Cloud Media tops CONNECTIONS 2011 Agenda

Parks Associates released the preliminary agenda for the 2011 CONNECTIONS Conference, featuring the core topic areas of mobility and communications, entertainment and content, connected consumer electronics, and cloud-based value-added services.

The three-day event, June 28-30 at Santa Clara, Californina, offers a unique mix of market research presentations, trending data, insight from industry leaders, and discussion of the current strategies and future challenges in providing connectivity and technology services for consumers.

Cloud media is an important topic at this year’s CONNECTIONS due to the challenges for this market in reaching its tremendous potential. Parks Associates research finds consumers are highly interested in the cloud concept, notably the prospect of having anytime, anywhere access to their media. However, less than one-third of U.S. broadband households see the value of the digital locker concept specifically for music, photo, or video content, due in large part to current fragmentation of the market.

For more information, visit www.connectionsus.com.

Gain Visibility. Generate Leads. Strategize & Network.

Sponsor CONNECTIONS U.S. this June and gain visibility, generate leads, and strategize and network with fellow speakers and attendees.

Sponsor packages include booth space, free and discounted passes, marketing benefits, and unique opportunities for promotion, including on-site videos.

There are also multiple custom opportunities, to ensure that you have the necessary tools and benefits to accomplish your unique sponsorship goals.

Contact sales@parksassociates.com if you like more information.

CONNECTIONS U.S. - Call for Papers Extended

The CONNECTIONS: The Digital Living Conference & Showcase has extended their Call for Papers until next Friday, February 11th.

The 15th annual CONNECTIONS U.S. will take place June 28-30, 2011, in Santa Clara.
This event hosts 700+ executives, highlights consumer and industry research from Parks Associates, showcases key players and new technologies, and delivers insight and recommendations for new business models and opportunities.

We are accepting submissions on the following topics:

*** Entertainment Platforms & Value-Added Services ***
-- Customer and Technical Support
-- Service and Device Management
-- Set-top Boxes and Residential Gateways
-- Applications as Drivers
-- Broadband Value-added Services
-- New Roles and Functions for Devices
-- Virtualized Services and Applications/Software
-- Digital Music “Cloud Locker” Services
-- Internet TV Services
-- Video on Demand

*** Mobile ***
-- Mobile Entertainment
-- Encoders and Content Management for Mobile Video
-- Mobile Internet Devices
-- Smartphones
-- Web Devices and the Cloud
-- Convergence in Voice Services: FMC/Femotcell/Voice beyond Commodity

*** New Media and Digital Content ***
-- Social Media
-- Content Management: DRM
-- Emerging Business Models for Digital Media Monetization
-- TV Advertising Technologies
-- Contextual and Behavioral Ad Targeting
-- Online Video
-- Publishing Content for Three Screens
-- Cloud Encoding
-- Content Storage

*** Consumer Electronics ***
-- Connected TVs
-- 3D TV
-- Home Networking Requirements
-- Gaming
-- Game Consoles
-- Retail Experience
-- User Interfaces
-- Shifting Content

*** Home Systems & Controls ***
-- Home Area Network
-- Service Providers - Home Management and Controls
-- Appliances & Smarter Energy Management
-- Wireless and Powerline Controls
-- Entertainment Networks & High-end Media Servers

Click here to submit to speak at the CONNECTIONS U.S. event.

CONNECTIONS Summit at CES to address video strategies as U.S. online video viewers to reach 215 million by 2014

The final session of CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES, "Video Everywhere: Key Strategies," will examine market implications of TV Everywhere, VOD, and connected TVs, along with the risks of cord cutting, featuring speakers from Rovi, Korea Telecom, DivX, ActiveVideo Networks, and Sigma Designs.

The penetration of connected TVs and Blu-ray players has tripled in the past year, and over one-third of U.S. broadband household report increased time spent watching long-form videos on a PC. Consumer expectations for the video experience are expanding, and service providers and CE manufacturers must meet these demands or risk losing customers to competitors and over-the-top sources.

"Video Everywhere" session speakers:

• Sean Besser, VP, Business Development, Rovi Corp.

• Woo Seung Lee, Team Manager, Media Business Planning Department, Korea Telecom

• Matt Milne, EVP and GM, DivX

• Edgar Villalpando, SVP, Marketing, ActiveVideo Networks

• Michael Weismann, VP Corporate Marketing, Sigma Designs

CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES provides consumer data and analysis of business and marketing strategies for operators, CE manufacturers, utilities, and communications companies delivering connected devices and advanced services and applications to consumers.

