IBC2018 is approaching. Between now and then Radio World offers a series of short Q&As with manufacturers about their plans and offerings, to help you get the most out of the annual trade show. Todor Ivanov is president and CEO of DEVA Broadcast.
Radio World: How has business been for the company since last year’s IBC Show?
Ivanov: I am glad to say business has been good over the past year. We have kept ourselves busy working on new products, some of which have already found their way to the market and are enjoying great success with our customers. Others are yet to be launched but are already creating some serious buzz — clients are clearly looking forward to the new releases. So we have spent the time since last year’s IBC doing what we do best — delivering smart and elegant solutions to our demanding clients.
Naturally, we have also made sure that space on our calendar was free for the major industry exhibitions. Being part of these events is a joy and a huge honor as we get to showcase the latest DEVA gear, meet other professionals in the field and get some valuable feedback directly from our clients. A word of thanks is also due to our dealers worldwide who have helped bring DEVA to an even wider audience and expertly represented us at a number of events us well.
RW: 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?
Ivanov: That would largely depend on the region and the specific demands of the respective market but on the whole, radio remains an important part of people’s lives and continues to grow and develop at a steady rate. To make sure we cater for customers worldwide, we have adopted a strategy that does not concentrate on just one area. We know that each customer has their own specific requirements — no matter if it’s FM or DAB monitoring, IP Audio or sound processing, so we try to provide the finest solutions for all of those areas.
RW: You’ve been active as a manufacturer of the audio monitoring, encoding and processing gear for 21 years. What’s the biggest problem or challenge facing users in this segment right now?
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Ivanov: It is true that we have been in this business for quite a while now and we are constantly faced with challenges but having all that experience while still retaining our enthusiasm for this kind of work is what allows us to deal with difficulties. One of the hardest things in this industry, or any industry for that matter, is keeping pace with technological development. Fortunately, we have a great team that combines creativity with technical know-how and that is one of the keys to success.
RW: What new products will your company be showing? Why should attendees visit your stand?
Ivanov: We have made sure once again that a visit to our booth Booth 8.D79, Hall 8 will be worth your while as we have prepared a great product display. Of course, our established award-winners and client favorites will be there, but we will also be showcasing a brand new unit that is yet to be released — the DB7012. This tool is fully compliant with the Digital Audio Broadcasting standard, has a wide range of features and is very easy to use. But I don’t want to give away too much now — just make sure you visit our booth to get an exclusive look and learn more!
RW: What specific challenges and/or developments do you expect in your markets over the next 12 months?
Ivanov: I expect that our market will maintain a high level of competitiveness and motivate us to improve and consistently deliver the best. Our determination remains as strong as ever to produce the same DEVA standard of quality and performance and keep developing products that meet the strict demands of our clients.
RW: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trend in general at IBC2018?
Ivanov: IBC gives you a platform to present your best equipment to the public in a competitive, but at the same time collaborative atmosphere. I am confident that technological innovation will be the order of the day this year as well. DEVA will once more be there with a wide range of products from monitoring, through processing to IP Audio, so you can take your pick from a number of great solutions.
RW: Is the IBC Show a good investment?
Ivanov: That goes without saying. This is a huge show, with a large number of participants and visitors, a great organization and a rich program that includes demonstrations, workshops, lectures and helpful discussions. All of that is worth investing in, as it brings together the top manufacturers and the best equipment. Opportunities for expanding business contacts are plenty and we are delighted to be a part of all that every year.
RW: You’re a show veteran, how has the show changed since your first visit?
Ivanov: It’s only been improving. Its importance has increased over the years and it is now deservedly considered as one of the key events in our industry. It is a real challenge to put together such an event, on such a scale but the organizers are managing that superbly. So credit goes to them for a job well done!
RW: What’s your favorite thing about this show?
Ivanov: I guess that would be the chance to directly discuss our products with clients and get a lot of opinions over a short time. This feedback is really important for us because it plays a part in terms of what products we develop and what features we incorporate in them. That is one of the reasons why we value so highly the opportunity to participate in this event.
RW: If you feel we’ve missed something you can make up and answer your own question.
Ivanov: I would like to invite everyone to IBC 2018 and our booth 8.D79, Hall 8 because we do have some great products to showcase. Our team will be there to offer a helping hand with demonstrations and to answer your questions. As I’ve already mentioned, there will also be new equipment on display so don’t miss the opportunity to drop by.