SCHEDULE

Registration has closed for APEX TECH, please email info@apex.aero to access the Zoom webinar.

Wednesday, May 18, 2022
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM PST

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST – **Part 1: How is the business of IFE changing?**

Content acquisition & licensing:
Will subscription-based licensing replace title-by-title licensing
What advances are being made in the use of data analytics in content selection?
What changes are taking place in the migration of content attribute metadata, including EIDR, LMT and Ad-ID?
How self-applied content rating systems might be used in content rating systems to enable airlines to comply with existing and emerging regulations involving “universal duty of care”; a look at emerging C2PA specifications.

The calendar-fixed, 30-day exhibition cycle: The emerging primacy of D2C streaming services is conditioning consumers to shorter content refresh cycles. Will IFE follow?

IFE exhibition windows: During the pandemic, theatrical exhibition windows have shrunk, and much earlier D2C windows have emerged. How will this impact IFE?

Programmatic advertising on IFE content: What advances are being made in programmatic advertising in IFE?
Is it a major new source of inflight revenue?
How will IFE advertising be impacted by a world without cookies?
A look at the use of ad identifiers to ensure traceability and authentication of ads and advertisers in accordance with international accounting standards

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM PST – Lunch

1:00 PM – 5:00 PM PST – **Part 2: How is the delivery of content changing?**

Cloud-based workflows: Cloud-based workflows have been tried and proven in IFE for nearly seven years.
When will they replace legacy workflows in IFE?
Will 24 to 48-hour dynamic content refresh be realistic in IFE?

Portable wireless entertainment solutions:
How is content loading done compared to embedded hardware?
Do content management methods change for different use case scenarios?
What regulatory approvals or certification is required?

Edge-caching as an IFE solution:
What is it?
A look at the emerging SVA/IETF standards

The integration of IFE and C: IFE and connectivity were once separate solutions, facing awkward integration challenges. Are IFES being replaced by Digital Experience Platforms (DXPs) that host IFE and connectivity via open IT systems?

What’s new in the world of codecs?
What are VVC and AV1?
Will new codecs reduce file storage by half?
What are the implications of patent royalties?
A look at emerging new codecs by the APEX 0415 Working Group

*times are subject to change

Logistics

While the pandemic has been underway, many airline personnel changes have taken place in passenger experience departments. This is also true of IFE executives at the major studios. But not only have people changed—so have business models, technology, and the way we get content to the aircraft. The APEX Technology Committee invites airline IFE and connectivity managers new and old to join with the providers of IFE to see what’s new and what is changing in the content delivery ecosystem.

The Technology Committee will offer two ways to participate:

The event is planned as an in-person meeting, offering the opportunity to engage face-to-face, and–for many–the opportunity to meet for the first time;
For those who prefer to attend remotely, the Technology Committee plans to host the event virtually as well via a Zoom or webinar format.

In addition, this will be a one-day event functioning as a working, interactive meeting among participants, both live and remotely.

Location

Theatre At Park Place
3333 Michelson Drive
Irvine, CA 92612

Moderators

Rich Salter

Mary Rogozinski, NetForecast – The Integration of IFE and C: On the Road to Convergence

Michael Childers, Lufthansa Systems – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics / The calendar-fixed, 30-day exhibition cycle; changing exhibition windows; dynamic refresh / Revenue generation; programmatic advertising; metadata mining / Edge-caching as an IFE solution

Michael Childers has been in the IFE and passenger experience industry since 1979 as a content distribution executive, technology and supply chain executive, and journalist. In 2021, he completed his fourth term, eighth year, on the APEX Board of Directors—among the longest-running terms in the Association. He is in his ninth year as chair of the APEX Technology Committee, and twenty-second year as chair of the Digital Content Management Working Group. In 2011, APEX awarded him the Outstanding Contribution Award for leadership in digital transformation of the content delivery supply chain.

