FOR-A hires Two Regional Sales Managers to accelerate software-defined IP transition
FOR-A America has appointed Jaz Wray and Fernando Cruz as Regional Sales Managers to bolster its U.S.-based sales team. The hires are intended to accelerate the company's expansion into software-defined, IP-based, and AI-enabled broadcast production workflows.
Key Takeaways
- Jaz Wray joins with previous sales and project management experience at industry majors NEP, Ross Video, and Barco.
- Fernando Cruz transitions from Macnica Americas, where he led sales acceleration for SMPTE ST 2110 and IPMX solutions.
- The new hires report to Ernie Leon, Senior VP and Head of Sales and Strategic Growth, focusing on US market expansion.
- Sales efforts will prioritize FOR-A's expanding software portfolio, including the MixBoard switcher and AI-powered viztrick AiDi tracking tool.
Why It Matters
The appointments signal FOR-A’s aggressive pivot from transition-era hardware toward a software-centric ecosystem. As broadcasters face rising pressure to replace aging SDI infrastructure, the move targets the 'tipping point' of IP adoption by hiring specialists in interoperable standards like ST 2110. This ensures FOR-A remains competitive against incumbents like Ross and Sony during the industry's shift to hybrid on-prem/cloud models. Watch for FOR-A to aggressively market its AI-assisted production tools as a cost-cutting alternative to traditional manual workflows in the sub-tier live events and corporate markets.
Additional Context
The influx of specialized sales talent at FOR-A coincides with a broader industry acceleration toward IP-native production. Per TMR, the global broadcast and media technology market is projected to grow from $125.8 billion in 2025 to over $221 billion by 2036, driven by software-defined architecture and AI-powered automation. Industry data from February 2026 indicates that roughly 75% of broadcast operators have already transitioned into hybrid or full IP environments to mitigate the high costs of legacy hardware maintenance and physical footprint. The push for interoperability has elevated the importance of the SMPTE ST 2110 and IPMX standards. While ST 2110 remains the benchmark for deterministic, uncompressed live broadcast, IPMX is emerging as a pragmatic bridge for ProAV and corporate installs that require more flexibility with network timing and compression. Per Macnica Americas, January 2026, the standardization of these protocols allows vendors like FOR-A to offer truly interoperable toolchains across camera, switcher, and asset management platforms, breaking the traditional cycle of vendor lock-in. Simultaneously, AI is shifting from experimental use to operational necessity. Per Caretta Research, June 2026, broadcasters are 'doubling down' on infrastructure that supports AI-driven metadata and workflow coordination. Tools like FOR-A’s viztrick AiDi, focused on 9:16 autocropping for vertical social feeds, reflect the growing demand for multi-platform delivery without doubling production staff. This shift is particularly urgent in North America, which holds the largest market share in digital broadcasting and is currently prioritizing multi-format compatibility for live sports and news.
Read full article at tmbroadcast.com
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