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2025 Speakers Include:

Ned Sherman

Chief Business Affairs & Legal Officer
Skybound

Founder
Digital Media Wire

Paul Sweeting

Co-Founder
RightsTech Project

Founder & Principal
Concurrent Media Strategies

2025 Agenda:

Welcome & Opening remarks

9:30 AM - 9:40 AM PT
Palisades Ballroom

GENERAL SESSION: RESEARCH PRESENTATIONS

9:40 AM - 10:10 AM PT
Palisades Ballroom
Leading industry analysts present data and research on the current state and future growth opportunities in the games, digital media and entertainment sectors. 

GENERAL SESSION: VIEW FROM THE TOP: FUNDING THE FUTURE OF DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM PT
Palisades Ballroom
This panel of industry leaders explores the current trends shaping investment strategies in gaming, digital media, and entertainment. Panelists will discuss where venture capital, private equity, and institutional investors are directing their funds, how evolving consumer behaviors are influencing these decisions, and the types of projects and companies that are attracting attention. Learn how macroeconomic shifts and emerging technologies like AI and Web3 are impacting funding priorities.

GENERAL SESSION: KEYNOTE CONVERSATION

10:45 AM - 11:15 AM PT
Palisades Ballroom
More information to be announced soon.

MORNING BREAK

11:15 AM - 11:45 AM PT
Palisades Ballroom

INVESTMENT, DEALMAKING AND M&A: AI RESEARCH/DATA

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT
Palisades Ballroom
More information to be announced soon.

CREATORS & Brands: CREATOR ECONOMY RESEARCH

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT
Hermosa Room
More information to be announced soon.

RIGHTSTECH: AI LICENSING RESEARCH

11:45 AM - 12:00 PM PT
Venice Room
More information to be announced soon.

INVESTMENT, DEALMAKING AND M&A: THE FUTURE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT 

12:00 PM - 12:45 PM PT
Palisades Ballroom
There is a lot of excitement around the potential for artificial intelligence (AI) to bring about generational change in the games, digital media and entertainment industries, enhancing productivity, benefiting work flow processes and opening up new business models. The reality, however, may be the “peak of inflated expectations” according to IT research firm Gartner. This panel of experts will provide a reality check and discuss the opportunity in the context of the challenges of implementing AI in games, digital media and entertainment businesses today. Where should companies be focusing? Where are investors placing the biggest bets? What will it take for AI to emerge with tangible benefits for businesses in digital entertainment?

Creators & brands:  THE FUTURE OF MEASUREMENT: UNLOCKING GROWTH WITH AI-DRIVEN INSIGHTS 

12:00 PM - 12:45 PM PT
Hermosa Room
As the creator economy matures, brands and platforms need better tools to understand their impact. This session explores how AI-powered analytics are revolutionizing measurement by providing deeper insights into creator-driven campaigns, audience behavior, and ROI. Panelists will discuss cutting-edge AI tools that are helping companies identify trends, measure engagement across platforms, and optimize partnerships. Learn how AI will drive smarter, faster, and more scalable solutions for evaluating success in the creator economy.

RIGHTSTECH: AI IN TRAINING: BUYING AND SELLING DATA

12:00 PM - 12:45 PM PT
Venice Room
Lawsuits continue to fly over the use of copyrighted works to train generative AI models, but a market is also developing around training data and datasets across text, music, images and video. Who is buying and who is selling? What patterns and lessons can be gleaned from their early experiences?

What role does data transparency play in the debate? A panel of leading licensing, copyright and AI executives will discuss the latest developments around AI licensing and litigation, and where the respective industries go from here.

LUNCH BREAK

12:45 PM - 2:00 PM PT
Palisades Ballroom

INVESTMENT, DEALMAKING AND M&A: FUELING THE FUTURE: INVESTING IN THE CREATOR ECOSYSTEM

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM PT
Palisades Ballroom
The creator economy is transforming industries, reshaping how content is produced, distributed, and consumed. As creators build businesses around their personal brands, platforms evolve, and enabling technologies flourish, investors are finding new opportunities to drive growth in this dynamic space. This panel brings together industry leaders, venture capitalists, and successful entrepreneurs to discuss the unique challenges and immense potential of investing in the creator ecosystem. Topics will include evaluating companies that empower creators, spotting trends in creator-centric technologies, navigating platform dependency risks, and understanding the shifting dynamics of monetization and intellectual property in this vibrant economy.

BRANDS & CREATORS: RIGHTS, DEALS, AND THE CREATOR ECONOMY: NAVIGATING OWNERSHIP IN THE DIGITAL ERA

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM PT
Hermosa Room
The explosion of creator content has brought complex questions about ownership, licensing, and negotiation to the forefront. This panel will examine the evolving landscape of rights management in the creator economy, from securing proper usage agreements to negotiating brand deals and content licensing. Experts will discuss how platforms, creators, and brands can strike fair deals while protecting intellectual property, and what new tools are emerging to simplify these processes.

