Twenty years ago, buzzwords and catch-phrases were as prevalent as they are today. Many have come and gone, but “Content is King” has endured these past two decades, and so have we.
Yes, 2023 marks 20 years since the very first issue of our humble magazine, Content+Technology.
Launched by myself, the late Hugh Salmon, and his wife Lucy, C+T’s mission was (and is) to provide an independent voice covering the technology and business issues affecting the media creation and distribution industries throughout Australia, New Zealand and Southeast Asia.
Volume 1, Issue 1 of C+T featured a behind-the-scenes look at coverage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup, held in Australia, with Rights Holders the Seven Network, TVNZ and ITV. We also looked at Southern Cross Broadcasting and what was then the biggest centralisation project in the history of Australian TV. The relatively new field of Asset Management (DAM, MAM and PAM) got a look in, as did TV Loudness, Digital Radio, and (now veteran) cinematographer Pieter de Vries ACS taking a “Panavised” Sony HDW-F900 CineAlta camera out for a spin with a Jim Frazier lens system to capture the world’s “Biggest and Baddest Bugs”. And, these were just some of the highlights amongst our coverage of local moves in production, post-production, standards and technology releases.
Our advertisers for that first issue, whose support helped get C+T off the ground, represented a cross section of both local and international technology providers. Some are still with us, others merged or were acquired, and others opted out of the industry altogether. From cameras and tripods to post production and newsroom systems to archiving and asset management platforms to RF transmission and systems integration, the solutions they promoted reflected the “glass-to-glass” focus of our magazine, one that continues today. Though, it is fair to say our latest issue features far fewer proprietary black boxes.
At the time, with our roots in covering the broadcast industry, we did debate whether the new venture should have had “broadcast” in its title, but even then – before YouTube and Netflix, before Facebook and Twitter, before mobile apps – it was apparent that the emerging new media world would not be restricted to one method of delivery. Thus, Content+Technology was born.
So, we’d like to thank the following current and former team members who have helped us along the way:
Adam Buick
Anthony Wyld (Wide Open Media)
Brett Smith
Daniela Huelsen
Brent Carswell and the team at Crunch Design
Gazel Kilicdogan, Michael Shultz and Joe Vassallo (Pegasus Media & Logistics)
Jason Maximo, Miriam Pizzoferrato (DAI Print, Singapore)
Amanda Stephens-Lee
The Furbys
The Salmons
The Sandbergs
Keith Ford
Richard Visser
And, last, but also foremost, we’d like to thank you, the reader. The C+T community is vibrant, innovative, engaged and encouraging. We couldn’t wish to serve a more inspirational group. Long may it continue.
OUR NEW SHOW – CONTENT LIVE!
As part of our 20th Anniversary Celebrations, we are launching Content Live!, a brand new event for anyone involved in creating and distributing sports, news and live event content. With keynotes, workshops and technology exhibits, Content Live! will take place at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse over two days from October 25-26, 2023. You can sign up for updates at https://www.contentlive.com.au