Electronic Arts, AT&T and Spotify to give keynotes on Day One of programme agenda

TV Connect (formerly known as IP&TV World Forum) is to unite the world’s biggest gaming, telcos and high rising OTT players, as it addresses the rapidly converging TV market and future of connected entertainment. CXO level executives from Electronic Arts, AT&T and Spotify will kick-start the three-day event, which builds on the heritage of IP&TV and its legacy within the evolving ecosystem.

The event’s theme resonates throughout its agenda with an impressive speaker line-up that will give visitors exclusive insight into understanding the future of connected entertainment. Day One will see Richard Hilleman, Chief Creative Officer at Electronic Arts, open TV Connect with a keynote presentation on championing the role of gaming in the evolution of connected TV. He will be followed by Jeff G Weber, President of Content and Advertising Sales at AT&T, who will assess how connected entertainment is changing the role of telcos. The first day will also see Pascal De Mul, Global Head of Platform Partnerships at Spotify, take part in a keynote panel discussion, which will explore the key role of new players in driving the user experience.

Gavin Whitechurch, Executive Director at Informa Telecoms & Media, said: “TV Connect is the next stage of evolution for the IP&TV World Forum brand. The legacy of the world’s leading connected entertainment event continues, while the name change echoes the evolving nature of a converging marketplace.”

Now in its ninth year, the conference and exhibition will take place at London’s Olympia on 19 – 21 March 2013, and is made up of three programme tracks which reflect the nature of the converging industry; Experience, Monetise and Deliver. Day One will address the companion screen, OTT and the new pay TV environment and CDNs and Cloud TV through an array of presentations, interactive sessions and super panel discussions.

“TV Connect provides a unique opportunity to meet and network with the global connected entertainment community. No other event offers such a unique opportunity to meet such a diverse range of service providers; whether these be broadcasters, telcos, content providers or OTT players. 2013’s programme truly reflects the shifting nature of this dynamic market so we look forward to building on 2012’s successful event, which attracted a record breaking 7,000 visitors,” concludes Whitechurch.

The conference and exhibition boasts a unique, exciting and innovative programme already featuring over 260 speakers and a host of exhibitors, including Universal Electronics, Xstream, Zappware, Motorola, HTTV, Huawei, Dune HD, the Open IPTV Forum and the SCTE (Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers).