M+E Daily

By Lyndsey Schaefer

The Hollywood IT Society will host two panels of prominent CIOs and CTOs representing the major Hollywood studios during its HITS morning program May 7 at Pepperdine University to discuss the strategic challenges for growth and profitability of the enterprise.

No other industry event brings together these cross-studio experts, whose invaluable perspectives and thought leadership help shape the future of the business.

With the abundance of digital technology, ubiquitous internet, social media and the decline of the physical medium, the role of information technology has vastly shifted its focus from technology to business. IT executives spanning the entertainment industry will discuss objectives, strategies and tactics that they’ve undertaken to transform their businesses and revitalize the industry. In addition, best practices for cost containment and effective development of software, hardware, infrastructure and network will be shared.

The CIO panel features John Herbert, Executive Vice President & Chief Information Officer, Fox Filmed Entertainment; Michael Keithley, Chief Information Officer, CAA; Theresa Miller, Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President, Information Technology, Lionsgate and Scott Phelan, Group Information Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment. The panel will be moderated by Leo Collins, Oracle Customer Advisor, Oracle.

Following the CIO panel, a discussion between key studio CTOs will address the progressing technology driving the studio ecosystem. Picking up where their panel at CES left off, studio Chief Technology Officers will debate how their work has evolved to meet the needs of delivering content to consumers, split between multiple screens. They will address the latest operational developments in cloud-based entertainment and theatrical distribution, as well as the ways that they are utilizing technology innovations to streamline efficiencies and continue building the backbone for various business units.

The CTO panel is comprised of Hanno Basse, Chief Technology Officer, Fox Filmed Entertainment; Chris Cookson, President, Technologies at Sony Pictures Entertainment; Justin Herz, Senior Vice President, Direct-to-Consumer, Warner Bros. Digital Distribution & General Manager, Warner Bros. Advanced Digital Services; Jaime Voris, Chief Technology Officer, The Walt Disney Studios; and Lincoln Wallen, Chief Technology Officer, Dreamworks Animation; and will be moderated by Guy Finley, Executive Director, MESA.

Don’t miss these two important panels to gain invaluable insights into the minds of these studio leaders.

For more information or to register for HITS, go to www.hollywooditsociety.com/malibu-2013