Memnon celebrates 20 years committed to the preservation and migration of audiovisual files

I don't remember is celebrating its 20th anniversary, committed to the preservation of files, content services and the creation of new opportunities for its partners and clients. Founded in 2003 and a pioneer in large-scale audiovisual archiving, during these years it has digitized more than 4 million hours of content.

Without their efforts to standardize workflows and safeguard invaluable knowledge, valuable content of historical and cultural importance would have been lost to time.

This milestone comes with a mix of emotions, as it coincides with the bittersweet announcement that Memnon founder, Michel Merten, will leave his role as Director of Business Development to focus on exciting projects in Africa. However, this is not a farewell for Merten, who will maintain a significant presence in the industry, with a particular focus on providing guidance and expertise for AV archives in developing countries.

In fact, Memnon's origins date back to before 2003. Before becoming Memnon, the company was known as Music of Numbers, a music production and mastering studio founded in 1989. After attending an International Association of Sound and Audiovisual Archives (IASA) event, Merten was deeply moved by a conference on the growing problem of asset deterioration. This led him to purchase his co-founders' shares in Musica Numeris and change the company's primary focus from music recording to archiving.

“I wanted to make a mark, create a company that could drive high-capacity digitalization while preserving quality of service,” says Merten. "At that time, the concept of large-scale digitization was not accepted or appreciated. Content was disappearing from history and there were few commercial entities doing anything about it. It was something that demanded attention and action on a global scale. There had to be a large-scale solution readily available."

Está claro que los esfuerzos de Merten no fueron en vano. En 2004, con sólo unos meses de vida, Memnon ganó un concurso para digitalizar los fondos de audio almacenados en la Biblioteca Británica. A continuación, la empresa consiguió contratos con la Radio Danesa, las Naciones Unidas y Utaina, un proyecto de colaboración entre la Biblioteca Nacional, los Archivos de Nueva Zelanda y Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision para preservar el patrimonio cultural neozelandés.

In 2014, Memnon beat out strong local competition and won its first bid in the United States, providing services to Indiana University's famous Media Preservation and Digitization Initiative, a project that marked the birth of the company's North American facility in Bloomington.

Merten explained the origin of the name Memnon: "In Greek mythology, the son of the goddess Eos, Memnon, was almost as skilled as Achilles, but he died fighting him during the Trojan War. Upon learning of his death, Eos shed a tear that moved Zeus to grant immortality to Memnon... and that is what we do, we make the archives immortal."

Looking to the future

Over the last three years there has been a sharp increase in the number of content owners turning to Memnon for help, due to increased awareness of the risks faced by archives, the increasing cost of migrating aging assets and competition for limited resources.

Content is also becoming more desirable and valuable, a thirst fueled by the rise of streaming platforms and the way people consume media. Furthermore, the AI and machine learning are evolving at a significant pace, providing organizations with greater insight into their archives to help direct the decision-making process and make more content available to audiences.

The company plans to continue developing its localized service model profitably, expanding its reach to those who may be reluctant or unable to transport valuable files. Additionally, Memnon is dedicated to enhancing the experience of its workforce, ensuring the transfer of valuable esoteric knowledge.

"I am proud of how Memnon has matured. We were the first to implement large-scale, systematic, quality-based archiving, and we have earned the personal trust of communities around the world. Thanks to them, our customers and partners, Memnon has become the company it is today. We have great technology, but an even better team. Memnon has a team of people for whom I am very grateful; it has strong leadership and a highly skilled workforce. I would not be in the position where that I am now, to dedicate myself to projects that I am passionate about, if it weren't for them. My 'son' is in good hands."

Heidi Shakespeare, CEO of Memnon, commented: "Long before I joined Memnon, I was not only aware, but amazed, of what Michel had achieved in championing content preservation and creating new technology that enabled mass migration, while maintaining the integrity of the archives. He is highly respected and recognized in the industry for his knowledge, his passion and his affable nature. It has been a privilege to work alongside him, and I look forward to continuing to expand Memnon's esteemed heritage in his honor, helping organizations preserve their content, reach communities around the world and develop a team of experts with the necessary skills to serve them. Michel, this is definitely not goodbye, and I look forward to collaborating with you again in the future.”