PFT’s Founder, President and CEO, Ramki Sankaranarayanan on ET NOW

PFT’s Founder, President and CEO, Ramki Sankaranarayanan on NDTV Profit

On the occasion of celebrating 100 years of Indian Cinema, ASSOCHAM National Council on Entertainment and Media is organizing FOCUS 2013 on 2nd May 2013 at Hotel Le-Meridien, New Delhi.

FOCUS 2013 is officially supported by Department of Electronics and IT, Ministry of Communications and IT, Government of India. Over the years, FOCUS has emerged as a prominent platform where Media and Entertainment Industry, Government and other Stakeholders deliberate on issues concerning them.

This event has been initiated with two main objectives:

• Digitization of the Indian Entertainment & Media Industry
• Promoting Regional Film Industry on Global Forum

Leading Film and Broadcasting Associations like Film Federation of India, Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI), Broadcast Engineering Society (BES), IBF, Broadband India Forum, Cable & Satellite Broadcasters Associations of Asia (CASBAA), Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI), Cable Quest, CMS Media Lab, Film & TV Producers Guild of India, Indian Council of IMPEX for Films & TV Programmers, Internet Service Providers of India (ISPAI), IPTV India Forum, Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, Western India Film Producers Associations (WIFPA), Federation of Film Society will be a part of FOCUS this year.

Key Sessions this year include: Content: Cornerstone of Success in the M&E industry

• Digitization V2.0 – Going beyond the Metros
• Print Media: Tipping Point in a Digital World?
• Is Regional The New National
• Technology & New Media – Game Changers

Ganesh Sankaran is the keynote speaker for Technology & New Media – Game Changers.

Client profile

MAA TV was launched in 2002 and is one of the leading Telugu-language TV channels. The channel is available on cable, DTH and IPTV platforms in India. In USA it is available through Dish TV and IPTV. MAA TV is among the top 25 TV channels out of more than 400 channels that operate in India today.

Business context

The media and entertainment industry has been facing major challenges: the transition from tape to tapeless, moving to HD format and multi-platform content delivery requirements. Effectively addressing these challenges meant substantial investment in new technology which is a proven and integrated solution that manages content throughout its lifecycle from ingest to delivery. It was also critical to find a technology solution that reduces cost while allowing new monetization opportunities.
MAA TV was looking for a more structured system to manage its content operations. It had already made some investments in this area – a Storage Manager solution (Front Porch Digital Diva) and wanted a technology solutions provider who could effectively integrate older investments with the new ones meant for becoming HD ready, cataloguing content and enabling multi-platform delivery for new media.

Objectives

• Transition from tape to tapeless
• Setup content ingest workflows
• Digitize enterprise processes and workflows
• Empower Concurrent Fulfillment on new platforms
• Enable data-based decision making for content

PFT solution

CLEAR™ for Broadcast solution developed by PFT for MAA TV includes:

• File-based content acquisition
• Technical Check
• Creative iterations/interactions
• Promo related content operations
• Metadata tagging interface
• Digital consumer platform for fulfillment
• Technology Platform (DAM, Archiving, Workflow, Managed Services)

With CLEAR™ Hybrid Cloud technology enabled integrated content operations platform, PFT moved MAA TV’s content to the center of its organization, enabling concurrent rather than sequential workflows and driving efficiency across the business. CLEAR™ manages content workflows across multiple offices and work locations of MAA TV in Hyderabad – Punjagutta (production site) and Jubilee Hills (playout site).

MAA TV had already invested in a Storage Manager solution (Front Porch Digital Diva). To keep client’s TCO low and maximize RoI, PFT deployed its pre-integrated plug-in to archive, restore and partial restore content from their existing tape library – all managed through the CLEAR™ user interface.

CLEAR™ also brought about unmatched creative empowerment for MAA TV’s production team professionals. PFT’s  cloud based editor allows MAA TV users to create reels by marking in/out. Also, the user is able to export an Edit Decision List (EDL) that allows finishing to be done on a craft editor interface such as FCP or Avid. This reduces cycle time considerably and made the entire workflow more efficient.

