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, Roku Media
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 

Elise McCave

Elise McCave

Head of Film

Kickstarter

Rob Mills

Rob Mills

EVP, Alternative and Unscripted Entertainment

Walt Disney Television

Bryan Moore

Bryan Moore

CEO and Co-Founder

TalkShopLive

Rebecca Panico

Rebecca Panico

VP, Global Head of Media

Hilton

Matt Pasco

Matt Pasco

VP Technology

Las Vegas Raiders and Allegiant Stadium

Colin Petrie-Norris

Colin Petrie-Norris

Chief Revenue and Platform Officer

Comcast/Charter’s Xumo

Maureen Polo

Maureen Polo

Head of Direct-to-Consumer

Hello Sunshine

Marija Radulovic-Nastic

Marija Radulovic-Nastic

CTO

Electronic Arts

Raja Rajamannar

Raja Rajamannar

Chief Marketing Officer

Mastercard

Greg Reed

Greg Reed

Head of Technology Innovation and Partnerships

Universal Pictures

Amy Reinhard

Amy Reinhard

President Advertising

Netflix

Romina Rosado

Romina Rosado

EVP and GM Hispanic Streaming

NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises

Reemah Sakaan

Reemah Sakaan

CEO

Britbox International

Ovetta Sampson

Ovetta Sampson

Head of User Experience for Core Machine Learning

Google

Jen Sargent

Jen Sargent

CEO

Wondery

Michael Scott

Michael Scott

VP Ad Sales & Operations

Samsung Ads

Pat Shah

Pat Shah

Head of Content Acquisition, Strategy and Partnerships

Audible

Jeff Shultz

Jeff Shultz

Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Business Development Officer

Paramount Streaming

Mike Stein

Mike Stein

EVP and Head of Television and Audio

Hartbeat

Jon Steinlauf

Jon Steinlauf

Chief Advertising Officer

Warner Bros. Discovery

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