RIGHTSTECH: OPTING IN, OPTING OUT (OF AI TRAINING)

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM PT
Venice Room
Many creators and rights owners would like to exclude their works from AI training datasets. But simply stating a preference probably is not sufficient given the vast, automated scale at which AI systems operate. Other rights owners are looking to license their archives for training but need to be able to track their use. Startups and content management companies are developing strategies and machine-readable tools to automate the process of opting out, and of opting in. But how effective are they? What are the strengths and limitations of each? Most importantly, will policymakers settle on an opt-in or opt-out standard for the use of copyrighted works in AI, and how should rights owners and developers respond?

 INVESTMENT, DEALMAKING AND M&A: LEVELING UP: INVESTING IN GAMES AND INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT

2:45 PM - 3:30 PM PT
Palisades Ballroom
The games and interactive entertainment industry is booming, driven by advancements in technology, evolving consumer behaviors, and innovative monetization models. From AAA game studios and indie developers to virtual worlds, esports, AI, web3 and interactive storytelling platforms, the sector offers diverse investment opportunities with global reach. This panel features leading investors, gaming entrepreneurs, and industry strategists exploring the dynamics of investing in this high-growth space. Topics include identifying emerging trends, evaluating the potential of gaming platforms and ecosystems, understanding user acquisition and retention strategies, and navigating challenges such as IP ownership and market competition. 

BRANDS & CREATORS: AI MEETS CREATIVITY: FROM MULTILINGUAL DUBBING TO GENERATIVE ART

2:45 PM - 3:30 PM PT
Hermosa Room
Artificial intelligence is not just transforming workflows—it’s reshaping the creative process. This session dives into the many ways AI supports creativity in the creator economy, from automating multilingual dubbing for global audiences to generating visual assets and enhancing video production. Panelists will share insights on how creators, brands, and agencies are leveraging AI tools to unlock new levels of creative potential while maintaining authenticity. Learn how to harness AI as an ally in delivering innovative, scalable content.

RIGHTSTECH: DEEPFAKES, IDENTITY MANAGEMENT AND CONTENT ID

2:45 PM - 3:30 PM PT
Venice Room
AI-generated deepfakes are the scourge of celebrities and politicians. But the ability to license your image or voice, or create your own digital avatar, could provide new monetization opportunities for artists and performers. Can AI-manipulated content reliably be identified? How can artists and performers protect and manage their name, image, likeness and voice? What is the status of legislation to establish and protect NILV rights? 

INVESTMENT, DEALMAKING AND M&A: INVESTING IN CONTENT: BUILDING THE FUTURE OF MULTI-PLATFORM

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Palisades Ballroom
As audiences consume content across an expanding array of platforms—from streaming services and social media to gaming and virtual worlds—the entertainment industry is undergoing a profound transformation. Building the future of multi-platform entertainment requires innovation, adaptability, and a deep understanding of audience behavior. This panel brings together creative visionaries, tech innovators, and business leaders to explore how content creators and companies are navigating this complex ecosystem. Topics will include crafting stories that resonate across platforms, leveraging emerging technologies like AI and VR, and creating sustainable business models in a fragmented media landscape. How is the convergence of storytelling, technology, and interactivity reshaping the entertainment experience for a new generation?

BRANDS & CREATORS: BUILDING FOR LONGEVITY: CREATING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE CREATOR ECONOMY

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Hermosa Room
Amid the rapid pace of innovation, sustainability in the creator economy depends on long-term thinking and meaningful community-building. This session explores strategies for fostering engaged audiences, diversifying revenue streams, and creating evergreen content formats. Panelists will highlight case studies of creators and brands who’ve successfully navigated the challenges of platform dependency and evolving algorithms to build resilient communities that stand the test of time.

RIGHTSTECH: COLLECTIVE RIGHTS MANAGEMENT IN THE AGE OF AI

3:30 PM - 4:15 PM PT
Venice Room
Collective management and licensing has played a vital role in many rights-based industries over the decades. But AI presents unique challenges, from attribution to allocation of royalties. What role, if any, will collective rights management play in the age of AI. Are current CMOs up to the task? What systems need to be in place to manage rights at AI scale?

