November has been a busy month, as The Filter was invited to take part in two of the world’s most important events in Technology and Media.

At the invitation-only Monaco Media Forum, Rhett Ryder, The Filter’s COO, participated in a 60-minute panel moderated by Beet.tv founder Andy Plesser, and CEO David Maher-Roberts went to the New York City edition of Digital Hollywood to discuss Personalization with other major industry players.

On November 17^th, David joined executives from companies such as Pandora, Intel and Ogilvy in a panel that dealt with the social experience of personalized communication, and the issues that this brings up in relation to privacy. Can you – the panel asked – have true personalization without invading privacy, could privacy rules then mean the death of personalization, and are these features better with or without social inputs?

“It was definitely one of the best panels on the subject that I’ve ever taken part in,” says Maher-Roberts, who is often invited to speak at major conferences in the US and Europe.

The commercial aspects of personalization were also explored, as panellists debated whether personalization would eventually harm or even wipe out big brand advertising in a world where people are only shown the ads that are relevant to them. Could this be a positive development that led companies to use their resources in developing better products rather than marketing them?

Matt Goddard, CEO of Digital Marketing and Technology company R2integrated, certainly believes so, going as far as saying that “personalization will mean the death of big-budget TV shows and movies.”

The personalization theme was also very popular at the prestigious Monaco Media Forum, which was hosted by Prince Albert of Monaco from the 9^th to the 11^th November. COO Rhett Ryder represented The Filter in a discussion about online video and the ways in which consumer engagement, consumption and dwell time can be increased through building a personalized taste profile for users.

Click here to watch a video of the discussion, which is now available for a global audience.

As 2011 winds down and The Filter secures many important new clients and partnerships, we’re looking forward to bringing relevant, timely content to a lot more users in 2012!

We just moved into our new office in San Francisco. It’s on the corner of York and 19th in The Mission – next to some of my favourite coffee shops (Coffee Bar, Atlas) and eateries (Blowfish, Slow Club, Flour & Water, Bar Bambino). We are based on the ground floor of the building in the picture – it used to be a felt factory. Inside it is all red brick, wood beams and white boards. We are loving it already.

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31/10/2011 20:30 GMT

Australian public broadcaster SBS partners with The Filter to provide recommendations for its recently launched Video on Demand service.

Australia’s Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) launched SBS On Demand in September, providing a free video service with full episodes, films, clips and live streaming. The service features over 90 per cent of SBS’s current prime time content and features social media share buttons, 1.5 Mb streaming rates and recommendations powered by UK-based company The Filter.

The Filter is a world leader in providing highly relevant search, navigation and discovery solutions for digital entertainment content, and SBS intend to use the technology to provide its users with recommendations that will become highly personalized over time and will help them find what they are most likely to want to watch next.

“SBS ON DEMAND has been developed as more than just a regular catch-up service,” said Marshall Heald [Manager, Digital Media, SBS]. “It’s a real step forward in evolution – a sophisticated yet simple-to-use, true on-demand service providing our audiences with a more personal and flexible service – wherever and whenever they want.”

“We are really delighted to be helping SBS provide a more personal service to its audience,” said David Maher Roberts, The Filter’s CEO. Our experience working on projects for customers like NBC, Warner Bros. and Vudu will enable us to deliver personalized recommendations for SBS.

“This exciting partnership is our first client in Australasia and complements our global footprint with The Filter services being used in over 35 countries.”

