Mark Friend is the Controller at BBC/UK and oversees their digital radio, music, and mobile app offerings. He discusses BBC's focus on outstanding TV, radio, and journalism content both within the UK and to over 250 million regular international users. Their most significant automotive app project currently is developing an iPlayer Radio app for in-car use. Key trends he sees are the need for standardization of automotive technologies and developing better driver distraction guidelines. His presentation at the Auto Apps Evolution 2014 conference will focus on delivering the best media experience in cars through improved broadcast and IP services that incorporate news, traffic, weather and allow for personalized content while avoiding driver distraction.

1. Interview BBC / UK
Mark Friend
Radio and Music Multiplatform
BBC / UK
Prior to the Auto Apps Evolution 2014, we.CONECT spoke with Mark Friend, Controller at BBC / UK
about striking tasks in the automotive apps evolution.
we.CONECT:
Mr. Friend, what role does your company play in the field of auto- motive apps and content develop- ment?
Mark Friend: The main focus of BBC is to provide outstanding TV, Radio and Journalism. We deliver outside the UK to approximately 250 Mio regular users mainly through the world service. In the apps context, BBC provides award winning apps including de BBC iPlayer Radio. We are also the joint owner of the UK Radioplayer.
we.CONECT:
What is your company’s recently most significant project with relation to auto-motive apps, user experience and content integration at the moment?
Mark Friend: At the moment we are developing an iPlayer Radio for the in- car use which will be our latest significant project. We also have a project running on the Universal Radio Smartphone and at finally our hybrid radio solutions.
we.CONECT:
Which critical trends and innovations can you identify for the evolution of auto apps and content development to play a growing role in the automotive sector?
Mark Friend: Firstly the trend of standardisation of technology and the increasing acknowledgement by OEMs and Tier-1-manufacturers that bespoke technology is too expensive. They will not manage to deliver long-term competitive advantage and this is a key barrier that prevents broadcasters like the BBC from building in-car.
we.CONECT:
Which issues do you consider poorly developed or unresolved within the area of auto apps?
Which aspects should be improved upon or further developed?
Mark Friend: In an evolving industry environment there is the growing issue of standardization of technology that challenges all players of the market and the real outcome in the end.
Another critical trend that needs improvement regards poorly developed driver distraction guidelines. So one day we should move closer to bringing together broadcast and IP in order to have an easy single experience.
we.CONECT:
From your point of view - Which are the conflicts arising between current and upcoming players in the auto app industry? How should they be handled?
Mark Friend: The ownership of the user or listener will be a most striking issue to figure out. In consequence, the question of who users will sign in with will arise and need to be handled. And there are going to be conflicts on who will earn the right to extract commercial value in the long term.
we.CONECT:
Can you name the most significant keys to a safe and fast integration of apps and mobile devices in the automotive cockpit?
Mark Friend: A common standard infrastructure would provide for safe and fast integration. In this regard, standardized technology across all vehicles should be the goal. Also, as I said before, it will be of great importance to agree on driver distraction guidelines to enable real development.
we.CONECT:
In your opinion, how will the dynamics in the automotive apps market change within the next 5 years? Which potentials do you see?
Mark Friend: Since the market growth has been exponential in the automotive apps industry, in five years time I expect the trends in services and technology to have reached the minds of developers and consumers to push services and offers in the direction of innovation.
In any case, I see the integration of services such as geolocation, social media information and information with existing broadcast media services happening.
we.CONECT:
Please explain in brief the topics and key issues of the presentation you will be holding at the 3rd Auto Apps Evolution 2014 congress in Berlin?
Mark Friend: My presentation will be about the best possible media experience in the car. In this regard, I will draw out the latest opportunities for radio and music services in the car and address the right balance of services that should be delivered by broadcast and IP channels. I want to stress how best to incorporate improving news, traffic and weather information into the audio stream and deliver a more personalised media service after all. So finally there will be a discussion on avoiding driver distraction and leveraging video for the car.
we.CONECT:
What expectations do you have regarding the Auto Apps Evolution 2014? Which outcomes and benefits do you expect to gain from the exchange with participating OEMs, developers and research institutions?
Mark Friend: I am looking forward to learning new approaches in auto apps that I am not familiar yet and extend plans and strategies in discussion with other professionals from different backgrounds. I expect to gain new insights into technology approaches, user insight and information.

2. we.CONECT:
Thanks a lot for this interview! We look forward to a thriving community and event with you!
Interview Partners: Serina Gummert and Mark Friend
CV Mark Friend: Mark runs BBC Radio’s digital services and music output across digital radio, desktop, TV and mobile platforms. This includes the development and running of iPlayer Radio, major music events, mobile and tablet apps, visual radio, podcasts, social media, hybrid radio, archive-, text and data services. Mark was previously the BBC's Controller of Strategy where he led the Charter settlement in 2005, developed the BBC’s new services vision and helped launch BBC iPlayer and mobile services. Before joining the BBC, Mark spent several years launching and running new businesses at ITN and riding a motorbike halfway round the world across the former Soviet Union and USA. Auto Apps Evolution 2014 is the leading global automotive congress for industry executives and pioneers focused on the pressing tasks and challenges around automotive apps, sophisticated content and user experience. In 2014, invited speakers and delegates will discuss the advances in the design & development process, gamification and content integration, as well as the traditional HMI versus APP ecosystem. The latest state-of-the-art in auto apps interfaces will be assessed, together with innovative approaches to workload mana- gement, latest platform technologies and modern processing and consumer requirements.
Find more Information about the event and we.CONECT online:
http://automotive-apps2014.we-conect.com
Contact Event Production: Dr. Klaudia Malowitz
Senior Product Manager
Phone: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 – 48
Fax: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 – 30
Email: klaudia.malowitz@we.conect.com
Contact Marketing: Serina Gummert
Digital Marketing Manager
Phone: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 – 83
Fax: +49 (0)30 52 10 70 3 – 30
Email: serina.gummert@we.conect.com
we.CONECT Global Leaders GmbH
Gertraudenstr. 10-12 10178 Berlin, Germany www.we-conect.com