Variety Entertainment & Technology Summit

8:50 AM - 9:00 AM PT

Opening Remarks

Dea Lawrence - Co-President and Publisher, Variety
Rachel Sutherland - Global Interactive Media and Gaming Leader, EY

9:00 AM - 9:35 AM PT

Trailblazers of the Content Industry

Abhijay Prakash - President, Blumhouse Atomic Monster
Rahul Purini - President, Crunchyroll
Clancy Collins White - President, Creative Affairs, Warner Bros. Television
Simran Sethi - President, Scripted Programming, Hulu Originals and ABC Entertainment
Liz Jenkins - Chief Business Officer, NBCUniversal Entertainment
Michael Schneider (Moderator) - Executive Editor, TV, Variety

An exploration into how entertainment and media leaders are successfully evolving their programming across screens to best connect with today’s audiences. What is breaking through in video, TV, film and more?

9:35 AM - 10:05 AM PT

Beyond the Screen: How AI is the Catalyst for Next-Gen Experiences

Vamsi Duvvuri - Technology, Media and Entertainment and Telecommunications AI Leader, EY Americas

A deep dive into the ways in which AI is changing the way experiences are conceived and designed. Studios, streamers, theme parks, sports franchises and brands can test fan experiences before launch to continuously improve fan engagement.

10:05 AM - 10:25 AM PT

Conversation with Keith Le Goy, Chairman, Sony Pictures Television

Keith Le Goy - Chairman, Sony Pictures Television
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

Le Goy will detail his leadership vision across Sony Pictures Television, which produces, distributes and carries programming worldwide in every genre for every platform, including top game shows “Wheel of Fortune,” “Jeopardy” and series such as “The Boys,” “The Last of Us,” “Shark Tank,” “Pluribus,” “Lord of the Flies,” “S.W.A.T. Exiles,” “Dark Matter,” and many more.

10:25 AM - 10:40 AM PT

When Stories Speak: Reaching Audiences in the Next Era of Entertainment

Tom McKenna - Global Head of Media, Operations & Business Development, Audible
Nancy Hall - U.S. CEO, WPP Media

The most powerful stories don’t just capture our attention, they transport us. They invite us into new worlds, shape how we think and feel, and stay with us long after the experience ends. As entertainment continues to evolve, the stories that break through will be the ones that feel more immersive, personal, and connected to the audiences who love them. In this conversation, Audible and WPP Media explore how the combination of media, marketing, and innovation can amplify the power of storytelling and connect audiences with powerful, resonant experiences.

10:40 AM - 11:15 AM PT

The Future of IRL: Trends in Event and Experiential Entertainment

Natalia Premovic - Chief Consumer Products & Experiences Officer, Mattel
Ed Bobrin - Microsoft AI and Data Leader, EY Americas
Ivo Gerscovich - Head of SEGA Brands and Chief Business & Brand Officer, Sonic the Hedgehog
Darren Abbott - President, Hallmark Media
Marie Marks - SVP, Global Experiences, Paramount
Jay Tucker (Moderator) - Executive Director, Center for Media, Entertainment and Sports, UCLA Anderson School

A deep dive into how companies are prioritizing a live event and experiential strategy to drive new business and overall fandom. What are the latest ways studios and networks are extending screen IP into IRL experiences? How are brands jumping into festivals to extend their footprint?

11:15 AM - 11:25 AM PT

Networking Break

11:25 AM - 12:00 PM PT

Titans of Innovation Roundtable

Sean Atkins - Chief Executive Officer, Dhar Mann Studios
Maya Rogers - Chief Executive Officer, Tetris
Nicole Wyskoarko - President and Head of Urban A&R, Interscope Geffen A&M Records
Billy Parks - Head of FOX Creator Studios
Christina Kothari - Global Head of Consumer Marketing, Reddit
Sammi Cohen (Moderator) - CEO, Social Currency Media & Host, "Social Currency with Sammi Cohen" Podcast

A convergence of innovation, tech and big idea leaders across film, TV, music, digital and live events industry. What are cutting-edge initiatives and lightbulb moments that will move our entertainment business forward?