About SBS

SBS is Australia’s multicultural and multilingual national public broadcaster. SBS delivers a comprehensive range of media services across television, radio and online in-language and in English.

http://www.sbs.com.au/

About The Filter

The Filter is a world leader in recommendation services for digital media content, delivering over one billion recommendations to more than 150 million unique users every month. The Filter uses the data produced by consumers’ interaction to deliver the most relevant content back as recommendations. Founded in 2004 and backed by Peter Gabriel and Eden Ventures, The Filter is based in the UK with offices in New York and California. The Filter provides Software as a Service recommendation and personalization solutions across all digital platforms including video, films, TV and music.  The Filter’s clients include Dailymotion, Walmart’s Vudu, Nokia, NBC.com , Fuhu and Warner Bros. For more information please visit http://www.thefilter.com

Press Contact

Alice Bonasio

Marketing & PR Executive

Intl: +44 78 24 81 17 94

alice@thefilter.com

http://www.thefilter.com

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The Filter to provide personalization services across Fuhu’s expanding product suite.

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Monday, 17^th October 2011 – 14:30 GMT

SAN FRANCISCO & LOS ANGELES

The Filter, the leading recommendation solution for digital content, today announced a new partnership with Fuhu Inc., the leading provider of cloud-served software and services that transform the way people consume content. The collaboration means that The Filter will be providing personalization features across all of Fuhu’s integrated product suite. Fuhu can then provide a user centric experience across all of their existing and soon to be announced platforms such as music, apps, video and books on their expanding array of supported devices.

Fuhu offers a range of products including urDrive, a preloaded software solution on select Kingston USB Flash drives, and Spinlets Plus, a global PC and Android cloud-served music solution. Also created by Fuhu, Fooz Kids is a kid-safe web browsing application that enables children to create, connect, discover and learn in a parent-controlled environment.

Fuhu is currently working to integrate their suite of web services with various devices, including PCs, Connected TVs, Smartphones and Tablets. By marrying its products with other device platforms, Fuhu aims to offer a genuine “Anytime, Anywhere” experience. The Filter’s technology takes various types of data and combines them using complex algorithms to present users with the most relevant recommendations available anywhere. This partnership will bring together these two dynamic leaders in their field and connect many more users to the content they love at the right time, in the right place and in the best way possible.

About Fuhu Inc.

Fuhu Inc. was founded in 2008 by Robb Fujioka and John Hui to provide a suite of solutions that transforms the way users discover and consume content.

Fuhu offers a range of products including urDrive, a preloaded software solution on select Kingston USB Flash drives; Spinlets Plus, a global PC and Android cloud-served music solution; and Fooz Kids, a set of kid-safe applications that enables children to create, connect, discover and learn in a safe online environment. Fuhu is currently working towards unveiling a kids tablet to be released soon called Nabi. For more information on Fuhu, please visit www.fuhu.com, and to download Fooz Kids, please visit www.foozkids.com.

About The Filter

The Filter is a world leader in recommendation services for digital media content, delivering over one billion recommendations to more than 150 million unique users every month. The Filter uses the data produced by consumers’ interaction to deliver the most relevant content back as recommendations. Founded in 2004 and backed by Peter Gabriel and Eden Ventures, The Filter is based in Bath, UK with offices in New York and California. The Filter provides Software as a Service recommendation and personalization solutions across all digital content including video, films, TV and Music.  The Filter’s clients include Dailymotion, Walmart’s Vudu, Nokia, NBC , Fuhu and Warner Bros. For more information please visit www.thefilter.com

Press Contact (The Filter)

Alice Bonasio

Intl: +44 78 24 81 17 94

alice@thefilter.com

http://www.thefilter.com

Press Contact (Fuhu)

Jason Kuo

Intl: +01 310 227 8230

jason.kuo@Fuhu.com

http://www.Fuhu.com

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

06 October 2011 – 16:00 GMT

The Filter partners with online movie retailer Film Fresh to bring personalized recommendations to fans of Hollywood, independent, classic and international cinema.

The Filter, the leading recommendation solution for digital content, today announced a new strategic partnership with Los Angeles-based online movie retailer Film Fresh which will deliver personalized and relevant recommendations to the site’s users.

