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Agenda topics and times subject to change.

  • monDAY FEB 08
  • TUESDAY FEB 09
  • wednesDAY FEB 10
  • ThurSDAY FEB 11
  • friDAY FEB 12

television + streaming track

Keynote Presentation with Epic Games

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM PT
David Morin, Industry Manager, Media and Entertainment, Epic Games introduced by Ned Sherman, Partner, Manatt, Phelps & Phillips
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM PT
This panel of industry leaders will discuss the plethora of new services and rapid growth of consumer adoption of SVOD and AVOD streaming services offering episodic shows and movies over the past year. With the post-COVID era in sight, how are consumer usage, productions and marketing likely to change? How will the different services distinguish themselves and attract loyal subscribers? What innovations, business models and features will fuel growth in the marketplace?

Panelists:
Rob Gelick, EVP and GM of Streaming Services & Chief Product Officer, ViacomCBS
Sang Kim, SVP Product, Samsung Electronics
Sarah Lyons, EVP, DTC Global Product Management, HBO Max, WarnerMedia
Arash Marzban, SVP of Product, StackPath 
Joanne Waage, GM, Crunchyroll
Moderator: Dawn Chmielewski, Senior Editor, Media, Entertainment & Technology, Forbes
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM PT
The lines between linear television and OTT services are blurred more than ever with digital services offering network/cable streams with DVR capabilities. Alternately, traditional linear services have their own apps and are buying into OTT services and content. What does this say about the viewing habits of today’s consumers, especially with the rise of the “stay at home economy”? Are broadcasters and distribution companies responding effectively? Where do advertisers fit in?

Panelists:
Chris Ambrozic, VP of Product, TiVo
Rob Holmes, VP of Programming, Roku
Kevin McGurn, President of Sales and Distribution, Vevo
Stefanie Meyers, Senior Vice President, Distribution, Starz
Ira Rubenstein, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, PBS
Moderator: Colin Dixon, Chief Analyst & Founder, nScreenMedia
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM PT
While Subscriptions have proven to be a successful and scalable monetization model across many industries, the road to success is paved with actionable strategies that can be applied to all businesses. Join Vindicia and a panel of subscription experts for a fireside chat as they discuss the challenges faced by all subscription-based businesses, and best practices they discovered on their journey to growth and subscription excellence.

Panelists:
Nelson Veiga, Vice President, North America - Enterprise, Vindicia
James Lauzun, VP of Product, Magellan TV
Robbie Kellman Baxter, Strategy Consultant and Founder, Peninsula Strategies LLC
Moderator: Colin Dixon, Chief Analyst and Founder, nScreenMedia
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM PT
Raising the Value of Content

Speakers
:
Shara Senderoff, President & Partner, Raised in Space
Zach Katz, CEO & Founder, Raised in Space
Moderator: Ralph Simon, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Mobilium Global Limited

brands + ENTERTAINMENT track

keynote conversation with peloton

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM PT
Peloton Studios: Bringing Entertainment, Celebrity and Live TV to Fitness 
Peloton's product, community and overall experience drive its success, but its content and instructors are its true secret weapon. Serving four countries through its production of thousands of workout classes across 10 fitness disciplines, Peloton Studios has become home to one of the most prolific fitness media companies in the world. As it's grown, the company has significantly invested in its content experience, including its talented team of former film, network and cable television pros, who use their expertise to disrupt the digital fitness model.

Led by Peloton’s Chief Content Officer, Jen Cotter, a veteran TV executive who began her career in New York, cultivating comedians, celebrities and countless programs in her roles at Oxygen and HSN, this team brings the magic and entertainment of an in-person, studio-style workout into the homes of millions everyday. In this session, Cotter and Shirley Halperin, Executive Editor for Variety, will discuss infusing elements of live TV and the traditional media business into Peloton’s renowned fitness content. 

Speakers:
Jennifer Cotter, Chief Content Officer, Peloton with interviewer Shirley Halperin, Executive Editor of Music at Variety
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM PT
This panel of entertainment marketers and leaders will discuss the evolving mix of strategies and channels involved in marketing large scale entertainment events including releases of TV shows, movies and games, location based experiences and other productions and shows.

Panelists:
Casey Campbell, Managing Director, North America, Gameloft
Larry Fitzgibbon, CEO and Co-Founder, Tastemade
Melanie Capacia Johnson, Head of Studio Development and Production, Team Whistle
Thai Randolph, President and COO, Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud
Moderator: David Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbes and Tubefilter
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM PT
This panel of executives, creators and influencers, and their representatives will discuss the strategies and campaigns taking shape during the current climate on different platforms. What are the most effective strategies today for working with influencers and what are the metrics that determine success? How are creators and influencers adapting their content and strategies to the stay-at-home landscape?

