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"The Conference that Defines the Future of the Industry"

The Digital Hollywood Experience

 

Thursday, March 8th, 2018

11:15 AM - 12:15 PM  Grand Ballroom (4th Floor)

Keynote Roundtable

The Future of Media: The Transformation of Content, Technology and Advertising

Chris Linn, president, truTV, Turner Entertainment

Marc Hustvedt, CEO, Above Average

Michael Schwimmer, president/CEO, Fuse Media

Albie Hecht, CCO, pocket.watch (former president of Nickelodeon, creator of Dora The Explorer, SpongeBob Squarepants)

Moderator - Rob Aitken, U.S. Advisory Leader, Media & Entertainment, Deloitte & Touche LLP

 

MICHAEL SCHWIMMER, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fuse Media: Entrepreneurial, creative and tenacious, Michael Schwimmer is at the helm of Fuse Media, an independently-owned media company serving the Latino and multicultural youth audience. Reaching audiences via Fuse and FM channels, Fuse.TV, Fuse TV mobile websites and apps, a podcast network, several branded social media channels, and live events, Michael is spearheading the transformation of Fuse into a multiplatform media brand. As President and CEO, Michael brings not only great passion for this audience to his role, but also

significant industry expertise. With great dedication, he has been a committed advocate for delivering relevant and entertaining content to Latino and multicultural viewers for most of his career. His work has been celebrated with several industry awards, including the T. Howard Foundation’s Diversity Award for Executive Leadership in 2015, and the Multicultural TV Leadership Award from Broadcasting & Cable and Multichannel News in 2014. In addition to being a champion for growth, he also guides all aspects of the Fuse enterprise and directs efforts throughout the company, including content creation and strategy, distribution, revenue, digital and marketing. His work ethic and deep curiosity shapes the culture of Fuse and the foundation of his management team’s commitment. Joining the SíTV board of directors in 2003, Michael was a key force behind the network’s commercial launch in 2004 as the premier English-language destination for Latino entertainment. He stepped in to lead the network in 2005, stewarding its growth and overseeing the rebrand to NUVOtv in 2011. In 2012, Michael established a strategic alliance with superstar and entrepreneur, Jennifer Lopez, collaborating with her company, Nuyorican Productions. And most recently, he spearheaded the company’s $226 million acquisition of Fuse from the Madison Square Garden Company in 2014, resulting in the creation of the company that is Fuse today. Prior to SíTV, Michael enjoyed a long tenure at EchoStar Communications, joining Dish Network in 1996. As Executive Vice President of Programming and Marketing, he oversaw all marketing, subscription and programming initiatives, as well as television advertising sales and international programming, including pioneering the launch of over 100 foreign language channels from around the world for domestic delivery. As importantly, while at Dish he also launched the “Dish Latino” programming platform in 1998. Revolutionary at the time, this programming package addressed the underserved Spanish-dominant Latino audience. Michael’s passion for diversity in media, and the Latino community in particular, began during his early life in Southern California. Always drawn to Latino cultures and languages, he received his B.A. in Spanish and Economics and spent time living in Spain. After graduating law school, his desire to immerse himself in Latin culture took him to Brazil, where he practiced international law from 1988 to 1992 at Baker & McKenzie’s Sao Paulo office. Today Michael sits on the Board of the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) and is a member of the NAACP Entertainment Industry Board of Advisors. Of all his accomplishments, he is most proud of his role as a father, raising his two children, Jonah and Hannah.

