Platform Power

Platforms have become increasingly powerful economic agents. Amazon, Google, Facebook, Netflix, Uber,… they are changing the face of our media, communication, ICT and retail industries. But what are platforms? Why are we all talking about them? Are platforms in themselves a problem? When should government intervene? What are the different opinions on this issue?

We organise a Smart Media Meetup in which several experts shine their light on the platform hype. One of the founders of the Internet Bob Kahn will talk about the emergence of Internet platforms, after which Prof. Dr. Karen Donders presents findings of her new book (with Prof. Dr. Tom Evens) on platform power and policies in transforming television markets. Matt Stoller from the American Open Markets Institute and Peter Quaghebeur, CEO of SBS, will comment on these presentations taking a competition and industry perspective respectively.

The program

9.30 – 10.00h: Coffee and registration
10.00 – 10.10h: Introduction by Elise Descamps (imec) & Prof. Dr. Pieter Ballon, Director SMIT (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and supervisor Mediahub Brussels
10.10 – 10.40h: Bob Kahn – Internet Platforms
10.40 – 11.30h: Karen Donders (Free University Brussels) & Tom Evens (Ghent University) – ‘Platform Power and Policy in Transforming TV markets’ book presentation
11.30 – 12.10h: Matt Stoller (Fellow, Open Markets Institute) – Market Concentration and Platform Power
12.10 – 12.50h: Peter Quaghebeur (CEO, SBS Broadcasting) – The industry point of view

Attendance is free, but registration is required.