Romrez Drops Show on NEWHD NY & NEWHD LA

Tel Aviv, Israel, Nov 6, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – NEWHD New York, Where Rock Lives, NEWHD Los Angeles, LA’s Rock and Pop, and VNUE Radio are thrilled to announce the launch of NEWHD EDM with the introduction of a dynamic new show hosted by ROMREZ, hailing from Tel Aviv.

Starting this weekend, ROMREZ will take the airwaves by storm with an electrifying show that is set to redefine the EDM scene. Tune in every Saturday night from 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM locally on NEWHD NY and NEWHD LA, and don’t miss out on the encore presentation every Sunday night from 10:00 PM to 12:00 AM on VNUE Radio.

Zach Martin, the founder of NEWHD Media, expresses his enthusiasm for this new venture, stating, “Music is a healing force and brings people of all backgrounds together.” This sentiment lies at the heart of the NEWHD mission.

To join the EDM revolution, listeners can access the show by downloading the NEWHD Radio App or by tuning in via TuneIn or the Audacy App. Don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting musical journey.

In addition, we encourage everyone to support NEWHD’s mission and its efforts to bring people together through music. To contribute, simply text “NEWHD” to 44321 and be a part of this meaningful cause.

About Romrez

Hailing straight out of Tel Aviv, Roman Reznick (aka: Romrez) is an Israeli based DJ, Artist and Producer. For over 20 years, his electrifying DJ Sets have been a mainstay in Tel Aviv’s underground Trance and EDM scene that has encompassed over 100+ Global Releases, collaborations and live sets. Romrez has developed a sound that lies somewhere deeper towards end of the EDM Scene incorporating a spatial plethora of both sight and sound. Romrez has been a pioneer across multiple trance genres incorporating inspirations from analog synths, drum machines and deep tech melodies that sends your mind wondering while uplifting your spirit.

Romrez Beatport Channel: https://www.beatport.com/artist/romrez/114659

About NEWHD Media

NewHD is not just about music; it’s also about making a difference. By providing job opportunities for autistic individuals, those with disabilities, and veterans, the organization exemplifies its commitment to inclusivity and supporting those who need it most.(https://www.newhdmedia.com/)

About Sophia’s Mission

Sophia’s Mission / NEWHD Media is dedicated to fostering inclusivity advocating and creating job opportunities in the radio industry for Autistic people and disabled veterans. (https://sophiasmissionus.org/)

For more information, please contact:
Zach Martin
Email: Contact@newhdmedia.com
Phone: 212-287-5792
Web: www.newhdmedia.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/newhdradio
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newhdradio/

InfoComm India 2023 Wraps Up with Record-Breaking Success

MUMBAI, INDIA, Oct 30, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – InfoComm India 2023, held from 25 to 27 October at Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC) in Mumbai, has concluded with resounding success. The annual Professional AudioVisual (Pro AV) and Transformative Technology show has welcomed 12,026 business visitors on an expanded show floor, marking a new milestone in its impressive history.

India’s Growing Market

The exhibition area witnessed a remarkable 19% expansion, accommodating 190 exhibiting companies, including 18 first-time participants alongside an impressive contingent of 160 high-level hosted buyers from the public and private sectors. The event attracted an unprecedented 12,026 visitors over the course of the three days, all eager to explore the latest innovations to meet their organisational needs and drive progress. Professors and students from Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey (SNDT) Women’s University joined the event to gain insights into the Pro AV industry, emphasising the importance of InfoComm India and AVIXA’s (Audiovisual and Integrated Experience Association) role in shaping the future of Pro AV professionals.

Reflecting on the event’s tremendous success, June Ko, Executive Director of InfoCommAsia, remarked, “The latest InfoComm India has not only attracted greater numbers but also a diverse range of business visitors from key growth industries such as technology, education, healthcare broadcast and media as well as enterprise solution users. The diversified participation and increased levels of transactional conversations point to an active Indian marketplace and highlights InfoComm India as a key gateway for global brands into these vital sectors.”

New Entrants and Cutting-Edge Products

This year’s event featured an exceptional number of new and innovative entrants to the industry. Eighteen first-time exhibitors, including ALTEX Corporation, Arihant Infosys, Basssfx, Fohhn Audio AG, Shree InfoTech, Softlogic, Vestel Visual Solutions, made their first InfoComm India appearance, injecting new energy and opportunities into the show.

For exhibitors seeking an unparalleled platform to introduce their latest innovations and make inroads into new markets, InfoComm India shines as the unanimous choice. Among the well-established brands that showcased their latest offerings were AET’s fine-pitch LED 80 series, BenQ’s Google EDLA-certified board, Christie’s unique foldable LED screen, ViewSonic’s “UNIVERSE” metaverse-based education solution, and many others.

Notably, AERO Digital World unveiled their life-sized holographic display, a solution made for museums and similar contexts, as well as two new prototypes for market testing; and Pink Noise Professionals, a system integrator and distributor, introduced their very own brand ErthPot, offering audio technologies and conferencing solutions.Vijay Sinha, Director of Sales and Marketing of Pink Noise Professionals enthused: “InfoComm India is the only show that stands out because all major dealers and consultants visit this show.”

“InfoComm India is a very important fixture for us. We get a good representation across the verticals at this show. Everyone who matters is here,” said Amar Subhash, Vice President and General Manager, Asia Pacific and India at Harman.

