15 December 2011
InterMedia, the global research-based consultancy, announced Thursday the appointment of Dr. Ali Fisher as Associate Director of Digital Media Research, effective immediately. Dr. Fisher is widely known for his work in identifying how information flows through both online and offline communities, and the influence of relationships on human behavior.
Dr. Fisher will be based in InterMedia’s London, U.K. office and lead the ongoing development of the company’s global digital research practice, providing clients with comprehensive and targeted digital media insight that drives decision-making. InterMedia’s digital research practice builds clients’ understanding of social media and other digital information environments, and how to engage successfully with people active in them.
“Ali brings unique approaches to analyzing online communication patterns, in social media and elsewhere. His published and blog writings have become must-reads for members of the strategic communications community as well as for practitioners of constructive engagement in other domains,” said Robert T. Coonrod, CEO of InterMedia. “We are very excited that Ali will help lead our expanding team of analysts covering new and social media strategies,” Coonrod added.
For the past four years, Ali Fisher has been Director of Mappa Mundi Consulting, working as an independent public diplomacy strategist and researcher. He specializes in providing insight to enhance organizational strategy and evaluation through network analysis. Ali is also an honorary research fellow in the School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine at the University of Birmingham, U.K., where his research has focused on the flow of health-related information through digital platforms. In addition, his research has been used in projects focused on law enforcement and counter-terrorism.
Prior to 2008, Ali directed the Counterpoint think tank at the British Council and was a lecturer in International Relations at the University of Exeter, U.K.. He completed a Masters in U.S. Intelligence Services and his PhD at the University of Birmingham. In addition to his commercial work, Ali regularly produces work for academic publication.
Dr. Fisher is co-author with InterMedia COO Susan Gigli of the article, “Networked Audiences,” which appeared in the Summer 2011 issue of The Channel magazine. The article features 10 essential tips for media companies seeking to engage with audiences in the digital world.
15 December 2011
OASYS, the pioneering developer of IT-based automated playout solutions, has appointed Nick Lim as Director, Americas and Asia Pacific Sales, effective immediately. Based in the United States, Mr Lim will be responsible for expanding OASYS distribution network and developing sales opportunities in the target territories.
Mr Lim has over 30 years of sales and marketing experience in the IT and television industries, working for companies such as IBM, Dynatech, Pluto Technologies, SeaChange and Front Porch Digital. Most recently, he operated his own marketing consultancy, representing manufacturers in content management and distribution, including OASYS. Mr. Lims speciality is the development of worldwide sales and marketing infrastructure.
Mark Errington, CEO, OASYS, said, Were delighted to welcome Nick to the OASYS team. He already knows our company and products, having represented us in the Middle East. His knowledge of the industry and the global markets will enable us to expand our presence in the Americas, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
Nick Lim said, “Throughout my career, I have contributed to the growth of technology innovators who create new paradigms in functionality and value. OASYS, with its 20 years in business, continues to innovate, providing broadcasters a powerful, compelling and flexible platform to reach their audiences.”
15 December 2011
Nintendo today announces a partnership with the Eurosport Group to offer Nintendo 3DS owners a series of 3D sports video content which will become available to receive on SpotPass and view via a dedicated Eurosport video player application which will be available for free of charge on Nintendo eShop.
The videos launch weekly from 15 December and will continue to be made available over the next year. Each two to three-minute 3D video is from Eurosport’s popular WATTS programme, which takes an irreverent look at sport and features a mix of exhilarating sporting action and the funniest sporting outtakes from around the world. The videos will be available to download for free in 3D for Nintendo 3DS owners.
Laurent Fischer, managing director, marketing & PR at Nintendo of Europe, said: We are always striving to bring fun and exciting new content to our fans and this new partnership with Eurosport will do just that. We are looking forward to launching the WATTS videos each week along with a host of other 3D content on Nintendo Video from our various partners.
“The 3D clips from WATTS, one of Eurosport’s most established programmes, are guaranteed to engage and entertain Nintendo 3DS users,” says Heather Bowler, Global Communications Director, Eurosport. “Eurosport and Nintendo are both leaders within their industries so there is a natural brand fit with this collaboration, which will extend our reach within an important target audience.”
The partnership with Eurosport, Europe’s leading sports-entertainment platform, forms part of a series of collaborations that deliver new 3D content to Nintendo 3DS owners across Europe. Previous and future partnerships on Nintendo Video include the Berliner Philharmoniker Orchestra, Red Bull Media House and Aardman Animations. This Eurosport application as well as Nintendo Video utilises the inbuilt SpotPass technology that allows Nintendo 3DS owners to receive content while on the move or at home. SpotPass enables you to connect to compatible public hotspots or wireless broadband Internet connections at home to receive new content, even if your Nintendo 3DS console is in Sleep Mode.