Panelists: 
Ricky Ray Butler, CEO, Branded Entertainment Network
Lauren Murphy, Senior Strategist, Deutsch LA
Chris Sawtelle, Head of Digital Ventures, ICM Partners
Kerry Tucker, Chief Marketing Officer, Pocket.Watch
Moderator: Max Willens, Senior Reporter, Digiday
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM PT
This session will discuss how new business models are impacting the retail, ecommerce and live streaming markets, and how consumer behaviors and expectations have evolved over the course of 2020. How will these markets continue to innovate as we move forward?

Panelists:
David Apostolico, SVP Platform Expansion & Distribution, QVC
Nick Buzzell, Chairman and CEO, Spirits Network, NBTV
Zane Vella, Vice President, Audience Development & Innovation, Comcast
Liyia Wu, Founder and CEO, ShopShops
Moderator: Rick Howe, Host, The Friday Fireside

games + Esports track

keynote conversation: The State of pLay

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM PT
Subnation’s State of Play Conversation with Activision Blizzard and Griffin Gaming Partners

2020 was a year we all want to put behind us though, for the video game industry, it was a year for the record books. Global Gaming revenue reached $174.9 billion (19% over 2019) and Global Esports revenue surpassed $1 billion. From livestreaming on Twitch and Animal Crossing on Nintendo to virtual musical performances in Fortnite, the launch of new gaming consoles, and the rise of indie game titles, the mass consumption of gaming was accelerated by the global pandemic and has become a daily behavior for billions of people worldwide.

As 2021 starts with the promise of a vaccine, gaming revenue surpasses the film, music and sports industries, leading the way to new forms of entertainment that will shape the next 12 months and define the future. Join us for The State of Play and hear where leading investors, marketers and entrepreneurs believe the gaming industry is headed.

Panelists:
Peter Levin, Managing Director, Griffin Gaming Partners
Brandon Snow, SVP, Chief Revenue Officer, Brand Partnerships and Esports, Activision Blizzard
Moderator: Doug Scott, Co-Founder and Chief Managing Director, Subnation Media
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM PT
Despite the widespread economic disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the digital games market is booming worldwide as consumer demand for interactive, online entertainment has grown during the age of social distancing.This panel of industry leaders will discuss the current state and the future of the business, including the revenue mix, how business models are evolving, launching new games, video streaming, esports and distribution models. What does the future hold for digital games?

Panelists:
Casey Chafkin, Chief Revenue Officer and Co-Founder, Skillz
Chris Early, SVP of Partnerships and Revenue, Ubisoft
Julie Shumaker, Vice President of Revenue, Unity Operate Solutions, Unity
Moderator: Steve Fowler, SVP, A List Games
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM PT
Major movie studios, television networks and gaming studios have increasingly embraced the notion of storytelling across mediums with a focus on building long-lasting entertainment franchises that engage audiences through the artful and well-planned use of multiple-media platforms. The panel will discuss the important role that games and interactive entertainment have served as a means of connecting people in the age of social distancing, and how that dynamic is likely to change the role that game play and interactivity will play in the future development of entertainment franchises.

Panelists: 
Lisa Anderson, Senior Vice President of Studio Operations, Jam City
Chris Busse, Head of Skydance Interactive
Mike DeLaet, Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Scopely
TQ Jefferson, Chief Product Officer, Survios
Kayleen Walters, General Manager, Licensing & Partnerships, Minecraft at Microsoft
Moderator: Chris Heatherly, Former Executive, NBCU and Disney
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM PT
The panel will discuss esports teams, games-focused brands, competitive gamers, streamers and influencers and the rapidly growing market for esports and gaming culture and lifestyle content. What content strategies are working? Which platforms are driving the most engagement? What is the monetization mix?

Panelists:
Jonathan Flesher, Head of Business Development, Discord
Jaci Hays, Chief Operating Officer, Faze Clan
Steve "Franchise" Marzocca, Head of Influencer Relations, Twitch
Adrian Montgomery, CEO, Enthusiast Gaming
Travis Mynard, Esports Agent, UTA
Moderator: Phil Ranta, COO, Wormhole Labs

rightstech track

keynote conversationThe Fin-tech Side of RightsTech
Modernizing Payment of Royalties and Residuals

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM PT
The Fin-Tech Side of RightsTech: Modernizing Payment of Royalties and Residuals

Speakers:

Mike Hurst, CEO and Founder, Exactuals
Verna Grayce Chao, Executive Vice President, Treasury Management Solutions at City National Bank, City National Bank
Jason Kassin, CEO, FilmTrack 
Moderator
: Paul Sweeting, Founder and Principal, Concurrent Media
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM PT
Sync licensing is a fast-growing sector of the music business as artists search for incremental revenue streams and music becomes ever more integral to video games, social media, podcasts, marketing and virtual experiences. But the process can be complex, time-consuming and expensive. In this session you will hear from startups, entrepreneurs and rights professionals who are working to make sync licensing more efficient and less expensive.

Panelists:
Kirt Debique, CEO & CTO, SyncFloor
David della Santa, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, Trqk
Jennifer Freed, CEO, Trevanna Tracks
Einar Helde, Co-Founder, Head of Business Development, AIMS API
Moderator: Vickie Nauman, Founder and Owner, CrossBorderWorks
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM PT
Podcasts and other types of spoken word content are a rapidly growing category of streaming and downloadable audio. But systems for managing rights and collecting royalties for spoken word audio are still a work in progress. Hear where progress is being made, and where work still needs to be done.

Panelists
:
Michele Cobb, Partner, Forte Business Consulting
Lawrence Griff, Partner, Audit Services, Grant Thornton
Jim King, CEO, Spoken Giants
Jeff Price, Co-Founder, Word Collections
Peter Rafelson, Co-Founder, ElectraCast
Moderator: Christopher Kenneally, Director, Content Marketing, Copyright Clearance Center
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM PT
From the Music Modernization Act to DDEX and OMI to the private sector, the music industry has made great strides in getting its data house in order. But gaps remain and the data playing field is not yet level for all stakeholders. What holes remain to be filled? What tools are needed to fill them? Where is the industry making progress?

Panelists:
Fabian Alsultany, Director of Business Development North America, Bitfury Surround
Dae Bogan, Head of Third-Party Partnerships, The MLC
Lars Murray, Business Development, RYLTI
Ken Umezaki, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Verifi Media
Moderator: Paul Sweeting, Founder and Principal, Concurrent Media

music + podcast track

keynote conversation with youtube and 300 entertainment

10:00 AM - 10:45 AM PT
Speakers:
Kathy Baker, Head of US Label Relations, YouTube
Rayna Bass, SVP of Marketing, 300 Entertainment
Bryan Calhoun, Creator of The Music Business Toolbox
11:00 AM - 11:45 AM PT
2020 was the year where livestreaming went from being an afterthought to being the centerpiece of any artist’s live performance strategy. Twitch, YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram saw exponential growth in music streams and multiple ticketed platforms sprung up overnight. What can we learn from a year of accelerated innovation? What formulas worked for maximizing revenues on ticketed streams? What were the technological and financial challenges? How did indie artists use livestreaming to get to the next level? Will livestreaming continue to be a priority once venues reopen?

Panelists:
Louie Carr, Artist Manager, Own Path Media Group
Deborah Klein, Partner / Artist Manager, Primary Wave Music
Michelle Munson, Co-Founder and CEO, Eluvio
Marisol Segal, Head of Digital Partnerships, AEG Presents
Moderator: Karen Allen, Author, Twitch for Musicians
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM PT
Podcasts continue to experience a surge in popularity, despite having been around for over a decade. How are brands, advertisers, and talent cashing in on the recent podcast revolution? 

Panelists:
Donald Albright, Co-Founder, Tenderfoot TV
Kristen Muller, CCO, KPCC
Steve Raizes, Senior Vice President, ViacomCBS Podcasts
Pat Shah, Head of Content Acquisition & Development, Audible
Moderator:
Lucas Shaw, Reporter, Bloomberg
1:00 PM - 1:45 PM PT
In 2020 the music industry discovered the power and the reach of the Metaverse where albums were launched in the virtual worlds, and concert-style events brought together millions of people (or rather avatars?) to discover new music and new artists, shop virtual merch, socialize with major stars as they perform or even dance together with fans. While gaming platforms were not traditionally the province of such digital co-experiences, this is rapidly changing, creating new opportunities for the music industry. Hear from top gaming and music executives how the Metaverse is changing the world of music and what trends we are yet to see in the future as it continues to grow its mindshare and engagement time.

Panelists:
Adam Leber, Partner, Maverick Management
Oana Ruxandra, EVP of Business Development and Chief Digital Officer, Warner Music Group
Jon Vlassopulos, Global Head of Music, Roblox
Moderator: John Boyle, Former President, Live Nation Japan; CFO, Insomniac Events