Audio Insider Q&A: Riedel’s Christian Bockskopf on recent anniversary celebrations and ongoing IP adoption
Riedel Communications’ Head of Marketing, Christian Bockskopf
2017 was a hugely important year for Riedel Communications not just because of its 30th anniversary but also a number of significant product launches, including the Bolero wireless intercom system. Head of Marketing Christian Bockskopf reflects on recent achievements and looks ahead to what promises to be another landmark year.
What are your reflections on 2017 as a whole for Riedel, and its progress in sports broadcasting in particular?
For a non-Olympic and non-World Cup Year, 2017 was still fantastic for Riedel. We celebrated our 30th anniversary, too! Our Artist, Bolero, and MediorNet solutions continue to be used around the world for everything from F1 to golf, whilst our decentralised routing solution continues to gain traction as more broadcasters embrace the idea of having signal I/Os where they are needed.
What would you say were the particular highlights of the year in terms of new solutions and features for existing products?
Our Bolero wireless intercom system took the market by storm and sales remain very strong almost a year after the initial launch. We also launched our MediorNet MicroN-IP app that serves as a gateway between MediorNet ecosystems and IP and established Riedel as a serious player as we all beginning working with the SMPTE 2110 suite of IP standards.
What were your expectations for the anniversary event that took place late last year, and in what ways did it celebrate the past while also looking to the future?
Riedel Communications founder Thomas Riedel addresses the recent 30th anniversary spectacular in Wuppertal, Germany
You need to know where you’ve been to know where you’re going and our 30th anniversary party was really a tribute to the successes and failures that have brought us to 2018. A lot has changed in our business in the last 30 years and it has been the agility of Riedel – the ability to quickly take advantages of changes in the market – that has been key to our success. We were early promoters of leveraging networks for signal transport so we feel that we are perfectly positioned to take on the IP challenges that are now before us.
What are your predictions for IP-based communications in 2018? Will adoption continue to occur in new markets and applications?
The release of the core parts of the SMPTE ST2110 suite and the confusion around different transport standards for audio and video over IP is now settled. However, the adoption of these solutions for day-to-day usage will be far from easy. Adoption will continue while broadcast engineers will be tasked with learning a new set of skills. But, more importantly, engineers and IT people will need to work together to plan out the IP-based broadcast workflows that will carry us forward.
What can you tell us about your plans for ISE 2018?
As Europe’s No. 1 A/V and systems integration show, ISE is always an important venue for Riedel. At ISE 2018, we’re looking forward to showcasing our latest innovations and our interconnected Riedel ecosystem that are changing the way system integrators, AV and broadcaster professionals work.
What is the sporting event that you are anticipating most keenly in 2018?
We are really looking forward to the PyeongChang Games and, as in Rio, we will be very much involved in the Friends of the Games (FOG) Lounge. The FOG Lounge is the place where guests from all around the world can meet to share knowledge, have stimulating dialogue, and create new business opportunities. It has a great location in the village and we look forward to meeting everyone there in just a few weeks!