The Intersection of Media & Technology

Variety returns in-person for its annual Entertainment & Technology Summit, presented by City National Bank on September 21. This one-day event will explore advancing technology’s impact on TV, film, gaming, music, digital media and consumer brands. 

Limited seats are available — get your tickets today. 

This event will take place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles (300 Doheny Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90048) 

Attending with your team? For group rate information, email flgomez@variety.com

Networking Opportunities 

In-Person Panel Discussions & Keynote Conversations

Lunch

Cocktail Hour

Virtual Access to Conversations With Industry Leaders

Chat Room Networking Opportunities

Agenda 

8:50 AM - 9:00 AM PT

Opening Remarks

Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety
Linda Duncombe - EVP, Chief Marketing, Data and Digital Officer, City National Bank

9:00 AM - 9:20 AM PT

Keynote Conversation with Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO, Mattel

Find out about Kreiz’s strategies transforming Mattel as a toy company across platforms, including his leadership vision for Mattel Films whose first title Barbie continues to set records at the box office.

Ynon Kreiz - Chairman and CEO, Mattel
Andrew Wallenstein (Moderator) - President and Chief Media Analyst, Variety Intelligence Platform

9:20 AM - 9:55 AM PT

Building Hit Entertainment Across Platforms

An exploration into strategies for developing, producing and distributing content that connects strongly with today’s audiences, who are highly divided across various media platforms and touchpoints. What partners may be crucial in building content stickiness and loyalty among audiences in a competitive environment? Leading entertainment executives and their partners discuss what it means to make hit content – spanning TV, film, music, podcasts, games and more.

Agnes Chu - President, Condé Nast Entertainment
Eli Holzman - President, Non-Fiction, Sony Pictures Television
Russell Wallach - President, Live Nation Media and Sponsorships
Julie McNamara - Head of Global Podcast Studios, Spotify
Richelle Parham - President, Global eCommerce and Business Development, Universal Music Group
Michael Schneider (Moderator) - TV Editor, Variety

9:55 AM - 10:25 AM PT

Growing and Financially Securing the Athlete Brand Across Platforms

An exploration into how athletes are utilizing new financial tools and innovations to best advance their burgeoning entrepreneurial interests outside of the game. Sports industry leaders will lay out how athletes can succeed in managing the finances of their multiplatform brands transparently, efficiently and securely.

Todd Burach (Moderator) - SVP, Team Leader, Sports and Family Office Banking, City National Bank
Dee Thompson - Founder, Advise Sports & Entertainment LLC (AdviSE)
Stephen Rhodes - Founder and Managing Principal, Signify Wealth

10:25 AM - 11:05 AM PT

Fan-First Marketing in our Creator Era

A look at how fans are increasingly driving the strategies and creative approach to brand campaigns.  How might messaging and visuals be built to encourage fan interaction across digital and social media? How are brands aligning with fans’ favorite creators to maximize marketing effectiveness? How are brands flexing their own creator muscle to design marketing that especially connects with today’s meme-loving sensibilities?

Emily King - EVP Marketing and Digital, FOX Entertainment
Ellen Stone - EVP, Consumer Engagement and Brand Strategy, NBC Universal
Angela Courtin - VP and Global Head of Brand Marketing, YouTube
Elana Sulzer - Head of Entertainment, Snap
Tom Henry - Director of Client Partnerships, Entertainment/Gaming/Sports, Spotify
Jimmy Knowles - Global Head of Experiential, Canva
Heidi Chung (Moderator) - Media Correspondent, Variety Intelligence Platform

11:05 AM - 11:20 AM PT

Angel Studios: A New Opportunity for Independent Filmmakers

SOUND OF FREEDOM burst onto the summer movie scene garnering nearly $190 million in domestic box office.  Join us as we explore ANGEL STUDIOS' unique models where thousands of “Angel” investors, called Guild members, choose which titles will be created, funded, and distributed; what guides this company’s mission, and how Angel is quickly attracting storytellers to an entirely new way of doing business.

