Aviva Insurance Ireland, one of Ireland’s leading insurance providers, has today been announced as a major partner of ClubberTV, the fast-growing sports streaming platform transforming how grassroots GAA and community sport are brought to fans across Ireland and beyond.
The new partnership marks a significant moment for both organisations, bringing together Aviva’s long-standing commitment to Irish sport with ClubberTV’s innovative approach to live and on-demand sports coverage.
Under the new agreement, Aviva will become an official partner of all ClubberTV coverage for the upcoming 2025/26 season, with prominent branding integrated across Clubber’s live match broadcasts, digital platforms, and community outreach initiatives, reinforcing both organisations’ dedication to growing grassroots sport.
Speaking at the announcement, Declan O’Rourke, CEO at Aviva Insurance Ireland commented, “At Aviva Insurance Ireland, we understand the power of sport to connect communities, and grassroots GAA is at the heart of communities throughout the country. We are proud to support the growth and development of ClubberTV in making our national game more accessible to national and global audiences. We’re delighted to support a platform that gives communities more in terms of access, entertainment and inspiration”.
Founded in 2020, Clubber has become Ireland’s leading live streaming platform for local and grassroots sport. Using cloud-based technology, it removes the need for traditional broadcast infrastructure, enabling high-quality, live coverage from any location. This year alone, it will stream over 1,500 games, cementing its position as the go-to platform for grassroots and semi-professional sports. Clubber holds exclusive, multi-year GAA broadcast rights across Ireland and is actively expanding its footprint into additional counties, sports, and international markets.
Jimmy Doyle, CEO of Clubber TV added, “To welcome Aviva Insurance Ireland as our first major partner is a proud moment. It validates the vision we’ve had from day one: to unlock the power of local sport and bring it to fans everywhere. Together with Aviva, we look forward to increasing the visibility of grassroot sport.”
Fans can watch games from 14 counties including the Tipperary, Cork and Kilkenny Club Hurling Championships, as well as the Kerry, Kildare and Meath Club Football Championships, plus some of the Camogie Club Championships with flexible subscription options.
In an age of video bars and webcams more and more organisations are adding a dynamic new dimension to their remote meetings, by taking a multi-camera approach.
That’s the experience of hardware manufacturer, Boom Collaboration, which has seen growth in ‘live events’ and more intuitive conference calls, rise by over a third so far this year.
The Texas-based company is witnessing a significant acceleration in demand for multi-camera conferencing which it views as an exciting new era for larger remote gatherings, transforming standard meetings into more engaging and powerful customer experiences.
International appeal
Founders Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett believe new technology is helping blur the lines between traditional video calls and once complex AV production broadcasting.
Church ceremonies, court rooms, auction houses and healthcare training are some of the most popular sectors so far – as deployments continue to diversify. Industry trade shows are attracting remote visitors where panel debates and live presentations are all benefitting from a multi-angle approach.
Equally larger traditional conference rooms are adding additional cameras for a more intuitive life-like experience – according to the company which has seen a 35% surge in multi-camera sales so far in 2023.
“There’s no doubt we are seeing major growth in live events and remote communication on an international scale across a growing number of sectors,” says Hörnkvist.
“Many of today’s popular software-based meeting apps have the option to share multiple cameras and it’s clear this type of technology adds a new edge to traditional meetings, presentations and live shows.
“Healthcare training for example, is an area where lots of students can witness heart surgery remotely, rather than all being crammed into an operating theatre which wouldn’t be viable. They can view and learn clearly from various camera angles, from anywhere in the world.”
He continued: “Equally there are many conferences, trade shows and industry events that can sell more tickets by having a remote element too. There’s one price to attend in-person plus an online pass option.”
Multi-dimensional meetings
Hörnkvist highlighted: “There are many things to consider when planning a remote gathering. The first is identifying a suitable location with good lighting and audio dynamics. Next is considering camera angles and decor plus how many actual cameras will be used. Technical knowledge is crucial too. Who is going to act as a producer and switch between cameras? How is content going to be shared? Do you need outside expertise? Also, how long will the event last is another factor. You don’t want people becoming bored and losing interest. Interaction is crucial.”
He feels advances in technology open the door toeasier management of multi-dimensional meetings – creating more opportunities to enhance the overall customer experience.
“It’s often been a complex and technical process in the past. But advances in technology are inspiring greater user confidence and expertise,” he notes.
“Power and electricity supply capacity can be a challenge. We often recommend using cameras that have a PoE capability. This makes it easier to deploy devices on the same network and improve room aesthetics, without unsightly cables everywhere.”