For information about CONNECTIONS™ Conferences, visit www.connectionsconference.com.

CONNECTIONS Summit at CES to feature analyst roundtable, 3DTV, smartphones, connected home services, and consumer buying habits

Parks Associates will open CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES on January 6 with the session "Analyst Roundtable: The Connected Home is Here!" at 10:00 a.m., featuring expert analysis on the expansion of enhanced connectivity in the home.

Sales of Internet-capable consumer electronics will exceed 200 million worldwide in 2011. Mainstream adoption of digital technologies is reaching all corners of the home. Multiple players, including content owners, CE companies, retailers, broadband and communications providers, and energy utilities, will seek to enhance their consumer relationships through new applications, services, and features that fit with these new market demands.

• In 2011, 36% of new flat-panel TVs sold worldwide will be Internet-capable, growing to 76% of all units in 2015.

• Smartphones and Internet-capable CE remain popular purchases despite CE purchase intentions plunging from almost 50% in 2009 to 38% in 2010.

• In 2011, U.S. sales of smartphones will reach nearly 60 million, and Internet tablets, including Apple iPads , will exceed 13 million.

• By 2014, 80% of new flat-panel TVs sold in the U.S. and Western Europe will have 3D capabilities.

The analyst roundtable will feature data from recent consumer projects, including Consumer Decision Process, Residential Energy Management, Consumer Demand for Technical Support Services, and Digital Video: Three Screens and Beyond.

CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES is on the first day of 2011 International CES in the South Hall Convention Center, Rooms S206-207. Summit sessions:

Analyst Roundtable: The Connected Home is Here!
Operator Strategies: Video, Services, and Support
Monetizing Connected Consumer Electronics
Executive Roundtable: The Smart Grid and the Home Area Network
Anytime Anywhere Entertainment & Communication – Mobile Applications
Video Everywhere: Key Strategies

CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES includes support from CONNECTIONS™ Europe sponsors Accedo Broadband, ActiveVideo Networks, ADB, Gigle Networks, Latens, PacketVideo, ProVision Communications, Radialpoint, Ralink Technology Corporation, Virgin Media, and Zeitera. CONNECTIONS™ 2011 sponsors include Association Sponsor CEA and Affinegy, Allegro, HCL, iTOK, Rovi, and Roxio.

CONNECTIONS US - Now accepting speaker submissions

Interested in Presenting Your Company's Vision at CONNECTIONS 2011?

Submit today to be a speaker at the 2011 CONNECTIONS U.S Conference in Santa Clara, California.

CONNECTIONS addresses critical business issues pertaining to the converging entertainment, media, and service markets for consumers. The CONNECTIONS audience is 550+ top executives, media, and thought leaders in the digital living markets. Presentations include information and analysis on the following subjects: New Business Models; Case Study; Consumer Trends, Factors, or Research; Challenges/Opportunities; Technology Trends; Standards/
Interoperability Issues.

Event Topics include:

• ENTERTAINMENT PLATFORMS & VALUE-ADDED SERVICES
• MOBILE
• NEW MEDIA AND DIGITAL CONTENT
• CONSUMER ELECTRONICS
• HOME SYSTEMS & CONTROLS
  

Accepting submissions for this event until January 31, 2011.

New CONNECTIONS 2011 US Gold Sponsor- Affinegy

CONNECTIONS U.S is proud to welcome Affinegy as a 2011 event sponsor.

Affinegy provides advanced software that makes it simple and secure for consumers to lead a Digital Lifestyle. Our Digital Lifestyle Networking platform allows broadband service and solution providers to deliver a frustration-free experience to their end customers. That dramatically reduces support costs, reduces churn, and increases value-added service revenue opportunities.

Their unique solutions have been architected from the ground up to easily connect, secure and manage Digital Lifestyle Networks. Spanning – for the first time – both emerging devices and previously installed, networking gear in the consumer home. This capability gives end consumers unprecedented control of their Digital Lifestyle environment, and provides our customers and partners with powerful intelligence for tailoring value-added services to consumer needs.

With over 5 million consumer Digital Lifestyle Networks deployed via relationships with some of the world’s largest broadband service providers, the reach of our solutions is rapidly growing, and continues to accelerate via our emerging customer channels across the Digital Lifestyle ecosystem.

For more information, please visit http://affinegy.com.

Convergence of Content, Platforms, + Entertainment among the Key Themes at CONNECTIONS U.S. 2011

Parks Associates announced the topics and the call for speaker submissions for the 15th annual CONNECTIONS™: The Digital Living Conference & Showcase. The international research firm will host the executive conference on June 28-30, 2011, at the Santa Clara Convention Center.

