• New Digital Signage Zone at IBC2009 provides platform for world’s leading technology and content providers

(London – 4 March 2009) The market for Digital Signage is set to grow rapidly over the next few years. A recent report by MultiMedia Intelligence predicts that the digital signage market will more than double in size by 2012 to consume 2.3 million displays, having grown by 34% from 2007 to 2008 to 1.1 million displays.

The new Digital Signage Zone at IBC2009 will bring together many of the organisations and technologies that are emerging as major forces in this new medium, providing a unique opportunity for application developers, content providers and technology companies to showcase their capabilities at the heart of the broadcast industry's leading international conference and exhibition.

IBC attracts more than 49,000 visitors and 1,400 exhibitors from 130 countries and has an unrivalled reputation for introducing and establishing new technologies, including High Definition Displays, Mobile TV and IPTV. The fusion of technologies (including IT, Telecoms and Broadcast) at IBC, combined with the calibre and breadth of the audience provides an ideal environment for innovation and market development.

The deployment of digital signage in a variety of commercial environments has created a whole new line of business for companies involved in broadcast technology. Retailers, technology vendors, content providers and brand owners are working together to define new promotional landscapes in retail environments, public arenas, sports stadia, transport concourses and office spaces, using digital signage. The technologies, solutions and content that are driving this revolution in communication will form the focus for the Digital Signage Zone at IBC2009.

Commenting on the new Digital Signage Zone at IBC2009, Michael Crimp, COO, IBC, said: “Digital Signage is fast developing as a new advertising medium and an important new delivery mechanism for broadcast content. The investment IBC is making in establishing the new Digital Signage Zone at IBC2009 reflects the strategic importance of the medium and the key role that the broadcast industry has to play in its development.”

The Digital Signage Zone will be accompanied by the IBC2009 Digital Signage Zone Business Briefings to which attendance is free. These briefings will examine some of the issues and opportunities arising from the growth in digital signage in further detail and are intended to reinforce and complement the established peer reviewed, paid-delegate IBC Conference.

The Digital Signage Zone at IBC2009 is being jointly developed and marketed by IBC, IT Europa and BPL. The IBC2009 exhibition takes place from 11-15 September 2009 at the RAI, Amsterdam.