Contact: Jo Ouvry
Deloitte
Public Relations
+44 (0) 20 7303 4820

Deloitte, the business advisory firm, has today launched a book on convergence, based on a series of interviews with some of the most influential thinkers from the technology, media and telecommunications (TMT) sector. The book provides an in-depth perspective on the impact of convergence on the sector, and illustrates the breadth of thinking on the subject in the market.

Jolyon Barker, head of the technology, media & telecommunications practice at Deloitte, comments: “Deloitte has been closely tracking the topic of convergence since the term first started to be used a number of years ago – and which at the beginning was a subject surrounded by ambiguity, contradiction and cynicism. Since this time however, convergence has risen up the agenda of TMT companies, and is now as subject of regular and serious discussion on executive boards and in the media.

“The interviews reveal that convergence has become one of the most central and significant issues faced in the TMT sector today – shaping everything from product and service launches to catalysing multi-million dollar mergers and acquisitions. There are a wide range of views on how the subject should be approached – with original perspectives on the rationale and scope of convergence that others will find of interest and learn from.”

“This book is by no means the concluding viewpoint on the subject of convergence, and the contributions to this book are only the early chapters of the story likely to unfold. Convergence will offer many more surprises and disappointments in the future – while technological progress allows engineering marvels such as delivering television signals over copper wires and sending presentation slides to mobile phones, many applications of convergence may never make business sense or be attractive to consumers.”

Ashley Highfield, Director of Future Media & Technology at the BBC, comments: “Convergence Conversations provides a refreshing perspective on the evolution of convergence.  As the BBC's digital strategy has developed, there have been huge shifts in the influence that convergence has had on the organisation, as well as on how we interact with our audiences through TV, radio and the web.  The issues and challenges that the concept of convergence presents affect us all."

Typically Deloitte’s approach to thought leadership is to analyse and synthesize views generated by discussions with industry leaders. However, the sheer complexity and diversity of opinion associated with convergence has merited a different approach. Instead of trying to assimilate a single, broadly representative view, the pages of this publication were opened up to 36 leading experts from the converging world, to let them do the talking.

Ends

Notes to editors
Download a copy of the book.
Deloitte’s most recent report on convergence The trillion dollar challenge - principles for profitable convergence, forecasts that convergence of the technology, media and telecommunications markets will have generated over a trillion dollars by the end of the decade.

About Deloitte
In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte & Touche LLP which is among the country’s leading professional services firms, providing audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance services. Deloitte & Touche LLP is the United Kingdom member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (‘DTT’), a Swiss Verein whose member firms are separate and independent legal entities.  Neither DTT nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s omissions.  Services are provided by member firms or their subsidiaries and not by DTT.  Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press. 

Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.