He says overall appeal will be further enhanced by new solutions such as Boom’s GOJO camera controller, which can manage over 250 devices, if required.
New era
For Hulett the use of high performance 4K PTZ cameras and expandable audio is essential; insisting ‘quality counts’.
She explained: “High quality PoE cameras, expandable audio and easy to use camera controllers/mixing desks are some of the key ingredients for a successful remote experience. Don’t overlook the importance of audio compared to video. If people can’t be heard clearly, then the show is over.”
Hulett began the business with co-founder Fredrik Hörnkvist in 2020, with Boom now embarking on a global expansion drive including the UK and Europe.
She advises: “To overcome some of the fundamental room challenges we always suggest putting the main camera at eye level on the same wall as the display so that it’s natural and easy to engage directly with people.
“We feel something like a 360 degree camera is actually counter intuitive to the way we communicate as it doesn’t promote natural eye contact and reading of body language cues. Also because more people are using video calls now they are more aware of their physical appearance while on screen. This further enforces the need for high calibre cameras that make the most of a variety of meeting conditions.’
Hulett concluded: It’s about creating a space that goes beyond the traditional video conference room by facing cameras in multiple directions, for more fluid and engaging experiences. We expect these trends to continue to expand and diversify, as a new era and the next chapter in video conferencing begins to unfold.”
Boom Collaboration has launched a powerful multi-camera controller designed to put the power of mixing into the hands of anyone, in an easy and intuitive way.
The Boom GOJO transforms live events, court rooms and religious ceremonies, as well as standard video meetings – with a four dimensional joystick to control pan, tilt, zoom and speed functions.
It includes four camera quick select buttons and massive capacity to seamlessly link 255 devices. The GOJO can be used in traditional conference rooms as well as for high performance broadcasts, with an array of connectivity options.
Texas-based Boom Collaboration is spearheaded by founders Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett. Created in 2020 the ambitious video conferencing equipment manufacturer has launched a global expansion drive this year including the UK and wider Europe.
Seamless control
Hörnkvist says the GOJO represents the dawning of a new era for multi camera functionality which has often been complex and difficult to operate in the past.
“The Boom GOJO offers the ultimate in camera control with a 4D joystick and LCD display at its heart. Users can easily adjust focus, colour, PTZ and shutter speed with quick-adjust dials and quick buttons to program camera presets and shortcuts. It offers the ultimate camera control for broadcast, live events, auditoriums and traditional conference settings.”
Fredrik Hörnkvist and Holli Hulett
The GOJO seamlessly controls multiple PTZ cameras on a single network making it an intuitive, flexible and superior solution across a host of environments, according to Hulett.
She highlighted: “Boom Collaboration is a relatively new kid on the block and we are all about pushing the boundaries of innovation and ease of use. The GOJO is an ideal solution where more than one camera is needed. That could be government meetings, religious services or other live events – and even conference rooms where multiple angles are required.
Ultimate experience
“Enjoy quick switch control for four cameras with dedicated buttons and control for up to 255 cameras in total. We’re putting the power of mixing control into the hands of anyone with basic knowledge. Additional quick control buttons adjust focus, backlight compensation, red and blue, white balance, pan/tilt speed and zoom speed with ease.”
She concluded: “POE is included too and when paired with our MAGNA 4K PTZ cameras the GOJO ensures the ultimate visual experience.Users can also deploy LAN network control which is a big feature for many organisations and has been one of the primary drivers for lots of initial traction.”
The Boom GOJO offers multiple connectivity options with ports for LAN/PoE, RS232, RS422/RS485 and Tally/Contact. It comes with a three-year warranty and has an RRP of£545.
Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD and IDA Ireland today welcomed the news that IBM is launching a further significant phase to a multi-year transformational training programme across its research and digital sales teams in Ireland, which is intended to be worth more than €10m over approximately the next five years. The programme is supported by the Government of Ireland through IDA Ireland.
The skills transformation is part of IBM’s new ‘reimagined workforce’ and includes an innovative bespoke training programme under which IBM intends to hire approximately 35 pre-PhD research candidates to work at IBM’s research’s lab in Dublin, and train across cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum, information security and Accelerated Discovery. The pre-PhD programme is undertaken in conjunction with Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. Significant transformative skills training will also be provided to IBM’s digital sales team covering sales leadership, client acquisition and a new early career development programme.
