Founded in 2004, The Filter is the global leader in recommendation and relevance tools. The vision of music legend Peter Gabriel, The Filter is delivering proven, measurable results and value to businesses across the content industry.
Through a scalable SaaS offering, The Filter supplies some of the world’s largest audio and video publishers and aggregators with powerful and effective entertainment optimization systems. The Filter’s clients include NBCUniversal, Dailymotion, Walmart’s Vudu, Warner Bros., thePlatform, Nokia, We7 and DVDPost, amongst others.
Using a wide array of statistical and rule based analysis, combined with advanced artificial intelligence techniques, The Filter’s sophisticated systems enables digital businesses to deliver the right entertainment at the right time, resulting in uplifts in consumption and user engagement.
Martin Hopkins co-founded Exabre in 2004 and developed The Filter’s recommendation engine with original team-member Jon Hobley. He served as CTO from 2009-2012 and then took a non-Executive position at the end of 2012.
Martin has over 25 years’ experience in the software industry, with a focus on exploiting emerging technologies. He started at Logica’s finance practice in the 80s and in 1989, he co-founded Tertio and grew the business over a 10-year period, gaining recognition as a Sunday Times fast track 100 companies and being named as a top-25 growth company by Price Waterhouse Coopers.
Martin’s a keen music lover with a special interest in Jazz. A one-time saxophonist with delusions of being able to play like Charlie Parker. With music ambitions significantly outstripping ability, he’s now happy to search out and listen to the best in contemporary music.
In April 2008 Merrill [joined EMI Group](http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/04/01/another-google-exec-bails-vp-leaves-to-head-emi-group/) as President of EMI’s Digital Division. He [resigned](http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10202404-93.html) in March 2009.
Douglas Merrill was the Vice President, Engineering at Google until April 2008. He joined Google late in 2003 as Senior Director of Information Systems. In this capacity he led multiple strategic efforts including Googles 2004 IPO and its related regulatory activities. He holds direct line accountability for all internal engineering and support worldwide.
Previously, Douglas was senior vice president at Charles Schwab and Co., Inc, a multinational financial services company. At Schwab, he was responsible for such functions as information security, common infrastructure, and human resources strategy and operations.
David Maher Roberts is an experienced Executive with a proven track record in developing and executing business strategies across geographic boundaries for early to mid-stage technology and media businesses.
He is a specialist in the business of Content+People+Data, helping companies make more from their data as a consultant and a Non-Exec Board Advisor. Current projects include Visual DNA, The Filter, GoTag, Claritize and Peter Gabriel’s latest creation, Gabble.
Other highlights
– Previously CEO of The Filter (a world-leading personalisation platform) and Digital Director at Future (hacing launched Gamesradar.com and TechRadar.com);
– Founder of networking group BathSPARK & awards The SPARKies;
– Regular speaker at tech+media events including SxSW, Digital Hollywood, AlwaysOn, TechCrunch, Streaming Media, Midem, Berlin Music Week, SFMusicTech, etc…
– Mentor at Bath University’s Enterprise Scheme and lecturer at The Bath MBA Entrepreneur Week.