Program

(as of Sept 16, 2022 and subject to change)

Event Schedule:

8 a.m.: Venue Opens
9 a.m.: Opening Remarks/Sessions Begin
11 a.m.: Networking Break
11:20 a.m.: Breakout Sessions
12:45 p.m.: Networking Luncheon
2 p.m.: WiTH Keynote
2:30 p.m.: General Sessions:HIRSCHER A/HIRSCHER B/HIRSCHER C
5:30 p.m.: CLOSING KEYNOTE CONVERSATION
6 p.m.: Closing Remarks/Networking Reception
 

Creating New Business Opportunities with Data & Technology

The Pepperdine Graziadio Business School Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports (IEMS) and Hollywood IT Society (HITS) return this Fall to gather industry innovators and thought leaders to discuss using data to effectively blend physical and digital experiences across the global entertainment ecosystem. This full day symposium will be a closed door event for audience member participation only (no press).
 

Conference Program:

 

9 – 9:30 a.m.
Opening Remarks
Guy Finley, President & Chief Executive Officer, MESA
Claudio Ludovisi, Assistant Dean, Marketing & Strategy, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
Amy Zwagerman, Program Manager, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports (IEMS)
 

9:30 – 10 a.m.
OPENING KEYNOTE: Under the Feathers at Peacock
After years of espousing SVOD as the only way to launch successful streaming platforms, the industry has finally come around to the power of AVOD streamers. Two years ago, NBCUniversal bucked industry norms with the launch of Peacock, its first-of-its-kind AVOD streaming service, in a move that many of its biggest competitors are now seeking to emulate. Join Jenny Burke, Executive Vice President of Advertising Strategy at NBCUniversal, to hear more about why AVOD is having its moment in the industry sunlight, and how AVOD platforms allow for bigger and better business opportunities with marketers of every size. From ad experience and innovations to new data targeting capabilities, learn from one of advertising’s best and brightest on what it takes to create a winning AVOD strategy and get a sneak peek at what NBCUniversal thinks is the next frontier of the advertising industry’s future.
Jenny Burke, Executive Vice President, Advertising Strategy, NBCUniversal
 

10 – 10:30 a.m.
The 360 Degree View of Data
Production, distribution and marketing all provide unique perspectives on data as business units and disciplines. From where to gather data, what’s the impact and how to implement within their particular piece of the business, the conversation about data continues to deepen. But as data proliferates across organizations, these new information partnerships become increasingly valuable to the company by their connection, in real-time, both internally, and externally, to their customer(s) via platform, user or device. Produced in cooperation with Living Hope Productions, this session gathers these unique perspectives to provide a foundation for conversations during EES about using data as a transformative element to drive new business opportunities across companies and throughout the industry.
Moderator: Hope Allen, Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Living Hope Productions
Panelists:
Jeff Clanagan, President & Chief Distribution Officer, Hartbeat
Michael Smith, Chief Marketing Officer, NPR
Ken Nowling, Senior Vice President, Production, Universal Television/NBC Universal
 

10:30 – 11 a.m.
MORNING KEYNOTE: Transforming the Global Connected Consumer
As the next generation of digital native is born into our connected world, national and international brands face the challenge of engaging the new, connected consumer on their terms and in a way that appeals to their lifestyle. This transformation is especially relevant for companies who’ve done business with their brand for 20, 30, even 100 years, or more, and requires a fresh perspective on collaborative tools, partnerships and platforms. This Virtual Keynote will explore how one of our most respected U.S. brands has met the challenge and offers insight into how they’ve applied their data-driven insights throughout the company.
Rob Hayes, Chief Business Officer, Dow Jones
Introduction: Claudio Ludovisi, Assistant Dean, Marketing & Strategy, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
 

11 a.m.
Introduction to Breakout Sessions
Guy Finley, President & Chief Executive Officer, MESA
 

11 – 11:20 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAK

 

