As IBC2016 gets closer, 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 big annual trade show. Todor Ivanov is CEO of DEVA Broadcast.
Todor Ivanov is CEO of DEVA Broadcast. Radio World: How has business been for the company since last year’s IBC show?
Todo Ivanov: Business has been absolutely thriving. The past year has been particularly successful for DEVA Broadcast as we have dedicated a lot of time and energy to developing and releasing a string of new products that we are especially proud of. We believe meeting our clients face to face is an essential part of being able to deliver the right equipment to each user, so we make a point of participating in key industry exhibitions worldwide. This is fundamental for both presenting our gear and gathering valuable data regarding what various markets really need.
In addition to that, we have also launched a string of new products that have garnered flattering reviews and a very favorable response from our customers, which is the ultimate recognition. That’s how we measure success at DEVA Broadcast, and I am pleased to say business has been good since last year’s IBC.
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: As usual, it largely depends on the market and the region. However, the general trend is that the importance of radio as a medium is growing — faster in some areas, more slowly in others, but definitely growing. It is my belief that no matter how much technology develops, radio will still have its listeners and the people who make sure it is advancing at the same high pace. At DEVA Broadcast we have plenty of evidence that radio is not losing the position it has always held and is in fact going from strength to strength. The major industry events keep attracting an increasing number of visitors, broadcasting gear is becoming more sophisticated and sales are going up.
As far as specific trends or projects are concerned, right now we have a lot of listeners tuning in via online platforms, which is why broadcasters need to adapt quickly and provide alternative ways of distributing programs. However, traditional FM distribution is also as popular as ever. At DEVA Broadcast we are concentrating our efforts on reflecting the industry developments in our devices, which has been working quite well for us. Over the past year, we have unveiled a series of new products, especially in the fields of IP Audio and audio processing. The number of inquiries and orders we have received thus far is at its highest — this is the best kind of feedback we can receive!
RW: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trend, generally speaking, at IBC2016?
Ivanov: IBC is traditionally a show where everyone brings the best of what they offer and I expect that this year the quality of the equipment on display will be equally high, if not even higher. As for DEVA Broadcast, we take our responsibility to our clients seriously, and we will once again be showcasing our latest engineering achievements. As mentioned above, our new releases are in the areas of IP audio and audio processing, and our clients have already had the chance to appreciate the technical superiority and top performance of these products.
RW: What new products will your company be showing?
Ivanov: Besides the products that have been a constant presence on the market for a while now and have proven to be efficient and reliable solutions, we will also be presenting the most recent additions to our product ranges. Attendees will find us at booth 8.D79 in Hall 8 and can get a closer look at the Band Scanner 2, which is already enjoying tremendous popularity despite the fact that it has not been officially launched yet. We will also be showcasing the DB6400 and the DB6000-STC — audio-processing tools with features that are unrivalled on the market. They have just been joined by the DB64-FM, which I believe will be greatly appreciated by our clients for its unique combination of functionality and affordability. Everyone at DEVA Broadcast is confident that all new products will receive from our clients the recognition they deserve.
RW: How is this new product (or products) different from what’s available from your past products, and elsewhere on the market?
Ivanov: With each piece of equipment created by the engineers at DEVA Broadcast, we try to take broadcasting technology a step further. We carefully analyze what works — this is the foundation that we build on, and then we improve it. Every new product adds new features and capabilities in order to achieve the ultimate goal, which is, of course, better performance. At the same time we would like our devices to be accessible to as many clients as possible. This means that we make quality affordable, and it is an important aspect that really sets our products apart from anything else customers can find on the market. A team of DEVA Broadcast engineers will also be present at the IBC to ensure attendees receive detailed explanations regarding the features of all our new products.
RW: What’s your favorite thing about the IBC show? Your least favorite?
Ivanov: IBC is among the standout events of the broadcasting industry. It provides a platform where we can establish business contacts, stay up to date with the latest trends in the field and give wide exposure to our equipment. That’s the way a company grows. I have always tried to stress the importance of getting direct feedback from customers and discussing with them what makes a particular device a client favorite or what additional capabilities need to be included. Another advantage of attending a huge event like this one is that our engineers can demonstrate to attendees the benefits of our gear. The DEVA Broadcast team firmly believes that communication with our clients is at the core of our progress.
RW: Do you have any suggestion that would make the show a better experience for exhibitors and/or attendees?
Ivanov: I think the organizers of the IBC are doing a great job with the show every year. The exhibition is massive, allowing for a large number of visitors and offering a schedule filled with discussions, demonstrations and workshops, in addition to the various displays of equipment from the leaders in the business. It is a great opportunity for everyone involved in this industry to keep up with the development of the world of radio.
RW: Anything else we should know?
Ivanov: DEVA Broadcast would like to invite to our booth at the IBC everyone who is interested in learning more about our equipment. We will be delighted to give visitors all the information they need and demonstrate exactly why our devices continue to be associated with quality and dependability. In the meantime, we will keep working to delivering the same performance that our equipment is known for.
