18:06:03

René Carayol opens first major event for virtual agents

International strategist and e-business guru René Carayol (42) will give the keynote address at get real:get virtual at the bfi London IMAX® cinema today. René, who was recently voted by Inc magazine as one of the world?s top three influential speakers, will open the event which showcases virtual characters with a presentation entitled Image to Reality.

get real:get virtual is the brainchild of DA Group, one of the world?s leading developers of avatar technology and architect behind virtual newscaster Ananova. The event provides a platform for DA?s own virtual agent technology and the applications the company and its partners and clients have now created. It is the first time a business case has been made for avatars within commercial solutions.

Alongside DA, Granada Learning, NCR Financial Solutions, BT and mBlox will each show how they are incorporating DA virtual agent technology across e-learning, retail, public sector and mobile communications. At the same time, DA are launching a number of new products, including its groundbreaking virtual character engine which it is making widely available to the development community for the first time.

Mike Antliff, CEO of DA Group says:
?We are delighted to have René speaking at our event. What we are trying to show is that virtual characters have a place as brands, as communicators, guides, public bodies and particularly telcos. With his business experience and background in IT and brand building, René adds tremendous authority to the event.?

About René Carayol
With a background at Pepsi, Marks & Spencer and IPC Electric - embracing start-ups, turnarounds and mergers ? the presenter of Channel 4?s René Unwraps is a respected business guru.

Describing himself as a ?funkier Harvey-Jones,? René has the experience of serving as a main board director for blue-chip companies, managing significant investments.

Before becoming CEO of the Voodoo Group in January 2000, Rene was IT director and chief information officer for IPC Magazines Ltd from 1995 where he was responsible for IT strategy.

From 1993 to 1995 René worked as the systems development manager to the systems director of Pepsico-Pizza Hut UK Ltd. As a member of the Pizza Hut Board reporting to the chief executive his brief was to set business systems strategy and to manage all the company's systems.

René has worked in a wide variety of other IT and electronic communications roles for other major employers such as Marks and Spencer, Dixon's Photographic Ltd. and the Road Transport Industry Training Board.

He has since moved onto a portfolio career, including the role of non-executive director at the Inland Revenue and chairman of a publishing business.

As a speaker, René has the vision to translate his experience into a coherent, compelling and exciting philosophy, and the communication skills to present that philosophy with electrifying effect.