IP&TV World Forum is set to be the best yet in 2012 following the announcement of keynote speakers from MTV, NBC Universal and Sony Network Entertainment. Focussing on the rapidly converging TV market, next year’s event will unite global players in the broadcast arena to provide unrivalled insight into the IP & Connected TV industry.

Now in its eighth year, the conference and exhibition will take place at London’s Olympia on 20 - 22 March. It will provide international networking opportunities with service providers and broadcasters from varied platform backgrounds – Smart TV, OTT, cable, satellite and terrestrial TV – to compare experiences and brainstorm solutions for delivering multiscreen and multiplatform services.

The focus on connected entertainment and utilising social TV will be echoed by Kristin Frank, General Manager of MTV and VH1 Digital, who will give a keynote speech on the first day of the event. Frank, who is one of the world’s biggest innovators in broadcasting, comments: “Social media and second screen platforms are providing TV networks with new tools in the development of transmedia storytelling that will ultimately drive greater engagement and advertiser benefit.”

Gavin Whitechurch, Director of IP&TV World Forum, says: “This is an exciting time in connected entertainment, as OTT is now so pervasive and compelling that all service providers are seeking to harness over the top to enhance on-demand offerings, and IP connectivity to add new value to their services. The developed focus for 2012’s IP&TV World Forum reflects the evolving marketplace and will give delegates invaluable insight into new industry trends while giving them the opportunity to connect with peers and potential customers.”

Extending the topic of social TV and refining the relationship between audiences and content, Jesse Redniss, Vice President of Digital Strategy and Development at NBC Universal, will provide a talk on taking consumer engagement to the next level through gamification. Redniss drives the strategy in the digital sphere at NBC and has spearheaded gamification in broadcast, producing high quality games to promote the brand.

“The convergence between social, broadcasting and gamification is huge. I look forward to discussing this,” adds Redniss.

Also confirmed to deliver a keynote is Shawn Layden, Chief Operating Officer at Sony Network Entertainment, who will cover the subject of delivering compelling consumer services to multiple devices by leveraging the cloud. Layden reveals: “As digital entertainment extends from the living room and the laptop to everywhere people wish to enjoy it, the digital marketplace is transforming and the convergence of content, technology, services and the experience is the crucial nexus. We believe Sony is well positioned across this volatile landscape to play a leadership role in defining this new convergence and we look forward to sharing those views with the members of the IP&TV World Forum.”

IP&TV World Forum boasts a unique, innovative and case study driven programme featuring over 280 speakers, which is divided into four tracks focused on content business: IP opportunities, multiscreen entertainment, new user experience management and networks and architecture for TV. With more than 7,000 attendees and over 200 exhibitors expected to attend, the three day show is already set to be a huge success.