Strategic Alliances for US Broadcast Market

Los Angeles / Hamburg: Subsequent to the Ventuz Technology Group’s appointment by Fox Networks Operations & Engineering (NE&O) as their designated 3D software graphics rendering engine for the Next Generation FoxBox-Project, the Ventuz Technology Group has created a strategic alliance for customer service in North America as well as for support services during the FoxBox-Project.

In addition to Ventuz Technology Group, the alliance consists of the Canadian-based company Astucemedia as well as Graphics Outfitters, a California-based company; both well-known in the broadcast market.

Following Fox NE&O’s selection of VENTUZ to power the new FoxBox on-air graphics system, they have also awarded the Ventuz Technology Group a multi-year on-site support contract for their software.

Ventuz Technology Group has assigned Astucemedia the on-site support for FOX NE&O as well as the responsibility of carrying out trainings and the creation of graphics and demo content for Ventuz. Astucemedia was chosen based on their proven track record, their experience in Project and Customer Relationship Management as well as their knowledge within the broadcasting industry.

“Astucemedia’s way of doing business is pretty unique in the market. Our focus is solely on the customer; offering vendor-independent consulting, implementation and support. We don’t adjust the customer to a specific vendor’s product, we pick the solution from a vendor, which best fits the customer.” says Alexandre Leclerc, CEO from Astucemedia.

The alliance is rounded off by Graphics Outfitters (located in Carlsbad, CA), a broadcast hardware specialist, who has also been involved in the FoxBox-Project. Graphic Outfitters offers consulting services, assembly and support for broadcast hardware and will expand their business through the development and sales of out-of-the-box broadcasting solutions based on VENTUZ.

“Particularly now, as the slowdown in the global economy also impinges on the broadcasting industry, strong demand for an open, flexible and scalable platform at a very competitive price become apparent.” says Richard Foley from Graphics Outfitters. “Ventuz is the best available investment in the future. It runs on almost every type of available hardware, not limited to the rather costly broadcast hardware. And due to the fact that hard and software come from different sources, the customers are able to go for whatever hardware or brand they prefers, or which best fits their scenario. VENTUZ’s very simple licensing model has amazed us, as it contains no add-ons or extra modules that must be purchased separately. This makes VENTUZ as variable as Swiss army knife; VENTUZ lends customers peace of mind and allows them to react to the market, whichever path it takes.”

Up to now, Ventuz had relied on its model of indirect sales, neither offering on-site support nor local representation. Services to Ventuz customers are currently rendered from their headquarters in Dubai, UAE as well as their European Development and Sales Office in Hamburg, Germany. “This change of the company’s strategy is mainly due to the fact that very large broadcasting companies such as Fox NE&O prefer or even demand to buy directly, instead of from a system integrator.” says Marc Oldenburg, FoxBox-Project Manager at Ventuz.

While Ventuz now sells to customers directly and offers services under their own name; this by no means has changed the company’s core philosophy. “The reason Ventuz has been able to expand to its current size is not only a consequence of Ventuz’s commitment, it is also due to the excellent work done by our distributors, integrators and partners. Although Ventuz can be implemented in a multitude of different market sectors or in various scenarios; coverage of every existing field of operation found around the globe is a tremendous challenge that Ventuz stands up to by teaming up with the cream of the crop; the result is first-class performance!”, says Andre Bellmann, responsible for Partner Management at Ventuz.

At present, operations in the USA will be carried out at Astucemedia and Graphic Outfitters locations; however, a Ventuz-Office based in the US is planned in the near future.