European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes to join leading media stakeholders in giving keynote address at 3rd Future Media Lab. conference on 23 April 2013 in Brussels

The Future Media Lab., a think-tank initiative aimed at bridging the fast-paced innovations of the media sector and long-lasting legislative procedures, announced that European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes will be presenting a keynote address at the “Shaping the Future of Media” conference in April.

The conference, which will be held on 23 April 2013 in Brussels, will look into disruption in the media sector and how it has the potential to drive innovation. Other topics to be addressed include technology innovation, future of content creation, media consumption trends and business developments.

“I’m looking forward to being a part of this exciting initiative,” said European Commission Vice-President Neelie Kroes. “The media sector is the frontline of the digital revolution. To make the most of these opportunities we must get media professionals and policymakers facing forward and learning from each other. It's very difficult to regulate effectively in such a fast-changing environment. We need good dialogue backed by deep thinking to keep the right balance."

In addition to Vice-President Kroes’ address, Michiel Buitelaar, board member of Sanoma Media Netherlands, and William Higham, founder and CEO of The Next Big Thing (UK) will also present a keynote speech. A closing panel discussion, moderated by Simon Taylor, assistant editor of the European Voice, will include the following media and policy experts:

• Romanus Otte, General Manager Welt Digital at Axel Springer, DE
• Kerstin Jorna, Director IP, DG Market, European Commission
• Rik De Nolf, CEO of Roularta Media, BE and Groupe Express, FR
• Martijn Bal, Managing Director of iMinds Media, BE
• Nick Piggott, Head of Creative Technology, Global Radio, UK

At the core of this half-day event is a 2-hour interactive session run by the European Commission’s “Digital Futures” project. 150 of Europe’s top industry and policy experts will jointly work on a vision for the future media landscape in 2050 and address relevant issues for the future policy framework in this context. Delegates represent 15 European countries and include experts from all media sectors, members of all three EU institutions and many key stakeholders.

This event is presented by AER (Association Européenne des Radios), EBP (European Business Press) and EMMA (European Magazine Media Association). It is also kindly supported by the Representation of the Free State of Bavaria to the European Union, as they provide the venue and conference facilities. We also thank Microsoft, the Platinum Sponsor, and Bloomberg, the Gold Sponsor, of this event.

For more information about the conference or the Future Media Lab. initiative, please visit our website.

You can also follow the Future Media Lab on Twitter @fml_eu.

The Future Media Lab. is a think tank initiative launched by the European Magazine Media Association, EMMA, in 2012 with the aim to anticipate the future media landscape and draw conclusions for the most appropriate European legislative and non-legislative framework for all media sectors. It aims to bridge the gap between fast-paced innovations in the media sector and long-lasting legislative procedures at EU level. www.futuremedialab.info

Press Contact:

Future Media Lab. registration and conference details:

Karin Fleming

contact@futuremedialab.info 
+32 2 536 06 07.

The Association of European Radios (AER) is a Europe-wide trade body representing the interests of over 4,500 private/commercial radio stations across the EU27 and in Switzerland. AER's main objective is to develop and improve the most suitable framework for private commercial radio activity.For more information, please contact Vincent Sneed, Manager, vincent.sneed[at]aereurope.org, Ph: +32 2 736 9131 or visit the website: www.aereurope.org .,

European Business Press (EBP) is a professional association of the leading European business publications. EBP was founded 50 years ago and presently counts 47 members in 27 European countries.For more information please contact Slobodan Sibincic, Secretary General, sibincic[at]gvskupina.si, Ph: +386 41 661 906 or visit our website:www.european-business-press.com .