Interview BBC / UK

Mark Friend
Radio and Music Multiplatform
BBC / UK


Prior to the Auto Apps Evolution 2014, we.CONECT spoke with Mark Friend, Controller at BBC / UK
about striking tasks in the automotive apps evolution.
we.CONECT:
Mr. Friend, what role does your
company play in the field of auto-
motive apps and content develop-
ment?

Mark Friend: The main focus of BBC is
to provide outstanding TV, Radio and
Journalism. We deliver outside the UK to
approximately 250 Mio regular users
mainly through the world service. In the
apps context, BBC provides award
winning apps including de BBC iPlayer
Radio. We are also the joint owner of the
UK Radioplayer.

we.CONECT:
What is your companys recently most
significant project with relation to
auto-motive apps, user experience
and content integration at the
moment?

Mark Friend: At the moment we are
developing an iPlayer Radio for the in-
car use which will be our latest significant
project. We also have a project running
on the Universal Radio Smartphone and
at finally our hybrid radio solutions.

we.CONECT:
Which critical trends and innovations
can you identify for the evolution of
auto apps and content development
to play a growing role in the
automotive sector?

Mark Friend: Firstly the trend of
standardisation of technology and the
increasing acknowledgement by OEMs
and Tier-1-manufacturers that bespoke
technology is too expensive. They will
not manage to deliver long-term
competitive advantage and this is a key
barrier that prevents broadcasters like
the BBC from building in-car.

we.CONECT:
Which issues do you consider poorly
developed or unresolved within the
area of auto apps?
Which aspects should be improved
upon or further developed?

Mark Friend: In an evolving industry
environment there is the growing issue of
standardization of technology that
challenges all players of the market and
the real outcome in the end.
Another critical trend that needs
improvement regards poorly developed
driver distraction guidelines. So one day
we should move closer to bringing
together broadcast and IP in order to
have an easy single experience.

we.CONECT:
From your point of view - Which are
the conflicts arising between current
and upcoming players in the auto app
industry? How should they be
handled?

Mark Friend: The ownership of the user
or listener will be a most striking issue to
figure out. In consequence, the question
of who users will sign in with will arise
and need to be handled. And there are
going to be conflicts on who will earn the
right to extract commercial value in the
long term.

we.CONECT:
Can you name the most significant
keys to a safe and fast integration of
apps and mobile devices in the
automotive cockpit?

Mark Friend: A common standard
infrastructure would provide for safe and
fast integration. In this regard,
standardized technology across all
vehicles should be the goal. Also, as I
said before, it will be of great importance
to agree on driver distraction guidelines
to enable real development.

we.CONECT:
In your opinion, how will the
dynamics in the automotive apps
market change within the next 5
years? Which potentials do you see?
Mark Friend: Since the market growth
has been exponential in the automotive
apps industry, in five years time I expect
the trends in services and technology to
have reached the minds of developers
and consumers to push services and
offers in the direction of innovation.
In any case, I see the integration of
services such as geolocation, social
media information and information with
existing broadcast media services
happening.

we.CONECT:
Please explain in brief the topics and
key issues of the presentation you will
be holding at the 3rd Auto Apps
Evolution 2014 congress in Berlin?

Mark Friend: My presentation will be
about the best possible media
experience in the car. In this regard, I will
draw out the latest opportunities for radio
and music services in the car and
address the right balance of services that
should be delivered by broadcast and IP
channels. I want to stress how best to
incorporate improving news, traffic and
weather information into the audio
stream and deliver a more personalised
media service after all. So finally there
will be a discussion on avoiding driver
distraction and leveraging video for the
car.

we.CONECT:
What expectations do you have
regarding the Auto Apps Evolution
2014? Which outcomes and benefits
do you expect to gain from the
exchange with participating OEMs,
developers and research institutions?

Mark Friend: I am looking forward to
learning new approaches in auto apps
that I am not familiar yet and extend
plans and strategies in discussion with
other professionals from different
backgrounds. I expect to gain new
insights into technology approaches,
user insight and information.
we.CONECT:
Thanks a lot for this interview! We
look forward to a thriving community
and event with you!

Interview Partners: Serina Gummert and
Mark Friend
CV Mark Friend: Mark runs BBC Radios digital
services and music output across digital radio,
desktop, TV and mobile platforms. This
includes the development and running of
iPlayer Radio, major music events, mobile and
tablet apps, visual radio, podcasts, social
media, hybrid radio, archive-, text and data
services. Mark was previously the BBC's
Controller of Strategy where he led the Charter
settlement in 2005, developed the BBCs new
services vision and helped launch BBC iPlayer
and mobile services. Before joining the BBC,
Mark spent several years launching and
running new businesses at ITN and riding a
motorbike halfway round the world across the
former Soviet Union and USA.
Auto Apps Evolution 2014 is the leading global
automotive congress for industry executives
and pioneers focused on the pressing tasks
and challenges around automotive apps,
sophisticated content and user experience.
In 2014, invited speakers and delegates will
discuss the advances in the design &
development process, gamification and content
integration, as well as the traditional HMI
versus APP ecosystem.
The latest state-of-the-art in auto apps
interfaces will be assessed, together with
innovative approaches to workload mana-
gement, latest platform technologies and
modern processing and consumer
requirements.

Find more Information about the event and
we.CONECT online:
http://automotive-apps2014.we-conect.com

Contact Event Production:
Dr. Klaudia Malowitz
Senior Product Manager
Phone: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 48
Fax: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 30
Email: klaudia.malowitz@we.conect.com

Contact Marketing:
Serina Gummert
Digital Marketing Manager
Phone: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 83
Fax: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 30
Email: serina.gummert@we.conect.com




we.CONECT Global Leaders GmbH
Gertraudenstr. 10-12
10178 Berlin, Germany
www.we-conect.com