Welcoming the new investment by IBM, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Simon Coveney TD said: “I am pleased to see that IBM is making this new investment of over €10m across its research and digital sales teams in Ireland. The ‘reimagined workforce’ initiative will provide about 35 pre-PhD students with an incredible opportunity to receive the most advanced technological training available from the excellent teachers and resources in Trinity College. A culture of partnership between industry, academia and Government, is essential in promoting innovation and developing a skilled workforce, creating employment opportunities for qualified students into industry. I wish all involved the best of luck.”
Headquartered in Armonk, New York, IBM has been operating in Ireland since 1956 with over 2,500 staff primarily based in Dublin, Cork and Galway; including its IBM Research lab – the only one in the EU – and its pan-European Digital Sales Centre.
Deborah Threadgold, Country General Manager, IBM Ireland said: “IBM’s business has transformed repeatedly over the six-plus decades it’s been established in Ireland. Central to this ability to evolve and grow has been our capacity to attract highly skilled people, and their willingness to keep learning and developing. This innovative multi-year programme will provide the foundation for exciting developments in strategic and emerging technologies and support how we engage with our clients in their digital transformations.”
Commenting on the announcement Michael Lohan, CEO, IDA Ireland said: ‘’This new investment in training by IBM is most welcome news and is very much aligned to IDA Ireland’s Transformation pillar that is central to our current strategy. IBM’s commitment to Ireland over its long history here has played a significant role in the development of the technology and innovation ecosystem we have here today. I wish IBM every success with this multi-million-euro investment.”
Quantum computing is a rapidly emerging technology that harnesses the laws of quantum mechanics, and is being explored as a technology that could solve problems too complex for classical computers.
IBM is also making contributions to help advance Ireland’s quantum research and development capability, including collaborations with other research institutions, multinationals and indigenous companies through its community-driven outreach and IBM Quantum Network to help develop innovative use cases for quantum computing.
The kit comes with a robust metal type housing with a braided cable while lightweight and sturdy with the main slots acceptable, this allows the portability to carry in a bag around. The DriverGenius HB081 USB is like a Swiss army knife (in terms of a portable solution for accessing multiple types of memory cards.) and has flexibility for a wide variety of flash media to allow for quick transfer and backup files. The USB-C port multi-card reader/writer supports SD4.0 SD, UHS-II microSD, and CFast 2.0 via tablet, smartphone, laptop or desktop computer. The USB 3.0 card reader supports the vast majority of memory cards on the market, including SDXC cards up to 2 TB, this can also connect directly to an android smartphone to copy/ move files without the need for a laptop or other device.
APPLICATIONS
■ Transfer photos, videos or other files from your SD, microSD, and CFast 2.0 cards to your USB-C enabled tablet, laptop, or another device
■ Gain greater efficiency when working with a variety of memory cards – ideal for creative professionals including photographers, videographers, and graphic designers
Features
UHS-II SD 4.0/CF CARD READER: High integrated External USB Type-c Multi-Card Reader support UHS-II SD/SDXC/SDHC/MicroSD, backwards UHS-I, also as CF-1 (43*36*3.3mm) memory card adapter.
CLICK-in FEATURE: DriverGenius HB080 use click popping design for the slots, that can fix cards well and protect cards from random insertion. The pocket-size design lets you take this card reader anywhere.
3 SLOTS USB-C CARD READER WRITER: 3-in-1 slots for SD4.0, microSD4.0, CF-1 memory card,and can read and write simultaneously, no need to switch, no harm to SD cards. Suitable for quick workflow with multi device and multi-scenario.
5Gbps USB3.1 GEN1 TYPE-C SUPPORT: Professional UHS SD to USB-C laptop/tablet/smartphone, it allows high speed data and movie transfer in seconds. Ensure high resolution still of images.
There is no requirement for a setup in terms of plug in the USB C into a laptop, inserting the relevant card and read and write simultaneously. This required no download of drivers/programs for use. This is plug and play, because you do not need to download any drivers or programs etc.
Conclusion
From an early age, it has been taught to keep a backup of our data whether used for a photographer or shooting any video. This may involvetransferring photos, videos or other files from your SD, microSD, and CFast 2.0 cards to your USB-C enabled tablet, laptop or another device.
They’re a noticeable speed connection when the card is placed into the reader and to a laptop, The kit quoted data transfer speeds up to 5Gbps which would be under an ideal scenario and would require card, and laptop to achieve this speed transfer. Tests carried out by techbuzz gave a large increase in transfer vs the standard cables often used to transfer files. Overall the kit is solid in terms of build and required no additional software required in to make it work “Plug and play” with a transfer speed far exceeding typical cables while compatible with a variety of systems and cards. A must for those that transfer / read / write simultaneously, a lot of data, ensuring efficiency in their work/leisure.
