Delivering television programs and movie content over broadband networks to the home has become a reality, especially in Asia. However, as more and more telcos consider launching the triple play of video, voice, and data services, many issues remain unaddressed. What is the right content strategy for my market? How to work with content owners? How do I build a team and internalize content expertise? What does Hollywood think of the new IPTV platform? What type of content protection would satisfy the requirements from both content owned and service operated? What is the impact of new interactive services such as VoD and PVRs? This panel will bring together a successful IPTV operator, major Hollywood studio, and content security expert to address the topic from all perspectives and identify the key factors for designing and delivering a successful IPTV service.

Jeffrey Soong
Chief Executive Officer
Broadband Network Systems

With 20 years of international management and entrepreneurial experience in technology, media, and investment, Mr. Soong leads BNS in its quest to become the premier broadband video solutions provider. Prior to co-founding the company, Mr. Soong held such positions as chief executive officer of Vodexa Networks, Inc., a streaming video technology company with major Hollywood studio clients; chief execuitive officer of SVP International Corporation, a production and global distribution company of feature films, television programs, music, and multimedia products; and managing partner of CSSV Media Ventures, LLC, a global investment fund specializing in acquisitions of media properties.

Brian Baker, President and Chief Executive Officer, Widevine Technologies, oversees Widevine's business strategy, financing, development, and technology. He is also the author and/or co-author of one issued and seven pending international patents in the content security field. Mr. Baker founded Widevine Technologies in May 1999 and subsequently raised more than $45 million in venture financing. He is the company's primary interface to the major motion picture studios and broadcasters. During Mr. Baker's tenure, Widevine has emerged into the world's most deployed content protection system for telecommunication video services.

Paul Berriman, Head of Strategic Market Development, PCCW Limited, currently leads a team of experts in developing the company's strategic market direction and the product/technology roadmaps. Most recently, he led both fixed and wireless broadband projects in Hong Kong and overseas, including a broadband television project and the UK broadband wireless project. He previously worked in consulting as managing director of Arthur D Little's Hong Kong office and in his own consulting business, Contactica, which he sold to Arthur D Little in 1999.

Taro Hashimoto, Chief Executive Officer, Softbank Broadmedia (SBBM), has served as CEO since the company's foundation in 2000. He oversees the business and R&D activities of SBBM and its subsidiaries, utilizing his professional IP industry, broadcasting industry, and financial industry background. Seeing great potential in the content distribution business while acting as director and executive manager at JskyB and Japan Digital Broadcasting Services (currently SkyPerfect Communications), he led his team at SBBM to develop and launch “BBTV” in 2003, the first IP-TV service in Japan. Mr. Hashimoto joined Softbank Corporation in 1996 as head of corporate investment where he acted as advisor to the CEO and managed major M&A and joint venture transactions, such as the establishment of JskyB with News Corporation. From 1982 to 1996, he held management positions in M&A and other investment banking business at Nomura Securities, a dominant financial group in Japan.