Automotive speakers announced for Drive to Digital 2019

Digital Radio UK is delighted to announce the addition of world-class automotive speakers to the line-up for Drive to Digital 2019, the annual free conference for the digital radio and audio industry and supply chain, sponsored by Arqiva, which takes place on Wednesday 30 October 2019 at The British Library.

Listening to radio in the car is more important than ever and analysts estimate that nearly 50% of global radio listening takes place in the car. Drive to Digital 2019 will showcase the opportunities and challenges offered by new connected dashboards and global audio competitors including Amazon, Apple, Google and Spotify. We will also look at the key automotive developments in the US and Europe.

In a dedicated automotive section of the conference – Driving the Digital Dash – we will hear from one of the most influential radio executives in US radio, Caroline Beasley, CEO, Beasley Broadcast Group, which owns and operates 65 radio stations across the US. Caroline most recently served as Joint Board Chair of the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) and was honored as US Radio Executive of the Year in 2017.

Expert speakers from the world’s leading automotive technology, consultancy, and research and analysis providers, Kevin Nolan, Vice-President, UX Innovation Practice, Strategy Analytics; Kurt Dusterhoff, Senior Specialist, SBD Automotive; and Joe D’Angelo, Vice-President: Broadcast, Xperi, will share their insights on key automotive technology trends from across the world and the impact on radio listening in cars.

Also in Driving the Digital Dash, Ben Poor, Radio Technology and Innovation Project Manager, EBU, and Jacqueline Bierhorst, Vice-President, WorldDAB, will be in conversation with Laurence Harrison, Director of Automotive Partnerships, Radioplayer Worldwide, about the key trends and developments in digital and hybrid radio in cars and collaboration with vehicle manufacturers across Europe.

Previously announced speakers at Drive to Digital 2019 include: Conference Chair, Penny Smith; Miranda Sawyer, The Observer, and Patricia Nicol, The Sunday Times; Alison Winter, BBC Radio and Education, Mark Crawford, Global, and Adrian Fitch, Bauer; and Clare McNally-Luke, Ofcom; Lee Clayton, Head of talkSPORT; Ric Blaxill, Bauer Media; Belinda Doyle & Ian Walker JACK Radio; Charmaine Noble-Mclean, Premier Christian Radio; and Tony Lit MBE, Sunrise Radio.

Ford Ennals, CEO, Digital Radio UK, said:

“The UK radio and audio landscape is changing fast with what seems like new radio station launches and new audio on demand content initiatives every day leading to fundamental changes in consumer behaviour and new ways of listening. Where is it all going? Drive to Digital 2019 is a brilliant free event that will bring it all together with insights and commentary on consumers, content, cars, retail and technology from senior executives and industry experts. Don’t miss it.”

Further announcements about speakers on retail, technology, and podcasts will follow in the coming weeks.

The conference will be followed by a drinks reception from 6 – 7.30pm hosted and sponsored by DTS Connected Radio.

Event details:
When: Wednesday 30 October. Registration from 12.00pm. Conference start 1.00pm
Where: The British Library Knowledge Centre, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB
How: Reserve your free place here.