The CONNECTIONS™ audience includes over 550 executives, media, and thought leaders gathered to discuss the future of the digital lifestyle, network with partners in the digital living markets, and examine ideas, technologies, and business issues critical to the converging entertainment, media, and service markets for consumers.

Parks Associates is accepting speaker submissions in five core areas:

Entertainment Platforms & Value-Added Services
Customer and Technical Support
Service and Device Management
Set-top Boxes and Residential Gateways
Applications as Drivers
Broadband Value-added Services
New Roles and Functions for Devices
Virtualized Services and Applications/Software
Digital Music “Cloud Locker” Services
Internet TV Services
Video-on-demand

Mobile
Mobile Entertainment
Encoders and Content Management for Mobile Video
Mobile Internet Devices
Smartphones
Web Devices and the Cloud
Convergence in Voice Services: FMC/Femotcell/Voice beyond Commodity

New Media and Digital Content
Social Media
Content Management: DRM
Emerging Business Models for Digital Media Monetization
TV Advertising Technologies
Contextual and Behavioral Ad Targeting
Online Video
Publishing Content for Three Screens
Cloud Encoding
Content Storage

Consumer Electronics
Connected TVs
3DTV
Home Networking Requirements
Gaming
Retail Experience
User Interfaces
Shifting Content

Home Systems & Controls
Home Area Network
Service Providers - Home Management and Controls
Appliances & Smarter Energy Management
Wireless and Powerline Controls
Entertainment Networks & High-end Media Servers

CONNECTIONS™ panelists present information and analysis with content including new business models, technology trends, case studies, challenges/opportunities, standards/interoperability issues, and consumer research. CONNECTIONS™ runs multiple tracks focused on targeted topics so that the event maintains its unique perspective on current Digital Living areas while looking forward to the next wave of innovation and consumer adoption.

For more information, visit www.connectionsconference.com .

Forty-seven million European households will have connected TV by 2014

Parks Associates will bring together executives from Ralink Technology, Rovi, Gigle Networks, Visiware, and Samsung Electronics Europe to participate in a special panel at the CONNECTIONS™ Europe technology summit next month.

CONNECTIONS™ Europe will address key issues for manufacturers, operators, and content developers on value-added services, mobile data applications, Web-enabled CE devices, and consumer access to video content.

The special session “Consumers and Connected Consumer Electronics” will be Monday, November 15, at 4:45 p.m. and feature an interactive panel addressing new business models, key applications for Web-enabled CE, and technology trends in the design of connected solutions.

New research from Parks Associates indicates the number of European households with a connected TV will grow from less than 4 million in 2009 to 47 million in 2014. The number of households with a connected Blu-ray player will jump from 5 million in 2010 to approximately 66 million in 2014.

The interactive session will include the following participants:

David Borison, VP, Marketing, Ralink Technology Corporation
Richard Bullwinkle, Chief Evangelist, Rovi Corporation
Andy Melder, VP, Business Development, Gigle Networks
Colas Overkott, CEO, Visiware
Vassilis Seferidis, Ph.D., Director, European Business Development, Samsung Electronics Europe

For information or to register, visit http://www.connectionseurope.com.

Packet Video Joins CONNECTIONS US 2011 As A Silver Level Sponsor

Packet Video has recently teamed up with Parks Associates to become the newest Silver Level Sponsor for CONNECTIONS US 2011.

Founded in 1998, PacketVideo is the software pioneer powering the world’s leading multimedia services on millions of home and mobile devices.

PV's software products form the foundation for audience-interactive media experiences that give your consumers the freedom to enjoy multimedia however, whenever and wherever they want. PV's software gives users greater access and control over their media experience, increasing the value of your services and helping you differentiate your brand. PV's customers include the world's leading mobile operators, such as Verizon Wireless, NTT DoCoMo and Orange, all top ten handset manufacturers, and numerous consumer electronics companies and media-savvy consumers worldwide.

For more information, visit www.pv.com.

Allegro Software joins CONNECTIONS 2011 Sponsor List

Parks Associates welcome Allegro Software, a global leader in providing Internet Software for Embedded devices, to the newest list of sponsors for the 2011 CONNECTIONS Conference in Santa Clara.

Allegro Software Development Corporation is the premier provider of UPnP networking and device management technologies specifically targeted at embedded Internet applications. Since 1996, Allegro has been a force in the evolution of device management solutions with its RomPager embedded web server toolkit. Now also an active contributor to UPnP / DLNA initiatives, Allegro supplies a range of UPnP toolkits that offer portability, easy integration and full compliance with UPnP device specifications.