Empowering Decision-Makers and End-UsersInfoComm India delivered invaluable learning opportunities for senior decision-makers and end-users through its exclusive hosted buyer program and engaging summit sessions. These platforms allowed attendees to gain insights, connect with industry leaders, and stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving landscape.

The show saw 160 influential hosted buyers from various government agencies, including education, healthcare, defence and security, smart cities and urban planning, tourism, transportation, and citizen services. Additionally, there were also buyers from the education, construction, and tech industries who were seeking the latest innovations to enhance growth and user experience. The hosted buyers were provided with curated show floor tours, personal introductions to key solution providers and hands-on experience with the latest technologies and products.

Hosted Buyer Pradeep Kumar Sharma from University of Engineering & Management UEM Jaipur said: “InfoComm India 2023 is an excellent platform for different sectors like education and government organisations to participate and gain insights into emerging technologies and how they can be used in their organisations.”

In an exceptional convergence of knowledge and inspiration, the InfoComm India Summit, featuring over 40 sessions, provided attendees with transformative insights and valuable takeaways.

Summit speaker Jayant Kadam, Vice President – Service Delivery & Operations of Aegon Life commented, “InfoComm India is a must-attend show. It is a gathering of lots of like-mined people sharing their expert knowledge. The show has been amazing for me; I got to meet with leading industry experts, exchange ideas, and talk about collaborations.”

Summing it well is Ravi Shetty, Vice President of Shivam Technologies, “I attend InfoComm India every year to see new products and launches. This is a must-attend show for me!”

Ko concluded, “The overwhelmingly positive response from participants underscores the value and impact of our show. As we celebrate the success of InfoComm India 2023, we remain dedicated to delivering pertinent and high-quality content to inspire the Pro AV community. We look forward to working with our esteemed partners and collaborators for another exceptional show next year.”

Anticipation for a Larger Showcase with Expanded HallsAt the close of the show, the total exhibition space rebooked to 2024 edition surpassed this year’s net square metres by 7.5%. Next year’s event will occupy JWCC Pavilions 1 to 3, along with an expanded show floor at Jasmine Hall.

InfoComm India 2024 is scheduled for 3 to 5 September at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai. For more information, visit http://www.infocomm-india.com.

About InfoCommAsia

InfoCommAsia Pte. Ltd. is the region’s preeminent organizer of tradeshows for the Professional AudioVisual (Pro-AV) and Transformative Solutions industries. Through industry-leading shows for Asia, China, and India, InfoCommAsia connects global and regional solution providers, vertical market end-users and the supply chain with the most important markets of Asia Pacific.

Additional information is available at: infocomm-china.com | infocomm-india.com | infocomm-asia.com

For more information, please contact:

Rest of the World
Angie Eng
Marketing Director
InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd
angieeng@infocommasia.com

India
Sooraj Dhawan
Director
Falcon Exhibitions Pvt Ltd
sooraj@falcon-mail.com

Spikes Asia 2024 opens for Awards submissions, including new Gaming Spikes and closes the Mobile Spikes

SINGAPORE, Oct 26, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Spikes Asia, APAC’s most prestigious and sought-after award for creativity and marketing effectiveness, has announced today that submissions are open for 2024, in addition to revealing the Jury President line-up.

2024 sees the highest number of markets represented across the 13 industry experts, which are: Australia, Mainland China, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and for the first time, a Taiwan-based agency. Alice Chou, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative, Taiwan, who will preside over theDirect and Outdoor Juries, said: “Spikes Asia is a pivotal creative platform in Asia, and I’m very honoured and thrilled to be representing the first Taiwan-based agency on the Jury President line-up. In this era of profound change, old orders crumble, new platforms emerge, everything is undergoing reinvention. As technology advances, creativity must embrace human wisdom to connect with people, spark conversations, and invitethem into this wonderful playground, and take action in the direction we envision. At this moment, as we’re still capable of reshaping the present, I hope to see more remarkable works uniting people and weaving ashared vision of the future we desire.” The Jury Presidents will convene in Singapore with their Juries next yearto set the benchmark for creative excellence in APAC for a 37th edition.

Spikes Asia has also announced changes to the 2024 Awards. New for 2024 are the Gaming Spikes, whichwill celebrate creative work that connects people to brands through gameplay. Submissions will need to demonstrate how brands successfully tapped into complex gaming communities and seamlessly added real value to the overall gaming experience, while driving commercial success. Inaugural Jury President of the Gaming Spikes, Joey David Tiempo, Founder & CEO, Octopus & Whale, the Philippines, commented: “Being the President of the Entertainment, Music, and Gaming Jury at Spikes Asia is a tremendous honour, especially with the exciting addition of the Gaming Spike in 2024. Gaming has evolved into a cultural force, infusing its creative potential into marketing that connects with dedicated communities around the world. It’s thrilling to witness this alongside the groundbreaking strides in entertainment and music. Asia’s longstanding dominance in gaming is finally being recognized – a testament to the incredible talent and innovation thriving in this dynamic region. Let’s embrace the future of creativity!”

