The Future of Content

Variety returns with its popular Entertainment Summit at CES exploring how new technologies and innovation are steering the future of film, TV, digital media, music, podcasts, gaming and more on Jan. 10 at the Aria in Las Vegas.

The event is open to all CES registrants at no additional charge.

Agenda 

9:00 AM - 9:40 AM PT

The Future of the Entertainment Industry

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.

Rob Mills - EVP, Alternative and Unscripted Entertainment, Walt Disney Television
Catherine Halaby - Head of Entertainment, TikTok
Romina Rosado - EVP and GM Hispanic Streaming, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises
Toby Gorman - President, Universal Television Alternative Studio
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

9:40 AM - 9:45 AM PT

Introducing Vitals, A New Insights Offering From Variety VIP+

Andrew Wallenstein - President and Chief Media Analyst, Variety Intelligence Platform

9:45 AM - 10:15 AM PT

Streaming Success in 2024: How to Adapt to Today’s Consumer

The year ahead represents another significant opportunity for streaming and digital advertising to transform how ads are bought and sold. With more consumers only watching TV via streaming apps, that makes it more critical than ever for advertisers to take an omnichannel, data driven approach not only in their TV buying but across all of their media plans. This comes as more innovations are available for use, including advances in identity, retail data and measurement – amidst planned cookie deprecation – that are rewriting the rules for digital advertising in 2024. In this session, hear from experts on both sides of the buy and sell side discuss how they are embracing the future of digital media buying.

 

Rebecca Panico - VP, Global Head of Media, Hilton
Jed Dederick - Chief Client Officer, The Trade Desk
Joe Cady - Executive Vice President, Advanced Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal
Andrew Wallenstein (Moderator) - President and Chief Media Analyst, Variety Intelligence Platform

10:15 AM - 10:35 AM PT

Embrace the Power of Fandom to Connect Content and Commerce

Being a fan in today’s media landscape is more exciting than ever due to the unprecedented array of opportunities for immersion. Fans can now engage with their favorite characters and stories not just through movies, but across podcasts, music, video games, toys, in-person experiences, and more. Hear how Amazon Ads is helping marketers navigate these cross-category touchpoints to better connect audiences with the franchises they love. 

Alexys Coronel - Head of U.S. Entertainment and Telecommunications, Amazon Ads
Andrew Wallenstein (Moderator) - President and Chief Media Analyst, Variety Intelligence Platform

10:35 AM - 10:50 AM PT

Data-Driven Shoppable Series Content - Powered by New Syndication Technology

Join TalkShopLive CEO and co-founder Bryan Moore and Variety Editor Todd Spangler as they dive into the future of retail,  media and technology and how live shopping, video commerce and serialized content sits at the intersection. Connecting retailers, brands, publishers, social networks and creators, to win together, and provide the most in-demand shoppable experiences for consumers, Moore will share more about the strategy shaping 2024 in the space.  TalkShopLive powers live shopping and creates scalable programming for retailers including Walmart, Target , Best Buy, Bass Pro Shops, publishers including Penske, Condé Nast, and Hearst and talent including Oprah, Jennifer Lopez, the Jonas Brothers and leading TikTok creators. This conversation will focus on the "why and how" retailers and brands are utilizing TalkShopLive’s technology to seamlessly connect the retail landscape, and dive into its serialized shoppable content, highlighting TalkShopLive’s award winning branded content series’ and discussing the future of retail as media and media as retail.

Bryan Moore - CEO and Co-Founder, TalkShopLive
Todd Spangler (Moderator) - Digital Editor, Variety

10:50 AM - 11:30 AM PT

Building Brands for the Fans

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 and original creation across digital and social media? 

Tony Isetta - VP and Head of Content Marketing, NFL
Stephanie Latham - VP Global Partnerships, Roblox
Tulani André - VP Social Media, National Geographic
Katie Haniffy - Head of Media Strategy & Investment, PepsiCo Beverages
Audrey Schomer (Moderator) - Analyst and Research Editor, Variety Intelligence Platform
Raja Rajamannar - Chief Marketing Officer, Mastercard

11:30 AM - 11:50 AM PT

Headliner Conversation with Steve Huffman, Co-Founder and CEO, Reddit

Find out the platform’s goals and strategies to continue to grow in prominence with its followers and brand partners.

Steve Huffman - Co-Founder and CEO, Reddit
Andrew Wallenstein (Moderator) - President and Chief Media Analyst, Variety Intelligence Platform

11:50 AM - 12:30 PM PT

What Content is Breaking Through to Modern Audiences?

Audiences tastes are blurred across premium, user-generated, social and interactive content. What content and programming, spanning, scripted/unscripted, gaming, interactive and experiential content are engaging audiences now?  

Maureen Polo - Head of Direct-to-Consumer, Hello Sunshine
Pat Shah - Head of Content Acquisition, Strategy and Partnerships, Audible
Mike Stein - EVP and Head of Television and Audio, Hartbeat
Elana Sulzer - Head of Entertainment, Snap
Audrey Schomer (Moderator) - Analyst and Research Editor, Variety Intelligence Platform
Jenefer Brown - EVP & Head of Global Products and Experiences, Lionsgate

12:30 PM - 1:30 PM PT

Lunch Break


1:30 PM - 2:05 PM PT

Presidents Roundtable – Future of Media Monetization

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.

