Parks Associates welcomes Roger Pitton, Program Director, TV, Video & Music Business, Microsoft Corporation, as the Keynote speaker for CONNECTIONS Europe Summit, taking place March 31, in Nice, France.

The worldwide market for telco IPTV services will exceed 100 million households by 2013, a CAGR of approximately 38%, according to international research firm Parks Associates. Mr. Pitton's keynote "IPTV and the keys to keeping customers" will address the best business strategies to gain and retain customers in the highly competitive European market for these services.

CONNECTIONS Europe Summit, hosted by Parks Associates, will take place at the Hotel Palais de La Mediterranee. It has a full agenda featuring consumer data and expert analysis on advanced video solutions, digital media solutions, and connected consumer electronics.

Mr. Pitton has several years of firsthand experience in marketing and selling IPTV services. In his keynote, he will specify the keys to differentiation, including unique content, an unmatched user experience, and the convergence of technology and content, required for sustaining success.

"Europe will have over 38 million households with telco IPTV services by 2013, but the market will be characterized not by its homogeneity but by differences in programming, interactive applications, and value-added features," said Kurt Scherf, vice president, principal analyst, Parks Associates. "Microsoft's global reach and its expertise in software make it a key player in delivering next-generation television services, and we are pleased to have Roger at CONNECTIONS Europe."

CONNECTIONS Europe Summit Sessions:

• European Consumer Trends
• Broadband and Value-added Services
• Video Services
• Digital Media Content & Delivery
• Connected CE
• Digital Home Tech Support