blog 2022 3 min read
Introducing Niki Whittle, Head of Broadcast Solutions EMEA at disguise
With over 15 years’ experience in the broadcast industry working with companies such as Sky and DAZN, Niki Whittle’s rich knowledge and expertise in the field are helping to drive our mission to revolutionise and democratise virtual production through xR and real-time graphics, allowing content creators to tell captivating stories that will engage audiences and keep them coming back. Below she shares her story:
Tell us a bit about yourself, background and your current role.
I have spent over 15 years in the sports broadcasting industry, gaining experience in live gallery production and specialising in operational live graphics services and workflows. I recently joined disguise as part of the Technical Solutions team to help drive disguise's mission to revolutionise and democratise xR production within the broadcast industry.
What attracted you to a career in broadcast?
I studied an HND in TV, Film and Video at college which was very practical and hands-on across all aspects of media but the broadcast projects always stood out to me, especially when seeing the buzz around studio sets or a live gallery production. It’s a non-stop environment which is forever changing and I wanted to be a part of the storytelling.
Have you faced any challenges along the way?
Every new role I’ve taken has had a big learning curve and skill set that I’ve needed to develop which is both a challenge and an opportunity. Alongside this, I’ve usually been one of the few women in a technical sports environment with no specialised university degree, which is easy to feel intimidated by, but I’ve learnt to trust my own judgement, make myself heard and know that I earned my seat at the table because of the experience and knowledge that I’ve built up over the years.
What has been your biggest achievement to date?
I’ve been involved in a lot of projects for the launch of high-profile sports productions, which is always rewarding, but the one that still stands out as my biggest achievement is overseeing the implementation of a remote graphic solution with a new host broadcast provider for Conmebol in Argentina. It was the first time I had really stepped out of my comfort zone - I travelled alone to Argentina, worked with a mostly Spanish-speaking team and together we had to prepare the new graphic systems, and get trained in a new system, all within a newly built control room, to ensure we were ready for the launch weekend.
What do you enjoy most about working at disguise?
At the moment I’m still enjoying learning the ropes and meeting the different teams. I’m in awe of the technical minds we have at disguise, they are so passionate about how we continue to push the boundaries of cutting-edge technology for xR. They have an ambitious strategy for broadcast which I’m excited to be a part of.
What is next in the evolution of broadcast workflows?
I see a generational gap of how viewers are engaging with content creeping up on us which we need to acknowledge, so I predict broadcasters will put more focus into exploring how they can engage younger viewers with more immersive experiences using xR and the metaverse.
Discover how disguise xR is reshaping the future of broadcast production
