major aspect] of how we’ve approached this over the last few years is leaning more on

leveraging cloud resources — whether it’s private data centre cloud or public for scale cloud

— and moving our products and offers to more on-demand models. So instead of having

to drop servers into a data centre that are always running Avid 24x7, whether they’re being

used or not, we are moving to application consumption models that lend themselves to

greater efficiency.

Also, we now have the appropriate licensing models for that, which really allows you

to scale up and down based on demand. Ultimately, you then consume fewer data centre

resources and reduce your carbon footprint when you’re running Avid in your workflows.

The ability to support and spin up remote production workflows without having to

move all of the equipment to a work-site is [another] big focus for us, and one that is

entirely in line with our view on sustainability and ESG. Avid Huddle is a good example

here because it allows teams to work together remotely in a very efficient way.

32 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: AVID

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

As an IBC visitor, what are some of the new &

emerging technologies you are most excited

about this year?

I’m always interested to see the use cases that are

sticking, the use cases that are valued, and the use

cases that people think our industry is gravitating

towards. That’s always something that’s top of

mind for me when I go to the show.

[In particular] I am looking forward to walking

the floor and seeing how our industry is moving

toward UHD 4K and now 8K workflows. There has

been [a lot of emphasis] on this technology in high

end of production, especially in terms of sports,

but I think they are going to become much more

commonplace [ for other types of content]. So I

expect we’re going to see a lot of vendors showing

how they are supporting these types of workflows

natively at scale, and ultimately delivering much

richer content to the end-user.

In terms of potential new features or scope,

how would you like to see the IBC show

develop/evolve during the next few years?

Personally, I would like to see more industry

discussion and collaboration at IBC. Now there are

There are a lot of proven use cases around AI in the bookends of

the workflows, so that’s where we are really focused.

already lots of great events and large companies

leading sessions and seminars, but I wonder if we

can [also tap] into having the entire industry in one

spot in terms of doing more collaborative work.

In terms of the [value of the show as a whole], it

remains super-important to be there. It’s a great

opportunity for us to touch base with all of our

customers in a very concentrated way, and to

make those connections without having to fly all

over the world. We also see a fair amount of new

activity at our booth in terms of people stopping

by, learning about what we have and what’s

new, and getting a sense of where we’re going [in

the future].

34 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: LAWO

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Lawo’s John Carter: ‘A

second IP wave is upon us’

Lawo’s Senior Product Manager, Media Infrastructure, John Carter, reflects

on the company’s latest innovations, the outlook for Generative AI, and its

increasing use of ‘demonstration pods’ at trade shows.




Lawo’s main aim at this year’s IBC show will be to

familiarise visitors and existing customers with

Lawo’s end-to-end approach to live broadcast

production, AV applications, corporate installs,

and live music production at one-of-a-kind venues,

arenas, opera houses and churches. While product

features do become important at one point or

another, we have learned that customers looking

to start a new project or to expand an existing one

primarily expect comprehensive answers to their

specific needs.

Hence Lawo’s emphasis on its open, unified

platform and the importance of a tailor-made

mix of five fundamental pillars — Management &

Control; Physical I/O; Processing; User Interfaces;

and Professional Services — for the delivery of a

user experience that enables operators to craft

their storytelling.

Planning for such a journey always starts

with what the customer wants to achieve and

which tools will help them long-term. Once the

customer is clear on the destination, we can

discuss the travel details, so to speak: supported

formats, number of channels or PiPs, additional

features like, for example, immersive audio or

UHD productions, and so on. Our HOME platform

seamlessly integrates hardware devices, such as

mixing consoles, I/O stageboxes and gateways,

with HOME Apps for an agile feature offering

that excels at solving real-world problems and

maximising asset utilisation.

A server-based platform for hardwareagnostic

audio and video processing, and

the ability to leverage both HOME Apps and

licensable hardware features under the Lawo

Flex Subscription scheme, provide operators

with the required agility for a fixed, yet flexibly

malleable budget.

Decision-makers should be mindful of the

fact that a second IP wave is upon us; the

software tools they select today need to be able

to seamlessly scale to new developments in the

compute hardware space that show no sign of

slowing down. HOME Apps have this adaptability

in their DNA.

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA Q&A: LAWO




As far as audio is concerned, we will officially

launch the HOME mc² DSP app and announce its

availability as of Q4 2024. It has already proven its

mettle at this year’s global soccer and athletics

events. Although HOME mc² DSP provides

the same pristine sound, look and feel as our

successful A__UHD Core DSP engine for mc² and

crystal consoles, we have identified workflows

where a generic server-based approach with even

more flexible options is more desirable. Audioonly

setups may not necessarily benefit from

these advances, so the A__UHD Core will remain

available as a flexible workhorse with a steadily

growing feature set. Look out for the new system

release we will announce at IBC.

