London, 31 January 2013 – Richard Hilleman, Chief Creative Officer at major video games studio Electronic Arts, is set to deliver the opening speech at this year’s TV Connect (formerly known as IP&TV World Forum). Hilleman will kick-start the three-day conference and exhibition, which is now in its ninth year and will place a real focus on the evolution of online gaming within the converging connected entertainment ecosystem.

Hilleman is a champion in gaming and has spent over 20 years developing products for Electronic Arts, as well as driving the EA Sports brand forward. Working closely with game designers, he has spear-headed the production of hugely successful games, including Madden Football, which has been described as the best-selling title in the history of games across North America.

TV Connect’s focus on gaming is resonated by Hilleman’s opening keynote, which will throw a spotlight on championing the role of gaming in the evolution of connected TV. Hilleman will also form a keynote panel session that will explore the key role of new players in driving the user experience. This will also include participation from fellow industry leaders, Pascal De Mul, Global Head of Partnerships at Spotify, and Jeff G Weber, President of Content and Advertising Sales at AT&T.

Hilleman comments on gaming’s role within the evolving connected entertainment ecosystem: “Connected TV has several advocates driven by different goals. In the US and Europe, it is trying to gain attention on a screen that has a lot of other content already, including a gaming console. In this case, the connected TV market will need to find a hole, or displace an existing business. In some other territories, there is more open space for connected TV to find its own place and define its own value proposition.

“This is a fast-moving business with a particular collection of gaming technical assets, and creative processes. It will be a learning curve for everyone,” concludes Hilleman.

This year the event includes a free Gaming Connect session on Day One as part of the Connected Innovation Theatre, further echoing the show’s theme. Here visitors can learn about the opportunity that competitive entertainment offers service providers, operators, content providers, gaming developers, social media networks and publishers. Vendors are also welcome as latest developments will be revealed on how delivery space, cloud innovation and gaming networks can help enhance the real-time experience in a multiplatform world.

Gaming partners already confirmed to support the event include TIGA, International Game Developers Association (IGDA), Develop Magazine, Pocket Gamer and Branded Entertainment. IGDA’s Executive Director, Kate Edwards, highlights the importance of the event: "As gaming becomes more widespread across demographics, geographies and platforms, the IGDA welcomes the opportunity to partner with the Gaming Connect event at TV Connect. Broadening the horizons of our membership and strengthening our connections beyond the core game development community is invaluable to us."

The event will take place at the Olympia Exhibition Centre, London on 19 – 21 March 2013.

To view the full event programme and register for TV Connect, please visit http://www.tvconnectevent.com/. Alternatively, keep up to date with the event on Twitter @tvconnectevent or by using #tvconnect.