Other changes include the Strategy & Effectiveness Spikes evolving into the Creative Strategy Spikes, celebrating the idea behind the idea and highlighting how strategic planning has the power to reshape a brand, transform its business and shape consumer behaviour. The Media Spikes has been refreshed, with a dedicated section for Media Agencies and the Mobile Spikes has been retired to reflect how mobile-led creativity has been expanding into almost every Spike. More information on the Awards can be found here.

The Spikes Asia 2024 Jury Presidents have been named as:

Brand Experience & Activation, Creative Commerce, Glass: The Award for Change, Integrated and Grand Prix for Good Jury President:
Valerie Madon, Chief Creative Officer, APAC, McCann Worldgroup, APAC

Creative Data and Innovation Jury President:
Mandy Hou, Chief Digital Officer, EssenceMediacom, Mainland China

Creative Effectiveness and Creative Strategy Jury President:
Aditya Kanthy, CEO and Managing Director, DDB Mudra Group, India

Design and Industry Craft Jury President:
Takahiro Hosoda, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA\HAKUHODO, Japan

Digital Craft and Social & Inï¬‚uencer Jury President:
Jax Jung, Global Creative Director, Cheil Worldwide, Global

Direct and Outdoor Jury President:
Alice Chou, Chief Creative Officer, Dentsu Creative, Taiwan

Entertainment, Gaming and Music Jury President:
Joey David Tiempo, Founder & CEO, Octopus&Whale, The Philippines

Film Jury President:
Tony Bradbourne, Founder, Special, New Zealand

Film Craft Jury President:
Rob Galluzzo, CEO, FINCH, Australia

Healthcare Jury President:
Lyndon Louis, Executive Creative Director, BrandCare Asia, India

Media Jury President:
Sapna Nemani, Chief Solutions Officer, Publicis Groupe, APAC

PR Jury President:
Emily Poon, President, Asia, Ogilvy Public Relations, APAC
Print & Publishing and Radio & Audio Jury

President:
Guan Hin Tay, Creative Chairman, BBDO, Singapore

Commenting on the Jury President line-up, Simon Cook, CEO, LIONS, said: “The Jury Presidents have avital role to play in upholding the integrity of the Spikes Awards, as well as setting the creative benchmark for the industry in APAC. We’re excited to welcome a record number of markets to the Jury President line-up for 2024 and we wish them luck for the important task ahead of them. The introduction of the Gaming Spikes is anexciting evolution of the Awards and our belief is that this Award will offer a new benchmark, and shine a spotlight on creative work that sits at the intersection of brands, creativity, gaming, customer experience and communities.”

Event registration is now open, and entries into Spikes Asia are being accepted until 1 February 2024. Further information on Spikes Asia can be found at www.spikes.asia.

About Spikes Asia

Spikes Asia, the home of Asia-Pacific creativity, is the region’s oldest and most prestigious awards for creativeadvertising. Building on over 35 years of the illustrious Spikes Awards and Tangrams Strategy & Effectiveness Awards,Spikes Asia is the result of a collaboration between Ascential, the organiser of Cannes Lions and Haymarket, publisher ofCampaign Asia-Pacific.

Spikes Asia celebrates creative excellence in the Asia-Pacific region alongside learning and networking opportunities. The Awards serve as the deffinitive benchmark for creative excellence, marketing strategy and effectiveness in Asia-Pacific. www.spikes.asia

About Ascential

Ascential delivers specialist information, analytics, events and eCommerce optimisation to the world’s leading consumerbrands and their ecosystems. Our world-class businesses improve performance and solve customer problems by delivering immediately actionable information and visionary longer-term thinking across Digital Commerce, Product Design, Marketing and Retail & Financial Services.

With more than 3,800 employees across five continents, we combine local expertise with a global footprint for clients inover 120 countries. Ascential is listed on the London Stock Exchange. www.ascential.com

About Haymarket

Haymarket Media Group creates award-winning specialist content and information for international audiences. The company has more than 70 market-leading brands created by world-class experts in locations in the UK, the US,Hong Kong, Singapore, India and Germany. Haymarket’s consumer and professional brands connect people and communities across digital, mobile, print and live/virtual media platforms. Although Haymarket’s portfolio is diverse, its mission is the same across borders and markets: to deliver brand experiences which truly meet the needs of its audiences and clients. Haymarket’s brands include Campaign, PRWeek, What Car?, Autocar, AsianInvestor andFinance Asia. www.haymarket.com

Contacts:

Jaime Ng Festival Director Spikes Asia
Jaimen@spikes.asia

Camilla Lambert Head of Press & PR Spikes Asia
Camillal@canneslions.com

Tash Naidoo PR Manager SpikesAsia
Tashn@canneslions.com

Press Portal:
press.canneslions.com

InfoComm India 2023 Opens to Biggest Showcase Since Debut

MUMBAI, INDIA, Oct 25, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The highly-anticipated InfoComm India 2023 opened its doors today at a new venue, Jio World Convention Centre (JWCC) in Mumbai. This year’s show started on a strong note with a significant 19% show expansion, hosting a full-house of 190 exhibiting companies, including 15 first-time exhibitors. Having a record-breaking number of exhibitors and thousands of visitors transversing the show floor on opening day since its inaugural edition, InfoComm India 2023 stands as the quintessential annual gathering for India’s Professional AudioVisual (Pro AV) and Transformative Technology community.

