Olivier Braet

Cooperation models for mobile television in Europe

This article examines the emerging cooperation models between the various stakeholders piloting mobile broadcasting in Europe. It adopts a generic business model design framework to systematically compare recent trials of mobile broadcasting technologies. The article illustrates the cross-impact of cooperation agreements between the various stakeholders on their technological, service-related and financial design choices, and provides insights on a number of business models issues in the upcoming commercialization phase of mobile digital TV broadcasting in Europe.

Business model scenarios for remote management

This article critically appraises business model challenges in implementing remote management functionalities. Remote management is believed to create new service opportunities and foster convergence between previously dissociated islands of end user devices. Conflicting business logics from disparate industries, however, run counter to this attempt at centralization. We introduce a generic business modeling methodology that aims to move beyond traditional ICT investment appraisal techniques by combining four critical dimensions of design. We develop four business model scenarios based on the organizational design choice of degree of vertical integration and the product design choices of degree of product modularity and distribution of intelligence and offer a description of the effect of these design choices on the intended customer value.

Crowdfunding The Movies: A Business Analysis of Crowdfinanced Moviemaking in Small Geographical Markets

Abstract In this paper the business viability of a crowdfunding platform for movie production in a small geographical region is assessed. Based on a benchmarking study, we compiled a set of typical value-network elements, resulting in a proposed business model that employs a hybrid set of financing and revenue sources. Finally, we project this model on available data and constructed a pessimistic, neutral and optimistic scenario about the viability of such a platform. We conclude that in such a small market, it will never create the necessary revenues for the production of long feature movies. However, a crowdfunding platform could proof valuable when combined with other means of financing, for smaller movie formats.

Crowdfunding the movies: a business analysis to support moviemaking in small markets

Based on a cross-industrial research project, we describe the business-model issues surrounding the viability of a platform for the financing, the operational management, and potentially distribution by TV-broadcasters of movies produced by independent filmmakers. The business challenges posed to the existing business models, especially considering the small geographical market where this platform would be introduced, are critically appraised. Based on this benchmark, we provide business-model suggestions for a platform that could operate in such a small market.

Strategic design issues of IMS versus end-to-end architectures

Purpose - The paper aims to discuss the business issues surrounding the choice between the end-to-end internet architecture, in particular peer-to-peer networks, versus managed telecommunications architectures, in particular IMS, for the migration towards a next-generation mobile system. Design/methodology/approach - The paper organises the arguments available in the literature and technical field along four critical business design dimensions, providing a balanced overview of both sides of the argument. Findings - The paper discriminates between weak and strong arguments on both sides, and introduces a number of recommendations towards actors that will implement IMS. Research limitations/implications - The arguments collected from the literature and industry are not exhaustive but selected on their relevancy for business repercussions. Originality/value - While most position papers on IMS or P2P are written from an opinionated perspective, this paper offers a trade-off view of both sides advantages and disadvantages. It reframes the dispute as a number of design trade-offs to be made on various levels.

Crowdfunding Movies: A Business Model Analysis from Strategic Management Studies

A crowdfunding platform for movies is an alternative way of refunding movie production costs. Usually, such platform combines several types of funding, including sourcing the Internet community to gather small private donations, that is, a revenue stream which is typically named “crowdfunding”. In this chapter, we apply the framework of business model analysis to review this crowdfunding mechanism. We describe the business model characteristics of several industry cases. Next, we decide whether such a crowdfunding platform can sustain itself and whether it is able to collect sufficient funds for the production of movies. We argue that the platform could obtain enough funds from the general public for smaller-budget productions such as short films or documentaries. A movie crowdfunding platform could also collect enough income from advertising to make itself sustainable. Charging a premium membership fee to movie producers would yield negligible revenues and is hence not advisable. Further, we find that the platform will never amass the needed production budget in a small market, especially for the production of long feature films. However, a crowdfunding platform could be more valuable when combined with other means of financing smaller movie formats and could perform a marketing purpose alongside its central crowdfunding role.

Lowering the barriers for online cross-media usage

Registration forms a barrier to visit media websites and adopt cross-platform usage.The Belgian collaborative single sign-on (SSO) system Media ID lowers this barrier.It is uncertain what influence a SSO system has on media companies and users.This paper provides four scenarios with potential outcomes of a SSO innovation.Certain requirements of a successful SSO system have been identified. The digitization has led to an ecosystem in which an online media portal has become an essential extension of traditional media and users are enabled to consume news and entertainment via different platforms. These evolutions pose some challenges for the media companies in terms of shifting business models, but they also bring them new possibilities in managing their relations with users. An important first step here is to identify the online users and turn anonymous users into registered ones. Today, however, there is a myriad of logins and passwords one needs when surfing the web, which can make the management of these logins a challenge for users. The Belgian media industry seeks to deal with this challenge by introducing a collaborative nation-wide single sign-on (SSO) system across their digital platforms, called Media ID. This paper provides four scenarios describing the potential outcomes in terms of user adoption and hence market potential of the integration of a SSO service into a regional media system. The scenarios are built upon focus group interviews with media users and in-depth interviews with the stakeholders from the involved media companies. They describe to what extent the innovative service can influence users online media consumption behaviour but also to what extent the media companies can implement it, two factors that mutually shape each other. In the discussion of the scenarios, requirements to ensure the broad applicability of a SSO service by both media users and media organizations are identified.