We all want to play a significant role in the disruption of our markets.
It’s the holy grail for innovators and entrepreneurs to change forever the way products work and business models perform.
Real, meaningful disruption changes everything.
Problems are solved; behaviours are altered; often, fortunes are made.
The technology sector is, of course, where disruption can most often be seen in action: when a trailblazing player pops up with a pivotal new take that subverts the status quo and makes one heck of a big bang.
Sometimes, though, disruption cannot be a lone endeavour. Sometimes the power of partnership is required to convert an inspired vision into real-world actuality.
And THAT’S when the sector REALLY delivers.
“It’s about lots of things coming together at the same time,” says Julia Stowell, Marketing Vice-President at Toronto-based video conferencing platform provider iotum, who have found themselves at the heart of some of that craved-for disruption.
“Sure, it’s about the tech; but it’s also about relationships. When something clicks, it’s a beautiful thing.”
In partnership with Vancouver-based interactive video content innovators Sparx Technology Inc., iotum is helping reinvent television.
The Sparx platform enables television and video producers to engage their audiences interactively with real-time voting, polling, and sentiment–gathering activities.
Deploying via iotum’s cloud-based network, the platform hosts “Watch Parties”, where fans gather virtually to watch Sparx-enriched programs and events and interact with the content and each other in real-time.
Sparx aims to put the viewer IN the TV show: enabling more effective audience retention, the generation of revenue, and the creation of a rich, so-called “lean forward” experience.
Disruptive enough for you?
“We like to describe it as the most powerful media platform on the planet, and iotum has significantly added to our offering by powering the Watch Party experience,” explains Sparx Chief Creative Officer, Colin Hornett.
“They basically take care of the back end of the Watch Party while we focus on the content and the audience.
“No-one is doing what we are doing so it feels pretty cool. Netflix and Disney are doing something similar but there’s no experience as rich as ours in terms of content and functionality. We put the video content right in the centre of the screen and then add interactive modules around it such as real-time social media links and video chat boxes. It’s all white labelled so the branding is all the customer’s.
“Our first live event with the Watch Party functionality was the big game last month for Brinx.tv which combined being able to watch the game with big-name hosts at the same time as taking part in predictive gaming with live participation and commentary. The Sparx platform has set records in the US for most votes cast globally and domestically.
“Predictive gaming is arguably the most exciting area, but there are other functionality possibilities such as on-screen donation buttons for charity events or real-time participant interaction in the case of an educational event.
“iotum enables us to connect our audiences in a deeper and richer way. It’s a powerful partnership and one we value highly.”
For iotum, the collaboration is a potent showcase for its technological capability and scale – the same attributes enjoyed by ALL of its customers, whether disruptive or not.
Its integrated app-based voice and video streaming solutions connect millions across all business sectors from healthcare to entertainment.
It’s an impressive portfolio…and it’s proof that partnership plus potential equals limitless possibilities.
