IBC2018 is approaching. Between now and then Radio World will conduct several short Q&As with manufacturers about their plans and offerings, to help you get the most out of the big annual trade show. Jérémie Weber is CEO at Digigram.
Radio World: How has business been for the company since last year’s IBC Show?
Jérémie Weber: The business is stable. This is what the numbers tell us. But we feel the market is transitioning and this is not something you can find in the books. How people listen to radio is changing at a really fast pace. The rise of smart speakers last year was astonishing and should be seen as a sign of advancing technology.
Radio World: What are you hearing from your customers about their business outlook this year? In what areas should we expect growth or the most interesting projects?
Weber: I really think that we have two categories. Broadcast is, for some good reason, very conservative. So part of our customers continue to make radio the same way they have for years. But others, that maybe have the printed press revolution in mind, understand that tomorrow we will face disruption in the world of radio. At the same time the industry’s audience is increasing, even though we are seeing a fragmentation of that audience. For our customers, this means more content creation for different listeners. We need to keep this in mind moving forward.
Radio World: You’ve been active as a manufacturer of audio transport gear many years. What’s the biggest problem or challenge facing users in this segment right now?
Weber: For years, the challenge was to be able to transport signals. The technical aspect always came first. Now, everybody knows that IP can carry signals all over the world. Our customer want us to make solutions that are both simple to use and reliable. In a nutshell, our customers need rock solid connections without headaches.
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Radio World: What new products will your company be showing? Why should attendees visit your stand 8.C51?
Weber: Digigram has a long history of innovation. From the early 1990s with the rise of digital audio, we have always tried to change the way one does radio. We have been quiet for some time but now we are bringing new solutions that are worth a visit. But I can’t tell more just yet, come and see us at the show!
Radio World: What specific challenges and/or developments do you expect in your markets over the next 12 months?
Weber: Changes within the market are a challenge. Only companies willing to accept these changes will have a place in the broadcasting world of the future. Digigram’s DNA is made up of innovation and we plan to grow even closer to our clients to ensure we are offering them exactly what they require. The new landscape shows that audio transport is increasingly IT related, and Digigram has been employing IT technologies for broadcast needs for more than 30 years. We have always challenged ourselves to be on the cutting edge and we are proud of this.
Radio World: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trend in general at IBC2018?
Weber: From hardware to software and from software to virtualization, the solutions available today increasingly use cloud technology. This is a real trend and requires strong skills.
Radio World: Is the IBC Show a good investment?
Weber: This year’s show will tell, but Digigram has attended this exhibition for years. It is certainly an important meeting place for us each year.