AFTERNOON BREAK

4:15 PM -4:45 PM PT
Palisades Ballroom

GENERAL SESSION: VIEW FROM THE TOP: THE POWER PLAY: M&A AND CONSOLIDATION IN DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT 

4:45 PM - 5:15 PM PT
Palisades Ballroom
In a landscape defined by convergence and competition, mergers and acquisitions are reshaping the entertainment, media, and technology industries. This panel will explore the forces driving consolidation, from the pursuit of scale and content dominance to the integration of innovative technologies.Key topics will include: Strategies for aligning creative and technological assets to maximize deal value; the evolving role of content as a competitive advantage in an era of streaming wars and platform proliferation; navigating regulatory hurdles and antitrust concerns in high-stakes transactions; and how new technologies like AI, blockchain, and VR are influencing M&A strategies. Join top executives, dealmakers, and analysts for an in-depth discussion on how consolidation is shaping the future of these intersecting industries—and what it means for players of all sizes.

GENERAL SESSION: KEYNOTE CONVERSATION

5:15 PM - 5:45 PM PT
Palisades Ballroom
More information to be announced soon.

Past Keynote Speakers Included:

Andrew Sugerman

Executive Vice President of Publishing & Digital Media,
The Walt Disney Company

Bob Gruters

Group Director of Global Marketing Solutions, US,
Facebook

David Morin

Industry Relations,
Epic Games

Executive Director,
Academy Software Foundation

Jeff Shultz

Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Business Development Officer,
Paramount Streaming

Julie McNamara

Executive Vice President, Head of Original Content,
CBS All Access

Katie Soo

SVP of Marketing,
Warner Bros Digital Networks

Kevin Mayer

Chairman of the Board,
DAZN Group

Co-CEO & Co-Chairperson of the Board,
FRX II

Lia Vollack

President of Columbia Live Stage,
Sony Pictures Entertainment

Michael Abrams

Senior Vice President of Innovation,
The Walt Disney Company

Oana Ruxandra

Executive Vice President of Business Development and Chief Digital Officer,
Warner Music Group

Shannon Pruitt

Managing Partner, Walt Disney Television Portfolio of Networks,
Horizon Media

Soumya Sriraman

Head of Amazon Prime Video Channels,
Amazon

Former Founding President & CEO,
Britbox

Thomas Gewecke

Chief Digital Officer & EVP of Strategy & Business Development,
Warner Bros Entertainment

2025 Sponsors & Media Partners: 

Venable
Venable is a firm of trusted advisors serving businesses, organizations, and individuals in many of the most important aspects of their work. With more than 850 professionals delivering services globally, we help clients connect quickly and effectively to the experience and insights key to achieving their most pressing objectives. We foster a diverse culture that helps ensure our ability to attract, retain, and elevate the most talented professionals in the country, who work on behalf of our clients.
Visit venable.com
Copyright Clearance Center
A pioneer in voluntary collective licensing, CCC advances copyright, accelerates knowledge, and powers innovation. With expertise in copyright, data quality, data analytics, and FAIR data implementations, CCC and its subsidiary RightsDirect collaborate with stakeholders on innovative solutions to harness the power of data and AI.
Visit copyright.com
Fusicology
Fusicology.com is a multifaceted website media entity, promoting progressive music culture through event listings and relevant content. Fusicology as a whole provides a national hub reaching trend setting multicultural urbanites. Our site and newsletter specialize in providing relevant information for early adopters that include the musically forward.
Visit fusicology.com
Westside Digital Mix 
Westside Digital Mix is an informal networking group for digital media & entertainment professionals who live or work on the Westside in Los Angeles — from the South Bay to Malibu, West LA to the Pacific Ocean. These monthly ‘curated’ social/business mixers are a great way to catch up with friends, colleagues, and meet new industry insiders.
Visit Westside Digital Mix
IAEL
The IAEL was officially founded in 1977 at MIDEM, the main international trade fair of the music business held each January in Cannes. Over the past thirty years, the IAEL has come to fulfil a unique role for lawyers involved in the industry throughout the world. It has expanded enormously in terms of both the numbers of its members and the scope of its activities. Nonetheless, continuity of membership combined with the energy of its officers, past and present, mean that the Association’s style remains distinctly personal.
Visit iael.org
Streaming Video Technology Alliance
The Streaming Video Technology Alliance is a global technical association addressing critical challenges in streaming video. By educating the industry on the technical nature of the issues, providing a neutral forum for collaboration across the video ecosystem, and publishing documentation that defines technical solutions, the SVTA is helping to improve the streaming video experience at scale. Over 100 companies including network operators, content rights holders, OTT platforms, service providers, and technology vendors – representing some of the biggest names in global streaming – participate in bi-weekly working group activities and quarterly face-to-face meetings. For more information, please visit www.svta.org.
visit svta.org
Digital LA
Digital LA is LA’s largest digital entertainment networking group, reaching more than 50,000 digital professionals weekly via our newsletter and social media. Attendees include Hollywood executives from movie studios, agencies, game companies, and labels, as well as Silicon Beach startup CEOs, VCs, investors, angels, and more.
visit digitalla.net