Latest developments in the broadcasting industry, such as mobile TV, interactive viewing and high-definition TV, will take centre stage at the Africa Media and Broadcasting Congress 2008, to be held in October.
ICT consultancy and news agency Balancing Act is hosting the event between 27 and 31 October, at the Sandton Convention Centre, in Johannesburg.
According to Balancing Act CEO Russell Southwood, "developments in Africa's media and broadcasting sector have not just evened the playing field, they have made playing the game a lot more interesting. Africa is now moving into the mainstream."
He says the congress is an opportunity "to meet with movers and shakers in the industry and share best practice, ask questions and generally absorb the latest that Africa's media sector has to offer".
Topics up for discussion at the conference include successful cross-media strategies, managing growth in competitive media markets, opportunities arising from new technologies, adhering to broadcasting licence conditions, extending audience and revenue streams, creating new distribution platforms, and developments in the pay-TV arena.
Key speakers include Khethiwe Ngcobo, head of drama at the SABC; Bernard Forson Jr, director-general at the National Communications Authority of Ghana; Mathew Buckland, GM of the Mail & Guardian Online; and Muhammad Ali Khan, senior manager for strategy and business development at Mobilink, in Pakistan.
Thirteen different countries are expected to be represented at the conference, which will feature two master-classes on understanding audience research in order to get the most out of broadcasting strategies.
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