By the time IBC opens its doors, the Lawo VSC

virtual audio device and app for macOS 14 and

beyond will have been released. Available as a

free (one virtual two-channel audio device) and a

commercial version (128 virtual audio devices, up

to 128 senders and receivers per device, 96kHz),

Lawo VSC runs as a service that turns local audio

into clean, pristine RAVENNA/AES67 streams. It

is built around a professional, low-latency driver

and carries uncompressed, bi-directional audio

channels either in multicast or unicast mode.

One obvious application will be recording live

performances with your favourite DAW.

As a highly respected vendor of video solutions,

Lawo will also announce new HOME Apps

for video along with a host of next-generation

refinements to the existing app collection.

Finally, the .edge SDI–IP gateway will receive an

important audio and video boost.

…we believe AI will add value in an assistive role, even though it

is probably not a silver bullet to solve all problems.







From a content-creation perspective, generative AI

is proving extremely powerful. It is already possible

to provide a gen-AI engine with some information

in order to prepare usable media. Lawo sees many

potential applications for this, provided such

services are used wisely and in an ethical manner

to avoid that deep fakes become indistinguishable

from genuine facts.

AI has also been used to good effect for adding

captions to videos (mainly for localisation), which

has always been a time-consuming task. Outside

of content creation, we believe AI will add value in

an assistive role, even though it is probably not a

silver bullet to solve all problems.

36 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: LAWO

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

The importance of automation should not be

underestimated as it saves time and reduces

errors. HOME snapshots for specific types of

production are a first step, and presets that

combine granular elements into instantly usable

workflows, complete with the licensing details,

are close to completion. VSM has been providing

such services for years. One way of expanding on

this competence will be to define new ways of

triggering such presets. Stay tuned!

Sustainability and decarbonisation are also set

to be headline themes. What have been some

of the most significant developments for you in

the past 12 months?

Lawo’s most significant development in this

respect has been the shift from bespoke processing

hardware for video applications to generic servers

and platform-agnostic HOME Apps. While bespoke

hardware consumes the same amount of energy

irrespective of whether they are in use or just

running idle, generic servers consume a minimal

amount while all apps are stopped. Their energy

consumption is proportionate to the amount of

required processing. In combination with Lawo’s

Flex Subscription scheme and the lightning-fast

‘app hopping’ it affords, any given server can be

used to run any HOME App at any time; starting

and stopping HOME Apps only takes a few

seconds. As a result, a significantly smaller number

of generic servers is able to cover a vast amount of

processing tasks.

This strategy resonates with Lawo’s customer

base and offers the additional benefit that OB

trucks, flypacks and remote setups need to carry

less (proprietary) processing hardware than

before despite a significantly higher number of

creative options.

Finally, Lawo’s containerised HOME Apps

architecture seamlessly adapts to the compute

platform. While they are able to run in the public

cloud, operators often prefer to use private servers

that are managed by the HOME platform for a

cloud-like feel without soliciting those massive

server farms.

In terms of potential new features or scope,

how would you like the IBC show to develop in

the coming years?

Lawo increasingly works with demonstration

pods that are connected to our labs over the

internet. They not only allow us to transport

less equipment to Amsterdam and other shows,

but also to respond to [very specific] questions

because our entire portfolio can be accessed

remotely. If anything, we would welcome more

IT bandwidth at reasonable prices to be able

to wow our customers with brief and highly

effective demonstrations.

A second aspect to consider would be a

coherent strategy for intuitive lead scanning that

adds value to the conversations we have on the

show floor.

Other than that, Team Lawo considers the

IBC the most important show on the European

continent. So they must be doing something right…

38 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: PANASONIC

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Panasonic’s Guilhem Krier:

‘Adoption of AI in AV opens up

new possibilities and workflows’

Panasonic’s Head of New Business & Market Development | EMEA,

Guilhem Krier, reflects on the latest update to the company’s Media

Production Suite, involvement with summer sporting events, and the

importance of collaboration.




I would highlight three main themes: the transition

to IP; AI-based applications; and sustainability.

What are Panasonic’s major new products or

updates for this year’s show?

Panasonic will announce a brand-new studio

camera that features an IP-centric workflow and

can function without an external CCU as it can

output a ST 2110 stream directly from the camera

head, supporting the new ST 2110 workflow

present in our other flagship cameras like the

UE160, PLV100 and KAIROS. Using the UCU700

CCU also brings additional and unique features

such as NDI, ST 2110 and Dante.







Adoption of AI in AV opens up new possibilities

and workflows.

A new feature Panasonic has been focusing on

is the upgrade of its software packages within the

Panasonic Media Production Suite. This includes

advanced auto-tracking software and a video

mixer that enables easy subject keying regardless

of the shooting location, expanding the range of

creative expressions.

