SVG Sit Down: NEP America’s Mike Werteen on How Great Tech, Better People Drive Success

Why It Matters

NEP’s blend of expansive hardware assets and emerging software platforms positions it to set the standard for global live‑event production, influencing how broadcasters deliver consistent, high‑quality experiences worldwide.

Key Takeaways

• NEP builds three new Supershooter trucks annually, targeting major sports events
• Daily safety calls protect Middle‑East staff amid regional conflict
• VOBS platform powered three venues at Paris Olympics, showcasing software shift
• AI focus on scheduling and workflow automation, not just creative tools

Pulse Analysis

NEP Group’s recent strategic briefing underscores a pivotal moment for live‑event production. As broadcasters chase cost efficiencies, NEP is investing heavily in next‑generation mobile units—its Supershooter line—to meet the demands of marquee events like the Masters and upcoming WWE productions. By committing to three new trucks each year, the company ensures a mix of highly customized rigs for premium clients and versatile workhorse units that can be quickly reconfigured, a model that balances capital outlay with operational agility.

The conversation also reveals NEP’s nuanced approach to the software‑defined future. While on‑site hardware remains indispensable for U.S. flagship productions, the firm is piloting hybrid solutions that embed cloud‑based services directly into trucks, exemplified by the VOBS platform deployed across Paris and Milan‑Cortina venues during the Olympics. This hybrid model offers a migration path: legacy hardware coexists with scalable software, allowing clients to add replay channels or AI‑driven analytics on demand without physical retrofits. Geographic considerations further shape adoption, with Europe and Asia more open to fully virtualized workflows than the United States.

Finally, Werteen’s emphasis on people and AI signals broader industry trends. Rather than treating AI as a novelty, NEP is exploring practical applications such as automated scheduling, workflow optimization, and real‑time resource allocation. Coupled with a global data‑center footprint in Dallas, the Netherlands, Oslo and Australia, these initiatives aim to deliver a uniform production experience regardless of location. For broadcasters and advertisers, NEP’s integrated hardware‑software ecosystem promises higher reliability, faster time‑to‑air and the flexibility needed to navigate geopolitical disruptions and evolving viewer expectations.