Film Fresh offers a unique blend of Hollywood and independent movies from emerging and established directors that take viewers away from the beaten track and invite them to “refresh their relationship to film.” The Filter’s technology presents users with the most relevant recommendations available anywhere. This is what makes The Filter a particularly good match for Film Fresh, since its intelligent recommendations help users discover titles that they love but would not otherwise have found.

“Online film delivery has come a long way, but film discovery remains the Holy Grail,” says Rick Bolton, CEO and Founder of Film Fresh. “There are thousands of titles available, but how do you lead audience members to specific films that match their interests?  Film Fresh is particularly interested in this challenge. The Filter’s film recommendation technology is many things: exciting, forward-thinking, even visionary.  It is also an indispensable part of our efforts at Film Fresh. ”

The partnership between Film Fresh and The Filter brings together two highly innovative companies to deliver relevant recommendations and connect movie fans to the content they love at the right time, in the right place and in the best way possible.

About Film Fresh

Film Fresh, headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, is an online retailer offering digital delivery of Hollywood, independent, classic and international films for sale and rental at Filmfresh.com.                                                                                                      Founded in 2005, the company utilizes both the RoxioNow and DivX platforms, giving customers the opportunity to “Watch Here. Watch Anywhere.™” — on computers, wireless Blu-ray players, Internet-connected TVs and on many other consumer electronic devices.  Along with providing well-known titles from major studios, Film Fresh offers a chance to discover quality films from established and emerging directors across the globe, encouraging customers to “refresh their relationship to film.” For more information please visit http://www.filmfresh.com

About The Filter

The Filter is a world leader in recommendation services for digital media content, delivering over one billion recommendations to more than 150 million unique users every month. The Filter uses the data produced by consumers’ interaction to deliver the most relevant content back as recommendations. Founded in 2004 and backed by Peter Gabriel and Eden Ventures, The Filter is based in the UK with offices in New York and California. The Filter provides Software as a Service recommendation and personalization solutions across all digital platforms including video, films, TV and music.  The Filter’s clients include Dailymotion, Walmart’s Vudu, Nokia, NBC.com , Fuhu and Warner Bros. For more information please visit http://www.thefilter.com

Press Contact (The Filter)

Alice Bonasio

Marketing & PR Executive

Intl: +44 78 24 81 17 94

alice@thefilter.com

http://www.thefilter.com

Press Contact (Film Fresh)

Katie Mills

Director of Content

Intl: +01 32 35 76 15 74

katie@filmfresh.com

http://www.filmfresh.com

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The Filter has become a recognized market leader in the recommendations and personalization landscape, and this is reflected in the fact that it has been invited to not only attend, but also speak at the sixth edition of the  Monaco Media Forum. The invitation-only event, which takes place from the 9^th to 11^th November 2011, is hosted by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco and brings together leaders of both new and old media for high-level discussions about the future of online, broadcast and print communications.

This year’s theme is “Screen Wars,” posing the question of who will win the fight for a billion living rooms and the future of the medium formerly known as television. Discussions will focus on emerging opportunities in technology, distribution and content, along with related development in marketing and finance. Personalization and recommendations are at the heart of what is driving these changes, so it is appropriate that The Filter’s CEO will participate in a discussion about “Smarter TV” alongside representatives from companies such as Google TV and Netflix.

Co-chairs and partners at the 2011 edition of the MMF include Google, Turner Broadcasting, Publicis Groupe, Orange, Ericsson and Microsoft, and the venue for this incredibly high-calibre gathering is the suitably glamorous Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. If you have also been invited, get in touch to book a meeting and we hope to see you there for some very interesting discussions!

Speaking of which, if your company is involved with digital entertainment content, why not book a meeting with us and see how The Filter could deliver greater engagement with your users through recommendations and personalization?

David has also been invited to participate in a panel discussion about the Social Experience surrounding personalization in TV, Apps, Commerce and Communication. Other panellists include executives from Aha Radio, Wordnik, HeyWire, Loyalize and StumbleUpon. Other highlights include guest speakers such as legendary producer and musician Quincy Jones and Network TV producer Mark Burnett.

