Event Schedule
as of Mar. 2, 2020 (subject to change)
1 p.m.: Registration Opens
2 – 6 p.m.: General Sessions
6 – 7 p.m.: Networking Reception
1:45 – 2 p.m.
Opening Remarks
Guy Finley, President, MESA
2 – 2:30 p.m.
The Race for Speed and Scale in OTT Delivery
This opening session addresses the “DNA of workflow” that drives efficiencies in global OTT distribution as well as the challenge our industry faces in connecting our supply chains to monetize the consumer of this tsunami of content. Earlier in the day we gathered the group of data specialists and users of EIDR, which is a fundamental building block in the systems that are driving our industry to speed and scale. This conversation addresses how we can continue to transform our business through adopting a software development approach to collaborating on interconnected, instant delivery.
Moderator: Guy Finley, President, MESA
Greg Geier, Senior Vice President, Title Stewardship, Systems and Workflow, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Eric Iverson, CTO/CIO, Iverson Consulting
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.
The Streaming Wars: Engaging the Connected Consumer
Recognizing the power of bringing their own content directly to consumers, media companies are creating their own distribution platforms. We know that consumers are cutting the cord at an ever-increasing rate, but what remains unclear is how they feel about the wealth of OTT choices that will soon be available. In this session, we will look at key markets and case studies to better understand: Consumer sentiment and intent toward the crowded streaming market; opinions on volume of choices, type of content and payment models; and how data can help you understand what content is likely to succeed and the importance of evaluating platform fit.
Carol Hanley, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, Whip Media Group
2:45 – 3 p.m.
Optimizing the OTT User Experience
There are many stakeholders, tugs of war, and market dynamics associated with creating, delivering, and measuring an optimal OTT product. This presentation focuses on UX challenges and opportunities touching on product features, content, and monetization as they relate to the ever-evolving interface with the consumer. With the goal of increasing user acquisition, engagement, and retention, how can Artificial Intelligence, machine learning and data-driven algorithms drive an optimal experience?
Amanda Gharghour, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Ocean Stride
3 – 3:15 p.m.
Not Just Fans, FANATICS: Streaming Media for Subscribers Who Can’t Live Without Your Content
With over half of all US households making utility-style payments to at least two of the Big 3 (now Big 4?) streaming sites, some pundits have declared the SVOD market “saturated”. That’s not what we’re seeing at Sony. On the contrary, for content owners who know their audience and want to tailor their apps and services to deliver more than just another commodity streaming experience, there has never been a better time to be on the internet. We’ll talk about some of the unique audience characteristics that we’ve encountered and some of the experiences that we’ve built to drive delight, minimize churn, and build relationships with the FANATICAL streaming customers of our clients and partners.
David Ballew, Vice President, Head of Platform Services, Sony New Media Solutions
3:15 – 3:30 p.m.
A Case Study for a Post-Cloud Supply Chain
As streaming transforms the marketplace, our industry’s distribution model requires foundational new technology and approaches that innovate beyond today’s cloud workflows to support the radical opportunities of the entertainment industry in the next decade. This case study will show a new supply chain approach deployed at MGM studios based on a new substrate platform, that is neither cloud nor CDN in today’s sense, demonstrating key technology capabilities and learnings. The substrate is a single backend source for master asset servicing including media, metadata and code, with inherent linking of components, re-use, rights, and versioning. Streaming and file-based video presentation is delivered just in time from the source objects.
Michelle Munson, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Eluv.io
3:30 – 4 p.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
4 – 4:10 p.m.
Connecting and Nurturing the OTT Ecosystem
From VSDA, a trade association of mom-and-pop video stores in the 1980’s, and more recently the Entertainment Merchants Association supporting the physical and digital retailing of home entertainment – this organization has transformed once again into OTT.X, broadening its scope to include all companies engaged in or supporting the distribution of audiovisual entertainment, now including AVOD and SVOD channels, services and platforms. This session addresses the Association’s focus, its activities, and how to be engaged.
Mark Fisher, President & Chief Executive Officer, OTT.X
4:10 – 4:45 p.m.
Digital Supply Chain Across the OTT Industry
To achieve efficiency, accuracy and scale, OTT supply chain operations need to balance a complex matrix of variables such as cost and efficacy of automated v. manual processes, responding to changing user experience requirements and support for international deployments. What are the strategies and methodologies OTT organizations are using, what’s working and what isn’t? A panel of leaders from content providers, channels, retailers and service providers will describe their digital supply chain operations and strategy, discuss successes and challenges with automation as well as their plans for the future.
Moderator: Eric Hanson, Vice President, Industry Leadership, OTT.X
Panelists:
Paul Colichman, Chief Executive Officer, Here Media
Cameron Douglas, Vice President, Home Entertainment, Fandango and Chairman, OTT.X
Michele Edelman, Head of Growth, Premiere Digital Services
Lise Romanoff, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Worldwide Distribution, Vision Films
4:45 – 5 p.m.
Adapting Content to Culture
OTT platforms connecting all the world’s audiences are creating a new and distinct set of challenges as licensed catalog, and original, film and television content travels cross-border. It is deceiving to think that these emerging markets are ripe for “easy” incremental profits. Understanding the regulatory landscape in destination countries is required to avoid brand and legal jeopardy. This session discusses cross-border cultural sensitivity, content classification, and how to succeed in local markets.
Teresa Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, Spherex
5 – 5:30 p.m.
Driving Delivery of Global OTT
The transformation that our home entertainment industry is experiencing is truly incredible and driving opportunities in end-to-end efficiencies throughout our distribution supply chain. But, with the increase in volume and the demands of global scale, there is a growing expectation from every link in the chain which culminates in the end-user experience. As data and processes become more efficient, more reliable, and more transparent, our supply chain will grows exponentially along with the content being delivered through it. These experts will provide insight into how we can work more effectively towards our industry’s future.
Moderator: Guy Finley, President, MESA
Panelists:
Alejandro Otero, Senior Vice President, Digital Distribution & Mastering, Pixelogic Media
Josh Pine, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bentley Consulting Group
Jim Riley, Chief Strategy & Revenue Officer, BitMAX
5:30 – 6 p.m.
PITA Pit and Closing Remarks
What is your biggest issue internally, or with you customer(s), and how are you dealing with it? We close the show with the audience as the participant by throwing the microphone your way to talk about your biggest pain point(s). This interactive session gives the audience the opportunity to both ask and answer these tough questions in a closed door session.
Hosts: Steven Chester and Guy Finley, MESA
6 – 7 p.m.
NETWORKING RECEPTION