Mark Marshall - Chairman, Global Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal
Rita Ferro - President of Global Advertising, Disney
Jon Steinlauf - Chief Advertising Officer, Warner Bros. Discovery
Amy Reinhard - President Advertising, Netflix
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

2:05 PM - 2:25 PM PT

Headliner Conversation with Charlie Collier, President of Entertainment, Roku

Charlie Collier - President of Media, Roku
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

2:25 PM - 3:00 PM PT

Bleeding Edge Tech

How are tech leaders innovating and distinguishing media and entertainment to stand out in a competitive space? Innovation, digital and tech leaders talk about how they are advancing the form, features, and operations of today’s media.

Elise McCave - Head of Film, Kickstarter
Matt Pasco - VP Technology, Las Vegas Raiders and Allegiant Stadium
Terry Li - EVP Emerging Business, Crunchyroll, Sony Pictures Entertainment
JiYoung Kim - Chief Product & Services Officer, GroupM & President, GroupM Nexus, North America
Jason Wong - SVP Product, Disney Entertainment & ESPN Technology
Todd Spangler (Moderator) - Digital Editor, Variety
Greg Reed - Head of Technology Innovation and Partnerships, Universal Pictures

3:00 PM - 3:40 PM PT

The Tipping Point for AI

Generative artificial intelligence is on everyone’s minds for its power to transform the way we work. Are we truly at a pivotal point in AI’s evolvement? How can our entertainment and media industry harness AI for new opportunities and revolutionary growth? What leaders will work to ensure AI be used for positive change in our community? 

Ovetta Sampson - Head of User Experience for Core Machine Learning, Google
Hanno Basse - CTO, Digital Domain
Marija Radulovic-Nastic - CTO, Electronic Arts
André Kudelski - Chairman and CEO, Kudelski Group
Harvey Mason Jr. - CEO, The Recording Academy
Stacy Hodgins (Moderator) - Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP

3:40 PM - 3:55 PM PT

Behind the Scenes with Comedian and Content Creator Leenda Dong

Find out how TikTok star Leenda Dong (@yoleendadong) shapes her storytelling, and hear how she engages her over 17 million followers.


3:55 PM - 4:35 PM PT

Future Predictions from Industry Titans

Leading entertainment and media executives explain what trends are the most important to focus on and what fads will likely disappear. What tech, strategies and creative IP should our community invest in to truly secure growth across our industry.

Reemah Sakaan - CEO, Britbox International
Jeff Shultz - Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Business Development Officer, Paramount Streaming
Jen Sargent - CEO, Wondery
John Harrison - Americas Leader, Media and Entertainment, EY
Colin Petrie-Norris - Chief Revenue and Platform Officer, Comcast/Charter’s Xumo
Todd Spangler (Moderator) - Digital Editor, Variety
Michael Scott - VP Ad Sales & Operations, Samsung Ads

Speakers 

Tulani André

Tulani André

VP Social Media

National Geographic

Hanno Basse

Hanno Basse

CTO

Digital Domain

Jenefer Brown

Jenefer Brown

EVP & Head of Global Products and Experiences

Lionsgate

Joe Cady

Joe Cady

Executive Vice President, Advanced Advertising & Partnerships

NBCUniversal

Alexys Coronel

Alexys Coronel

Head of U.S. Entertainment and Telecommunications

Amazon Ads

Jed Dederick

Jed Dederick

Chief Client Officer

The Trade Desk

Rita Ferro

Rita Ferro

President of Global Advertising

Disney

Toby Gorman

Toby Gorman

President

Universal Television Alternative Studio

Catherine Halaby

Catherine Halaby

Head of Entertainment

TikTok

Katie Haniffy

Katie Haniffy

Head of Media Strategy & Investment

PepsiCo Beverages

John Harrison

John Harrison

Americas Leader, Media and Entertainment

EY

Stacy Hodgins (Moderator)

Stacy Hodgins (Moderator)

Principal

Deloitte Consulting LLP

Steve Huffman

Steve Huffman

Co-Founder and CEO

Reddit

Tony Isetta

Tony Isetta

VP and Head of Content Marketing

NFL

JiYoung Kim

JiYoung Kim

Chief Product & Services Officer, GroupM & President

GroupM Nexus, North America

André Kudelski

André Kudelski

Chairman and CEO

Kudelski Group

Stephanie Latham

Stephanie Latham

VP Global Partnerships

Roblox

Mark Marshall

Mark Marshall

Chairman, Global Advertising & Partnerships

NBCUniversal

Harvey Mason Jr.

Harvey Mason Jr.

CEO

The Recording Academy

Elise McCave

Elise McCave

Head of Film

Kickstarter

2024 PARTNERS

Premier Partner

Official Partner

Supporting Partners

Speaking Opportunities 

General Questions

Partnership Opportunities 

Susanne Ault

Flavio Gomez

Michelle Fine-Smith 

susanne.ault@variety.com

flgomez@variety.com

michelle.fine-smith@variety.com