Digital Hollywood takes place at the glitzy and elegant Ritz Carlton Hotel in Marina del Rey, California. Hope to see you there!

From the 9^th to 13^th September, The Filter’s COO Rhett Ryder will be attending IBC (International Broadcasting Convention) and connecting with other leading companies in the field of Digital Entertainment.

IBC is the leading global tradeshow for professionals engaged in the creation, management and delivery of broadcasting media and entertainment, encompassing all the latest developments in broadcasting, mobile TV, IPTV, digital signage and R&D making it an essential date in the calendar of anyone interested in the industry and its future.

Attracting over 48,000 professionals and 1,300 exhibitors from more than 140 countries, IBC is now a permanent fixture for major players in the global media industry. The highly respected conference is attended by senior executives in all industries, and there a prestigious awards ceremony is hosted during the event. Innovations such as the New Technology Campus and IBC Connected World showcase technology at the cutting edge, making IBC the ideal place to network, learn and connect.

As a world leader in its field, The Filter will be attending the event and looking forward to meeting with companies looking for relevance and recommendation solutions in the challenging world of digital content.

To setup a meeting at IBC, please contact us.

We wanted to let you know some stuff about them, random thoughts, likes and dislikes, that sort of thing.

As Rob Gordon in High Fidelity said, “What really matters is what you like, not what you are like. Books, records, films – these things matter.” So there you have it.

Answering questions this week is our CEO, David Maher Roberts

Must-have favourite web site

I should say Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn. As I use them every day. But, the website I can’t do without is actually the BBC’s football site.

What did you want to do as a child?

Very unoriginal, but I was convinced I would be a footballer. I even got selected for the under 17s Belgian national side and played a friendly until they realised that I was British… When I see what most footballers are like as men, I am so relieved that I didn’t actually make my dream come true.

What skill or talent would you most like to acquire?

I would love to have more talented hands – to paint, draw, play the piano, etc… I love the idea of being able to do more creative things with my hands.

What is the worst job you have ever done?

I have loved pretty much every job I have ever had. Apart from my very first summer job, which involved looking after and entertaining 30 five-year olds in a kids club. It took me forever to recover from that experience.

What is the best thing about working in Bath / London / SF / NYC?

I am so lucky that I actually get to be in all four of those cities… and I can enjoy the best they all have to offer. The best thing about Bath is the green, open countryside for walks and cycle rides. The best thing about SF is the entrepreneurial energy of every single person you meet. The best thing about NYC is that you feel that you are in a TV series/movie whatever you might be doing. And the best thing about London is that it is a real, genuine cultural melting pot.

What are you reading and why?

Since I bought my kindle I have been reading 3-4 books per months. The last 4 I have read: Soul Identity (Dennis Blatcheder), Journey (Tony Blair autobiog), Chasing The Dead (Tim Weaver), Big Sur (Jack Kerouac). All very different, so no real reason other than loving reading.

First record bought?

Stiff Little Fingers – Inflammable Material. Can’t believe now that my parents allowed me listen to this stuff when I was 10!

What are you listening to at the moment?

Loving Cee Lo Green’s newest album right now.

Favourite video game?

EA Hockey on the Sega Mega Drive. The version that allowed you to fight and when you cross checked an opponent hard enough they would fall to ground and blood would spread out all over the ice. Nice…

Favourite film / TV Show?

Favourite movie: Le Grand Bleue / Big Blue

Favourite TV show: Californication

Do you have any nicknames?

I used to be called Robs at school. But ever since I got married, my nickname has been DMR.

Favourite place in the world?

Hmmmm… it is a close call between San Francisco and Nice. If I had to work while I was there, I would say SF, if I didn’t have to work, then Nice.

Three things you would put in Room 101?

Reality TV shows, Hannah Montana and ties

THANKS DAVID!