News & Opinion

Technology Will Enable the Delivery of Advanced Mobile Satellite Services in the European Union Dublin, Ireland, Sept. 4, 2014—Solaris Mobile LLC, the pan-European S-band licensee for mobile satellite services with complimentary ground component, and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corp., today announced plans to move forward with the Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) designed and developed satellite-based platform utilizing the ETSI GMR-1 3G air interface standard to enable wireless mobile devices to communicate over the satellite portion of Solaris Mobile’s network. The GMR-1 3G industry-proven technology will enable a new generation of mobile satellite services that can operate over Solaris Mobile’s space segment, supporting advanced and all-IP services providing 3G/4G compatible user services, including multi-media and voice. Steven Schaver, president of Solaris Mobile said, “We are pleased to utilize Hughes for the design and deployment of the satellite ground system based on the advanced capabilities of the GMR-1 3G standard. Selection of the ETSI Standard open air interface, GMR-1 3G, which is operational in about a half-million mobile satellite handhelds, allows Solaris Mobile to work with a variety of terminal manufacturers to expand its family of products and services. This is an important step in further advancing Solaris Mobile’s plan to deliver the European Union’s first next-generation, all IP-enabled mobile communications network with an integrated mobile satellite and terrestrial system.” About Solaris Mobile LLC Solaris Mobile, a unit of EchoStar Corp., is a next-generation European mobile satellite service operator developing hybrid satellite and terrestrial network infrastructure to support enhanced mobile communications across Europe. Solaris Mobile’s technologies and infrastructure assets will enable the deployment of broadcast and broadband services for mobile devices in a harmonized way to meet the increasing consumption of rich media and data downloading. This hybrid network, combining the ubiquity of satellites with the deep coverage available with terrestrial mobile networks provides a powerful and efficient way of delivering mobile services to people on the move in Europe. About Hughes Network Systems Hughes Network Systems, LLC (Hughes) is the world’s leading provider of satellite broadband for home and office, delivering innovative network technologies, managed services, and solutions for enterprises and governments globally. HughesNet® is the #1 high-speed satellite Internet service in the marketplace, with offerings to suit every budget. To date, Hughes has shipped more than 4 million systems to customers in over 100 countries, representing approximately 50 percent market share. Its products employ global standards approved by the TIA, ETSI, and ITU organizations, including IPoS/DVB-S2, RSM-A, and GMR-1. Headquartered outside Washington, DC, in Germantown, Maryland, USA, Hughes operates sales and support offices worldwide, and is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), a premier global provider of satellite operations and digital TV solutions. For additional information about Hughes, please visit www.hughes.com.

Adder Technology, the high performance keyboard, video and mouse (KVM) specialist, will be launching the latest version and firmware of its ADDERLink Infinity solution at IBC 2014. The ADDERLink Infinity range enables operators and computing resources to be separated by almost any distance, with no loss in capabilities and no reduction in video resolution or quality. The latest firmware upgrade brings further benefit to users with faster switching, presentation switching, security enhancements and a guaranteed 60 frames per second, full frame video performance. Adder will also be showcasing three new high performance products, including the IP-based ADDERLink Infinity 1002 which adds an additional fiber module that offers dual network redundancy and performance to the single head range. The presence of the additional fiber port ensures that signals can be extended over significant distances. “We will also be displaying the new Adder CCS-Pro4, a professional KM switch for the use and control of multiple systems and screens on a single desk, from a single mouse and keyboard,” says John Halksworth, senior product manager, Adder Technology. “The switch includes Free-Flow technology and allows users to seamlessly switch between multiple computers alongside an intuitive web interface.” The Adder CCS-Pro4 is ideal for use in the broadcast and post production environments, as is the ADDERLink X-DVI Pro DL, also on show at IBC. This dual link, point to point DVI extender features plug and play functionality incorporating full dual link resolution capability up to 2560x1600. It can transmit a dual link video stream along with audio over a single CATx cable, up to 50 meters. “In keeping with emerging trends in the broadcast industry, we will also be demonstrating our 4K capabilities in this arena with the ADDERLink XD522 DisplayPort extender,” says Halksworth. The Adder solutions will be available on stand 7.C30 and will demonstrate the many advantages IP-based high performance KVM brings to the broadcast and post production workflow. Visit Adder Technology at stand 7.C30 at IBC 2014 in Amsterdam from 12 September.