“InfoComm India is on a promising growth trajectory, mirroring the remarkable expansion of India’s Pro AV and technology market. The show has become a vital hub for industry leaders and innovators to collaborate, share expertise, and showcase cutting-edge solutions, all with the primary goal of bringing the community together to grow and thrive,” said June Ko, Executive Director of InfoCommAsia.

“We are committed to provide our visitors unparalleled opportunities to stay at the forefront of industry trends, connect with key solution providers, and access the resources they need to excel in India’s dynamic Pro AV and technology market.”

New Names on the Block

For visitors who were after fresh offerings by new names, 18 exhibiting companies made their debut at InfoComm India 2023. These include names like ALTEX Corporation, Arihant Infosys, Basssfx, Fohhn Audio AG, Shree InfoTech Pte Ltd, Softlogic, Vestel Visual Solutions, and more.

Among the 190 exhibitors, over 80 new products and solutions were exhibited, ranging from innovative K12 content software like Globus Contentshaala to ViewSonic’s first lamp-free high-brightness short-throw smart projector, the ViewSonic X2. There were also the Logitech Rally Hurdle Bar and the ATEN Podcast AI Audio Mixer MicLIVE, marking the industry’s first AI-optimised audio mixer.

Guided Experience for Top-level Decision-makers

InfoComm India 2023 hosted over 150 key senior decision-makers from India as part of the exclusive Hosted Buyer Programme. These guests represented various government agencies, encompassing education, healthcare, defence and security, smart cities and urban planning, tourism, transportation, and citizen services. Buyers directly from education, construction and tech industries also joined to see the latest innovations and solutions to enhance growth and user-experience.

The hosted buyers were accompanied on a curated Guided Show Floor Tour matching their business needs, offering them personal introductions to leading solution providers to experience the latest technology and products.

Focused Educational Sessions

This year’s Summit features over 40 sessions – including the highly sought-after Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) Prep Workshop by AVIXA – delivered across four specialised tracks.

The summit sessions deep dive into the Pro AV and transformative technology industry’s current and future developments, including their impact on the marketplace and specific industries, with relevant, insightful and practical learning for strategic decision-making.

Summit highlights from opening day at InfoComm India 2023 include:

AV Leaders Connect is an exclusive session for AV Channel leaders to gain the latest market insights, identify future growth opportunities and potential collaborations. Themed “Steering the Course: Charting the Future of AV Integration in a Changing Landscape”, the half-day forum kicked off with a welcome address by June Ko. Dave Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA delivered the keynote on “Harnessing Disruptive Technologies for AV Innovation”. The forum ended with a panel discussion on “The Customer Perspective: Evolving Expectations and Requirements in the AV Market”.

Next Integrated Experimental Technology (NIXT) Summit covers successes and challenges of digital transformation practices in key sectors. Bala Prasad Peddigari, Chief Innovation Officer and Global Head of Technology Advisory Services offered his insights into the future of workplace in “Tech in the Corporate World: Reshaping Business Operations in India”. On second and third day of the show, the track will centre on Education, Retail, and Venues and Live Events.

Industry Forums, featuring AV technology applications and real-life case studies in difference industries, focuses on “India Future Ready – Safety and Cyber Security Planning Considerations”, in collaboration with the Computer Society of India (CSI), Mumbai Chapter. Forums on subsequent show days will focus on urbanisation challenges and Smart CIO, co-organised with All India Institute of Local Self Government and CSI respectively.

AVIXA Seminars, which emphasises hands-on AV technical proficiency, highlighted conferencing and collaboration, and learning solutions on opening day. On subsequent days, it will explore solution areas including digital signage, security and control, and emerging AV technologies.

InfoComm India 2023 is held at Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai, at Pavilion 1 to 3 from 25 to 27 October. The opening hours on the next two days are 26 October from 10am – 6pm, and 27 October from 10am – 4pm (Indian Standard Time). For more information and to register for a show badge, visit www.infocomm-india.com.

About InfoCommAsia

Additional information is available at: infocomm-china.com | infocomm-india.com | infocomm-asia.com

About InfoCommAsia

InfoCommAsia Pte. Ltd. is the region’s preeminent organizer of tradeshows for the Professional AudioVisual (Pro-AV) and Transformative Solutions industries. Through industry-leading shows in Asia, China, and India, InfoCommAsia connects global and regional solution providers, vertical market end-users and the supply chain with the most important markets of Asia Pacific.

Additional information is available at: infocomm-china.com | infocomm-india.com | infocomm-asia.com

For more information, please contact:

Rest of the World
Angie Eng
Marketing Director
InfoCommAsia Pte Ltd
angieeng@infocommasia.com

India
Sooraj Dhawan
Director
Falcon Exhibitions Pvt Ltd
sooraj@falcon-mail.com

Indonesian Police Take Out Major Pirate Operator Illegally Streaming Live Sports

SINGAPORE, Oct 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) and its anti-piracy arm, the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), join with Vidio in congratulating the West Java Regional Police for their action this week in arresting the individual behind a major piracy operation in Indonesia.

Following a complaint by Vidio, on 16 October, the operator of the pirate sites PaseoTV and OkStream was arrested by West Java Regional Police. The sites were illegally streaming pirate content owned or licensed by Vidio, including the Premier League, Ligue Un and AFC. OkStream was one of the most popular pirate streaming sites in Indonesia, with millions of views every month. The owner and operator of the sites also operated a Telegram account that was used to share links to Paseo and OkStream sites. He now faces potential penalties of up to eight years in prison and a fine of up to two billion Rupiah (~US$126,000).

