The Connected TV Marketing Association (CTVMA) Expands Global Network to Europe and UK

Posted by Richard Kastelein in Breaking News on December 13, 2011  |  0 Comments More from this author  |    |  Follow Richard Kastelein on: Facebook | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube

The Connected TV Marketing Association has continued to rollout its professional industry network, as adoption of internet-connected TVs in European homes increases, with the announcement this week of Accedo CEO, Michael Lantz as its President for Europe.

With over 10 million internet-connected TVs sold in the EU this year, a figure, expected to rise to 13 million in 2012, the CTVMA is embarking on a series of global information and education programme initiatives in Europe designed to inform and educate the advertising, media and entertainment sector on the commercial opportunities of connected TV platforms.

Welcoming the announcement from Melbourne Australia, the Founder and President Asia-Pacific of the Connected TV Marketing Association James Grant Hay said:

"We are delighted to have Michael Lantz, CEO and founder of Accedo as our President of Europe. As one of the world's leaders in the TV app industry, Michael will play a key role in opening up industry trade dialogue amongst both the CE industry, as well the leaders of broadcasting, advertising and entertainment in Europe".

Speaking from London Mr Lantz said:

“The past 2 years have seen tremendous amount of innovation in the TV app segment. With the increased convergence in user experience between the first and second screens and a fragmented and rapidly changing device ecosystem, Accedo has set itself the ambitious task of providing enabling solutions and services for TV apps, regardless of technology. I think we are just in the beginning of a major change of the TV industry and I’m excited to contribute to this new industry association.”

Joining the executive board of the UK, the CTVMA has also appointed Richard Kastelein, Managing Director of Agora Media Group and publisher of Appmarket.tv as its first Vice President. Kastelein will play a pivotal role in driving awareness of the association across Agora media’s clients and will oversee the CTVMA's first UK industry event at Knightsbridge in London on Wednesday 13 June, 2012.

Upon accepting the role Mr Kastelein said:

"Over the past two years covering the connected TV market at Appmarket.TV, there's been continuing fragmentation in the market - so I am pleased to participate in the CTVMA which can be part of helping to shape the future of this landscape," said Kastelein. “Agora Media has been working on a number of Diaspora VOD projects for Smart TV as well as helping mould second screen engagement strategies with a number of UK and US broadcasters and we are seeing connected TV shaping to hit mass market in months rather than years.”

In the United Kingdom where the market for connected TVs is expected to almost double next year, the CTVMA has also appointed Dr William Cooper, CEO and founder of informitv to function as its Honorary UK Chair.

Speaking from London Dr Cooper said:

“The convergence of the internet and television represents a revolutionary transformation of the viewing experience. My consultancy, informitv, has been advising media and technology companies in this field for many years and am a pleased to be involved in establishing this industry association to help develop the market for Connected TV."

Today's announcements also mark the release of the CTVMA's Membership Packs for companies and individuals wishing to join the association.

Speaking from New York, CTVMA Co-Founder and President of North America Zachary Weiner said:

"Our corporate and professional membership rewards will not only build a vital support base for our organisation, but equip both companies and individuals alike, with a global set of interactive TV advertising standards, codes of conduct, and industry accreditation of the highest best practices”.

With the completion of its global organisational structure in place, the CTVMA has immediately embarked on a CE industry consultation process, inviting leaders from the advertising, media and entertainment sector to participate in formulating an industry terms of reference.

Its first order of business in the New Year, will be the release of its CE Information Packs to industry at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Nevada on Tuesday 10 January, 2012.