Destination Cloud

Total TV: From Linear and Digital to One TV Business

In this episode, we sit down with Robert Farazin (tvbeat) and Johan Liljelund (DanAds) to unpack how broadcasters can move beyond fragmented linear and digital advertising. We explore why unifying inventory, currencies and workflows is becoming critical, not just to unlock new revenue, but to simplify operations, enable self-serve advertising and future-proof the TV advertising business.

AI won’t save you

Forget the AI hype, your company probably isn’t ready. GenAI may boost productivity, but without reskilling your teams and putting guardrails in place, you’re going nowhere. This podcast exposes why most AI projects fail, explores the rise of agentic AI, and reveals what it really takes to scale AI that actually delivers impact.

Legacy Modernization: The Snooze Button You Can't Afford.

Let’s be real, talking about tech migration isn’t exactly the most thrilling topic. But you know what is exciting? Saving millions, simplifying operations and future-proofing your business.In this episode, we cut through the noise and break down why media and entertainment companies (and others) can’t afford to sit still on their legacy systems. From hidden costs and security nightmares to missed innovation opportunities, we expose the risks of delaying modernization.● Big Bang vs. Phased Migration: what works (and what will destroy your budget)● AI in cloud migration: hype or actual game-changer?● Why simplification sounds boring but is your biggest competitive advantage● The brutal truth: Not every system deserves to survive, be ruthless!
If you think you can just "lift and shift" your legacy tech and call it a day, think again. We’re here to challenge conventional thinking and give you a no-BS roadmap to smarter migration.Tune in now and start turning ‘boring’ into billions.

Why Media Organisations Need a Data Strategy

"Too much data, not enough insights!" It's a common complaint we hear when working with content owners and video service providers. In their 2024 Predictions, the DPP stated, "Everyone will need a Data Strategy". Most leaders in the media industry would agree that data is an organisational asset and that, coupled with people and creative ideas, helps their business create value. This podcast discusses the key components of a successful data strategy, considerations for media companies, and practical advice on how to get started.Find out more at merapar.com

Getting up close and personal with AWS Personalize

Destination Cloud is back, and in this edition, our hosts Simon McGrath and Alex Borland are joined by Veena Chandran, Senior Solutions Architect at Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Chris Birkinshaw, Technology Principal at Merapar, to discuss all things AWS Personalize. With consumers expecting more from their OTT platforms, this episode explores how personalising data and deploying curated recommendations can be key in delivering a successful customer experience. We take a deep dive on the role that AWS Personalize plays in helping organisations to achieve this.Find out more at merapar.com

Getting up close and personal with AI & ML

AI needs no introduction. The implications of AI in the broadcast industry have been known and seen for a long time but perhaps never quite so prevalent as this year with the Writers Guild of America striking. On the flip side, there is huge excitement about the potential of AI and ML in enabling churn prediction, metadata enrichment, personalisation strategies, and more. In this episode, our hosts Simon McGrath and Alex Borland are joined by Dr Paul Stallard, Merapar Principal Architect and head of Internal AI practice, and Klaus Seiler, Merapar Technology Principal and Co-Founder,. They discuss the potential that AI has for broadcasters worldwide.Find out more at merapar.com

From glass to glass: the use of metadata in the technical delivery of content

In this episode of Destination Cloud, our hosts Simon McGrath and Alex Borland are joined by Geert Vos, CTO and founder at Media Distillery, and Aiden van Latestein, principle senior architect at Merapar, to discuss all things metadata. From the origination of metadata to the content management systems along the supply and value chain – this episode will take you on a deep dive of the benefits that Metadata is already providing, and shares insight into the potential it has to improve the overall video consumption experience in a new freeform and elastic world.Find out more at merapar.com

Media & Broadcast – what lies ahead for 2023?

The media and technology industry is both innovative and fast paced, meaning that no two years are the same – especially when you take into account the current economic climate and the ongoing cost of living crisis. In this episode of the Destination Cloud podcast, our hosts, Alex Borland and Simon McGrath invited TVBEurope Editor, Jenny Priestley, and Merapar’s own CTO, Klaus Seiler to peer in to their crystal ball to discuss what they are expecting to see in 2023, and how this will impact media operators and broadcasters moving forwards.Find out more at merapar.com

Understanding Agility

Have you ever wondered whether Agile is the right approach for you? How about Kanban, scrum or even waterfall? With so many different disciplines available, it’s hard to know which one will be best for you. In this episode of Destination Cloud, Alex Borland, VP Strategy & Business Development and Simon McGrath, VP Strategy & Portfolio are joined by Andy Spence, Merapar’s Director of Agility and Transformation, and Helen Meek, Coach, Trainer, Consultant & Director at RippleRock. They will discuss the questions you should be asking yourself before jumping headfirst into any of these approaches, and why ultimately you need to be building a model that best solves your own business challenges.Find out more at merapar.com

Destination Cloud

Is it a particle or is it a wave? Is your business operating in a ‘wagile’ way? These are just a couple of the big questions that Merapar’s own Simon McGrath, VP Strategy & Portfolio and Alex Borland, VP Strategy & Business Development are discussing on the first episode of the Destination Cloud podcast series.Joined by Matt Duhig, Co-Founder & Managing Director at FX Digital, listen in to Simon, Alex and Matt chatting about the insights they’ve gained from conversations on the international trade show circuit, and their view on how the media and entertainment industry has changed. They will also be sharing the challenges currently facing businesses that are operating within this space, and three of the key considerations that businesses should be thinking about in order to conquer them.Find out more at merapar.com