“Vidio has always been committed to being at the forefront of fighting piracy. Vidio’s piracy mitigation commitment requires collaboration not only with law enforcement and industry associations, but also cooperation with the public. Effective anti-piracy measures are critical for maintaining the integrity and sustainability of the content industry,” said Gina Golda Pangaila, Senior Vice President, Legal Anti-Piracy and Government Affairs, Vidio.

“Indonesia has one of the best site blocking programs in Asia-Pacific, however site blocking is not sufficient alone to protect content, and action by local enforcement teams remains a vital component in protecting both the local content industry and consumers who are increasingly being targeted by pirates for the spread of malware, viruses and identify theft[1],” said Matt Cheetham, the General Manager of CAP. “CAP’s research shows that social media and messaging platforms are the most popular forms of consumers accessing pirate content in Indonesia, and Telegram by some distance the most popular platform for this activity in Indonesia[2].”

[1] https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4536945
[2] https://shorturl.at/gpNQ2

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

About Vidio

In the midst of the crowded OTT landscape in Indonesia, Vidio stands out as a local player who really understands the local audience. Its four content pillars differentiate Vidio from other platforms: sports, live streaming TV, licensed content, and Vidio originals, where sports and original content play an important role in driving Vidio customer loyalty. Vidio broadcasts popular sports programs, including the World Cup, Premier League, UEFA Champions League, NBA, and Ligue Un. Its strong infrastructure also allows Vidio to stream matches to millions of viewers without hindrance, thereby successfully gaining recognition from Google and Akamai as one of the best practice platforms in the Asia Pacific region. Apart from sports, Vidio also believes that local content is the key to winning the local market, where relevance is very important. With this insight, Vidio is committed to investing in Vidio originals. Vidio has collaborated with many of Indonesia’s best actors and filmmakers to produce quality local content and has released more than 70 titles since 2019, making Vidio the leading platform with the most original content titles of all OTT platforms in Indonesia.

For media enquiries and additional background please contact:
Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Asia Video Industry Association
Email: charmaine@avia.org
Website: www.avia.org

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia|Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

AVIA and TVB Congratulate Hong Kong Customs for Action Against Distributors of Illegal Streaming Devices

Singapore, Oct 18, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) and its anti-piracy arm, the Coalition Against Piracy (CAP), congratulate the Hong Kong Customs for their successful enforcement operation against 10 retail shops in Sham Shui Po and Yuen Long that were selling Illicit Streaming Devices (ISDs) that allowed users to watch illegally streamed content.

Acting on information received from Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB), Hong Kong Customs, supported by TVB throughout the action, raided the shops, seizing more than 1,000 ISDs and related computers and video equipment, with a value in excess of USD150,000. In addition to the seizures, three shop owners and three salespersons were arrested. Investigations are ongoing and there may well be further arrests.

The actions were the first in Hong Kong to apply the “communication right” in enforcement actions against ISD sellers since the implementation of the Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2022. Potential penalties for this enforcement include imprisonment of up to four years and fines of USD6,400 for each infringed work.

Michael Kwan, TVB’s Senior IP Enforcement Advisor, stated, “TVB works closely with Hong Kong Customs in these enforcement actions, which demonstrate the unwavering commitment of both the Hong Kong Customs and TVB to protecting intellectual property rights and ensuring a fair and sustainable creative industry. We applaud the collaborative efforts in sending a strong message against the sale and distribution of ISDs.”

“CAP’s data shows that Hong Kong has the highest per capita rates of illegal streaming of pirate content in the countries CAP monitors in Asia-Pacific, and consumer usage of ISDs to access pirate content is second only to social media[1]. Recent studies also show the real risks to consumers from accessing content via pirate sources[2],” said Matt Cheetham, the General Manager of CAP. “It is therefore vital that Hong Kong’s enforcement authorities send a strong message that the sale and distribution of ISDs is illegal in Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Customs are to be congratulated for these actions that act to protect both its creative economy and its consumers.”

[1] https://shorturl.at/girKW
[2] https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4536945

About the Asia Video Industry Association

For media enquiries and additional background please contact:
Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org
Website: www.avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia |Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

Over 40 In-depth Learning Sessions to Be Presented at InfoComm India 2023

MUMBAI, INDIA, Oct 17, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – InfoComm India Summit 2023, the educational platform of InfoComm India, is happening from 25 to 27 October 2023 at the event’s new venue – Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

There are more than 40 free-to-attend learning sessions at InfoComm India Summit, divided into four specialized tracks, each tailored to meet the needs of different industry players as well as vertical-market organisational leaders and decision-makers. Summit attendees can thus look forward to hear from renowned experts who will offer comprehensive and meaningful insights into technological advancements, current challenges, and to spark ideas on how adaptive companies and organisations can outrun disruption.

Learning Sessions for AV Professionals

AV Leaders Connect is an exclusive half-day program on show opening day for the AV industry’s C-suite and directorate-level leaders. The program provides them with valuable insights into emerging technology trends and disruptions, enabling them to identify growth opportunities.