Allegro is headquartered in Boxborough, MA. For more information about Allegro, visit www.allegrosoft.com.

We thank you for your continued support!

iTOK sponsors CONNECTIONS 2011

Parks Associates is proud to welcome iTOK as a 2011 CONNECTIONS US Sponsor.

Founded in the US in 2004, iTOK utilizes proprietary problem prevention software to make computers more comfortable and secure for the average person to use. iTOK is founded on the belief that computer support should be personal, trustworthy and affordable.

Thank you iTOK for your support. We look forward to your participation!

Please visit www.itok.net for more information.

Affinegy Sponsors CONNECTIONS 2011

Parks Associates is proud to announce that Affinegy as a Gold 2011 CONNECTIONS Sponsor.

Affinegy provides software solutions that enable seamless connectivity between consumers, their devices and their content, whether inside or outside the home. Leading service providers, consumer equipment vendors, and ISVs offer Affinegy solutions to their customers as the control point for their connected home experience. Deployed in nearly 5 million households, Affinegy solutions increase product and service adoption, slash inbound support costs, and provide an open architecture for delivering new value-added services for the consumer digital lifestyle.

Thank you Affinegy for your continued support of our events!

For more information about Affinegy and their seamless solutions for your digital lifestyle, please visit www.affinegy.com.

15th CONNECTIONS Conference Dates Announced

The fifteenth annual CONNECTIONS™: The Digital Living Conference & Showcase will take place on June 28-30, 2011, at the Santa Clara Convention Center. The 2011 event focuses on entertainment and media platforms, content distribution, mobile applications and services, broadband and operator strategies, energy management solutions, advanced advertising initiatives, and connected CE.

Early sponsors for CONNECTIONS™ 2011 are Association Sponsor CEA and Affinegy, Allegro, iTOK, Rovi, and Sonic Solutions.

Parks Associates will also host CONNECTIONS™ Europe Summit in Amsterdam, Netherlands, November 15-16, 2010, featuring the latest consumer research on digital living technologies around the world and analysis on new business models and opportunities for TV operators, content developers, advertisers, and CE companies.

CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES, January 6, 2011, focuses on trends, emerging business models and technologies, and growth opportunities for companies developing products and services for the digital home.

Sonic Solutions, new CONNECTIONS 2011 sponsor

CONNECTIONS is proud to announce Sonic Solutions as a new 2011 Bronze Sponsor.

Sonic Solutions is powering the digital media ecosystem through its complete range of Hollywood to Home applications, services, and technologies. Sonic's Roxio products enable consumers to easily manage and enjoy personal media and premium Hollywood entertainment on a broad range of connected devices. A wide array of leading technology firms, professionals, businesses, and developers rely on Sonic to bring innovative digital media functionality to next-generation devices and platforms. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California.

Thank you Sonic Solutions for your continued support! We look forward to having you a part of the 2011 CONNECTIONS Conference.

CONNECTIONS 2011 welcomes Rovi as new sponsor

Parks Associates is proud to welcome Rovi Corporation as a Gold 2011 event sponsor for the CONNECTIONS U.S. event.

Rovi Corporation is focused on revolutionizing the digital entertainment landscape by delivering solutions that enable consumers to intuitively connect to new entertainment from many sources and locations. The company also provides extensive entertainment discovery solutions for television, movies, music and photos to its customers in the consumer electronics, cable and satellite, entertainment and online distribution markets. These solutions, complemented by industry leading entertainment data, create the connections between people and technology, and enable them to discover and manage entertainment in an enjoyable form.

Thank you Rovi for your continued support of our events!

New Content Available from CONNECTIONS 2010 Speakers & Sponsors

The 2010 CONNECTIONS Speakers and Sponsors have shared marketing materials, product information, company media kits, and lots more.

The U.S CONNECTIONS Sponsors include Verizon Wireless, Cisco, Intel, Accenture, ActiveVideo Networks, Allegro, DivX, D-Link, Gigle Networks, Intamac, ProVision Communications, PacketVideo, RedMere, Rovi, Support.com, 4Home, Accedo Broadband, Affinegy, AlertMe, Arxan, IBM, iTOK, LEVEL Studios, PlumChoice, Vuze, Zenverge, and Roxio.

