Announced at the inaugural Bell Cybersecurity Summit in Toronto, Bell says Bell Cyber helps advance its goal of becoming the country’s “most trusted Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP).”

The new brand promises to offer next generation Security-as-a-Service (SECaaS), “combining Bell’s internal security platforms, telco-grade infrastructure and resiliency DNA with real-time threat detection and advanced Security Operations Centre (SOC) capabilities.”

Also announced at the summit was Bell Cyber’s new autonomous SOC, purported to use AI and automation to detect and contain threats in under five minutes. Its announcement noted that its SECaaS platform is hosted on a secure, Canadian cloud, ensuring customer data is housed, governed and managed entirely within Canada “offering peace of mind amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and increasingly sophisticated threat actors.”

“Today we celebrate the launch of Bell Cyber, a big milestone we’ve been working on for our customers. Leveraging Ateko and Bell AI Fabric solutions, Bell Cyber is a central pillar of our strategy to lead in Enterprise with AI-powered solutions,” said John Watson, Group President of Bell Business Markets (BBM), AI and Ateko. “This announcement is an investment in the security of our customers and our country, strengthening our ability to protect enterprises and institutions in an increasingly complex threat landscape.”

Bell Cyber partners include Palo Alto Networks, Cisco, Microsoft and Fortinet.

The post Bell launches ‘Bell Cyber’ brand growing AI-tech solutions business appeared first on Broadcast Dialogue.

Announced at the China Esports Conference (GEC) in Shanghai, ActiveVoices is being billed as a first-of-its-kind AI platform, empowering creators with features like instant translation, dubbing, and multi-platform publishing across YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Instagram. At launch, the platform features support for more than a dozen languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Hindi, Indonesian, and Arabic, enabling creators to overcome language barriers to expand their global audience reach and revenue opportunities without incurring additional production costs.

“AI can either centralize control or empower people. ActiveVoices is built entirely around creator empowerment,” said Adam Adamou, Co-Founder and CEO of OverActive Media, in a company announcement. “With one click, creators can authentically engage new audiences in Madrid, Riyadh, Shanghai and beyond, amplifying their original voices rather than manufacturing new ones. ActiveVoices ensures creators retain complete control of their content and identity while effortlessly unlocking global fanbases and revenue opportunities.”

“ActiveVoices is more than a product; it’s a strategic growth engine for OverActive,” he added. “By combining high-margin SaaS revenue with our owned distribution and creator network, we’re building scalable digital infrastructure that transforms our audience reach into long-term commercial value. This marks a pivotal step in OverActive’s evolution, expanding our business into a global media and technology platform.”

OverActive, which went public in 2021 and is traded on the TSX, is best known for its ownership of esports teams, including its Toronto-based Call of Duty League franchise, Toronto Ultra.

The company, which Bell Media acquired a minority stake in in 2019, says it’s uniquely positioned to scale ActiveVoices by leveraging its direct digital reach with its global fan base, boasting more than 1 million followers across Toronto Ultra’s channels alone. The platform will debut with a pilot program branded KOI Voices, offered initially to partners and its creator network under its Spanish pro esports organization, Movistar KOI, and the Toronto Ultra brand, with additional partners to be invited in the coming months. Following the pilot, ActiveVoices will officially launch as a commercial SaaS product for esports teams, agencies, and creator networks.

OverActive has partnered with multimedia translation company, Aview, to support infrastructure and tech development.

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Here are my reflections after mingling with 15,727 Web Summit attendees.

Gen Z

These discussions led to my biggest aha moment. Their age segment covers 1997 to 2012, which puts them at 13-28 years old (I live with two), and these digital-native humans are making big waves in media, marketing and across the world.

I realize I’ve been underestimating the importance of the Gen Z segment. In radio and TV advertising, selling an d buying is largely A25 – 54 / 64. There’s an accepted culture of regaling and highlighting the purchasing power of consumers, 30+. 

Meantime, digital marketers are eyes wide-open and leaning into the importance of Gen Z consumers; not just for their purchases, but their impact on marketing going forward.

In the words of Chief Marketing Officer Charlotte Mostaed of Health-Ade, whose background includes brand management for Procter & Gamble and POM beverages, “Gen Z creates tension. They call us out and demand transparency while not having the buying power of the older segments. They’re inspirational and authentic.”

