How long have you been going to IBC?
I’ve been going to IBC long enough that navigating the RAI feels like muscle memory, though I think my first was 12 years ago—and I haven’t missed one since.
For someone like me, who lives at the intersection of tech, strategy and standards, it’s a bit of a professional pilgrimage. You go for the innovation, but you stay for the conversations that reshape your thinking.
What’s your typical IBC routine: what are you there to see/learn, who are you there to meet?
IBC is where my calendar goes to test its limits. I’m there to explore emerging technologies: AI in content workflows, future distribution models, next-gen compression. Basically, anything that keeps the TV experience seamless, secure, and a little bit magical for viewers.
I make a point of visiting the Future Tech Zone and Content Everywhere to see what’s next. I also spend time in off-the-record chats with vendors, engineers, and collaborators from across Europe and beyond. My meetings usually range from “we’re trialling something interesting” to “can we launch this next quarter?”. It keeps things lively.
Why is IBC important to you in a professional capacity, and how does the show compare to others on the calendar?
IBC is the perfect storm of R&D, policy, and practical implementation, which makes it invaluable in my role. It’s where I can spot patterns, test assumptions, and challenge the hype in a single conversation.
Compared to other shows, it’s both broad and deep. NAB might have the razzle-dazzle, but IBC has a kind of European pragmatism that appeals to the engineer in me. Plus, there’s more chance of a decent espresso.
What are you most looking forward to at IBC2025?
IBC always delivers on big ideas, but this year I’m especially looking forward to the new Future Tech Zone in Hall 14. It’s promising a genuinely forward-facing look at AI-driven workflows, immersive experiences, and the evolving role of connectivity, and that aligns perfectly with the questions we’re asking and answering at the DTG.
For example, I’m intrigued by the Google AI Penalty Challenge—not just because I want to see if the machine can guess where I’ll shoot, but because it’s a great example of complex, real-time tech systems working together to create engaging, immersive experiences. That intersection between innovation and practicality is exactly where we like to operate.
And, if I’m honest, I’m also looking forward to the unplanned moments—the demos that surprise you, the conversations that shift your thinking, and the energy of sharing space with thousands of people who care deeply about the future of media.
What’s your top tip for anyone attending IBC for the first time?
Plan ruthlessly and then be ready to ignore your plan. The best moments at IBC often happen in the margins: a chat at a stand you hadn’t planned to visit, a panel you ducked into for five minutes that casts something in a new light, a connection made over a drink that leads to great things. Also, wear comfortable shoes, hydrate, and pace yourself. IBC is a marathon in a maze, not a sprint.
My personal tip? Start with intent, but leave room for serendipity. I always go in with a plan, the app loaded, said comfortable shoes on—and within two hours I’m off-piste having the most valuable conversation of the show in a corridor or aisle I hadn’t meant to walk down.