11:20 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSIONS

Subject matter experts share innovative ideas, processes, and perspectives in an interactive and intimate way. The audience are free to choose which topic/area they find most interesting. Sessions address key areas or themes on three separate tracks
TRACK 1: EFFICIENCY & SUSTAINABILITY
TRACK 2: ETHICS, FINANCIALS & SYNDICATION
TRACK 3: WORKFLOW, AWARDS & INSIGHTS
 

12:45 – 2 p.m.
NETWORKING LUNCHEON

 

HIRSCHER B: MAIN STAGE
 
2 – 2:30 p.m.
AFTERNOON KEYNOTE: DEIA in Productions – Inclusion Policy and Playbook
There is much to be done to improve representation in Hollywood, both in front of and behind the camera. Amazon Studios has long prioritized telling innovative and inclusive stories from a diverse range of creative talent and last year it launched its Inclusion Policy and Playbook, which creates mechanisms that hold us accountable to a high bar and provides a path toward a more equitable future in film and television. The global DEIA leader discusses how a resource like this can advance equity across the industry, and how can we use data to implement lasting change.
Latasha Gillespie, Executive Head of Global Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) for Amazon Studios, Prime Video, and IMDb.
Introduction: Eric Iverson, Head of Product, Amazon Studios
 

HIRSCHER A: WEB3/NFT/METAVERSE
 
2:30 – 3 p.m.
NFTs and the Metaverse: Culture, Community, Innovation and Web3
Our panelists will walk us through the anatomy of an NFT sale, examine the exciting world of virtual reality and the metaverse, and discuss how companies, artists and brands are creating and cultivating new and exciting opportunities for fans within Web3.
Christiane Kinney, President, Kinney Law, P.C.
Tori Stevens, Chief Executive Officer, SuperNFT
 
 

3 – 3:30 p.m.
Digital Opportunities: How NFTs Create Opportunities for Intercollegiate Athletes and Women
For decades, intercollegiate athletes and women in sport and entertainment have not had optimal opportunities to monetize their name, image and likeness. An emerging technology, non-fungible tokens, is changing that through the ability to produce royalties into perpetuity. In this panel, Greig Carlson, a two-time NCAA Division I FBS Football Champion and founder of Hall of Goats, and Alicia Jessop, an Associate Professor at Pepperdine University and the founder of Ruling Sports, will discuss the unique, value-driven opportunities that NFTs present for historically marginalized groups.
Moderator: Michael Ehrlich, Founder, Playbook Marketing
Panelists:
Alicia Jessop, Associate Professor, Pepperdine University
Greig Carlson, Chief Executive Officer, Hall of GOATS
 

3:30 – 4 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
 

4 – 4:30 p.m.
Web3 & the Metaverse – What’s Real & What’s Not
The promise of Web3 and the Metaverse echos the “launch” of the internet in the mid-1990s. But along with the promises (i.e. a multi-trillion dollar, global marketplace that leverages immersive technology to evolve the “web” experience) come a new wave of “what-ifs” that may drive excitement but many ignore the ultimate risks of moving large enterprises into new technologies. These sessions gather experts who are pioneering inventive ways to make Web3 and the Metaverse accepted, bankable and interoperable in a “no B.S.” conversation about when and how this revolution will unfold.
Lori H. Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer & Principal, StoryTech and Co-Chair, Web3 Council, NAB Show
 

4:30 – 5 p.m.
Balancing Business & Creativity Through Data: Who Exactly Is The Audience?
In this session, we will discuss the powerful macro environment— audience, income, etc.– that should inform all commercial creative undertakings, whether in film, TV, gaming or beyond. In this fireside chat, we will look at some of the high-level drivers behind and the real size of the US market for premium creative products. You will be able to use this information to your business and creative advantage.
John Penney, Co-Founder, Elemental Content LLC
 