Once connected, your Nintendo 3DS can receive a host of content automatically such as notifications, extra content for your software, system updates and entertaining 3D videos without you having to lift a finger.
Nintendo 3DS is also backwards compatible, allowing you to play the extensive Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi back catalogue of more than 1,000 games. Parents can manage the content their children can access through a Nintendo 3DS Parental Control feature. Nintendo gives each player the choice, as it is simple to change the level of 3D, or even turn it off, using the built-in 3D Depth Slider. For more information about these and other features, visit www.nintendo-europe.com.
For more information on Nintendo 3DS and SpotPass, visit the official Nintendo 3DS website at www.nintendo3ds.co.uk
15 December 2011
DigitalGlobe (NYSE: DGI), a leading global provider of high-resolution earth imagery solutions, today announced that Vizrt (VIZ: NO) has launched a new online service enabling designers to quickly find, preview, and add DigitalGlobe imagery into their broadcast graphics packages using Vizrt’s Viz World production software. The subscription-based service, titled “DigitalGlobe Online,” is available now.
“We are approaching a point where having access to high-quality satellite and aerial imagery in newscasting isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a must-have,” said Havard Myklebust, executive vice president of marketing. “Using Viz World, design teams can now integrate the highest quality, most up-to-date DigitalGlobe images for use in their interactive, touch-screen graphics packages. Unlike other solutions, this can include fresh imagery from high-risk regions where it is either too difficult or too dangerous for journalists to access on the ground.”
Using the familiar and intuitive Viz World interface, subscribers can quickly search the DigitalGlobe archive to find and preview the imagery that best suits their needs. They can then immediately begin using the imagery to create high-accuracy maps of a region, adding dynamic touchscreen-based drawing tools and controls that give on-air talent the freedom to move, resize, highlight, and animate areas of the map.
In addition to using archived imagery, subscribers will also be able to use newly captured imagery of crisis events taking place worldwide. This allows production teams to consistently monitor high-risk events as they unfold, then quickly begin using images from before, during and after the crisis to maximize newscast impact and accuracy.
“Providing on-demand access to our imagery through Viz World gives broadcasters one more critical tool for transforming good shows into must-see events,” said Andrea Bersan, international vice president at DigitalGlobe. “With direct access to the largest, most consistently updated repository of high-resolution imagery available today, production teams can be confident they are using the latest imagery available, with worldwide coverage and maximum accuracy.”
About DigitalGlobe DigitalGlobe is a leading global provider of commercial high-resolution earth imagery products and services. Sourced from our own advanced satellite constellation, our imagery solutions support a wide variety of uses within defense and intelligence, civil agencies, mapping and analysis, environmental monitoring, oil and gas exploration, infrastructure management, Internet portals and navigation technology. With our collection sources and comprehensive ImageLibrary (containing more than one billion square kilometers of earth imagery and imagery products) we offer a range of on- and off-line products and services designed to enable customers to easily access and integrate our imagery into their business operations and applications. For more information, visit www.digitalglobe.com.
About Vizrt Vizrt creates leading-edge content production tools for the digital media industry — from award-winning 3D graphics & maps through integrated video workflow solutions and online publishing tools. Vizrt’s product suite is used by the world’s leading broadcasters, publishing houses and telecom operators, including: CNN, CBS, Fox, BBC, Sky, ITN, ZDF, SVT, Star TV, Network 18, TV Today, CCTV, NHK, The Globe and Mail, The Telegraph, Welt Online, Etisalat and Telia Sonera.
15 December 2011
The Associated Press announced today that Markus Ickstadt has been appointed to the board of Associated Press Germany GbmH where he will serve as its managing director, effective immediately. Ickstadt will also retain his role as sales director for AP’s wider business in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
In his new role, Ickstadt will lead AP’s business in Europe’s largest media market. Together with APs existing German team, he will work to strengthen AP’s cooperation with Germany’s broadcasters and the partnership with the German domestic news agency, dapd.
Ickstadt joined AP in 1997 and has held various commercial roles in London. Prior to AP, Ickstadt spent five years as a journalist in Berlin for various German broadcasters, including the global Deutsche Welle TV.
Commenting on his appointment, Ickstadt said: Germany has always been, and remains, one of our key markets. I am delighted to be able to work with our outstanding team to further strengthen AP’s presence in the country in which I was born and raised. Germany is a sophisticated and fascinating news media market — AP has been working there for more than 80 years, and together with our partners, we look forward to a bright future and continued success there.
APs vice president commercial for EMEA and Asia, Andrew Shaw, said: Markus has played a key role in developing APs German business for over a decade during which time he has built solid relationships with our many customers and partners. His appointment demonstrates APs commitment to the German market, and belief in its potential for further growth.
Ickstadt replaces Nigel Baker as managing director of Associated Press Germany GmbH who had held the role since 2009. Baker leaves the AP to join the Thomson Media Foundation as chief executive.
