MANAGEMENT
July 2017
MediaGeniX urging
broadcasters to think
content-centric
At BroadcastAsia2017, Johan Vanmarcke, managing director, Asia, MediaGeniX,
and his team explained to visitors how they can transform their business into a
content-centric one
The line between linear and on-
demand is blurring, making it
imperative for broadcasters to
think content-centric, according
to Johan Vanmarcke, managing
director, Asia, MediaGeniX.
At present, many traditional
broadcast organisations have two
working units in place — one that
manages the linear TV aspect, and
a creative unit that focuses on
digital strategies. This is creating
a situation where these groups
work based on different workflows,
without leveraging enough of
each other’s strengths, Vanmarcke
observed.
To allow broadcasters to bet-
ter target content to audiences
on both linear and on-demand
platforms, MediaGeniX is offering
the WHAT’sOn broadcast manage-
ment software solution. WHAT’sOn
allows broadcasters, on-demand
service providers or telcos alike
to launch new channels or set
up additional, cost-effective on-
demand services while optimising
workflow and infrastructure.
It offers integrated modules
that addresses the following: Linear
scheduling, promotion and intersti-
tial management, media manage-
ment, workflow automation, stand-
ards integration, content and rights
management, analytics and finance,
and video-on-demand (VoD).
In particular, Vanmarcke is
keen to highlight the new VoD
scheduling tools MediaGeniX is of-
fering. He explained: “If you go on-
demand, it involves a lot of people
and cost. Software automation thus
allows you to do more for less and
VoD can potentially bring new and
more effective workflows.”
As part of its content-centric
message, MediaGeniX also believes
that broadcasters need to take a
closer look at the content they can
offer. For example, what rights do
they have on the content? What
distribution platforms are available
and through which technique can
they generate the most revenue
with a particular title?
The future of broadcasting, the
company suggests, is about choos-
ing the best possible distribution
technique that offers broadcasters
and their viewers the best possible
added value throughout the entire
lifecycle of the content — be it on
linear or VoD platforms.
Be bold in embracing the
new while breaking down out-
dated ways of working, advised
Vanmarcke, as he concluded: “If
you don’t begin to move into the
on-demand space, you will lose
out and your revenues will start to
decline year-on-year.”
23
New Group CEO to
drive Magna Systems’
business forward
Can you give us an update on
Magna’s business in Asia-Pacific,
and how are you managing sup-
plier and customer relations in
this region?
Matthew Clemesha: Magna has
had a record year in Asia-Pacific.
We have seen very good growth
in all of our traditional areas of
broadcast but also excellent growth
in new areas where broadcast and
telecoms converge.
Magna as a group is growing
and as a result, our internal and
external structures and processes
are changing to suit and match
this growth.
Recently, I was appointed CEO
and we will be announcing a
new group general manager very
shortly too. I will be working very
closely with the group GM to drive
the business forward.
Magna is particularly focused
o n c o n t i n u i n g to g ro w o u r
relationships with our suppliers,
partners and customers so that we
can provide a level of value-added
service and support that is vital
in today’s business environment.
Without question our number one
focus is our customers and their
requirements. From that point, it
is all about how best we can help
them achieve their goals.
Besides playing a role as a key
technology partner for broad-
casters in Asia-Pacific, what
strategies do you have in place
to allow Magna to move above
and beyond the traditional sys-
tems integrator (SI)-customer
relationship?
Clemesha: As mentioned above,
we have significantly bolstered our
resources and approach towards
understanding our customers’
core businesses, along with
underst