We here at Acentic, have always conducted research to understand consumer media behavior since it is the only way to ensure that a hotel meets the needs of their guests with the in-room entertainment services. A recent report from Ericsson’s consumer lab entitled “It’s all about the experience” highlighted some of the trends we are seeing within the hotel room http://www.slideshare.net/EricssonFrance/tv-consumer-insights-ericsson-consumer-lab-2010. The report confirms the growing demand for non-linear Pay TV. In the survey over 50% of interviewed consumers watch on demand content every week. The reality is that the consumer is moving away from a wish to own content (i.e. a DVD) and would rather have instant access to it via On-Demand services. The increased usage within the home will therefore make On-Demand even more in demand in the hotel room. The report also dispelled some of the myths we regularly see in our industry. One of them being that consumers wish to view internet on the TV screen. 70% of consumers indicated that their driver for connecting their PC to the TV was to have a larger screen and 67% said it was to make PC content viewing more comfortable, only 15% stated that it was to browse the internet on the TV. We have always believed that the television will remain the main device for viewing video content. This consumer report is just another sure sign that the TV is used for the passive viewing of “moving pictures” rather than the heavy interaction required with Internet. In fact, 93% of viewing time is still scheduled broadcast TV with picture quality remaining the most important feature. Acentic’s research shows that the most watched television program among hotel guests around the world today is still the news.

Before making big changes in the hotel room entertainment, it is important to make sure it is a system that works for the guests. Keeping it simple is key.

We’ve recently partnered with Filmbank in a promotion to brand hotel key cards, TV banners, trailers, turndown cards, and meal-deal promotions with artwork from new movies that are available on digital TV within the hotel.  One example is our work with UK Marriott, where we distributed 10,000 key cards in February branded with artwork from the film, Sherlock Holmes.  We chose to measure this promotion closely to show hoteliers the benefits and increase revenue that PayTV can bring to their hotels.
The results from the promotion were huge! Guests with the Sherlock Holmes (or Angels & Demons) card were much more likely to spend more on PayTV in-room movies than those guests without the branded key card. Many guests liked the key cards so much they saved them as a collector item, which might entice them to book other hotel rooms to extend their collection of key cards branded with different movies on them. The key card promotion assisted in increased sales with 93% higher revenue in the hotels carrying the promotion. Not only did the films that were promoted have increased sales in the hotel room, but there was an increased awareness among guests for the concept of film offerings as a whole. 
Acentic is very proud to have been a part of this promotion with Filmbank and looks forward to participating in further promotions of this kind. Acentic works with Filmbank often, as it is responsible for providing the widest range of movies to hotels in 10-12 weeks after the cinema release.
I see many opportunities for Acentic and Filmbank to work together to reach better revenue generating PayTV plans for hotels, allowing hoteliers to make the most of Hollywood and reach hotel guests’ high expectations.

Held every two years, the Ryder Cup is the only place to be for those with a passion for golf.  This year, the event will be held at the Celtic Manor Resort on the outskirts of Newport in South Wales.  With 2008’s Ryder Cup drawing just over 243,000 people, 2010 is set to be a huge event with hundreds of thousands of people from over 100 countries around the world.  To make the most of the event and fully enjoy the Ryder Cup 2010 at the Celtic Manor Resort, guests and attendees are going to need clear and practical information on the different aspects of the event, the venue and the festivities. 

Sure most people will be watching the greatest players from Europe and the US battle it out on the course, but during the downtime they’ll want to relax in their room with the television programming they are used to.  The Celtic Manor’s owner, Sir Terence Hedley Matthews, wants only the best in guest room technology for all the Ryder Cup attendees and believe me, Terry knows his technology, having blazed the high tech trail by founding some of the biggest name tech companies in the UK. That’s why we’re helping the Celtic Manor take the next step to provide over 500 TV and radio channels so that there is something for everyone and local programming for all the international guests. We’ll be showing all the greatest golf flicks such as, Caddy Shack, Tin Cup, Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius, The Greatest Game Ever Played, etc. Also families and children can have plenty to watch if they aren’t interested in what’s happening on the green.
But we’ll also be giving them an entertainment experience that they’ve never seen before when they turn on the TV and see the Panorama and Philips Ultimate HD system. And what goes better with sporting events than HD television?  Guests can watch multiple HDTV channels and movies in their downtime, which the Celtic Manor could only offer with the help of Acentic.
Now all the Ryder Cup attendees can just sit back, relax and look forward to witnessing the greatest players from Europe and USA do battle and absorbing the atmosphere of this thrilling biennial tournament! I’m looking forward to see who makes the putts!

Today, I am proud to take the helm at Acentic as the new CEO.  I’ve been with Acentic since the company was founded in 2003, have seen the many changes we’ve gone through as a company and have helped to create a great brand with innovative technology.  I am proud to have worked now for nearly 20 years in the media industry and look forward to providing continuity and stability for Acentic's employees, partners, customers and new business prospects.

We have a lot of exciting news coming up in the next few weeks but remain committed to our core business and product offering of Digital TV services, High Speed Connectivity and world-wide media and content in hotels. I look forward to working with all of our employees, partners and customers toward new technology and business goals while increasing guest satisfaction, revenue from high speed internet and content offerings in hotels all over Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

We plan to make new and existing customers a continued priority, dedicating ourselves to customer service and quality products.  We always want to keep our hotels happy to help them deliver the best in-room services possible to their guests.  We look forward to the changes and growth the Acentic family has to look forward to in the foreseeable future. 

Thank you,

Richard Robinson, Acentic CEO