As the professional audio industry continues to evolve and the consumer audio industry continues to search for new opportunities, we are now beginning to see a convergence of two once divided markets. On this, the 5th anniversary of the Audio Collaborative event, Futuresource will bring together industry heavyweights from the two colliding worlds of professional and consumer audio, to discuss the technology and market drivers that are blurring the lines between these sectors.
Hosted at the stylish Ham Yard Hotel, attendees will see first class presentations and panels from industry titans and Futuresource experts on the growth and the crossover of business opportunities for the entire audio ecosystem. Presentations containing data and insights on the home and personal audio market will take place throughout the day. Opportunities for the music and hardware industry in the games market and the future for the music market including the role of AI are also among the hot topics being discussed.
Key Topics to be addressed at the Audio Collaborative 2018, this year titled "Uniting the Converging Worlds of Pro & Consumer Audio," will include:
The Home & Personal Audio Market in Numbers - The facts and technology drivers
Voice Pervades the Smart Home - Who will have control?
Artificial Intelligence - What is the real impact and opportunity for the hardware, music and service provider community.
Two Worlds Collide - Pro & Consumer Audio
The Importance of Live & Touring to Artists and the Audio Hardware Industry
Voice Applications in B2B
Product Convergence & Multi-room - Presentation
The Opportunities for the Music and Hardware Industry in the Games Market
Kids Tech - Untapped Potential - How do 3-16 year olds Interact with Tech and Entertainment?
Music Market Outlook - Who Dares Wins
Futuresource Consulting has already confirmed an extensive panel of experts for Audio Collaborative 2018, including executives from Amazon, Harman, Warner Music and many others in the audio sector.
Paul Firth, Head of Amazon Music UK will join the Music market outlook panel along with Christian Harris, Head of Digital Entertainment at Three and Pete Downton, Deputy CEO at 7digital. They will be discussing the future of the music market and the new business models and opportunities emerging within the ever evolving consumer and B2B market. The executives will explore how new platforms and technologies such as voice assistants are rejuvenating the market and awakening lapsed music buyers into discovering and consuming more content.
David Roberton, Vice President of International Marketing at Turtle Beach, is also set to join the stellar roster of industry heavy weights. The internationally renowned gaming headset and soundcard manufacturer Turtle Beach provides immersive, premium audio, interactive and collaborative experiences to the ‘Battle Royale’ gamer community. At the event, he will join Futuresource Analysts and other respected industry leaders and top representatives from Microsoft and IBM among many others.
Other confirmed presences include AI Music and Netgem, which will join the event's speaker line-up. Artificial Intelligence is seen as the next major digital disruptor impacting a wide range of industry sectors, not least music. Siavash Mahdavi, CEO of AI Music, a pioneer in this space, will discuss how this technological innovation can be utilised as a powerful tool and partner, rather than as a threat to the music industry.
Robert Morgan Males, CEO at Audio-Technica and Robert Wilson, MBE are the latest speakers confirmed at this year's Audio Collaborative event. Robert Morgan-Males will be joining the panel 'Two Worlds Collide - Pro & Consumer Audio' alongside Robert Wilson MBE, who was previously Chairman of Sound Technology Ltd, one of the largest and most successful independent musical instrument and professional audio distributors in the UK. Robert has also worked on behalf of both the UK Music Industries Association for more than 35 years, as well as having been the only UK director of NAMM, the USA musical instrument industry association.
As voice assistant technology is incorporated into a wide range of devices around the home, the debate surrounding who will control the entertainment hub in the living room intensifies. Futuresource confirmed that Sylvain Thevenot, Managing Director of Netgem, pioneer of a converged set-top box and soundbar device with voice assistant technology, will join the discussion on the Voice Pervades the Smart Home panel, addressing the impact of such technology on consumers discovery and selection of content.
WiSA is also sponsoring this year's Audio Collaborative event. The WiSA Association is an industry group dedicated to promoting the adoption of WiSA-compliant wireless audio technology. The association fosters an interoperability specification and testing between CE devices and high-performance wireless speakers, making it easy for components from multiple audio brands to work seamlessly. WiSA's president, Tony Ostrom, will be presenting at this year's event, looking at the home theatre revolution and the impact around audio.
Similarly, Audiogum is sponsoring this year's Audio Collaborative. Audiogum is a B2B technology company that specializes in premium software solutions for audio device manufacturers and streaming services. They offer flexible solutions to enrich the user experience of audio products, including: Bespoke Voice Control; Personalized Playlisting; User & Device Analytics; User Account Management & Secure Data Hosting; Custom Branded Immersive Apps; Hardware & Services Integrations. Audiogum will join WiSA Association and Linkplay as sponsors for this year's event.
The Audio Collaborative conference continues to provide the opportunity for businesses across the entire spectrum of audio to meet, network and share ideas around the converging world of professional and consumer audio. As Armin Prommersberger, Harman’s Senior Vice President, a previous attendee commented, “It’s a very exciting day, very open how everyone shares information.” A feeling that was reiterated further by Devialet’s General Manager, Victor d’Allancé who stated, “The panels were very impressive, as were the guests. We met many people we wanted to meet.”
This year’s agenda promises to stimulate its 2018 delegation, as it continues to address new topical, and disruptive trends. One session opens with the statement ‘Voice Pervades the Smart Home’ and will discuss control in the modern digital voice assisted home. Another opening session statement is ‘Kids Tech – Untapped Potential’, which will examine the way children interact with today’s technology. The agenda then shifts into more audio-focussed presentations and panels, centered around the live music industry, and the music market as a whole. Audio Collaborative 2018 undoubtably has a wide range of exciting topics to interest anyone in the sector.
This year's Audio Collaborative event will be an all-day event. The conference takes place in the luxurious Ham Yard Hotel, in bustling Soho. The setting is perfect for social engagement and networking. Rate: £165 per ticket (excl. VAT) - Early Bird Price. Registration will begin at 9.30am and conclude at 5.00pm, with a networking drinks reception to follow. Buffet lunch, canapes, drinks and refreshments will be provided throughout the day and are included in the conference fee.
For the full scope on the Audio Collaborative 2017 event, see the audioXpress report here.
Audio Collaborative 2018
November 8, 2018
The Ham Yard Hotel, London, UK
www.futuresource-consulting.com/Futuresource-Event-Audio-Collaborative
