How long have you been going to IBC?
My first IBC was in 2023 after I became director-general of the North American Broadcasters Association (NABA), so this will be my fourth show.
What’s your typical IBC routine: what are you there to see/learn, who are you there to meet?
IBC is a big show, so I am still learning how to prioritise the offerings, but I find the Delegate Conference enlightening. The speakers are top-notch and distil news and trends in European media.
The Accelerator Incubator is another highlight for me because it showcases cutting-edge developments in broadcasting and related technology.
I also use IBC to connect with our sister union, the EBU, as well as other members of the World Broadcasting Unions (WBU). NABA is the organising secretariat for the WBU, which includes numerous broadcasting unions around the world, and IBC is probably the one show that attracts the most folks from those unions.
Why is IBC important to you in a professional capacity, and how does the show compare to others on the calendar?
For me, coming from North America, IBC concentrates the best of technology advancements in European broadcasting and other media.
European broadcasters are ahead of North America in so many ways, from the development of the Dynamic Media Facility project, to content authenticity, to fending off Big Tech from chipping away at the news business model. Even from the policy perspective, there are cutting-edge discussions here that I don’t hear in North America. For example, some countries are seeking to make broadcast channels more readily “findable” on smart TVs, which would be hugely beneficial for audience preservation. That is the kind of “takeaway” that I often leave IBC with.
So I would say that I come to IBC for inspiration. European broadcasters are highly engaged in shaping the future of their industry, and that energy is invigorating for me. And as the supply chain becomes increasingly global, and as broadcasting and other mediums (like mobile and internet) continue to converge, there are many lessons to bring home.
What’s your top tip for anyone attending IBC for the first time?
Get a good map of the show floor! I have gotten lost more times than I would like to admit. Taking a moment to orient yourself at the beginning of the show, noting important landmarks and memorising routes to the main areas is a good investment of time.
I would also say definitely create a schedule in advance of the talks you want to attend and the exhibits you want to visit, including their room numbers. That way you can plan to visit exhibits that might be adjacent to or on the way to certain talks. Because the RAI is so large, a little planning will save you from wasting time by maximising your time in specific areas of the floor.