Have you ever contacted your cable service provider to report a technical problem, a billing issue or downgrade your service only to have the customer service representative try to resolve your call by upselling you another product or package? Don’t worry, you’re not alone and you won’t be the last caller to experience this. What many customers don’t know is that providers like Comcast encourage their employees in customer service, tech support and other departments to make sales as part of their interaction with customers. This could be one of the main reasons why Comcast has such poor customer satisfaction ratings. The Verge currently has a multi-part series called “Comcast Confessions”, where 150 current and former employees were interviewed and provided an inside look at what it’s like to work for a leading competitor in the cable industry. The findings reveal that sales play a big part in employee performance metrics. According to The Verge sales pressure is enforced through monetary incentives, disincentives such as being put on a corrective action plan, and pressure from managers who instant message reps while they're on the phone to ask why they haven't pitched a sale yet. "I don’t want any of our employees to feel that pressure to go through and sell…or feel like they’re going to get fired," Tom Karinshak, Comcast’s senior vice president of customer experience, tells The Verge. "That’s not good for us." However, employees told us in no uncertain terms that they felt like the failure to make sales would get them fired. In some cases, employees told us they knew coworkers who had been let go for failure to make sales, or had been let go themselves. The Verge obtained some of the internal training materials and metrics for customer service employees, which shows the company considers sales to be worth about 20 percent of performance. Guidelines for repair reps, which show how a trouble call can be segued into a sales call, are part of S4, Comcast's "universal call flow." S4 is an evaluative measurement to ensure that all agents "give every customer a great call experience every time." It stands for: start, solve, sell, summarize. Part S3, or "sell," includes four parts: "transition to relevant offer," "present offer," "overcome objections," and "proactively close sale." For transitioning to a relevant offer, Comcast suggests lines like, "Did you call us from your home phone today? I noticed that you didn't have phone service on your account," and "Other than Boardwalk Empire, what kind of TV shows do you like to watch? Great, me too." The "sales" portion of the call is worth 20 percent of the total score. As with Comcast's retention guidelines, which explain how to keep a customer who wants to cancel their service, Comcast lists situations in which a "transition to offer" is not such a good idea: "Customer is irate or doesn't seem happy with the resolution," "Customer in a delinquent status," "Customer volunteers a 'do not sell to me' statement." Comcast points out that customer service will inherently include some sales: a customer who complains that their internet is too slow may want to upgrade to a faster tier, for example. But after an especially frustrating customer service call went viral, Comcast admitted it has to change. Comcast is now in the process of reviewing "all training content for customer service and sales processes." The company says it is also "reviewing and changing the messages we use in emails or calls to customers, in our automated phone system and in other communications to reinforce that the overall customer experience is our top priority." Now that we have had an inside look at why employees at cable providers like Comcast are always trying to upsell you on your problems, what are your thoughts on this type of sales strategy? How can they fix this process? To read the original story click here:

Veteran Sales Rep Joins Cannes Lions-Winning Editorial Shop in New York NEW YORK—Aug. 19, 2014 — Kristen Bedard Johnson has joined Beast as its New York-based sales representative. Johnson also serves as East Coast sales representative for L.A.-based commercial production company Furlined LLC.  She previously was East Coast sales representative for New York-based advertising agency Gravity Media LLC and prior to that was East Coast sales representative for global production studio @radical.media. “The energy and dedication Kristen brings to her work is phenomenal,“ said Helena Lee, executive producer of Beast in New York.  “Her enthusiasm, experience and genuine connection with others will be a huge asset to Beast. We are thrilled to have her on our team.” Beast is a unit of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group. About Beast Beast is a top editorial facility for commercials, music videos and Web virals. The company serves a global clientele and maintains an unparalleled roster of award-winning editors, as well as up-and-coming talent. Since its launch in 2006, Beast has built an impressive and varied body of work for clients such as Harpo Films, Nike, AT&T, Reebok, Southwest Airlines, GM, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, USAF, Linkin Park and Black Eyed Peas. Beast has offices in Santa Monica, New York, Austin, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.beast.tv. About Deluxe Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. is a global leader in media and entertainment services across film, video and online original content from capture to consumption. Since 1915, Deluxe Entertainment has been the trusted partner for the world’s most successful Hollywood studios, independent film companies, TV networks, exhibitors, advertisers and others, offering best-in-class solutions in production, post production, distribution, asset and workflow management and new digital solution-based technologies. The company employs nearly 6,000 of the most talented, highly honored and recognized artists and industry veterans worldwide. Deluxe Entertainment is a wholly owned subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. For more information visit, www.bydeluxe.com. ###