HIRSCHER B: SPORTS/ESPORTS
 
2:30 -3 p.m.
How Data Drives Engagement and ROI in Esports and Gaming
While data helps develop relationships with brands and influencers to their core audience it also connects dots to the broader ecosystem or platform of the game/experience. How do agencies develop a strategy for their clients that leverages the unique data being driven from these experiences? And how do companies turn that data into revenue for the creator, influencer, brand and platform? This session studies the evolution of data and its application within esports and gaming
Moderator: Gary Kleinman, Co-Founder, Skinz.gg and Founder, WHAM Network
Panelists:
Mo Hallaba, Chief Executive Officer, Datawisp
Ryan Morrison, Chief Executive Officer, Evolved Talent and Founding Partner, Morrison Rothman LLP
Eric Yoon, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Esports TV
 

3 – 3:30 p.m.
Esports and the Evolving Collegiate Experience
The intersection of education and gaming has grown very fertile. But “gamefication” has truly evolved with Esports and the competitive side of esports is very active. Gamers can get college scholarships, NIL agreements and undergraduate degrees and, much like the traditional path of scholarship for professional athletics, Esports is a multi-billion dollar economy for universities. And while every student athlete may not make it to the “big leagues” it becomes a viable path to complete your degree. This session gathers experts who are pioneering inventive ways to use data as a foundation to grow this market and opportunity for collegiate success.
Moderator: Gary Kleinman, Co-Founder, Skinz.gg and Founder, WHAM Network
Panelists:
Jason Chung, Head of Esports, Zuber Lawler
Wim Stocks, Senior Vice President, Partnerships & Commercial, Belong Gaming & Vindex
 

3:30 – 4 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
 

4- 4:30 p.m.
The Media Genome: What’s the Katch?
Designed by the creator of Pandoras’ DNA, Katch’s Media Genome consists of over 2,500 elements to understand why we like what we like. It captures aspects from cinematography, context, directorial approach, and score through human-augmented AI. Join this conversation to learn more about the taste-driven future that this revolutionary platform provides for our industry.
Andrew Tight, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Katch
Moderator: Nelson Granados, Professor of Information Systems & Technology Management, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
 

4:30 – 5 p.m.
More Data = More Problems… STOP THE INSANITY!
There are a multitude of avenues through which companies can collect consumer data. Additionally, it’s become much easier to collect and use this data to drive a direct-to-consumer (D2C) strategy. With D2C, companies can gather data directly from interactions with consumers to allow for more detailed customer segmentation and ultimately better promotion and personalized product assortment. But with this data comes the need to house, analyze, secure and apply insights from data to business processes. While companies can acquire data in a variety of ways, there are SMART formulas to ensure a successful and secure data journey! These experts will reveal what is working for their organizations and what challenges they are currently up against.
Moderator: Guy Finley, President & Chief Executive Officer, MESA
Panelists:
Richard Atkinson, President, CDSA
Ben Strother, Cybersecurity Specialist, Fortinet
 

HIRSCHER C: CONSUMERS & TRENDS
 
2:30 – 3 p.m.
Fan Touchpoints Part I: Shifting Perspective on Consumers to Evolve Business Models & Unlock Value
Hear from industry experts about the macro trends which will impact entertainment companies of the future. They will discuss the latest technological, generational and cultural shifts, as well as the implications for market direction, strategy and future business models. Walk away with the key considerations to enable your organization to win in Entertainment 3.0.
Nairi Gardiner, (Former) Chief Financial Officer, Warner Bros. Global Brands & Experiences
Liz Huszarik, (Former) Executive Vice President & Chief Research Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment
Introduction: Nina Skorus-Neely, Digital Advisor, Media & Entertainment Transformation, Microsoft
 

3 – 3:30 p.m.
Fan Touchpoints Part II: Shifting Perspective on Consumers to Evolve Business Models & Unlock Value
Nairi Gardiner, (Former) Chief Financial Officer, Warner Bros. Global Brands & Experiences
Liz Huszarik, (Former) Executive Vice President & Chief Research Officer, Warner Bros. Entertainment
Introduction: Nina Skorus-Neely, Digital Advisor, Media & Entertainment Transformation, Microsoft
 