The PFT solution team also created a multi-platform processing, packaging and delivery infrastructure at MAA TV. This allows MAA TV to both monetize their content aided by data modeling and cataloguing, and to quickly customize content for distribution across different platforms.

For MAA TV to be able to manage its content effectively, it was necessary to be able to search and access the right content fast. PFT solution experts successfully built a data model for television content by defining a multi-tier program metadata taxonomy – the global metadata covering program and episode level and local metadata covering scene and character level tags. This helped MAA TV future proof its content by engaging PFT to tag legacy and current content.

Client outcome

PFT’s CLEAR™ Hybrid Cloud technology solution offered on a PaaS model ensures there is no capital expenditure for MAA TV as it scales up its business. Digital Consumer Fulfillment can happen at incremental cost making it financially viable business case. The payout is transaction based

and per episode.
PFT’s solution has helped MAA TV improve time to market considerably and streamline its content operations avoiding duplication and redundancies.

Benefits

• More than 3000 hours of programming content in a year
• About 25 GEC shows per week
• YouTube fulfillment of about 3000 hours per year

How we work together

PFT and MAA TV have been working together since September 2012 when this project was signed off. The project went live in December 2012 and will have incremental updates in 2013. For PFT, MAA TV is the first regional network in India to invest in its award winning CLEAR™ hybrid cloud technology platform.
With extensive content to manage, Media and Entertainment companies like MAA TV are looking for one platform to consolidate and access information from. Cloud-led enterprise digitization is playing a crucial role in this context, and CLEAR™ has emerged as an obvious choice for many broadcast companies. Our engagement with MAA TV reiterates the need for more industry players to look at technology as the key differentiator, to increase their efficiency and productivity, without compromising on creativity.

About Prime Focus Technologies

Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is the technology arm of Prime Focus, the global leader in media and entertainment industry services. PFT brings together a unique blend of Media and IT skills backed by a deep understanding of the global media and entertainment industry.

CLEAR™, our award-winning Hybrid Cloud technology enabled enterprise digitization platform and digital content services help broadcasters, studios, advertisers, sports bodies, news agencies, the government and service providers drive creative enablement, enhance ecosystem efficiencies & sustainability, reduce cost and realize new monetization opportunities.

PFT works with major content owners like News Corporation-owned STAR TV, EROS International, SONY Music, Viacom 18, SONY MSM, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), IPL (Indian Premiere League), Hindustan Unilever Limited, The Associated Press, A & E TV Network, Netflix, Schawk! and WPP.
Prime Focus’ worldwide network of studios and WorldSourcing® model supported by a Global Digital Pipeline allows PFT to offer customers transformational solutions that help them manage their business of content better.

Prime Focus Limited is listed on the NSE and BSE in India.

CLEAR™ and WorldSourcing® are registered trademarks of Prime Focus Technologies. All other trademarks acknowledged.

www.primefocustechnologies.com

About MAA TV

MAA TV is a leading Telugu TV Channel network known for its vibrant, innovative, pleasant, versatile and interactive programming. As the name ‘MAA’ indicates (Maa means ‘ours’ in Telugu), MAA TV is very close to the hearts of its viewers and it stands out from the cluster of channels through its programming quality. Emotional connect with the viewers has been the core strength and hallmark of MAA TV. MAA TV is among the top 25 TV channels out of more than 400 channels that operate in India today.

MAA Television Network Limited as a corporate entity was formed in 2001 and the main channel MAA was launched in 2002. The second channel MAA Music was launched in 2008. Two more channels, MAA Movies and MAA Gold, were launched later. With the launch of MAA Movies and MAA Gold channels, MAA has emerged as a major Telugu Television network with a bouquet of four channels catering all major genres.

‘CineMaa Awards’, the flagship event of MAA, has earned the reputation of becoming the perfect platform for the film industry to come together and celebrate excellence in Telugu Cinema. Over the years, MAA TV has built a strong movie library that boasts of cult classics and blockbusters in Telugu cinema to enthrall its viewers.

MAA TV’s vision is to attain the status of a true and preferred entertainment channel for Telugu Diaspora worldwide by delivering pleasant and wholesome entertainment.
www.maatv.com

PFT’s award winning CLEAR Hybrid Cloud technology platform and digital content services can now be integrated with Deltatre’s digital media technologies including their market leading CMS, Forge, and world renowned data integrated video application, Diva.

