Mark Smith

Mark Smith has been at the forefront of the digital technology revolution for over thirty years, playing an integral role in the foundation and establishment of the GSMA, the mobile industry’s principle global trade association. As Marketing & Communications Director, he led communications to support the roll-out of digital mobile networks across the world including the evolutionary roadmap from 2G to 5G mobile communications services. He played a key role in the acquisition and development of the Mobile World Congress (MWC), as part of which he founded and developed the Global Mobile Awards, the Mobile Innovation Programme (later 4YFN), MWC Shanghai and MWC LA.

In recent years, Mark devised and heads the acclaimed IBC Accelerator Media Innovation Programme, which brings together players from across the media and entertainment technology ecosystem to solve business and technology challenges arising from digital transformation. The programme has become a unique collaborative hub technology and business innovation across AI, 5G/ Connectivity, Cloud/ IP Transition among many other areas of media & Entertainment industry evolution, bringing together world leading brands and tech organisations. He a former Non-Executive Director on Ofcom’s Advisory Board for England, and a Board Member and Trustee of the Henley Festival, a leading UK music and arts festival. In 2023, Mark was appointed Chair of the IBC Council, the advisory group that steers development of the world’s biggest and best media & entertainment technology show.