In these circles, Gen Z is respected for being values-driven, socially responsible and diverse. They expect two-way communication and for brands to be responsive and authentic. 

The advice is for companies to be very active in the DMs (Direct Messages) and chats. Hasn’t radio been great at this for decades? Personalities and newsreaders are one-to-one communicators, taking listener calls and requests and delighting people at community and client events.

Also, here’s a fun fact: in broadcast buying terms, Gen Z already represents four years of the A25-54 demo. In five short years, they’ll represent 1/3 of this key demo.

AI

Who knew there’d be hundreds of AI references and discussions across four days? Everyone! Prior to Web Summit Vancouver and the Canadian Telecom Summit in Toronto, I generally felt naïve and worried.

Thanks to excellent speakers and presentations, I now have a sense of framework for open-minded learning going forward. Every time AI was mentioned, the human factor quickly followed. As one panelist said, “Responsible innovation starts with responsible innovators.”

The well-known IBM story was highlighted. In early 2023, they let go of 8,000 workers and automated 94% of standard HR needs, which was followed by a natural backlash. CEO Arvind Krishna later spoke of investing cost-savings into high-value roles, stating “our total employment has actually gone up, with hiring in areas like sales, marketing, software engineering and client-facing roles.”

These distinctions will be noteworthy for me going forward:

(1) AI utilization internally by companies & staff for efficiencies & quality enhancement versus customer-facing, external uses 

(2) Companies & industries leveraging AI for role cuts & staff reductions versus investments to support staff, customers & industry improvements

Advertising & Marketing

I was emboldened by the timely affirmation that paid advertising is number one for marketing ROI (SEO and email rounded out the top three). The slide, by Neil Patel, co-founder of NP Digital, showcased what percentage of revenue each marketing channel drives.

In this noisy, social media world, I say hold on tight to this status and proudly represent the industry of paid advertising!

Second, if you’re like me, the notion of predicting or articulating what the future of marketing looks like is hard to fathom. I was comforted to hear two experts provide their quick prediction for five years from now.

“I think we have no idea what’s next, and our job is to just stay current,” Mostaed asserted, while SYLVAIN CEO and Co-Founder Joey Camire told the audience “I think it’ll probably be 50% the same and 50% different”. 

Radio or Television in the convo?

It may be scary or even obvious, but I didn’t hear a single mention of either radio or TV. Yes, it’s the “Web Summit”, but even the “Where Media Goes Next” panel was comprised of the respective Editor-in-Chiefs for Newsweek and the San Francisco Chronicle, along with the Executive Editor of digital news site, Axios.

Per the common pitch by most legacy media companies, they detailed how they’re protecting and leveraging their core, while pursuing digital extensions.

Each stage had an MC/host handling a couple of hours of transitions between sessions, thanking the past speaker and setting up the next panel. That’s where I discovered Vancouver content creator, Sam Levin, known as @OMGHeySam on the socials. She’s personable and comfortable speaking on a big stage with an impressive audience. I can think of dozens of talented radio and TV on-air folks who would also be fully capable, but I wondered if broadcasters seeking this new reach and venue are even being thought of?

Is there a bridge to be built between radio and TV stations and these modern-day storytellers (content creators with 50K, 100K or much larger followings)? It’s new reach with fresh voices and would be a win-win.

If you have Canadian spirit, you have a leg up!

Web Summit didn’t just stimulate my pride, it showcased that Canadians should have and feel swagger. 

Web Summit has previously been hosted in Lisbon, Rio De Janeiro and Hong Kong. Vancouver leaders worked hard to stand out this year. Web Summit Founder Paddy Cosgrave seemed genuinely impressed and was very complimentary of Canadian talent, character and our tech and media savvy. 

Most Canadians tend to be diplomatic and understated…until they really want something, they’re pushed, or the puck drops!

If you’re looking for that spark of confidence before a big meeting or presentation, write down “Grateful to be Canadian. We rock creativity, innovation, entertainment & media!”

Rob Brimacombe is VP of Sales + Partnerships at Momentum Media. With over 30 years of experience in media sales leadership across Canada and international markets, he’s held senior roles at Corus Entertainment, Rogers Sports & Media, and Discovery Channel. Rob now drives strategic revenue initiatives across Broadcast Dialogue, Cartt.ca and other Momentum properties. Contact Rob >

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