Says Ramki Sankaranarayanan, Founder, President and CEO, Prime Focus Technologies, “Our customers have been urging us to develop a solution that effectively addresses their need for Over The Top (OTT) platforms and an enhanced consumer experience.

We are thrilled to join hands with Deltatre to offer our customers a solution that will allow direct consumer outreach and enhanced viewer experience. In this area we are targeting a business of Rs. 100 crore in the next three years”.

PFT and Deltatre have shared local human resources to ensure both teams understand the technologies and have the expertise across the relevant platforms, allowing the best possible coordinated solutions for clients.

“This new partnership with PFT and our successful Starsports project marks our entry in to the Indian market. By working so closely together, our companies benefit from sharing international experiences and knowledge while providing local manpower and expertise to our clients,” says Paul Bristow, CCO, Deltatre. “The strategic partnership will mean we can offer more clients engaging digital content solutions through personalization and interactivity.”

The working relationship between the two media companies will provide clients with the most innovative digital solutions using an efficient global workflowat competitive local rates.

About Prime Focus Technologies
Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is the technology arm of Prime Focus, the global leader in media and entertainment industry services. PFT brings together a unique blend of Media and IT skills backed by a deep understanding of the global media and entertainment industry.

CLEAR™, our award-winning Hybrid Cloud technology enabled enterprise digitization platform and digital content services help broadcasters, studios, advertisers, sports bodies, news agencies, the government and service providers drive creative enablement, enhance ecosystem efficiencies & sustainability, reduce cost and realize new monetization opportunities.

PFT works with major content owners like News Corporation-owned STAR TV, EROS International, SONY Music, Viacom 18, SONY MSM, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), IPL (Indian Premiere League), Hindustan Unilever Limited, The Associated Press, A & E TV Network, Netflix, Schawk! and WPP.

Prime Focus’ worldwide network of studios and WorldSourcing® model supported by a Global Digital Pipeline allows PFT to offer customers transformational solutions that help them manage their business of content better.

Prime Focus is listed on the NSE and BSE in India and AIM of LSE in the UK.

For more information visit: www.primefocustechnologies.com

CLEAR and WorldSourcing are registered trademarks of Prime Focus Technologies. All other trademarks acknowledged.

Media Relations for Prime Focus:
Jose Kunnappally
Head, Marketing and Communications
Prime Focus Limited
+91 887 964 5359
jose.kunnappally@primefocusworld.com

OR

AnnuDwivedi
Genesis Burson-Marsteller for Prime Focus Limited
+ 91 982 002 4293
annu.dwivedi@bm.com

About Deltatre
There is a way to make sport events come to life for audiences everywhere. Using innovative technology, creativity and total commitment, the people at Deltatre do exactly that.

With staff in Torino, London, Manchester, Lausanne, Paris, New York and Portland, Deltatre has over 27years’ experience at the highest level of international sport. Always striving for the next level of interaction, we consider the future of global sport engagement to be multi-platform and social. Today, the greatest sport events on earth are more immersive, collaborative, and inclusive thanks to our cutting edge technologies. Sport fans become an active part of the event, connecting socially and sharing their passion, wherever they are. By harnessing our experience, technical skills and passion for sport, we are always one step ahead.

For more information, please visit www.deltatre.com  or contact sales@deltatre.com

Contact for Deltatre:
Siena Dixon
Communications Manager, Deltatre London
siena.dixon@deltatre.com

Booth #8506–South Lower Hall – Las Vegas Convention Center

World’s most established Hybrid Cloud technology platform intends to transform content, workflow and project management activities related to production process

Prime Focus Technologies, the technology arm of Prime Focus, the global leader in media and entertainment industry services, today announced its plans for the NAB Show 2013 in Las Vegas, highlighting how the organization is bringing the best of its CLEARTM Hybrid Cloud technology platform and digital content services in to new enterprise digitization opportunity – multi-platform content production (TV, feature film and digital media).