The program will feature a welcome address by InfoCommAsia Executive Director, June Ko; a keynote presentation on “Harnessing Disruptive Technologies for AV Innovation” by Dave Labuskes, CEO of AVIXA; and a panel discussion, moderated by Mradul Sharma, Managing Director of 3CDN Workplace, on “Evolving Expectations and Requirements in the AV Market”. Panel members include Abhimanyu Gupta, Managing Director of Actis Technologies; Shankar Jadhav, Managing Director, Investments and Head Strategy of Bombay Stock Exchange; and Trupti Shah, Head – Collaboration of Mahindra & Mahindra Limited.

AVIXA Seminars – designed and delivered by leading AV system integrators and consultants – support the AV community in enhancing their technical expertise, and foster the development of future AV leaders. This year’s program covers four solution areas: Conferencing & Collaboration, Learning Solutions, Digital Signage, Security & Control. It is the first time at InfoComm India that the AVIXA Seminars feature a series of panel discussions focusing on these solution areas.

AVIXA will also reprise the highly sought-after Certified Technology Specialist (CTS) Prep Workshop at this year’s InfoComm India Summit. This two-hour session will help ease nerves and boost confidence as Rod Brown, CTS-D, CTS-I of AVIXA, highlights specific areas of AV design that upcoming CTS exam-takers can focus on.

To name a few highlights at AVIXA Seminars, the Conferencing & Collaboration line-up will kick off with a panel discussion on strategies and technologies in “The New Workplace”, moderated by Abdul Waheed, CTS, Managing Director of EYTE Technologies. This will be followed by a case study, by Puneet Dhar, National Product Manager of Crestron India, on “Creating a Multi-purpose Hybrid Room for Indian Oil Cooperation Ltd”; and by Grifiths Zachariah, CTS, Associate Vice President of ClearOne, on “Elevating Hybrid Work and Learning Environments”.

Meanwhile, the Digital Signage line-up will begin with Florian Rotberg, Managing Director of invidis Consulting GmbH, delivering the keynote on “The Power of Pixel – Global Digital Signage Trends and Drivers”. Then, after a panel discussion, a case study on “South Asia’s Largest Outdoor Transparent LED Display” by Sumit Sharma, Assistant Vice President of Xtreme Media Pvt Ltd. This case study deep dives into the remarkable installation of a 17 meters-by-9 meters LED display in just three days, complete with 3D anamorphic content.

AV professionals can also boost their technical expertise at AV Technologies – sessions dedicated to sharing best practices and application use-cases on motion tracking, AV over IP, auditorium acoustics and more.

For AV Professionals, Vertical Market Leaders and Solution-seekers

NIXT Summit (Next Integrated Experimental Technology Summit) focuses on the successes and challenges of digital transformation practices in various vertical markets. This year’s programme covers four industries: Corporate / Enterprise Strategies (which is applicable to all industries), Education, Retail, and Venues & Events.

At the Education Forum, Hari Balachandran, CEO of ICT Academy, will deliver the keynote on “The Digital Evolution – Reshaping Education in India”. Then – after a case study by Dr K Karunakaran, CEO of Hindusthan Educational Institutions, Coimbatore, on “Enriching Classroom Engagement” – Manmeet Singh, VP of Sales of Globus Infocom Ltd, will moderate a panel discussion on “Future-proofing Education, Embracing Challenges & Opportunities”.

Industry Forums, co-organised by InfoComm India’s partner government agencies and trade associations, will deliver insights into tech adoptions and applications across key industries with a series of real-life case studies and panel discussions.

Sessions include:

India Future Ready – Safety & Cyber Security Planning Considerations for Government InstallationsCo-organised with Computer Society of India (CSI), Mumbai Chapter
The Urbanisation Challenge for India – Expectations & RoadmapCo-organised with All India Institute of Local Self Government (AIILSG)
Smart CIO 2023Co-organised with CSI, Mumbai Chapter

The latest InfoComm India Summit 2023 program is available on the show’s official website at www.infocomm-india.com.

To be held at Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai from 25 to 27 October, InfoComm India 2023 will feature 190 exhibitors, including 15 first-time exhibitors, and over 80 new-at-show products and solutions, as well as three full days of educational content. Opening hours are on 25 and 26 October from 10am – 6pm, and on 27 October from 10am – 4pm (Indian Standard Time).

Visitors can register online at www.infocomm-india.com for their free show badge.

About InfoCommAsia

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The Future of Thai Content Shines Brightly with Thai Soft Power Enabling it to Travel the World

BANGKOK, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Over 150 industry leaders gathered in Bangkok for the Asia Video Industry Association’s (AVIA) Thailand in View conference, for a day of discussions centered around the State of Video in Thailand, the Supremacy of Content and Boosting Advertising Revenue, before closing off with a keynote address on the Big Picture.

There was much optimism on the future of video and content, with many speakers agreeing that it was indeed Thailand’s time on the world stage. In his welcome address, Sompan Charumilinda, Executive Vice Chairman, True Visions Group, said that in a world where content was resonating and spreading across borders, we’ve now seen the success of Asian, and Thai content, with its heritage of content production second to none.

