March 08, 2012

Connected TV Marketing Association APAC Board

                                                             Sydney, Australia

Leaders of the Australian advertising, media and entertainment sector converged at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney on Wednesday, for the inauguration of the Connected TV Marketing Association’s APAC Board.

With a third of Australians planning to buy a smart TV or internet-connected device or set-top box this year, 2012 marks a turning point for connected television viewing in the region. At the summit, Founder and President of the Association, James Grant Hay announced the appointment of Professor Duane Varan, Executive Director of the Interactive Television Research Institute at Murdoch University as its Honorary APAC Chairman.

Professor Varan will preside over a board of directors from company representatives as diverse as ABC, Accedo, SBS, and the NBN Co. Limited. In accepting the nomination of Chairman, Professor Varan said:

In an age of perpetual change, it's critical that all players across the new value chain work together to build vibrant new business models. There are exciting new opportunities for connected TV in the road ahead which the Association hopes to help cultivate in this region".

The launch in Sydney also included a Smart TV presentation from Samsung Electronics Australia and was attended by representatives from Australian companies, including Telstra, Viocorp, BBC, Netgem, Village Roadshow, Adconion, Brightcove, and special guest from London, Shirlene Chandrapal Vice President of Connected TV at Smartclip.

 CTVMA Media Launch

With 85% of marketers interested in advertising on internet-connected TVs, the CTVMA had been set up to inform and educate the advertising, media and entertainment sector on the commercial opportunities of Connected TV platforms. On the panel, the association’s Asia-Pacific Vice President and Director of Accedo, Matt Kossatz said:

"Connected devices offer brands and content owners the chance to connect their offline spend with the rapidly growing online content market, with TV applications or targeted ad campaigns served by ad networks across electronic program guides and TV's on-screen app store”.

Circular Quay

In closing, Founder and President Asia-Pacific of the Connected TV Marketing Association James Grant Hay said:

"We are delighted with today's turn out and thank Professor Varan and all the APAC board members for their valuable time and future contribution moving forward. Our presence in the region is now well and truly established”.

As part of its future plans, the CTVMA has immediately embarked on an open industry consultation process with the consumer electronics industry, inviting leaders from the advertising, media and entertainment sector to participate in formulating an open industry terms of reference.

Since launching in November, the association now comprises of 117 Country, Regional and Chapter appointed Presidents, Vice-Presidents with representatives around the world. A complete list of new APAC board members visit the website.

The board now plans to schedule its first agenda meeting and announce details of its next Sydney event in June as part of its attendance at the Connected Entertainment Summit.