Admit it, when joining a social network you’re likely to spend more time thinking about which photo to use for your profile than reading the lengthy terms of service document. The small print for some companies now runs to more than 30,000 words and unsurprisingly, 73% of all people admit to not reading the fine print. Of those who do, only 17% say they understand it. The terms of service agreement is a treasure chest of legal guidelines, rules and permissions that few people care to understand, but there are a few things you’re agreeing to – hidden within all the jargon – that might change the way you use the Web. By accepting these terms and conditions, you’re often agreeing to the keeping or sharing of personal information, the use of your personal photos, protecting copyrights and preventing impersonation. That said, chances are you’re violating some of these terms without even realizing it. To help you make a more informed decision the next time you’re registering for a social network, take a look at these 10 terms and conditions that you probably didn't realize were in the contract: Facebook 1. Facebook has permission to use your photos and videos for whatever it wants. Have you ever wanted to see that awesome sunset picture you took or a funny video of your cats in a Facebook ad? No? Well, too bad, because when you sign up for Facebook, you give it an expansive royalty-free license to use anything you post that could be considered intellectual property. You still own all of your content, but Facebook is allowed to use it and give other people the right to use it, too. The only way to revoke the license is by deleting the content from Facebook. If it seems out of line, it's actually pretty commonplace among other social media sites. Twitter, Instagram and Google all have similar clauses in their terms. 2. You can't use Facebook if you're a convicted sex offender. This one is pretty straightforward. If you've been convicted of a sex crime, you aren't allowed to register for Facebook. 3. You're required to keep your contact information up to date. Facebook requires all users to keep their profiles updated with any changes to their contact information, so it can make sure your account is kept secure. Though it doesn't specify a timetable for email addresses, the terms say you need to update your cellphone number within 48 hours of making the change. Twitter 4. How you explore Twitter and how you got there Twitter's privacy policy allows the company to track "your IP address, browser type, operating system, the referring Web page, pages visited, location, your mobile carrier, device and application IDs, search terms, and cookie information." Google does virtually the same thing. 5. You're not allowed to squat on a username. Are you planning to set up a Twitter account for your kid to use when he's old enough? That's not allowed, according to Twitter's terms of service. Twitter typically deletes most accounts within six to nine months of inactivity, so it's unlikely you'd be able to get away with it anyway. Instagram 6. You're not allowed to post sexually suggestive content. This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it's not just nudity that's banned. The rule itself isn't very specific, but its sets a presumably lower benchmark than similar rules from Facebook and Twitter limiting offensive content. 7. You're not supposed to send ideas to Instagram, but if the company actually reads them and likes them, it will use them. Instagram's terms outline the company's policy "not to accept or consider content, information, ideas, suggestions or other materials other than those we have specifically requested." But, there's a caveat: If, for some reason, your brilliant idea catches the eye of a higher-up, then Instagram can use it and not give you a cent. LinkedIn 8. You can't add anyone you don't actually know. If you're familiar with the networking platform, you'll know that you have to specify how you know someone before you invite her to connect on LinkedIn. If you can't offer a mutual school or workplace, or don't have an email address linked to her account, LinkedIn won't let you connect. But proving your acquaintance with a potential connection isn't just a spam roadblock; it's written into LinkedIn's terms, too. Still, plenty of people violate it without caring. Networking is cutthroat sometimes, man. 9. Your profile can't promote escort or prostitution services — even if they're legal where you live. Let's say you're the proprietor of a lawful business that pairs clients with escorts for, uh, intimate companionship. Don't bother networking on LinkedIn, because that's against the rules. 10. You're not allowed to lie. It's said that honesty is the best policy. For LinkedIn, honesty is policy. The network's user agreement bans users from adding inaccurate information to their profiles. It's also usually easy for prospective employers to catch, so it's not worth it in the first place. To read the original story click here:

Features State of the Art ADR Stages and Theatrical Mixing Rooms BURBANK—Aug. 7, 2014 – Deluxe announced today the opening of its new post-production facility for audio and dubbing services in France. The new Deluxe facility is located in the Saint-Cloud area, just west of central Paris. It features five ADR stages, two 7.1 theatrical mixing stages, and a 5.1 mixing stage. Fred Taieb, a 25-year veteran of the dubbing industry, has joined Deluxe France as the facility’s director of audio services “It will be of immense strategic importance for Deluxe to have a world class dubbing and mixing facility located in France,” said Ron Horwitz, senior vice president of localization services at Deluxe. “This new facility will be of great benefit to our regional and studio customers. This ties into our worldwide localization solution, which we offer our customers on a global basis.” Deluxe offers comprehensive localization, post-production, distribution and asset-management solutions for media and entertainment around the world. About Deluxe Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. is a global leader in media and entertainment services for film, video and online content, from capture to consumption. Since 1915, Deluxe has been the trusted partner for the world’s most successful Hollywood studios, independent film companies, TV networks, exhibitors, advertisers and others, offering best-in-class solutions in production, post-production, localization, distribution, asset and workflow management and new digital solution-based technologies. With operations in Los Angeles, New York and around the globe, the company employs nearly 6,000 of the most talented, highly honored and recognized artists and industry veterans worldwide. Deluxe is a wholly owned subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. For more information visit www.bydeluxe.com.  ###

Can you guess what 25% of daily status updates we see have in common? I’ll give you a hint: it’s one of the most popular current trends in social media. If you guessed hashtags, then you are correct. These characters are small but mighty, especially when it comes to Twitter and can help your brand achieve its social media goals. When used correctly, hashtags can turn a few simple words into something powerful, ultimately elevating your content visibility to a wider audience. On Twitter, a hashtag links the conversations of different users into one stream, which can be found by typing the hashtag in the Twitter search bar or by using a third-party monitoring tool like HootSuite. Creating hashtags can be harder than they seem -- just look at the NYPD and their failed #myNYPD campaign -- so in an effort to help you create content that is applicable to your target audience or noticeable to prospective new followers, we are looking at how to hashtag for Twitter success: Participate in events. Research the types of events your target audience attends and incorporate those event hashtags into your social media editorial calendar. Does your brand target fitness enthusiasts? Find popular races and tweet tips or good luck messages with the event hashtag. Engage with your target tweeters. Set up streams in your social media management dashboards to monitor hashtags relevant to your brand. Monitor regularly, and, if you see a tweet your brand could naturally respond to, do it. But don’t overdo it. Only respond when you can truly be helpful. For example, if you’re an air conditioning company, monitor "#humid." If someone complains about the hot, #humid air disrupting their sleep, jump in and offer tips on best sleeping temperatures, followed by a solution (perhaps your services). Raise awareness of events you host. Spread the word about your upcoming events by incorporating the city, state, or your target location as a hashtag in promotional tweets. Make sure to adjust the hashtag if the city's has nickname is a common hashtag (e.g., #Cincinnati and #Cincy). Know what’s trending with your key audience. In addition to Twitter’s trends section, try a tool such as Trendsmap to find out what’s trending near your brand’s target audience. If you’re targeting a California audience, search what’s trending in that state’s major cities and fit your brand into the conversation. Get your chat on – strategically. Join Twitter chats in which your brand can thoughtfully contribute, share valuable knowledge, and offer insight. Doing so will increase exposure and, if the chat is chosen strategically, get your brand’s name in front of its target audience. Twitter chats are great for personal branding, too. Try a tool such as TweetReports to find upcoming chats. Hashtags, though small, should be an important part of any brands social media strategy. What are some important lessons you’ve learned from using Twitter hashtags? Share them with us in the comments! To read the original story click here:

3D Studio’s “Driving Force” Has Been Integral to its Growth and Success BURBANK—July 29, 2014—Stereo D, Hollywood’s leading producer of 3D for feature films, has extended Aaron Parry’s engagement as chief creative officer and executive vice president. The Burbank-based studio has seen unprecedented growth in the past year and recently added offices in London and Sydney. Stereo D is a subsidiary of Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. “Aaron has been a driving force at Stereo D, and his leadership and expertise have been integral to our enormous growth and success,” Stereo D President William Sherak said. “As 3D technology continues to evolve, Aaron’s experience will ensure that Stereo D continues to innovate while maintaining our peerless level of quality delivering stunning 3D imagery.” Parry oversees the creative vision of the company, as well as worldwide production and technology development. While at Stereo D, Parry and his team have created the 3D industry’s most advanced 3D pipeline, resulting in an unmatched combination of speed and quality in delivery. Additionally, he has supervised the expansion of Stereo D’s work force from a creative and technical staff of 10 people to more than 1,000 employees. During his tenure, Stereo D has created the 3D conversions for twenty-nine films, including “Titanic in 3D” and "X-Men: Days of Future Past," from Twentieth Century Fox; Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ “Pacific Rim”; and “Hercules, “ from Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.  Additionally,  Parry was stereo executive producer on the conversions Stereo D created for Marvel’s “The Avengers,” “Iron Man 3” and “Thor”; “Jurassic Park 3D,” from Universal Pictures; “Star Trek Into Darkness” from Paramount Pictures; and “Godzilla,” from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, among others. Parry joined Stereo D in 2010 after serving as supervising 3D producer on “Jackass 3D” for Paramount Pictures. His prior feature credits also include serving as line producer on Paramount Pictures’ “The Spongebob Squarepants Movie” and as executive producer on the studio’s “Barnyard.” Prior to his work at Paramount, Parry was executive producer at Warner Bros. Feature Animation. About Stereo D Stereo D is the recognized leader in high-quality conversions of 2D theatrical content into stereoscopic 3D imagery. The company was formed in 2009 and was acquired by Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. in 2011.  For more information, visit www.stereodllc.com. About Deluxe Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. is a global leader in media and entertainment services for film, video and online content, from capture to consumption. Since 1915, Deluxe has been the trusted partner for the world’s most successful Hollywood studios, independent film companies, TV networks, exhibitors, advertisers and others, offering best-in-class solutions in production, post production, distribution, asset and workflow management and new digital solution-based technologies. With operations in Los Angeles, New York and around the globe, the company employs nearly 6,000 of the most talented, highly honored and recognized artists and industry veterans worldwide. Deluxe is a wholly owned subsidiary of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc. For more information visit www.bydeluxe.com. # # #

by Shimie Hortig, President of Amdocs Broadband, Cable and Satellite division   The cable industry is excited about Wi-Fi as a new revenue frontier, and justifiably so. The Wireless Broadband Alliance has predicted that next Generation Hotspot (NGH) technology will account for $150 billion in operator revenue by 2018. MSOs are starting to move quickly. In the U.S., members of the cable industry’s Wi-Fi consortium were able to offer their customers roaming Wi-Fi access to more than 200,000 hotspots by the end of 2013: doubling the output of 2012, according to research by SNL Kagan. In addition to expanding their Wi-Fi footprint, which MSOs hope will increase the appeal and value of their highspeed data (HSD) subscriptions, cable operators are upgrading Wi-Fi technologies. One example is Comcast’s dual-use Wi-Fi home gateway, which enables indoor residential hotspots to support outdoor access via authentication. And with the next generation of Wi-Fi (802.11ac), which will significantly increase broadband up to one gigabit per second, multiple users will be allowed to stream HD videos at the same time. Cable operators believe that their expanded footprint, combined with these technological advances, will help them better control the data experience of their customers and maximize their return on investment (ROI), while providing the best quality of service (QoS). This means a more mobile and seamless experience, which cannot be achieved without optimized and intelligent networks that offer seamless handovers, session continuity, intelligent offload and full control of the customer data experience. Read the full story here: