{spotlight} feature reports

Future Media Conference: London 27 – 28 November 2008

The Future Media Conference had an array of speakers ranging from traditional broadcasters (BBC, ITV, C4) through to business analysts, agencies and online commissioning bodies (Bebo, MSN Networks). The conference was a mix of thematic round-table discussions, interviews with executive-level professionals and case studies. On the whole it was an excellent conference.

My main reason for attending was to get the most up to date opinions of a broad cross-section of industry players and also to be seen there among them. This was achieved. It was a small event, so networking was easy - though, if one negative, the speakers didn't stick around for long for follow up chats. The case studies were well chosen and well presented - the overall atmosphere was friendly and relaxed.

Interesting that Russell Jarman Price, creative partner at Ogilvy Entertainment, was pushing the brand-as-commissioner model and was indicating that the 30-70 shift of branded content to straight advertising will shift next year. The BBC was there with its Britain From Above multiplatform project - a comprehensive piece of work, but interestingly one that was used mainly to re-watch clips of the show itself. Toyboize caught my eye as a project worth checking out on YouTube, and works as a multiple online series.

The 'impact of the credit crunch on digital media' sessions were less useful to me, but seemed to be saying the obvious, that there's a rough ride ahead but we should get through if we baton down the hatches.

Think I would go again, though the cost sits a little high.

Simon Meek, Tern Television. November 2008

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