Created at the company’s R&D centre in Bangalore, PFT’s new solution aims to bring the production process on to a single digital platform, transforming the very manner in which producers interact with their content, partners and vendors. “As the technology evolves and businesses transition to the ‘new normal’, PFT continues to invest heavily in its R&D to provide solutions to its customers that put them ahead of the technology evolution curve,” says Ramki Sankaranarayanan, Founder, President and CEO, Prime Focus Technologies.

He further adds “Currently, CLEAR™ is managing more than 250,000 hours of content for the broadcast industry. Our 200+ R&D employees have now brought alive the latest innovation from the PFT stable –a fully integrated content, workflow and project management solution that addresses the customer’s production process, enabled by our Hybrid Cloud technology platform. It will allow content producers to leverage digital technologies, and gain control over the production process, thereby leading to a considerable reduction in cost, and greater efficiencies.

Set up in 2008, the company’s R&D centre develops the CLEAR™ Hybrid Cloud enabled enterprise digitization platform. PFT’s focus areas include multi-platform content operations, enterprise digitization, mobility, contextual advertizing, cloud editing and content analytics. PFT aspires to be the unified content hub for media firms leveraging its global technology infrastructure. Since its launch major functionalities and features like cloud editing, iPAD access, HTML5 player, and B2B sales and fulfillment portal have been added to the current solution at the same time developing new solutions ground-up for clients.

For content producers, the content has become digital today but the supply chain is still offline, posing challenges to unlocking inherent efficiencies. PFT’s new solution aims to bring the production process on to a single digital platform transforming the very manner in which producers would interact with their content, partners and vendors.

“Going beyond the realm of basic Review and Approval, PFT’s CLEARTM Hybrid Cloud enabled technology solution will revolutionize the production process be itacquisition, editorial, visual effects, archiving, versioning and distribution”, explains Ramki.

Prime Focus Technologies’ award winning Hybrid Cloud technology enabled enterprise digitization platform CLEAR™ and digital content services help broadcasters, studios, advertisers, sports bodies, news agencies, government or service providers, drive creative enablement, enhance ecosystem efficiency & sustainability, reduce cost and realize new monetization opportunities.PFT works with major content owners like News Corporation owned STAR TV network, Eros International, SONY Music, Viacom 18, SONY MSM, BCCI, Indian Premiere League, Hindustan Unilever Limited, The Associated Press, A & E TV Network, Netflix, Schawk!, and WPP.

PFT’s mission has always been to help clients manage their business of content better by putting technology and services to work together. PFT’s solution development strategy is aligned to addressing critical media &

entertainment organization goals likehow to reach a wider audience, how to enhance agility of the business and grow faster, ensure technology costs are linked to outcomesand finding new ways to earn more revenue, drive efficiencies, reduce cycle time and conserve cash.

PFT’s NAB Show 2013 showcase includes:

• FIRST LOOK: CLEARTM for Production
• SUCCESS STORIES: CLEARTM for Broadcast

Ganesh Sankaran, Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Prime Focus Technologies has also been invited to speak at the Cloud Computing Conference presented by DCIA (Distributed Computing Industry Association) as part of the NAB Show 2013. Ganesh will share his ideas and insights around ‘Enterprise Digitization in Broadcast Networks using Hybrid Cloud platforms’.

Stay tuned for major announcements on client wins, partnerships and acquisitions on April 08, 2013.

Prime Focus Technologies will be located at booth #8506 in the South Lower Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Media attendees are invited to reach the media contact below to book slots and meet PFT representatives for more details and insights on how CLEARTM is transforming the way the business of content is being managed.

About Prime Focus Technologies

Prime Focus Technologies (PFT) is the technology arm of Prime Focus, the global leader in media and entertainment industry services. PFT brings together a unique blend of Media and IT skills backed by a deep understanding of the global media and entertainment industry.

CLEAR™, our award-winning Hybrid Cloud technology enabled enterprise digitization platform and digital content services help broadcasters, studios, advertisers, sports bodies, news agencies, the government and service providers drive creative enablement, enhance ecosystem efficiencies & sustainability, reduce cost and realize new monetization opportunities.