 

Chris Linn is president, truTV. In his role, he is responsible for leading the strategic direction and core creative and business functions of the network, including the development and production of original programs and oversight of all marketing and digital initiatives as well as strategic planning for truTV. Linn is based in New York and reports to David Levy, president of Turner. Since joining truTV in August 2013, Linn has successfully navigated the network through an extensive brand and programming evolution that has transformed truTV into an all-new comedy network with a distinct point of view. Under his direction, the new truTV was launched in 2014 and now includes a portfolio of talent-driven series including Adam Ruins Everything, The Carbonaro Effect, the network’s first scripted series, Those Who Can’t and I’m Sorry, among others. During his tenure Linn has also expanded the truTV portfolio by acquiring the popular variety sketch series Billy on the Street and building truTV’s flagship series Impractical Jokers into a fan-favorite, multi-platform juggernaut. As a result of this brand refresh, truTV today is programming premium comedic content that is delivering consistent ratings growth, significant engagement and attracting younger, more desirable audiences. Linn came to truTV after serving as executive vice president of programming and head of production for MTV. During his tenure, Linn helped develop and oversee the production of some of MTV's biggest hits, including the hugely-popular Jersey Shore and its successful spin-off, Snooki & JWOWW. More recently, he led the team that developed the 2012 hit Catfish and launched Ke$ha: My Crazy and Beautiful Life. In addition, Linn oversaw the development of movies like DisConnected, Made: The Movie and My Super Psycho Sweet 16. Prior to MTV, Linn held various positions at Nickelodeon and Spike TV, where he oversaw production on original series, pilots and specials and production management for marketing. Linn is a member of the executive board of the New York Television Festival. A native of Orlando, Fla., he earned a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from the University of Florida, College of Fine Arts. Seen across multiple platforms in nearly 90 million households, truTV delivers a fresh and unexpected take on comedy with such popular original series as Impractical Jokers, Billy on the Street, Adam Ruins Everything,  The Carbonaro Effect, and Hack My Life, as well as the original scripted comedies Those Who Can't and I’m Sorry. And the fun doesn't stop there. truTV is also a partner in airing the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship.

 

Marc Hustvedt, CEO, Above Average: Marc is CEO of Above Average, a multi-disciplinary entertainment company that creates original, premium programming for networks, brands, and consumers spanning digital, TV, commercial, and social. The company was founded in 2012 as an independent subsidiary of Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video. Previously, he was the founder and CEO of Supergravity Pictures, a global digital-first entertainment studio and distributor acquired by Gunpowder & Sky (Otter Media / Chernin Group) in late 2016. He is also a partner in REACH, a leading digital advertising content agency for Fortune 500 brands including Nestlé, Purina, Marriott and Anheuser-Busch. Preceding those positions, he was Head of Entertainment at Chill, a premium VOD entertainment platform backed by Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, WME and Atlas Venture. Marc is also a founder of Tubefilter, a leading media company in digital entertainment and founded The Streamy Awards in 2008, the top annual awards for digital entertainment and partnered the show with dick clark productions (The Golden Globes, American Music Awards) in 2011 to expand the show in to multiple platforms.

 

Albie Hecht, CCO, pocket.watch: “I believe you don’t stop playing because you get old, you get old because you stop playing.” It’s this philosophy that will dictate everything Albie Hecht does at pocket.watch. As Chief Content Officer, Albie will be responsible for overseeing content and character development of the brand’s slate of content and franchised properties. Prior to joining pocket.watch, Albie was President of Nickelodeon Entertainment, where he oversaw the development of hit shows like SpongeBob Squarepants, Dora the Explorer, Blue’s Clues, and All That. He is also responsible for fan favorites like the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, which he co-created and produced and Academy Award and Emmy winning films including, War/Dance and Inocente under his nonprofit organization Shine Global. Albie is excited to create a new world of characters that will make his grandkids proud of their pop pop.

 

Rob Aitken, U.S. Advisory Leader, Media & Entertainment, Deloitte & Touche LLP: Robert is a managing director in the Media & Entertainment practice at Deloitte Consulting LLP and leads the Future of Advertising initiative. He has 25 years of experience in the advertising industry both as an industry practitioner and consulting leader.  His industry experience spans global media, advertising, distribution and technology companies.  He specializes in helping organizations develop and transform existing product and services related to the advertising and video ecosystems.