Most notably, the AI Keying feature allows

for chroma key-like compositions without the

Panasonic Kairos Paris 2024

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA Q&A: PANASONIC


need for a greenscreen. Using automatic image

recognition, Panasonic’s AI Keying separates

people from backgrounds, making it possible to

perform chroma keying in conference rooms,

interviews, and outdoor settings with just a single

PC. This could be especially useful for pitchside

or commentary room interviews, allowing

the background to be a dedicated style, or the

inclusion of specific sponsors.

Sustainability and decarbonisation are also

set to be headline themes. What have been

some of the most significant developments

for Panasonic in this area during the past

12 months?

Panasonic Corporation provides the Olympic

Games with state-of-the-art digital audio/video

equipment. For example, at Paris 2024, the KAIROS

IT/IP Platform was widely adopted, delivering

video content at almost all competition venues (26

in total), simplifying workflows and streamlining

operations.

Its scalability allows the production of content

for up to three venues via a single Kairos Core

Server and multiple control surfaces, which

reduces hardware and installation costs by 66%

compared to conventional operation.

Another innovative concept and workflow

at Paris 2024 was the centralised simultaneous

interpretation service at the Main Press Center

(MPC). Each sport venue was equipped with PTZ

cameras and a live switcher or remote panel in

its press room. The AV infrastructure allowed the

translations to be provided from remote locations,

reducing the need for travel and enhancing the

operational efficiency, compared to previous events.

…the AI Keying feature allows for chroma key-like compositions

without the need for a greenscreen.

As an IBC visitor, what are some of the new &

emerging technologies you are most excited

about this year?

IBC is always a great place to exchange and catchup

with the latest technology solutions in our

industry. Besides the already mentioned IP, AI and

sustainability trends and [related] technology, we

at Panasonic believe that it is a vital part of the

business to collaborate with other technology

partners and manufacturers to build seamless

ecosystems and workflows for our customers

and users.

We are looking forward to meeting again with our

partners and working on the new proposals together.

40 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 Q&A: EMG

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

EMG’s Charlie Cubbon

& Eamonn Curtin: ‘Our

thoughts are focused

on the industry’s

growing emphasis

on sustainability’

EMG / Gravity Media COO Charlie Cubbon and Interim

CCO Eamonn Curtin are looking forward to an edition of

IBC that is expected to showcase ‘how sustainability and

cutting-edge technology can come together to shape the

future of our industry’.

EMG during broadcast of Pinkpop Festival

What are your overriding thoughts as this year’s IBC approaches, and what do you

think will be the primary technological themes?

As this year’s IBC approaches, our thoughts are focused on the industry’s growing emphasis

on sustainability and the technological innovations driving the future of broadcasting. We

expect to see more manufacturers showcasing their approaches to sustainability, not just in

their products but across their entire operations.

At EMG / Gravity Media [which announced the completion of an agreement to

combine their businesses in January 2024 — click here for more information], we are

deeply committed to sustainable production and continuously seek ways to enhance

our sustainability efforts throughout the business. The sustainability practices of

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA Q&A: EMG


…we anticipate significant

advancements in IP production,

virtualised and containerised

solutions (COTS), and AI/ML

technologies. These innovations

are set to transform the way we

tell our customers’ stories…

manufacturers are increasingly influencing our

purchasing decisions, and it’s crucial that these

efforts are taken seriously.

In terms of technological themes, we anticipate

significant advancements in IP production,

virtualised and containerised solutions (COTS),

and AI/ML technologies. These innovations are

set to transform the way we tell our customers’

stories, offering new and exciting possibilities for

creative expression and operational efficiency.

We are particularly interested in how AI

and machine learning can be leveraged to

enhance content creation and how virtualised

platforms can offer more flexible and scalable

production solutions.

Overall, this year’s IBC promises to be a

showcase of how sustainability and cutting-edge

technology can come together to shape the future

of our industry.



This year’s show marks an exciting milestone for

us as we present our newly formed group, which

came together at the beginning of the year. As

a unified entity, we now offer comprehensive

production solutions that cover every aspect of the

process, from concept to final delivery.

Our combined expertise allows us to seamlessly

integrate cutting-edge technologies and creative

strategies, ensuring that we meet the diverse needs

of our clients. With a strong international presence,

we are equipped to deliver high-quality productions

across the globe, making us a truly global partner in

the media and entertainment industry.

We will be focusing on our Remote Production

Operations including our latest state of the art

Production Centre located in White City, London.

42 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 IN BUSINESS

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

TNT Sports at The WestWorks building in White City, London

AI & ML are certain to be a key part of the discussion at IBC 2024. How is

automation changing what you do as a company, and how do you think

it will impact the industry in the coming years? And how do you expect

this to be reflected at this year’s show?