PFT works with major content owners like News Corporation-owned STAR TV, EROS International, SONY Music, Viacom 18, SONY MSM, BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), IPL (Indian Premiere League), Hindustan Unilever Limited, The Associated Press, A & E TV Network, Netflix, Schawk! and WPP.
Prime Focus’ worldwide network of studios and WorldSourcing® model supported by a Global Digital Pipeline allows PFT to offer customers transformational solutions that help them manage their business of content better.

Prime Focus Limited is listed on the NSE and BSE in India.
For more information visit: www.primefocustechnologies.com
CLEAR and WorldSourcing are registered trademarks of Prime Focus Technologies. All other trademarks acknowledged.

Media Relations:

Jose Kunnappally
Head, Marketing and Communications
Prime Focus Limited
+91 887 964 5359
jose.kunnappally@primefocusworld.com

Or

Annu Dwivedi
Genesis Burson-Marsteller for Prime Focus Limited
+ 91 982 002 4293
annu.dwivedi@bm.com

Mumbai, Maharashtra, India — January, 12, 2013

Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), today announced that its CLEAR Hybrid Cloud Platform has been recognized as CIO CHOICE 2013 in “Content Management” category, demonstrating a best-in-class ability and commitment to meet customer CIOs’ evolving needs in today’s dynamic business environment. The survey was conducted by the Centre of Recognition & Excellence with KPMG as the Knowledge Partner. CLEAR which was awarded ‘Best of IBC’ in 2010 has with this honour cemented its position as top choice or preferred vendor for Content and Workflow Management.

CIO Choice 2013 awards were announced and presented at a glittering event at The Lalit Mumbai yesterday (11 January 2013). Gurinder Vir Singh, CIO, Prime Focus Technologies accepted the award.

To earn a CIO Choice 2013 recognition, all vendors must successfully be voted for and participate in the CIO survey conducted by Centre of Recognition & Excellence to prove their level of technology expertise, and then be designated by the CIO or ICT professionals uniquely to one or more category competency, ensuring a certain level of satisfaction with vendor product / solution / services. Participating vendors also must get preferred as CIO CHOICE 2013 with customer online pharmacy references that demonstrate customer satisfaction.

CLEAR enterprise digitization platform is the world’s first hybrid cloud, multi-platform content operations infrastructure. It is a global virtual pipeline of digital media processing and delivery services designed to transform the way media industry operates.

CLEAR already has over 250,000 hours of content under management across broadcasting, sports and advertising, syndicates over 10 million files and manages over 96,000 episodes of TV content every year for industry stalwarts including Star India, The Associated Press, Eros International, Sony Music, Viacom 18, Sony MSM, BCCI, Indian Premiere League (IPL), Hindustan Unilever Limited, A&E TV Network, Vijay TV, Netflix, Schawk! and WPP.

“This CIO Choice 2013 endorsement in the Content Management category showcases client confidence in our knowledge of the media

and entertainment industry and our expertise to offer content and workflow management solutions,” said Ramki Sankaranarayanan, Founder President and CEO, Prime Focus Technologies. “CLEAR Hybrid Cloud platform helps content owners drive creative enablement, enhance ecosystem efficiency and sustainability, reduce cost and explore new monetization opportunities.”

“By achieving CIO Choice 2013 recognition, Prime Focus Technologies have demonstrated the highest, most consistent capability and commitment to the latest content management technologies which is endorsed by the CIOs” said Anoop Mathur, President at the Centre of Recognition & Excellence. “These ICT vendors have a deep relationship and trust factor with CIOs that puts them in the top 1 percent of preferred top league within the CIO ecosystem, and their content management proficiency will help CIOs drive innovative solutions in their enterprise.”

Under the headline “RISING STAR: How Prime Focus’ Namit Malhotra Became A Force To Reckon With In Hollywood”, the article profiles Prime

Focus, examining the company’s origins and detailing the business strategies that have helped Prime Focus become a market-leading VFX and post production specialist.

Digital Studio’s front-page feature on Namit and Prime Focus can be downloaded here.

