Digital TV Veteran John Lawson Relaunching Convergence Services, Inc.

Digital TV Veteran John Lawson Relaunching Convergence Services, Inc.

WASHINGTON, March 24 /PRNewswire/ -- John Lawson, a leader of America's successful conversion to digital television, announced the relaunch of Convergence Services, Inc. (www.convg.com), the consulting firm that he founded and ran from 1993 to 2001. Lawson suspended active operation of the firm in 2001 to take the position of president and CEO of the Association of Public Television Stations, which he held until moving to ION Media Networks in 2008, where he was executive vice president.

Convergence Services will provide strategic consulting for the digital media industry "at the intersection of business, technology and policy." Lawson will focus on building Mobile DTV networks and services, development of "public media 2.0," and deployment of next generation emergency alert systems. The company may seek financing for its own ventures.

"When I founded Convergence Services in 1993, 'convergence' was the hot buzz word," said Lawson. "The term faded as the technology itself could not keep pace with the services customers wanted. But now true convergence is finally happening -- with smartphones, broadband-enabled TV's, TV-enabled laptops, and Mobile DTV. The National Broadband Plan will only accelerate that," he said.

As executive vice president of ION Media Networks, Lawson led policy strategy, distribution relations, and strategic initiatives for the nation's largest television broadcast network. He's leaving after two years with the firm.

Lawson was a founding board member of the Open Mobile Video Coalition and was elected to its executive committee in 2007. He was an original organizer of the DTV Transition Coalition, which grew to 214 organizations and helped prepare consumers for the switchover. He has served on three FCC advisory committees on emergency communications and on the boards of the National Association of Broadcasters, the Association for Maximum Service Television, and the Media Institute.

Over his seven years at the Association of Public Television Stations, Lawson secured funding, policy support, and business alliances that ensured the successful digital conversion of public television and the expansion of its services. In 2005, Lawson negotiated the most extensive agreement in the history of the television broadcasting industry for the carriage of multiple digital programming streams on America's cable systems. In partnership with the Department of Homeland Security, Lawson guided successful proof-of-performance demonstrations of the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System.

Convergence Services, Inc. officially re-opens for business on April 19.

Source: Convergence Services, Inc.

CONTACT: John Lawson, Convergence Services, Inc., +1-703-682-6895,
jlawson@convg.com

Web Site: http://www.convg.com/

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