2023 AGENDA

🕐 10:00am - 10:45am PT
With more than 20 projects released last year across audio, digital, TV and film and 70+ more in development, Hartbeat has found success by diversifying its business and mobilizing audiences across platforms and formats. CEO Thai Randolph, who recently led Hartbeat’s $100M capital raise, will discuss the company’s approach to making, marketing and monetizing content. She will also share her outlook on 2023, as the industry is facing economic uncertainty and competition for consumers is higher than ever.

Keynote Speaker:
- Thai Randolph, CEO, HARTBEAT

Interviewer:
- Ashley Cullins, Senior Business Editor, The Hollywood Reporter

🕐 11:00am - 11:45am PT
The over-the-top television market is large and growing, and expected to increase at an 11% CAGR over the next five years (PwC’s Entertainment & Media Outlook 2022-2026) with targeted growth from international expansion, bundling and new ad-supported AVOD and FAST streaming offerings. This panel will discuss the ad-supported strategies for growth in this highly competitive market. What innovations, business models and features of ad-supported AVOD and FAST will fuel growth in the marketplace?

Panelists:
- Erica Borgo, Senior Director, Global Ad Product Experience, Warner Bros. Discovery
- Andrea Downing, President, PBS Distribution
- Brian Kline, President, Penthera
- Oswald Mendez, Chief Marketing Officer, Canela Media

Moderator:
- Colin Dixon, Chief Analyst & Founder, nScreenMedia

🕐 12:00pm - 12:45pm PT
As streaming’s penetration in America has hit the saturation point for “nearly every individual service” (source: MoffettNathanson), the global streaming wars are heating up. With global successes like Money Heist or Squid Game, Netflix and others are increasing their focus on international production strategies. This panel will discuss the opportunities and challenges in international productions and where the streamers and production companies are placing big bets.

Panelists:
- Patrice Courtaban, EVP, Global Growth & Business Development, TV5MONDE
CEO, TV5MONDE USA
- Aron Levitz, Studio President, Wattpad WEBTOON Studios
- Terry Li, SVP, Emerging Business, Crunchyroll
- Emilio Schenker, CEO, Sipur

Moderator:
- David Fink, Partner, Venable

🕐 1:00pm - 1:45pm PT
The creator market for branded and platform deals is projected to grow to a whopping $28 billion by 2026. A major driver of this growth is coming from platforms like TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Snap and Twitch. This panel of brand and advertising executives, digital creators, platform executives and agency representatives will discuss the strategies and campaigns taking shape on different platforms. What are the most effective strategies today for working with crearors and what are the metrics that determine success? How are creators adapting their content and strategies as the market matures and more content is vying for audiences in the “Attention Economy”?

Panelists:
- Khudor Annous, Global SVP, Client Development, BEN Labs
- Danielle Johnsen Karr, Head of Social Content Agency, Magnet
- Matthew Patrick, Co-Owner & President, Theorist Inc.
- Ashley Rudder, Head of Creators, Whalar

Moderator:
- Geoff Weiss, Senior Digital Culture Reporter, Insider

🕐 2:00pm - 2:45pm PT
Join us for a keynote conversation with Jeff Shultz, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Business Development Officer of Streaming at Paramount Streaming.

Keynote Speaker:
- Jeff Shultz, Chief Strategy Officer & Chief Business Development Officer, Paramount Streaming

Interviewer:
- Colin Dixon, Founder & Chief Analyst, nScreenMedia

🕐 10:00am - 10:45am PT
Join us for a Keynote conversation with Javon Frazier, Founder & CEO of Maestro Media.

Keynote Speaker:
- Javon Frazier, Founder & CEO, Maestro Media

Interviewer:
- Sarah Parvini, Video Game Industry Reporter, LA Times

🕐 11:00am - 11:45am PT
Entertainment companies are embracing multi-platform storytelling with a focus on building long-lasting entertainment franchises that engage and monetize audiences across mediums. While movies and television continue to be a big driver when it comes to popularizing entertainment content, games are increasingly taking a central position in the cultural zeitgeist and provide deep engagement and extended monetization opportunities. The panel will discuss the different roles that games and interactive entertainment play in franchise development - top of the funnel, bottom of the funnel and in between.

Panelists:
- Moritz Baier-Lentz, Partner & Head of Gaming, Lightspeed Venture Partners
- Eugene Evans, SVP, Business Development & Digital Licensing, Wizards of the Coast, Hasbro
- Beth Goss, CEO, Outright Games
- Kayleen Walters, Head of Franchise Development, Minecraft

Moderator:
- David Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbes

🕐 12:00pm - 12:45pm PT
The games industry has historically been bespoke in development, operation and experience; now with the evolution of cloud, game engines, AI, and blockchain, an industry that historically has had a lack of uniformity is transforming. In this session we will talk about what has emerged and what is next that will create meaningful development and immersive experiences for the industry across the value chain.

Panelists:
- Matt Edelman, President & CCO, Super League Gaming
- Josh Neuman, Co-Founder & CEO, MELON
- Ryan Peterson, VP, Accelerate Solutions, Unity
- Yves Saada, Head of Digital Publishing, Spin Master

Moderator:
- David Reitman, Managing Director, Gaming Lead, Accenture

🕐 1:00pm - 1:45pm PT
The music industry has discovered the power of the Metaverse where albums can be launched in virtual worlds, and concert-style events bring together millions of people to discover new music and new artists, shop virtual merch, socialize with major stars as they perform or even dance together with fans. This panel of music and technology executives will discuss 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:
- Jake Beaumont-Nesbitt, Director, Innovation & Education, International Music Managers Forum
- Karibi Dagogo-Jack, Head of Music Partnerships, Roblox
- Anne McKinnon, CEO & Co-Founder, Ristband
- Jillian Rothman, VP, New Business & Ventures, Warner Music Group
- Marisol Segal, Head of Digital Partnerships, AEG Presents

Moderator:
- Hugh McIntyre, Contributor, Forbes

🕐 2:00pm - 2:45pm PT
Join us for a Keynote Conversation with Jon Vlassopulos, CEO of Napster.

Keynote Speaker:
- Jon Vlassopulos, CEO, Napster

Interviewer:
- Andrew Hampp, Senior Director, Music & Consumer Partnerships, Variety