Grass Valley launches GVX customer council

The panel has been selected from some of the media industry’s most influential technologists and business leaders, who will “work closely with Grass Valley executives to move media technology innovation forward in a mutually beneficial fashion, providing the industry with solutions that are perfectly matched with the increasing demands placed on content producers and distributors”.

The council includes such names as: Dave Mazza from NBC Sports, Del Parks from Sinclair Broadcast Group, Helen Clifton from ABC Australia, Mauricio Felix from Globo, Ruba Ibrahim from Al Arabiya Network, Scott Rothenberg from NEP and Gordon Castle from Discovery.

“Grass Valley’s business and ethos relies on the relationships we’ve built over the past 60 years with the world’s leading broadcasters, content producers, rights holders and distributors,” said Tim Shoulders, Grass Valley’s president.

“These relationships are critical to fully understanding the needs of the market, so we can develop the technology that our customers need in order to thrive. Formalising the interaction between our development teams and our customers through GVX is the perfect way for us to ensure we continue to drive advancements in technology and smart working models that will empower customers to build successful businesses for today and tomorrow.”

Ruba Ibrahim, director of operation, Al Arabiya Network, said: “We work in a fast-moving industry and it is essential for our business to remain ahead. Keeping up with the latest technologies and innovations will significantly help us continuously improve our workflows and production to stay in the lead. The Customer Council is bringing reputable organisations to the table with different viewpoints and will play an active role in the development of our priorities.”

Discovery Communications’ SVP EMEA technology & operations, Gordon Castle commented: “It is extremely important for our business that we are heard as a customer, but it is also important for us to listen to the perspectives of other customers and Grass Valley through the GVX. It gives us a direct voice at the product roadmap desk and is enabling us to efficiently handle shifting markets.”

Globo’s technology director Mauricio Felix added: “We are very focused on ensuring that any technology we deploy drives better consumer experiences and helps us strengthen the direct-to-customer relationships that are so critical to our business. Being part of this Customer Council means we can bring our unique insight of what the end consumer wants to help steer product roadmaps and innovation, and ultimately create better solutions for the industry as a whole.”

The development of GVX ensures that market interaction is formally incorporated into GV’s business infrastructure in a systematic, purposeful way. The council will convene on a regular basis to discuss market conditions, technological advancements and other themes that impact both suppliers and buyers. It is hoped that outcomes of these interactions will provide a clear view, for all involved, of the current market landscape and the challenges that the industry is set to face in the future. Grass Valley intends to use the insights from this group to inform and validate its product development strategy.

“This initiative, along with other initiatives such as AIMS and the GV Tech Alliance, create dynamic, collaborative relationships across the industry with customers, partners and standards bodies,” added Shoulders. “These activities deliver benefits not only for Grass Valley and its customers, but for the industry as a whole.”