Media Control GFK will present the global outlook for the Home Entertainment category at ESCA on June 18th.  The presentation will cover the periods 2008-2010 and will include retail forecasts for DVD, Blu-ray, and video games-both hardware and software.  

Media Control GfK will leverage its exclusive point-of-sale data across the globe, as well from research groups within each local market, to create the forecasts for unit consumption and consumer spending in this category.  A detailed copy of the forecast outlook will be provided to all ESCA participants at the event.

"We are in a unique position to deliver point-of-sale information around the world, because we do primary research, and we average a coverage rate of above 70% in every market.  This is our unique strength as an organization, plus, we are the only ones who can provide this information from outside the U.S," says Amy Heller, President of Media Control GfK, which was launched in the U.S. last year.  "Our global relationships with all the entertainment and gaming companies enable us to provide unparalleled, value-added services to our customers in the U.S."

The global outlook will be presented at a time in the industry when new formats and next generation devices are being positioned to drive growth in the industry. Media Control GfK will provide detailed insight on these drivers, emerging markets/categories, and on growth potential throughout the world.  Some of the issues that will be addressed in the data forecasts are:

* Will Blu-ray contribute to overall growth in the DVD market?
* Which territories will see the largest growth over the next three years?
* How does the games market compare to the DVD market? Who will be bigger in 2010?
* How many Blu-ray players will be in the market in 2010?
* Which consoles will lead in hardware sales in 2010, PS3, XBOX360, or Wii?
* How many 1080p TVs will exist in 2010?
* What are the fastest growing territories for entertainment hardware?

Media Control GfK is a joint venture formed by Media Control and GfK in 2003 to create the single, most comprehensive, accurate, multi-format, entertainment data source for Europe and Asia. Media Control GfK leads its field in collecting and reporting international, point-of sale data for entertainment media, such as DVD and games software, music, and books.

Heller has over 10 years' experience in entertainment.  Prior to joining GfK Media Control, she served as Vice Present of Business Planning and Development of the Home Entertainment International division of the Paramount Picture Corporation unit of Viacom.  During her tenure at Paramount, she spent a number of years developing business models for participants in the home entertainment market.  This early experience became the foundation for her current efforts to expand Media Control GfK's services, which are focused on the critical role that independent, auditable, data measurement and collection play in the industry.