Mumbai, 07 January 2013 - Prime Focus will be the exclusive sponsor for the 64th Technology & Engineering Achievement Emmy® Awards scheduled to be held on Thursday, January 10, 2013 in the Bellagio Grand Ballroom, Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada during the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). http://www.emmyonline.org/tech/

Manolo Romero, Managing Director, Olympic Broadcasting Services will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. The Academy is recognizing his leadership in providing coverage of the Olympic Games to the world since his first games in Mexico City in 1968. Other category awardees include Apple, HBO, MTV Networks, Time Warner Cable, Motorola, Cisco, Warner Bros, CBS Worldwide Distribution, Arnold & Richter Cine Technik (ARRI), Canon and Sony, among others.

“The National Academy’s Technology and Engineering Achievement Committee is pleased to honor these technology companies and individuals whose innovation and vision have materially affected the way the audience views television and have set the standard for technological excellence in the industry,” said committee Chairman, Robert P. Seidel, Vice President of CBS Engineering and Advanced Technology.

“We are extremely pleased to have Prime Focus as the exclusive sponsor of this prestigious event. Prime Focus is regarded for their sheer boldness and disruptive approach to addressing some of the challenges within the media and entertainment space. They are perfect to partner us in presenting this event which celebrates vision and innovation. The Academy looks forward to a long term partnership with Prime Focus”, said Malachy Wienges, Chairman, NATAS.

“It is a matter of great honor to be associated with the Academy and be part of such a high profile event. We value forward thinking conversations that challenge conventions and call for a transformational approach – the only way to make our industry more creative, more efficient, more customer centric and more online pharmacy cialis financially viable. We are delighted to support the Academy in its initiative to recognize efforts to drive excellence in

the industry. Our heartfelt congratulations to all the awardees”, said Ramki Sankaranarayanan, CEO, Prime Focus Limited and Founder CEO, Prime Focus Technologies.

CEO Ramki will also address the gathering of over 250 senior leaders including CTOs and CIOs representing some of the biggest names in the broadcast industry.

Society (BES) Expo 2013. Ganesh will present on ‘Predictability in Cloud Computing – insights on what works on the cloud and what doesn’t, in a broadcast environment’ as part of the conference segment ‘Cloud Computing: New in Broadcast Realm’, on Wednesday January 30 in New Delhi, India.

PFT is a pioneer and global industry leader thanks to CLEARTM – its award winning Hybrid Cloud Platform that has transformed media workflows at India’s leading broadcasters.

BES Expo is one of the biggest events organised in New Delhi every year in the field of broadcasting, which is supported by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India and other leading media organisations including ABU. Established in 1987, BES (India) is a professional body with the main objective of promoting the advancement and dissemination of knowledge in Radio & TV broadcasting.

The BES Expo 2013 will be held from the 29th to 31st January, 2013 in Halls 12 & 12A in Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Entry to the exhibition is free by registration at the expo venue and entry to the conference is by payment of fee.

Los Angeles, October 31 2012 – Prime Focus Technologies (PFT), a Prime Focus Group company, the global digital content operations specialist, has signed a multi-million dollar deal with one of Hollywood’s leading film studios to supply media processing services to ensure full compliance with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations for new media. PFT will leverage CLEAR™, its award-winning hybrid cloud content operations platform to handle the assets, automated QC, approvals, workflows, delivery and archiving of the content.

PFT is already managing over 180,000 hours of TV and Film content each year for its clients in Europe and Asia. By leveraging the relationships that parent company Prime Focus has built up through its high-end visual effects and

3D conversion work for major studios, PFT is now gaining traction in providing CLEAR™ led services in North America also.

Ramki Sankaranarayanan, President and CEO of Prime Focus Technologies said; “We’re starting to see real growth for our business in the North American market and this deal will provide us with a solid foundation to expand our services and client-base within the region. CLEAR™, the hybrid cloud platform, backed by PFT’s global network of supporting services is proving to be the preferred option for Hollywood studios that need to process large volumes of content within the existing time frame and cost limitations without compromising on creativity.”

To cater to the burgeoning demand for its services,

PFT is setting up a ~1,00,000sq.ft. facility at Andheri (East), Mumbai. The facility is being built to suit the requirements of the increasing list of elite clients, with whom PFT has an exclusive vendor relationship for its variety of services. This facility will also house the Digital Broadcast Hub, and will be the new Global Headquarters for the Company. The facility is expected to be commissioned in February, 2013.