This shift enhances efficiency and allows our creative teams to focus on

innovation rather than routine work. Across the industry, automation is poised

to transform content production, management, and distribution, enabling

more personalised, data-driven content and faster, cost-effective operations.

At IBC 2024, we expect these advancements to be a focal point, showcasing

how AI and ML are not only boosting efficiency but also unlocking new

creative possibilities, driving innovation for the future.

Sustainability and decarbonisation are also set to be headline themes.

What have been some of the most significant developments for EMG /

Gravity Media in this area during the past 12 months?

ESG is a key strategic priority for EMG / Gravity Media. Since the merger,

we have been aligning our sustainability initiatives and bringing the best

practices across both businesses.

EMG Nova 53 being used at the Open

We have initiated a comprehensive global carbon footprint assessment

( for Scope 1,2 & 3) covering the entire EMG / Gravity Media Group.

Colleagues from all around the world are pulling together to collect a large

volume of data, which will determine our greenhouse gas emissions for 2023.

The results will inform our future emissions reduction strategy, with key

opportunities being renewable energy, bio-fuels and remote production.

As an IBC visitor, what are some of the new & emerging technologies you

are most excited about this year?

As an IBC visitor, we are particularly excited about the new and emerging

technologies that are set to shape the future of broadcasting. AI-driven

production and editing are at the top of the list as they offer incredible

potential for streamlining workflows and enhancing creative possibilities.

Additionally, the latest advancements in cloud technology are

revolutionising how we manage, store and distribute content, providing

greater scalability and collaboration opportunities. These innovations are

truly transforming the industry, and we’re looking forward to seeing them in

action at this year’s IBC.

Join us at IBC #8.B90

XS

LAWO.COM

44 | SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2024 WOMEN IN BROADCAST

PRODUCTION360.MEDIA

Connect, Empower, Celebrate:

Rise’s Mission at IBC 2024

Major trade shows offer unique opportunities for professionals to showcase skills,

connect with industry leaders, and explore emerging trends, but women’s representation

remains limited. Rise Women in Broadcast is actively changing this narrative,

championing the inclusion and advancement of women in the industry.

At IBC 2024, Rise will present a robust

agenda of events and initiatives designed

to support women during these pivotal

career moments. Be a part of this movement

to ensure that the future of broadcasting is

inclusive, supportive, and truly reflective of

everyone’s potential.

Central to Rise’s presence at IBC 2024 is a

strong emphasis on networking and community

building. A pre-show gathering on Thursday night

will set the tone, helping attendees step into

the show with confidence after connecting with

new and familiar faces. Additional networking

opportunities will follow throughout the event,

so be sure to check Rise’s website for details

on various gatherings happening each day.

The Rise stand, located at 5.G80, will serve as a

vibrant hub that embodies the strength of our

community, welcoming everyone to drop by at

any time. Beyond networking, the stand will offer

a meditative silent disco, safe lockers for storing

personal belongings, and emergency kits stocked

with essentials, ensuring that visitors remain fully

engaged on the show floor without missing a beat.

For those interested in exploring the benefits

of mentorship — a major focus for Rise — there

will be a dedicated session at the EBU stand on

Saturday, where participants of the flagship Rise

Mentoring Programme will share first-hand

accounts of its transformative power. The IBC

Talent Programme, taking place on Monday, will

further amplify these stories, featuring even more

voices from Rise’s mentees, mentors, and C-Suite

Programme alumni. A brand new programme by

Rise will also be introduced during IBC, aimed

at providing targeted support for women who

are still advancing in their careers. The Career

Accelerator Programme taster session, organised

in partnership with Birdsoup Consultancy, is

perfect for those ready to take the next step in

their professional journey but uncertain where

to start. Attendees will gain access to the tools,

insights, and confidence needed to propel their

careers forward.

Visibility will be another critical component of

Rise’s mission at IBC. The flashmob entry, coorganised

by several women’s groups on Saturday

morning is not just a fun and engaging way to

start the day; it’s a bold and visible statement that

women belong at the forefront of the broadcast

industry. Another highlight of the organisation’s

agenda, and a testament to their commitment

to spotlighting the talent and achievements of

exceptional women in the industry, will be the

Rise Awards 2024 Shortlist Announcement. The

annual recognition not only shines a light on the

incredible contributions women are making but

also inspires others to pursue their ambitions, so

mark your calendars for Saturday to discover this

year’s nominees!

Rise’s detailed agenda for IBC 2024 can be

found here: https://risewib.com/ibc. Spaces

are limited for selected events, so be sure to

register in advance.

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It starts by emailing chris@production360.media

Production 360 Issue V1.1 September-October 2024

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