March 20, 2012 – 8:30am - 7:30pm
(click to see full schedule)
8:00 – 9:00am Registration
9:00 – 9:15am Opening Remarks
9:15 – 9:45am Research/Case Studies
9:45 – 10:15am Keynote Conversation
10:15 – 11:00am State of the Global TV Industry:
TV development and production costs keep rising at a time when audiences are more splintered than ever across channels and platforms, creating business challenges. Top broadcast, cable and production chiefs will analyze what are the best business models going forward to strengthen viewership, attract advertisers and grow show revenues.
*Is it time to re-evaluate the pilot development cycle to control costs? How can we continue to make quality programming?
*What are the hot programming trends – comedies, fairy tales, tie-ins/spin-offs to existing brands or characters?
*How are shows evaluated as successes – considering digital viewership, DVR-usage, ratings demographics and advertiser demands?
*What are international market opportunities – selling/buying formats worldwide?
11:00 – 11:15am Networking Break
11:15 – 12:00pm The Art of the Show Launch: How to Break Through the Clutter
With the massive amounts of entertainment choice for viewers, much of the battle is won through creating awareness. How are TV chiefs and their partners blasting through the clutter and getting their programs sampled?
*Is it key for channels to create like-minded franchises to build familiarity for viewers?
*What is the best mix of outdoor, print, TV, social media, and other platforms? Who is pioneering new strategies?
*What are some of the most successful campaigns this season?
*If early ratings are disappointing – what can be done to boost viewership?
Confirmed Speakers:
Bill Abbott, President & CEO, Crown Media Family Networks(Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movie Channel)
Walter Levitt, EVP, Marketing, Comedy Central
Marjorie Kaplan, President & GM, Animal Planet & Science Channel
Ben Spergel, SVP, Television Insights & Product Manager, TV Dailies, Ipsos MediaCT
12:00 – 12:45pm The New Kids on the Block: Surging Strength of Original Web Programming
The quality of Web-based content is skyrocketing with such high-profile talent as Mark Burnett diving in with projects. YouTube just announced a slew of new original content channels. Facebook has its own Warner Bros.-distributed series Aim High. Are these new content options competition for traditional TV programming? Can these new players offer opportunity for the creative production community?
*What is driving this push for high-quality online content? What are the business goals for such alternative programming?
*What are the benefits to the content creators for YouTube channels/AOL/Yahoo etc.?
*How are the consumers and advertising community responding so far to these new Web-based projects?
Confirmed Speakers:
Erin McPherson, VP & Head, Originals & Video Programming, Yahoo!
David Eilenberg, Head of Development & Current Programming, Mark Burnett Productions
Gabriel Lewis, Head, Original Video & AOL Studios, AOL Huffington Post Media Group
Scott Reich, VP, Original Content & Programming, VEVO
12:45 – 2:00pm Lunch
2:00 – 2:30pm Afternoon Keynote Q & A
2:30 – 3:15pm Building Viewer Engagement and Ratings through Social Media and the Second Screen
TV viewers are increasingly attached to their smartphones, and are tweeting, posting and interacting with their devices throughout the day. What are the most successful ways to tie in social media and apps to TV content, so viewer are compelled to watch each episode during their initial airing?
*What are the results of shows with heavy second screen interactivity? Is there evidence of climbing ratings if talent tweets; if viewers are ‘checking in’?
*Are there advertiser opportunities with second screen initiatives? For example, X-Factor’s Verizon-sponsored Xtra Factor app
*What are the latest benefits of the new digital players eager to partner – Shazam, GetGlue, etc?
Confirmed Speakers:
Justin Osofsky, Director, Platform Parterships, Facebook
David Wertheimer, President, Digital, Fox Broadcasting
Kelly Day, EVP & GM, Digital Media Commerce, Discovery Communications
3:15 – 3:30pm Networking Break
3:30 – 4:15pm Extending Life and Revenues of the TV Show Past Air
The increasing number of viewing platforms is giving TV content owners and distributors immense choice in how they continue to drive revenues for their content. What are the best strategies to keep viewers coming back to TV past primary airings, spanning traditional syndication options, Web-based platforms such as Hulu/Netflix/Amazon Prime, cable/satellite VOD initiatives and more? What are opportunities in maximizing revenue potential from increasingly popular mobile platforms, such as the iPad?
*Who is having success distributing shows to newer platforms? What are the benefits of different available business models, such as subscription versus ad-supported?
*How might distribution strategies vary depending on the type of show?
*How are the new platforms enhancing their services to attract content partners and viewers?
Confirmed Speakers:
John Nogawski, President, CBS Television Distribution
Ross Honey, GM, Xbox LIVE Entertainment & Advertising
Peter Blacker, EVP, Digital Media & Emerging Business, Telemundo
Shanna Preve, Head of Business Development, Media Content Partnerships, Google Video Services & Google TV
4:15 – 5:00pm The Power of TV - Making Content that Matters
TV with advocacy and social messages can create critical goodwill with viewers, as well as foster great relationships with advertisers. Examples include Nickelodeon’s introduction of the Halo Awards, honoring teen philanthropic efforts and Five, Lifetime’s series documenting stories of women fighting breast cancer. Examples include Nickelodeon's Halo Awards, which honors teen philanthropic efforts and Five, Lifetime's series documenting stories of women fighting breast cancer.
5:00 - 5:45pm Showrunners SuperSession
Showrunners of hit and breakthrough shows will talk about what it means to be a successful TV producer today. What is driving creativity in storytelling? How are showrunners balancing their creative goals with the demands of fans and network executives? What is now expected of showrunners in this age where viewers are spread among platforms – i.e. how important is it to involve crew and talent in social media activities?
Confirmed Speaker:
Greg Yaitanes, Executive Producer, House
5:45 - 7:00pm Networking Reception