Commissioner Pirongrong Ramasoota of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Thailand, expanded on the potential for Thailand, sharing that soft power was now a major national strategy, to address the lack of unified regulations and the lack of a strategic database of its creative and content centre, for effective policy execution. With 11 sectors to focus on, from film and gaming to fashion, although it was too early to predict its success, it was certainly a welcome direction. Commissioner Pirongrong also added that its key role was to regulate as well as promote the audio and video landscape, to make it fit for purpose in the digital age, economically, socially and culturally. With the strength of the Thai industry lying in the diversity of its content, the NBTC was also looking to promote content that reflected diversity and cultural uniqueness, and with the potential to be coproduced with other countries as well.

Content was also a key focus for the streaming platforms. Kanokporn-Jay Prachayaset, Country Manager, WeTV Thailand, Tencent Thailand, shared that while growth has slowed down post pandemic, WeTV remained optimistic, pursuing local originals more aggressively, and taking another step into producing original variety content. And for both iQIYI and WeTV, AI was already in play, increasing efficiencies and cost reductions, with Parnsuk (Poppy) Tongrob, Country Director for Thailand, iQIYI, adding that “iQIYI is AI presented by creative talent.”

Winradit (Win) Kolasastraseni, President, Digital Media, True Digital Group, also said that production was not just for the Thai audience, but for a global audience. However, what you do next after investing in local content was key, with a need to increase the value creation upstream to further downstream in distribution and monetization. “People are now recognizing that Thai can be a Korean option, or even a better version,” said Win.

For Danny Chung, Head of Talent and Content Development, THEBLACKSEA, there were technical hurdles that needed to be overcome such as infrastructure and government assistance, which was essential to the growth of Korean content and culture to the world. While there was no lack of content, there also needed to be the exchange of opportunity. “Neighbours within Asia have their own strengths and weaknesses, we can help each other, and give our pool of talent global visibility and the platform to access the rest of the world,” said Chung.

However, with piracy remaining a scourge in Thailand, Sirapat Vajraphai, Director of Copyright Office, Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Thailand, placed emphasis on public awareness to understand the importance of copyright to reduce copyright theft. The general population has to understand that it is illegal and hurting the ecosystem and the creative economy, and ultimately hurting the consumer. And with creative content changing at a very fast rate and moving into streaming, what the DIP is doing is to enhance the fundamentals to match what is changing, and trying to change the law to place special emphasis on the rights of actors and how they can be better protected for streaming and online.

Expanding on the topic of Showcasing Thai Soft Power to the World, Surin Krittayaphongphun, President of TV Business and Executive Director, BEC World, said that soft power was very important for the entertainment industry and for its content to travel the world, and soft power was the weapon to bring more visitors in and showcase the country as well. For Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhaya, Chief Content Strategy, Investment & Partnership Officer, CP Group and True Corporation, soft power was about building brand love for Thailand. “Soft power is created by emotional value and emotional connection and video is the intersection of every form of emotional communication,” he added.

However not all video was perceived equally, as shown in the results of AVIA’s Thailand consumer research on usage and attitudes towards mass and premium OTT platforms, presented by AVIA CEO, Louis Boswell. Although mass platforms, such as social media and user-generated content, marginally outperformed premium OTT at the category level in terms of having high quality content, this result was driven mainly by two high volume UGC platforms. When looked at as individual services, 7 of the top 10 platforms ranked as having the highest quality content were premium OTT. Furthermore, when it came to the highest attention levels, 6 of the top 10 services were premium OTT. And for video platforms that Thai consumers would recommend, 7 of the top 10 platforms were premium OTT.

For Rathakorn Surbsuk, Head of Addressable TV Solution – Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam Cluster, GroupM Nexus, premium was not just talking about the price, but also the quality of content, and a safe environment for brands, with content produced by professionals. Said Surbsuk, “Clients can open their stores anywhere, but they would choose the right environment and the premium location that offers quality. . . in order to differentiate themselves from competitors and position themselves in the right place that reflects positively for the brand.” He also predicted that in 3 years’ time, the level of spending on premium OTT will grow five-fold.

Closing off the conference with his view on the future of content was Group Chief Executive Officer of The One Enterprise, Takonkiet Viravan. For Viravan, each project had to have a different balance between commercial and art to be successful, and it was becoming more and more important today, as you could no longer depend just on local advertising. With the need to go international, the content should be Thai as the selling point, but the execution and the style of storytelling needed to skew more towards western and international preferences, as a good balance. Although it was more of a challenge, it also gave more opportunities to tell different stories that appealed to different people, he said. “You have to know your product and know which demographic it will appeal to. You have to put it where the viewers are,” added Viravan. And with the strong ecosystem that One Enterprise had as a content creator and distribution channel, coupled with the launch of their own OTT platform, OneD, producing their own originals to attract the streaming audience, Viravan remained cautiously optimistic for the future.

Thailand in View is proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsors True Visions and True Visions Now, and Silver SponsorsA+E Networks Asia, Akamai, NAGRA and PubMatic

Link here for a selection of photos from the event. Visit the event website for more details and photos.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

For media enquiries and additional background please contact:

Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia | Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

AVIA Releases Indonesia Study on the Untapped Opportunity of Premium OTT Services for Advertisers

JAKARTA, Oct 4, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) has released a study to understand the usage of different video services in Indonesia and consumer attitudes towards them. The study looked at video across social media, user-generatedcontent (UGC), linear TV, messaging services and premium OTT. This is a follow-up to its study on Premium OTT – Building its Rightful Place in the Digital Market, which was first released in September 2022 and focused on the Singapore market.

