EBU Members from Armenia. Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, FYR Macedonia, Russia and Turkey gathered on 13 and 14 February at the Georgian Public Broadcaster (GPB)'s headquarters in Tbilisi to for a regional workshop on Digital Transformation.

GPB Director General Vasil Maghlaperidze opened the workshop, held as part of the Digital Transformation Inititave with the aim of building connections between peers around shared challenges, opportunities and goals.

A diverse group of participants from the region represented their respective Member organizations, with participation from GPB, PTV (Armenia), BNT & BNR (Bulgaria), BR (Germany), MRD (FYR Macedonia), RTR (Russia), and TRT (Turkey).

Each Member presented the current priorities and challenges they are facing, with topics including reaching new audiences, digitizing archives, initiating/expanding DAB+, improving the content offering for non-linear programs, and creating better synergy between traditional and online services.

First Deputy Director of GPB, Tinatin Berdzenishvili, showed what can be achieved with strong leadership and a clear vision, whilst Director of News and Current Affairs George Gvimradze  presented GPB’s Mobile-first strategy. 

Keynote speaker Jonas Striker, Change Manager for Strategy at BR, presented an in-depth look at their transformational process that started in 2011 and continues today. Paola Sunna, from the EBU T&I department, presented on trends and opportunities which gave Members an overview of what is to come in the digital world.

Issues that were identified and shared by all Members include talent and skills management, limited resources for digital projects, and the difficulty in creating a digital culture in legacy organizations.

The workshop wrapped up with a discussion on how technology can and should affect both structure and culture, examining how change is needed through the entire organization, with all employees engaged and involved in the process.

By the end of the workshop, every Member had defined a few clear actions to take back to their organizations.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION WORKSHOPS

This workshop was part of the portfolio of Member support services developed and launched in 2018.

The EBU provides a range of tailored on-site services, working directly with key stakeholders at all levels for optimal impact. As an EBU strategic initiative, there is no cost to Members for this service. We also offer bespoke research and advise, alongside strategic support as your project develops. 

If you are interested in having a similar event at your organization, please contact us to find out more. 

ABOUT OUR INITIATIVE

The Digital Transformation Initiative helps Members understand the challenges and opportunities of the information age and support them through their own change processes.

Digital technology has fundamentally altered the expectations, interactions, and consumption patterns of our audiences. As a result, PSM must engage in fundamental transformation if they are to remain relevant in this increasingly competitive and constantly changing environment.

We know that every Member faces different issues, which is why the DTI draws together expertise from across the EBU to address these from a multidisciplinary perspective. We provide expertise, knowledge exchange, and tailored support services.

Together, we help Members build stronger organizations.