Top execs line up to turn tech into TV

A group of leading television development executives will come together with the most progressive tech entrepreneurs to ‘turn tech into TV’ through an initiative called ConTech, taking place as part of C21’s FutureMedia event at Bafta on November 18.

ConTech will bring together some of the most exciting tech businesses with the likes of Warner Bros, ITV Studios and Zig Zag Productions to consider new content ideas based on tech thinking. Six of the UK’s top television development executives will spend the day with six tech entrepreneurs to brainstorm content ideas inspired by tech.

ConTech speakers

They are:

• Andy Zein, Warner Bros International Television Production senior VP of creative, format development and sales.
• Mike Beale, director of international formats at ITV Studios.
• Danny Fenton, CEO of Zig Zag Productions, one of the UK’s most prolific producers.
• Peter Cowley, former Endemol programming guru and founder of Spirit Digital Media.
• Robert Marsh, former head of Zodiak Active UK, now chair of the Branded Content Marketing Association.
• Mark Rowland, previously head of Mentorn International and the man who sold SuperNanny to the US, now rolling out a raft of new on-screen and online brands through his venture Indie Media.

Through its TechCityinsider Network, C21 will select six leading tech entrepreneurs to spend the day with the TV business in an experiment designed to create new forms of content. Following a morning presentation by the tech companies, and three hours of brainstorming, the group will present its development ideas back to conference.

C21 will provide a global marketing package worth £25,000 for any project that emerges from the ConTech initiative.

C21Media editor-in-chief & managing director David Jenkinson said: “It is likely that the next big thing in content will come out of the tech sector, whether that is a television series based on a tech business or the use of tech to create a new dimension to what used to be known as a TV show.

“Our relationship with the creative thinkers in tech – through TechCityinsider.net and the network of leading tech entrepreneurs we have built around it – provides an ideal opportunity to connect tech and TV for the benefit of all.”

The six tech entrepreneurs, with a mission to turn tech into TV, will be announced shortly.

For more information on C21’s FutureMedia conference and to register online click here.