Hoggarth Joins FBBT to Spearhead EMEA Office

FBBT, the developer of Matador, the world’s first operational support system (OSS) for broadcasters, cable and satellite operators, has announced that well respected industry figure Alan Hoggarth has joined the company as Director of Sales and Marketing.
Hoggarth, a broadcast industry figure familiar to many, joins from the highly successful Omneon where he played a major role in the company achieving its success.
Hoggarth was responsible for establishing Omneon’s international operation in 1999 and held two principal positions with the company over the following seven-year period, most recently as VP Business and Sales Development EMEA (including India and Russia). Prior to that he was VP Operations, EMEA, Russia and India.
“Alan joins at a key stage in FBBT’s development as we evolve into an established medium-sized broadcast technology supplier. He will head-up our new EMEA sales and marketing office in Reading, UK, with our Belfast, Northern Ireland, office maintaining its R&D role. To have someone of Alan’s stature – particularly with his experience of growing companies in the field - recognise the opportunity that our technology provides is a tremendous validation of our strategy,” said Rick Bolin, CEO, FBBT.
As well as his time with Omneon, Hoggarth has held roles with Sony Broadcast and Professional Systems, Scitex Digital Video (Europe), Abekas Video Systems, Tektronix and Link Electronics.
Hoggarth said: “This is an exciting time to be joining FBBT with the market opportunities that Rick has already identified. The proliferation of services on satellite DTH, DTT, 3G mobile, and the shift towards server-based production have all added to the complexity of broadcast systems. Now with HD, surround sound and mobile broadcasting coming on stream and IPTV round the corner, the stakes are getting higher. The challenge is to contain the complexity of broadcast systems and enhance service levels through reduced downtime and reduce maintenance costs. The challenge is particularly difficult with broadcast systems inevitably involving so many vendors’ components. Matador occupies a unique position of being able to encompass entire broadcast systems and deliver those operational benefits. The business case for OSS is clear for small and large broadcasters alike.”
Larry Kaplan, Executive Chairman, Omneon, added: “While sad to see Alan go, I would like to wish him all the best with this venture. He has been a fundamental part of Omneon’s success and I hope that he will be a fundamental part of FBBT’s too.”
FBBT is also pleased to announce that it has appointed Neil Grant to the position of Head Engineer. Grant – who will be working closely with Hoggarth – will be handling pre-sales support as well as implementation support. He will also be working closely with the software development team to help ensure that Matador’s development path continues along its successful route.
Grant’s most recent position was supporting the British Army in a recent Everest Expedition, handling the setting up of satellite and microwave links.
See FBBT at stand 8.320a, IBC.
(SP)