3:30 – 4 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
 

4 – 4:30 p.m.
Living on the Edge: Data Requirements for (Virtual) Production
On a VP set, the digital imagery displays and reacts in real-time, integrating live action photography with in-camera visual effects (ICVFX). As Camera to Cloud gains traction in onset technology stacks, the data associated with digital imagery multiplies exponentially. The high computing demands of the workflow and process are only as capable and reliable as the data center infrastructure that supports them. This session discusses how in-house data center infrastructure helps producers and creatives optimize workflow efficiencies to maximize on-set virtual AND traditional production outcomes aligned with long term evolution
Moderator: Sean Tajkowski, Technical Director, MEDCA
Panelists:
Dane Brehm, Production Technologist, Cintegral.Tech
Bradley Greenberg, Senior Director, Coresite
 

4:30 – 5 p.m.
Creatives and their Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes
No matter how much preparation, once on set (or near set!), adjustments within the virtual environment imagery are almost guaranteed to be requested. Making artistic changes during active production is an ‘all hands’ effort. Artists across multiple vendors, operating from disparate locations, and LED stage technicians who are delivering high resolution digital assets and environments to a volumetric stage need no-nonsense inter-connectivity to ensure a stable environment for the massive amount of data being transmitted, and stored. This exchange and more (camera to cloud) are supported by a facility’s in-house data center infrastructure, the fundamental layer of any data-centric workflow. This session discusses how getting updates to the stage as soon as possible saves money and maintains creative flow.
Moderators: Eric Rigney, Vice President, MEDCA
Panelists:
Jason Bautista, Solutions Architect, Commscope
Dane Brehm, Production Technologist, Cintegral.Tech
Derek Powell, Director, Altman Solon
Sean Tajkowski, Technical Director, MEDCA
Tom Thudiyanplackal, Virtual Production Producer, Senior M&E Solutions Architect, The Storyteller’s Desk 
 

HIRSCHER B: MAIN STAGE
 
5 – 5:30 p.m.
Should I Second That Emotion?
Melva Benoit, Founder & President, The Marian Dupree Group and Executive Professor, Digital Media and Innovation, Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business and Management
Charles Cantu, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Reset Digital
Introduction: Claudio Ludovisi, Assistant Dean, Marketing & Strategy, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
 

5:30 – 6 p.m.
CLOSING KEYNOTE CONVERSATION: One More Thing…The Ankler Weighs In!
Hear from the leaders of Ankler Media as they discuss the radical transformation of Hollywood before, during and after COVID. The Ankler, their flagship brand, is Hollywood’s most fearsome newsletter with the most buzzed-about coverage of M+E that speaks plainly about injustice and foolishness on all sides of the industry debate. In addition to the daily emergence of hot-button issues and next-level crisis, they’ve gained tens of thousands of subscribers with their coverage of the upheavals and dislocations of the streaming wars. As the stakes for survival escalate, our closing Keynote Conversation gives you their understanding of where our industry is heading as the “direct to consumer” strategy truly unfolds across the entire ecosystem of studio products (theatrical, broadcast, packaged media, electronic sell-through, etc.). Don’t miss it!
Sean McNulty, Creator & Writer THE WAKEUP Entertainment Industry newsletter
Richard Rushfield, Editor-in-Chief, The Ankler
 

6 p.m.
Closing Remarks
Guy Finley, President & Chief Executive Officer, MESA
Claudio Ludovisi, Assistant Dean, Marketing & Strategy, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School
Amy Zwagerman, Program Manager, Pepperdine Graziadio Business School, Institute for Entertainment, Media, and Sports (IEMS)
 

6 – 7 p.m.
NETWORKING RECEPTION

 

SPEAKERS

Register ‍

Program

Other Events