The Digital Hollywood Experience

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"The Conference that Defines the Future of the Industry"

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Thursday, March 5th, 2015

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM  Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

Keynote Roundtable: Live Webcast from This Room

The Media Industry Equation - Content, Advertising, Brands,  and the New Platforms

Mike Federle, COO, Forbes Media

David Freeman, Co-Head of Digital Packaging Group, Creative Artists Agency (CAA)

Guy Vidra, Chief Executive Officer, The New Republic

Mark Fortner, Managing Partner, Head of Innovation, Branded Content, MediaCom

Brian Tierney, former publisher, Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, CEO, Brian Communications

Diane Brady, (former) Senior Editor/Content Chief, Bloomberg Businessweek, Moderator

 

Guy Vidra is Chief Executive Officer of The New Republic, one of the country's foremost publications on politics and culture. Previously, Vidra was Head of Yahoo News, the world's largest news site. Prior to Yahoo, Vidra was Vice President, Business Development at Perfect Market, an Idealab startup that drove search optimization and monetization for many of the world's largest publishers, from The New York Times to The Times of India. Previously, Vidra was head of business development and mobile at The Washington Post, where he oversaw strategic partnerships and product development across new platforms. Vidra came to The

Washington Post from his role as President of 2ergo Americas, Inc., a publicly listed (UK) provider of mobile marketing technology. Before 2ergo, Vidra was Senior Vice President of Business Development at Oddcast, an online marketing and technology company. Vidra received his Master of Arts from the Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy at Tufts University. He graduated from the University of Michigan and lives in New York with his family.

 

Mike Federle, Chief Operating Officer, Forbes Media:  Mike Federle has served as Chief Operating Officer of Forbes since October, 2011, overseeing circulation, manufacturing and distribution operations as well as global licensing and new business development.  Prior to Forbes, Federle was co-founder, President and COO of Techonomy Media Inc, a multimedia company based in New York, in which Forbes acquired an equity interest in July, 2011. He is a 25-year veteran of the media industry including positions as Publisher of Fortune magazine, Group Publisher of the Time Inc Business & Finance Network, Group Publisher of the Bonnier Mountain Group in Boulder, Colorado, and CEO Advertising & Marketing at Next Jump, a privately held Silicon Alley internet company.

 

David Freeman, Co-Head, Digital Content Packaging & Brand Partnerships, CAA:  David Freeman is the Co-Head of the Digital Content Packaging and Brand Coverage groups at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), the world’s leading entertainment and sports agency, with offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, Nashville, and Beijing. Freeman is based in the Los Angeles office and works with colleagues across the agency to connect clients with digital media partners and advertisers to create original entertainment content and multi-platform initiatives. In addition, he helps lead the agency’s Digital Talent and Content Packaging team, guiding clients through the ever-evolving digital content marketplace to create and secure distribution, brand partnerships, and new global business models.  Prior to joining CAA, Freeman served as General Manager of MATTER, Edelman Sports and Entertainment Marketing. He initially co-founded MATTER in 2003 to forge and develop marketing partnerships for brands, entertainment companies, and content creators. Freeman was instrumental in expanding MATTER into new markets, driving new business, and leading the creation of its digital content offering. MATTER was acquired by Edelman in 2006. Prior to founding MATTER, Freeman led a joint venture between OMD and Aaron Walton Entertainment, two leading media and entertainment companies within Omnicom. Previously, he held positions within CNB Entertainment, an entertainment finance and development company, and NFL Properties in its Corporate Sponsorship Sales and Marketing Division.  Throughout his career, Freeman has worked with an array of corporate and media companies in the entertainment space, including such brands as Clorox, Symantec, Intel, Amtrak, Wrigley's, Brita, Shell, and Nissan, as well as such media companies as Yahoo!, AOL, Xbox, Machinima, YouTube, Dolphin Digital Media, and Break Media.  Freeman graduated from Emory University with a degree in Political Science.

 

Mark Fortner, Managing Partner, Head of Innovation, Branded Content, MediaCom:  Mark Fortner integrates exceptional creative capabilities with 20 years of digital, marketing and short-form storytelling expertise to help MediaCom clients set themselves apart from their competition.  Immediately prior to joining the agency, Mark co-founded a digital marketing innovations team at Viacom focused on generating measurable results via custom digital marketing campaigns (paid and earned), new media properties, original content, ad products and award-winning social media initiatives. He has also worked at MGM, Fox Sports, Heavy.com and Berlin Cameron/Red Cell. He has a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Colorado at Boulder.  Further background:  launched FOX Sports, FX, Heavy.com and co-founded BoldRide.com which is now the largest independently owned automotive website. Additionally is credited with being part of the team that won MediaCom agency of the year this year from both  Ad Age and Adweek. Specialties: Content marketing, Digital media, launching new media properties and brands. Social media-marketing. Media monetization through creativity and innovation. Leadership. Amazing Cook.  *Has won over 150 major marketing awards including the Grand Prix at Cannes, and Agency of Year in both stints in the Agency world. Built BoldRide.com into 2MM+ uniques.  *Holder of multiple US Patents for Digital Advertising Products

 

Brian Tierney is the CEO of Brian and Realtime Media and is a nationally recognized expert in marketing and communications.  Prior to Brian and Realtime Media, Brian was owner and publisher of the Pulitzer-prize winning Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News as well as the Chief Executive Officer of its parent company, Philadelphia Media Holdings.  Brian has a distinguished record of building brands for some of the largest companies in the United States such as Exelon, Commerce Bank, Marriott, IBM, Deloitte, Aramark and Independence Blue Cross. He has launched several successful advertising and public relations companies, including T2 Group and Tierney Communications, which he grew to $275 million in billings and sold to the Interpublic Group of Companies (NYSE: IPG). He has served as Entrepreneur in Residence at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, has presented at the Milken Institute Global Conference and appeared on the BBC, CNBC, CBS, ABC and FOX. Brian serves on the board of NutriSystem (NASDAQ: NTRI) and Republic Bank (NASDAQ: FRBK), as well as several privately held businesses. He has served on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations including the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, Thomas Jefferson University, Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, Episcopal Academy and the University of Pennsylvania Museum.  Brian received his bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law and a Doctor of Humane letters from Cabrini College.

 

Diane Brady, former, Senior Editor, Bloomberg:  Diane Brady has interviewed many of the world's leading business and political figures, both for her back-page column at Bloomberg Businessweek and on stage at global events. As senior editor/content chief, Diane oversaw corporate coverage and initiated partnerships, events, and cross-platform ventures at Bloomberg. She speaks on business trends and is a frequent guest on networks like NPR and BBC. Her book Fraternity was named an Amazon Best Book of 2012 and shortlisted for the NAACP Image Award. She previously worked at The Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong, Maclean's in Toronto, and the UN Environment Programme in Nairobi. She is currently working on a new media venture.