Speakers (that submitted information to share) include Cedric Arnaud-Battandier, VP, Strategy & Corporate Development, Technicolor; Cathy Bradley, Global Lead, Customer Contact Business Process Outsourcing Services, Accenture; Savinay Berry, Vice President, Granite Ventures; William C. Brown, Assoc. VP Technology and GM, Service Provider Business Unit, North America, D-Link; Mike Buckingham, Director of Marketing, SmartLabs, Inc.; Alfredo Choperena, President, SimpleHomeNet; Martin Flusberg, CEO, Powerhouse Dynamics; Todd Hinders, Senior Vice President, ExtendMedia; Scott Hublou, Co-Founder, SVP of Products, EcoFactor; Tony Masterson, COO, CTO and Co-founder, Zenverge; Kevin Meagher, CEO, Intamac Systems; Andy Melder, Vice President Business Development, Gigle Networks; Kevin Morgan, CTO, Arxan Technologies, Inc.; Tom Pollard, Director of Product Management, Verimatrix Inc.; Yaron Raz, Director of Video Solutions Marketing, BigBand Networks; Rick Schwartz, Senior Product Manager, PacketVideo (PV); Loren Shade, VP Marketing, Allegro Software Development Corporation; Melissa Simpler, CEO, Affinegy; Peter Smyth, CEO, RedMere; Steve Tranter, VP Interactive and Broadband, NDS; Edgar Villalpando, SVP, Marketing, ActiveVideo Networks; Dr. Kenneth Wacks, Member, GridWise Architecture Council, U.S. Department of Energy; and Nate Williams, CMO, 4Home.

To view all materials, click here.

CONNECTIONS Europe announces Call For Papers

We are now accepting speaker submissions for the CONNECTIONS Europe Summit in Amsterdam this November 15-16. The deadline to submit your information is September 9th.

Submit your speaker today by completing this online form.

The agenda is available here.

Looking forward to seeing you in Amsterdam!

Thank you 2010 U.S. Sponsors!

Parks Associates wanted to thank all of the U.S. CONNECTIONS sponsors for helping make 2010 another great event!

Reception: Verizon Wireless

Gold: Cisco, Intel

Silver: Accenture, ActiveVideo Networks, Allegro, DivX, D-Link, Gigle Networks, Intamac, ProVision Communications, PacketVideo, RedMere, Rovi, support.com

Bronze: 4Home, Accedo Broadband, Affinegy, AlertMe, Arxan, IBM, iTOK, LEVEL Studios, PlumChoice, Vuze, Zenverge

Breakfast: Roxio

Thank you again for your continued support!

CONNECTIONS 2010 Wrap Up

CONNECTIONS™: The Digital Living Conference & Showcase concluded last week following multiple sessions focused on value-added services, new platforms and distribution models, and digital media consumption. Industry leaders affirmed consumer demand for online video and proliferation of connected CE are driving the shift to multiplatform access within the home.

The conference featured keynotes from Sony, Samsung, Verizon, and Intel and research from Parks Associates, including the following insights, as noted in The Viodi View and The Urban Network:

• Annual U.S. revenues for online video from PCs and mobile devices will exceed $1.8 billion by 2014.

• Limited audience reach, the lack of a single-source measurement standard, and lack of format standards are major factors that could impact the growth of online video.

• The total addressable U.S. market for online video is approximately 170.5 million users in 2010 and will grow to 220 million by 2013.

• Consumers are still cautious in their purchasing, and according to Tricia Parks, CEO, Parks Associates, “No company can let its guard down.”

• 3D is here to stay. By 2014, one-third of homes will have a 3DTV, according to data presented by Samsung.

• Energy is moving from a commodity to a service, thanks to the ongoing expansion of the smart grid in the U.S.

• According to Cisco’s Ken Wirt, 91% of all Internet traffic by 2013 will be video bits.
  

In his CONNECTIONS™ keynote “Entertainment in a Connected World,” Mitch Singer, CTO, Sony Pictures Entertainment; President, DECE, discussed current efforts by the DECE to establish a standard for distributed content.

In his keynote “TV Technology in the New Age of Consumer Buying,” Scott Birnbaum, VP, Samsung LCD Business, detailed the evolution of the television and the trends toward thinner, more artistic and eco-friendly set designs.

In his keynote “The Connected Home: Turning SciFi into Non-Fiction,” Joseph Ambeault, Director, Product Development and Management, Video Services, Verizon, discussed the significant potential of the connected home due to the convergence of devices and services.

Wilfred Martis, General Manager, Retail CE, Digital Home Group, Intel, discussed the Era of the Smart TV, plus the need for players to act quickly in this rapidly changing market, in his keynote “Smart TVs: Ready for Primetime,” which also featured Anthony Soohoo, SVP, Entertainment, CBS Interactive.

Archived videos of the keynote addresses are available at www.parksassociates.com/connvideo.