He has been Chief Consultant, Content and Media Strategy, for Lufthansa Systems since 2011. He was Managing Director, Content and Media Strategy, for The IMS Company from 2006 through 2009; was the founder and CEO of LightStream Communications Group from 1996 through 2001, and was President of Swank Worldwide Entertainment—IFE’s first and largest independent content provider—from 1984 through 1996.

Rich Salter, The Salter Group

Rich Salter is an IFEC Consultant based in Irvine, California, with several decades of experience in the InFlight Entertainment and Communications business. He was previously co-founder and CTO of Lumexis Corporation (supplier of the next-generation Fiber To The Screen® inflight entertainment system), and prior to that he was co-founder of Airshow (the original passenger display and mapping system). Rich is a long-term member of the APEX Technology Committee, and has served on the Board of the APEX Association, Arinc Cabin Systems Subcommittee, and the FAA PED (portable electronic device) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (advised FAA on expanding use of PEDs onboard).

Panelists

Andy Beer, Spafax The Hub – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics / What’s new in the world of codecs

Matthew Blay, Inadvia – Revenue generation; programmatic advertising; metadata mining

Co-Founder at Inadvia. Matthew has over 20 years’ international media experience, building digital expertise through commercial roles at global businesses such as Telefonica and Time Inc. He has extensive aviation experience, working on the British Airways Media team for eight years and in the wider industry for 17 years. As co-founder of Inadvia, a programmatic advertising platform purpose-built for the inflight market, he leads business development and aviation partnerships.

Joe Carreira

Paul Colley, Spafax – The calendar-fixed, 30-day exhibition cycle; changing exhibition windows; dynamic refresh

Vince Cruz, Paramount – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics / The calendar-fixed, 30-day exhibition cycle; changing exhibition windows; dynamic refresh

Vince has been in the industry for 17 years and is currently working in the Non-Theatrical Sales department for Paramount Pictures.  His previous experience includes content programming and acquisitions for MTV, Nickelodeon, HBO, and NBC.

Arthur Cuyugan, Spafax the Hub – Cloud-based workflows

Throughout his nearly 20-year career in media and entertainment, Arthur has led multiple strategic initiatives including the selection and implementation of new digital asset management systems, work order management systems and financial systems. More recently, Arthur has focused on the media supply chain including the architecture and security of distribution technologies (e.g., consumer electronics devices, inflight entertainment systems, media post-production facilities). In his prior role, Arthur was instrumental in identifying key process improvements and technology requirements to transform a worldwide technical operation from a tape-based, on premise environment to a technology forward cloud-based infrastructure.

Mark Horton, Cinesky – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics

Clare Josey, Spafax – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics

Seigfreid Luft, Netskrt Systems – Edge-caching as an IFE solution

David Miller, Inflight Dublin – Portable wireless entertainment solutions

Dan Murphy, Delta Flight Products – Edge-caching as an IFE solution / The Integration of IFE and C: On the Road to Convergence

Dan has over 25 years’ experience in the IFEC industry and is currently working for Delta Flight Products (DFP) as VP of In-Flight Entertainment. Prior to joining DFP in April of 2018, Dan worked for Panasonic Avionics as well as Rockwell Collins. While at Panasonic, Dan led the Program Management organization as well as the content management group and eventually supported the business development of the Panasonic Avionics connectivity system. During his time at DFP, he has led multiple initiatives including the implementation of new content management system, In-Flight IFE monitoring, and is currently leading the way in the next generation of DFP IFE products.

Michael Pearce,

15 years in Content creation as a video editor and Creative Director.
10 years as Head of Global Technical Operations for Post Modern Group and Global Eagle.
6 years as Director of Media Operations for Thales

Jim Reed, Anuvu – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics / Cloud-based workflows / The Integration of IFE and C: On the Road to Convergence

Jim Reed is the Senior Director of Global Media Operations at Anuvu, the leading provider of inflight entertainment solutions for over 60 airlines and millions of passengers worldwide. Jim is an award-winning editor who started his professional career working for Roger Corman. He entered the inflight entertainment industry in 1997 as part of the Post Modern Edit family. Jim is responsible for the procurement of language subtitles and dubs, editing titles to be compliant with specific regions, and the ingest, transcode, and file delivery to OEMs.

