The board of MEF (Mobile Entertainment Forum) EMEA has voted to elect Gerrit-Jan Konijnenberg as Chairman and Alberto Ciarniello as Vice Chairman following the departure of former Chairman Gerard Grech.
From the outset, Konijnenberg has been an active champion for MEF EMEAs activities and was previously elected as MEF Vice-Chairman for the last two consecutive years.  Prior to joining the board, he headed up MEFs Mobile TV initiative and was responsible for the membership consultation on the EU Television Without Frontiers Directive. He has represented MEF at industry conferences and supported events in London, Istanbul and Dubai. As EVP of Sales at Comfone, Konijnenberg represents the worldwide roaming/hubbing company with its existing and prospective operator clients in 125 countries.
Ciarniello is Telecom Italias Service Innovation VP in the Product Innovation unit and oversees service incubation and prototyping for different market segments. He was elected to the EMEA board in 2008 and has been the driving force behind the setting up of a local chapter, MEF Italia; a localisation pilot offering local support to MEFs Italian membership; and establishing strategic partnerships on innovation initiatives.
I am delighted that the succession at MEF EMEA has been so smooth, with such an excellent and experienced new leadership, says MEF Global Chairman, Andrew Bud. Id like to thank Gerard for his enthusiasm and vision in establishing and leading MEF EMEA, and to welcome Gerrit-Jan to the Global Board.
Launched in November 2006, the chapters remit was extended to cover the Middle East and Africa regions in 2008. Since inception, the chapter has responded to vital areas of European policy over 20 pieces – including the Byron Review, Audiovisual Media Services Directive and Unfair Commercial Practices Directive; organised more than 15 trade development events and entered brand new regions such as Turkey, Russia and the Middle East; and most recently set up an EMEA regulatory committee, with 30 members signing up to date.
Grech has stepped down as Chairman after taking up a new role at Nokia and has been appointed MEF EMEA Chairman Emeritus in recognition of the fundamental role he played in helping create and establish the EMEA Chapter. He will continue to be involved in an advisory capacity.
Other new directors welcomed onto the EMEA board include Dominique Rougi, TV/Video Director at Next.com/Orange Group, who replaces Grech, and Mark Kortekaas, Future Media Controller, Audio & Mobile at the BBC.