Amongst Indonesian consumers, premium OTT is viewed as having the highest quality content. 75% of users of premium OTT services (such as Netflix, Vidio, Viu and WeTV) said it offered the best quality content, higher than users of any other category of video. Of all 24 video platforms studied, five of the top seven services ranked as offering the highest quality content were premium OTT.

Usage of premium OTT is also associated with the most positive emotions. When asked about feelings after watching an hour of different types of content, TV series and movies significantly outscored user- generate content and social media in eliciting happiness and amusement.

While premium OTT is still at an earlier stage of development in Indonesia than free UGC and social media services like YouTube and TikTok, it is clear that those who use premium OTT value it more. When asked what videoservices they would first be prepared to forego, only one in the top ten services was premium OTT, and the top 4 were all social media or UGC services.

“We believe the power and opportunity of premium OTT is hugely significant and offers a real and relatively untapped opportunity for advertisers in Indonesia. The proven quality of the environment, the stickiness of thecontent and the positive emotions created by it are critical for advertisers, and this study clearly demonstrates that. Given the dominance and high penetration of UGC and social media video services in Indonesia, the fact that this smaller but growing category of premium OTT performed so well in these categories is quite remarkable. We believe advertisers need to sit up and take note,” said Louis Boswell, CEO, AVIA.

The full Indonesia study research deck and methodology can be found here. This study continues to build on a regional research project started with a two part study conducted in Singapore in 2022 and 2023.

AVIA thanks its members Magnite, PubMatic and The Trade Desk for supporting the Indonesia research.

About the Premium OTT Study

The current study, Premium OTT: Building its Rightful Place in the Digital Market (Indonesia), was conducted inIndonesia by Milieu Insight Pte Ltd, with online fieldwork using Milieu Insight’s online panel. The sample size was n=1000 and was representative of the adult population aged 16+ in Indonesia. Premium OTT Services listed in thestudy were as follows: Disney+ Hotstar, HBO Go, iFlix, iQIYI, Metro TV Online, Netflix, RCTI+, TVRI Online, Vidio, Vision+, Viu, WeTV. Social Media and Video Sharing Services listed were Facebook, Instagram, Snackvideo, Snapchat, Telegram, TikTok, Twitch, Twitter, Vimeo, WhatsApp and YouTube.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in AsiaPacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against videopiracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

Under the Patronage of His Highness the Minister of Culture, the ‘Saudi Film Confex’ is Inaugurated in Riyadh

RIYADH, Oct 2, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Under the patronage of His Highness Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, Minister of Culture and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Film Commission, H.E. Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, the Saudi Vice Minister of Culture, inaugurated the Saudi Film Confex in its first edition today at the Riyadh Front EXPO. The event saw attendance from select Arab and international filmmakers and several national, regional, and international directors and industry experts in the kingdom.

H.E. Hamed bin Mohammed Fayez, the Saudi Vice Minister of Culture stressed, in his opening speech at the Saudi Film Confex, that art and culture continue to represent the spirit of Saudi society and are fundamental pillars of the Kingdom’s development. He pointed to the efforts of the Ministry of Culture and the Saudi Film Commission in light of the Saudi Vision 2030, which was launched by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to build a bright future for filmmaking and arts.

“Over the past few years, the film industry has been changing rapidly. Saudi films have placed our country onto the cultural world map in the national and international arenas and continue to highlight the creativity and talent available throughout the Kingdom,” he added.

H.E. Vice Minister of Culture stressed that filmmaking is one of the main goals that the Ministry of Culture seeks to support by establishing and developing industry-specific forums, such as the Saudi Film Confex, to be a gathering point for the value chain in filmmaking, ensuring the exchange of experiences, and facilitating communication between artists, local creators, and international filmmakers.

He added: “We believe in the power of cinema and films and their prominent role in changing reality for the better and spreading our culture throughout the world. Therefore, the Film Commission will continue to support artistic and cinematic initiatives, contribute to developing skills, and expand the horizons of creativity, and all of this comes within the framework of our firm commitment to developing the sector of art and cinema in our country.”

The “Saudi Film Confex” is a platform that brings together the fundamental pillars and relevant parties to enhance and promote filmmaking and to publicize its importance to the national economy and investment opportunities in this field through three main pillars: industry trends, global practices, challenges and opportunities in filmmaking, with the participation of more than 100 experts and international figures in the field of filmmaking. About 50 speakers, including executives, investors, and specialists from all over the world, will discuss the latest topics and technologies that support the film industry and its operations, in addition to organizing workshops, training sessions, and intensive displays of cinematic products, projects, and innovations related to filmmaking in the Kingdom and globally.

The event is the result of vigorous efforts led by the Saudi Film Commission, aimed at highlighting the growing economic role of filmmaking across the Kingdom and attracting elite filmmakers and global producers to promote the exchange of knowledge and experiences with their Saudi counterparts. To develop the Kingdom’s film industry and enhance its presence in international film forums, SFC remains committed to contributing to the Saudi Vision 2030 goal of “investing in culture as an engine of national economic growth”.

For more information on Saudi Film Confex and to register for attendance, visit www.saudifilmconfex.com. Contact Information

Rakan ALSHARIF, Marketing and PR Director, rakan.alsharif@hashtagstudio.com, +971506540055