Neal Harmon - Co-Founder & CEO, Angel Studios
Jared Geesey - SVP Global Distribution, Angel Studios
Matt Donnelly (Moderator) - Senior Entertainment and Media Writer, Variety

11:35 AM - 11:50 AM PT

Moments-Based Marketing

An exploration into how to best capitalize on key beats in the leadup to a theatrical release

Katie Jones - Head of North America, Strategic Media Partnerships, Meta
Alessandra Torre - Entertainment Partnerships and Creator Industry Lead, Meta
Joana Delgado - Client Partner, Entertainment (Film/TV), Meta
Heidi Chung (Moderator) - Media Correspondent, Variety Intelligence Platform
Suzanne Cole - EVP Media, Universal Pictures
Alex Sanger - EVP Global Digital Marketing, Universal Pictures

11:50 AM - 12:20 PM PT

What’s Next for Interactive and Experiential Storytelling

A dive into the latest trends in video game, interactive and experiential content. How might the intersection of gaming and entertainment provide new revenue streams for media companies? What films and TV shows are inspiring interactive spin-offs – and vice versa, how are gaming projects generating new film/TV/podcast entertainment?

Todd Lichten - Head of Entertainment Partnerships, Roblox
Moonlit Beshimov - Head of Global Partnerships Industry Solutions, Gaming, Google
Amy McDevitt - Head of Sports Brand Partnerships, Amazon
Mike DeLaet - Global Head of Digital Gaming, Mattel
Kaare Eriksen (Moderator) - Correspondent, Variety Intelligence Platform

1:20 PM - 1:35 PM PT

Conversation with Mike Verdu, VP Games, Netflix

A look at how video games fit into Netflix’s overall content strategy and engagement with audiences.

Mike Verdu - VP Games, Netflix
Todd Spangler (Moderator) - Digital Editor, Variety

1:35 PM - 2:10 PM PT

New Business Drivers for the Media Industry

A look at how media platforms are sharpening their business models – via new advertising strategies, advancing analytics, flexibility for marketers, and improved choice and convenience for consumers. What are the latest trends across ad-supported FAST and on-demand streaming; subscription models; and various hybrid monetization strategies? How are platforms offering new tools and innovations to help marketers reach desired audiences? Business leaders share how they are innovating their respective platforms.

David Lawenda - Chief Digital Advertising Officer, Paramount
Josh Mattison - SVP, Revenue Management & Operations, Disney Advertising
Mainak Mazumdar - Chief Advertising Research and Analytics Officer, Fox Corporation
Andrea Zapata - EVP, Head of Ad Sales Research, Measurement and Insights, Warner Bros. Discovery
Evan Adlman - EVP Commercial Sales & Revenue Operations, AMC Networks
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

2:10 PM - 2:25 PM PT

The Big Business of Games with Scopely

Scopely’s co-CEO will speak about their best strategies for connecting with today’s influential audience of gamers – on track to drive approx. $400B in revenue in 2023.  Learn how to create highly social, long-lasting interactive franchises from the makers of blockbuster games like MONOPOLY GO!, Star Trek Fleet Command, and MARVEL Strike Force.

Javier Ferreira - Co-CEO, Scopely
Andrew Wallenstein (Moderator) - President and Chief Media Analyst, VIP

2:25 PM - 3:05 PM PT

Breakthrough Tech – Media Trendsetters

How are tech leaders innovating and distinguishing media to stand out in a competitive space? How might content partnerships, bundle options and new discovery tools be key in ensuring media platforms succeed? Innovation, digital and tech leaders talk about how they are advancing the form, features, and operations of today’s media.

Vibol Hou - EVP and Chief Technology Officer, Paramount Streaming
Shalini Govil-Pai - VP, Google TV
Erin Oremland - General Manager, AgilLink, City National Bank
Soumya Sriraman - President of Streaming, Qurate Retail Group
Will Cady - Global Brand Ambassador, Reddit
Todd Spangler (Moderator) - Digital Editor, Variety

3:05 PM - 3:35 PM PT

The Opportunity for AI

Generative artificial intelligence is on everyone’s minds for its power to transform the way we work. Rather than be fearful of such change – how can our creative community harness AI for new opportunities and revolutionary growth? Who are the companies who are making generative AI a utility for our entertainment industry to work smarter, rather than harder? Executives across media companies and their partners converge to discuss opportunities for generative AI.

