By the end of 2017, the world’s internet population hit nearly 3.5 billion users and more than 62% of them consumed digital video. Much of that video content needs to be localized and translated. One of the many market estimates published during the last year predicts media localization will be a $2.5-billion industry by 2020—only in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The United States is changing the landscape of the video on demand and streaming industry, with huge players like Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu. These companies alone are expected to spend a total of over $15 billion in original content in 2018, which will need to be localized for the 200 regions they cover around the world.
In this media-driven world, thousands, if not millions, of linguists worldwide are working in the audiovisual sector. Therefore, the Audiovisual Division in the ATA is of great importance, as it aims to support and mentor audiovisual linguists, and to build bridges between our profession and media content providers through high-quality education and professional networking.
AVD will also endeavor to create professional development opportunities by fostering participation of audiovisual linguists in events organized by ATA chapters’ continuing education programs, opening doors for the pursuit of innovation in the audiovisual profession, reaching out to international audiovisual associations to develop relationships, helping provide continuing education opportunities specific for the audiovisual linguists’ careers, and assisting ATA’s Conference Organizer in recruiting speakers relevant to the audiovisual industry.
Objectives for the Division
- Welcome, inform, and mentor newcomers to the audiovisual field
- Serve as a means of communication among the audiovisual community
- Raise awareness among the general public and potential clients about the relevance of quality audiovisual content and its importance
- Disseminate a wide range of audiovisual topics with a focus on specialization
- Involve and inform division members of new technologies and innovations relevant to the audiovisual field
- Increase the visibility of audiovisual professionals inside and outside ATA
- Foster participation of audiovisual linguists in events organized by ATA chapters’ continuing education programs
- Raise awareness among media content producers about subjects directly related to the audiovisual field
- Reach out to international audiovisual associations through mutually beneficial activities and training programs
- Help provide continuing education opportunities, like webinars, specific to the audiovisual linguists’ career
- Open doors for the pursuit of innovation in the audiovisual profession
We hope you join our Division and help us achieve these objectives!