Andy Rosen, c2pa – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics / Edge-caching as an IFE solution

Eric Silverstein, West Entertainment – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics

A champion for innovation, Eric leads West global operations. Designed WE by West, enabling clients to perform and oversee all their content services through one central portal. Launched West DnA solution, offering full data analytics and AI recommendations.

Juraj Siska, IdeaNova – What’s new in the world of codecs

Juraj Siska is an IT professional with a fruitful history of building secure IT systems. After a successful IT consulting career, he started IdeaNova Technologies which provides high quality IFE products and services to avionics customers worldwide. Juraj has led IdeaNova for fifteen years of bringing innovation and professionalism to its clients. He graduated from Iowa State with a PhD in engineering and is the company’s CEO, overseeing business and technical implementation of the next generation of IFE systems.

Mark Smith, AERQ – The calendar-fixed, 30-day exhibition cycle; changing exhibition windows; dynamic refresh

Mark Smith is an IFEC industry veteran and longtime APEX TECH participant. Mark works for AERQ as Sales Director – America’s Prior to joining AERQ in March 2021, Mark worked for American Airlines, retiring after 34+ years. While at American Airlines, Mark worked in Global Marketing, managing the customer experience for several major IFEC projects. Mark holds a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a MBA in Finance from the University of North Texas. Regarding the IFE TECH subject of content delivery changing, Mark remembers when that meant how long does it take to reproduce thousands of VHS tapes and get them on hundreds of aircraft.

Michael Stattmann, Above – Revenue generation; programmatic advertising; metadata mining / Cloud-based workflows / Edge-caching as an IFE solution / The Integration of IFE and C: On the Road to Convergence

Corinne Steichert, IFECtiv – The Integration of IFE and C: On the Road to Convergence

Corinne Streichert is the founder of IFECtiv LLC an Inflight Entertainment and Connectivity (IFEC) consulting company based on the west coast of the USA. Corinne is a multi-award winning IFEC veteran recognized for redefining and innovating customer experiences in the commercial aviation space. A member of the Crystal Cabin Award Association Judging Panel since 2019, Corinne is a global presenter and speaker who has also served on the APEX Education Committee in 2013. With two decades of aviation and technology experience, Corinne’s career highlights include leading United Airlines team to win its first ever Crystal Cabin Award in 2019 for a ground-breaking world first accessible seatback IFE system. Corinne also worked for Qantas Airways where her contributions resulted in her being awarded the 2005 Qantas Innovation Award for her contributions to the business.

Andre Valera, Touch – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics / The calendar-fixed, 30-day exhibition cycle; changing exhibition windows; dynamic refresh / Cloud-based workflows /

Andre is Vice President of Development at Touch and Managing Director at ABOVE. Andre is responsible for both companies’ corporate strategy, business development and sales. With a background in engineering and business strategy, Andre started his career in the oil industry but soon embraced the world of aviation, aggregating experience in airport services, engineering services, ground handling, VIP lounges and inflight entertainment and connectivity over the last 10 years. In the last 5 years, Andre spearheaded the launch of ABOVE, a cloud-tech venture between Touch and castLabs for automating and streamlining the complex IFEC media supply chain.”

Jonas Von Kruechten, AERQ – Content Acquisition & Licensing; subscription-based vs title-by-title; Content Recommendation & Discovery; metadata; data analytics / The calendar-fixed, 30-day exhibition cycle; changing exhibition windows; dynamic refresh / Cloud-based workflows

Philip Watson, Panasonic – Edge-caching as an IFE solution / What’s new in the world of codecs

Phil has been working for Panasonic Avionics for over 30 years, working many systems and products as a software developer, SW director, and now serves as Chief Systems Engineer. He has been involved in APEX standards over 20 years and is currently the cochair of the APEX0415 Working Group. He has written over 20 patents, holds a GIAC Security Expert certification, and loves to be in an industry where he continues to learn new things.

Martin Wijinbergen, AirFi – Portable wireless entertainment solutions