Travis Sampson - Chief Technology Officer, SoFi Stadium
Dr. Chris Mattmann - International Expert in AI and Machine Learning
Hina Dixit - Partner, Microsoft Venture Fund M12
Tia White - General Manager, AI and Machine Learning, Amazon
Andrew Wallenstein (Moderator) - President and Chief Media Analyst, Variety Intelligence Platform

3:35 PM - 3:40 PM PT

Variety VIP + Preview of New Special Report: Generative AI and Entertainment

Audrey Schomer - Media Analyst and Research Editor, Variety Intelligence Platform

3:40 PM - 4:00 PM PT

Keynote Conversation with JB Perrette, CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games, Warner Bros. Discovery

Perrette will speak about spearheading the rollout of Max and his vision for Warner Bros. Discovery’s gaming and interactive entertainment business, which includes such titles as Mortal Kombat, Hogwarts Legacy, and Batman: Arkham Knight.

JB Perrette - CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games, Warner Bros. Discovery
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

4:00 PM - 4:20 PM PT

Keynote Conversation with Charles D. King, Founder & CEO, MACRO and Producer (They Cloned Tyrone, Judas and the Black Messiah)

King will speak about his vision and mission for MACRO, a multi-platform media company representing the voice and perspectives of Black people, indigenous people and people of color.  The company’s film projects, including "Judas and the Black Messiah," have garnered fifteen Oscar nominations and three wins.  Its television projects have received a Peabody Award nomination, two Primetime Emmy nominations and six Children’s and Family Emmy Award nominations. 

Charles D. King - Founder & CEO, MACRO and Producer, "They Cloned Tyrone," "Judas and the Black Messiah"
Angelique Jackson (Moderator) - Senior Entertainment Writer, Variety

4:20 PM - 5:00 PM PT

Creators in the Zeitgeist

There is an infinite playground now available for creators of video, podcast commentary/storytelling, film and music. What is inspiring creators now to connect with audiences? What are today’s breakthrough creator projects across entertainment? Talent and their partners converge to talk about how they are developing and producing entertainment where the possibilities are endless for what they can accomplish.

Casey Wilson - Host and Producer, "B*tch Sesh: A Real Housewives Breakdown"
Madeline Baldi - Digital Agent, WME
Nick Viall - Host, "The Viall Files"
Jodie Sweetin - Entertainer, Host, "How Rude, Tanneritos!"
King Bach - Actor, Comedian and Digital Creator
Claudine Cazian - Head of Strategic Partnerships, Creators + Public Figures, Instagram
Elizabeth Wagmeister (Moderator) - Chief Correspondent, Variety

Speakers 

Eli Holzman

Eli Holzman

President, Non-Fiction

Sony Pictures Television

Vibol Hou

Vibol Hou

EVP and Chief Technology Officer

Paramount Streaming

Katie Jones

Katie Jones

Head of North America, Strategic Media Partnerships

Meta

Emily King

Emily King

EVP Marketing and Digital

FOX Entertainment

Jimmy Knowles

Jimmy Knowles

Global Head of Experiential

Canva

Ynon Kreiz

Ynon Kreiz

Chairman and CEO

Mattel

David Lawenda

David Lawenda

Chief Digital Advertising Officer

Paramount

Todd Lichten

Todd Lichten

Head of Entertainment Partnerships

Roblox

Josh Mattison

Josh Mattison

SVP, Revenue Management & Operations

Disney Advertising

Dr. Chris Mattmann

Dr. Chris Mattmann

International Expert in AI and Machine Learning

Amy McDevitt

Amy McDevitt

Head of Sports Brand Partnerships

Amazon

Julie McNamara

Julie McNamara

Head of Global Podcast Studios

Spotify

Erin Oremland

Erin Oremland

General Manager, AgilLink

City National Bank

Richelle Parham

Richelle Parham

President, Global eCommerce and Business Development

Universal Music Group

JB Perrette

JB Perrette

CEO and President, Global Streaming and Games

Warner Bros. Discovery

Travis Sampson

Travis Sampson

Chief Technology Officer

SoFi Stadium

Alex Sanger

Alex Sanger

EVP Global Digital Marketing

Universal Pictures

Soumya Sriraman

Soumya Sriraman

President of Streaming

Qurate Retail Group

Ellen Stone

Ellen Stone

EVP, Consumer Engagement and Brand Strategy

NBC Universal

Jodie Sweetin

Jodie Sweetin

Entertainer, Host

"How Rude, Tanneritos!"

2023 Partners

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