The Scottish Loan Fund (SLF) has committed £3.5 million of funding in support of Paywizard, the Kirkcaldy headquartered specialist in subscriber management for pay-TV. The funding boost from the SLF will support Paywizard as it seeks to roll out its software and services internationally. Having recently announced its launch into the Asia Pacific market, it now plans to target emerging markets.
Paywizard is also supplementing its board and executive team with the appointment of Andrew Burke (pictured) as chairman. Burke was previously CEO of Amino Technologies and CEO of BT Entertainment.
“In today’s television market, successful operators are focused on three key objectives – improving their bottom line, reaching new subscribers and retaining the customers they have,” commented Burke. “With 17 years experience in the pay-TV market, Paywizard’s knowledge and expertise is helping TV service providers of all sizes to meet and beat those objectives. I’m really excited to be part of Paywizard as we expand internationally and further develop our best in class platform.”
Burke previously created and ran BT Entertainment’s TV-over-broadband initiative (BT Vision), chaired its premium rate services activity, and pioneered its digital media services. He will work alongside Paywizard’s co-founders Jonathan Guthrie and Ronnie Millar as part of a new management structure, helping operators maximise the potential of their pay-TV services through targeted subscriber management and marketing.
Guthrie added, “Our new investment, along with Andrew’s involvement, is a clear sign of confidence in Paywizard and in the role that advanced subscriber management has to play in the television market. With international deals in the pipeline, we are really showing operators how to build profitable pay-TV businesses.”