12:00 PM - 12:20 PM PT

Conversation with Devon Pritchard, President and COO, Nintendo of America

Devon Pritchard - President and COO, Nintendo of America
Cynthia Littleton (Moderator) - Co-Editor-in-Chief, Variety

Pritchard will share perspectives on delivering experiences to Nintendo customers in North America through Nintendo's games, characters and worlds.

12:20 PM - 1:00 PM PT

Marketing Superpanel: Legends and Groundbreakers in Fandom

Sara Pollack - Global Head of Consumer Marketing, Pinterest
Kim Granito - Chief Marketing Officer, AMC Global Media
Briana McElroy - Global Head of Digital Marketing, Lionsgate
Dawn Yang - Global Head of Entertainment Partnerships, TikTok
Jenny Haggard - Global Head of Thought Leadership, Spotify
Ben Harms - Chief Growth Officer, Archrival
Dea Lawrence - Co-President and Publisher (Moderator), Variety

A look at top marketers who are succeeding in designing campaigns across growing audience touchpoints – creator media, outdoor, TV, audio storytelling, digital and more. In this sea of choice, what are best strategies to reach the right audiences? What are ways to turn engagement into genuine fandom?

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM PT

Networking Lunch

1:50 PM - 2:10 PM PT

Keynote Conversation with James Wan, Director and Producer

James Wan - Director and Producer
Clayton Davis (Moderator) - Chief Awards Editor, Variety

Wan is pioneering world-building as a blockbuster filmmaker spanning franchises such as Aquaman, The Conjuring, Insidious, Saw, Mortal Kombat and M3Gan. Following producing breakout smash Backrooms, his 2026 releases as a producer include Insidious: Out of the Further and Other Mommy. Directing credits include Furious 7, Aquaman, Malignant and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

2:25 PM - 2:45 PM PT

Keynote Conversation with Bill Hader, Emmy Award-Winning Producer and Actor

Bill Hader - Emmy Award-Winning Producer and Actor
Michael Schneider (Moderator) - Executive Editor, TV, Variety

Hader will speak about his strong connections with fans in his storytelling, including his Emmy, Directors Guild and Producers Guild award winning work as co-creator of “Barry” and as star and executive producer of the upcoming Warner Bros. Pictures Animation upcoming the film “The Cat in the Hat.” Hader recently completed production on his feature film debut, the horror/thriller “They Know,” which he also wrote and stars.

2:45 PM - 3:20 PM PT

The New Era of the TV Business

Puja Vohra - Chief Marketing Officer and EVP, Advertising Sales, Fox Corporation
Jimmy White - Managing Director and Head of Large Customer Sales, Samsung Ads
Gina Reduto - EVP, Strategy, Advertising & Partnerships, NBCUniversal
Josh Mattison - EVP, Digital Revenue Pricing, Planning & Operations, Disney Advertising
Jeremy Helfand - Global VP, Head of Amazon Prime Video Advertising
Todd Spangler (Moderator) - Business Editor, Variety

An exploration into innovations behind driving business across media platforms. Media chiefs and their partners discuss new tools and strategies that are taking them to new levels of success. How are TV leaders making sense of new momentum around traditional upfront buying, while staying strong on modern trends around connected TV, shoppable storytelling opportunities, brand integrations and more?

3:20 PM - 3:55 PM PT

Entertainment and Media in the Age of AI

Kathleen Grace - Chief AI Officer, Lionsgate
Roberta Thomson - CEO, Sixth Wall, Hasbro
Mira Lane - VP, Technology and Society, Google
Hannah Elsakr - VP, GenAI New Business Ventures, Adobe
Girish Balakrishnan - Senior Director, Creative Innovation, Netflix
Annaka Vasquez - SVP, Sales, Teads
Todd Spangler (Moderator) - Business Editor, Variety

A dive into the biggest players in AI who are driving innovation and new creative heights for the entertainment industry. How might AI be a new collaborative partner to source new business opportunities, drive fandom, and drive breakthrough growth? What are recent AI integrations that are succeeding?

3:55 PM - 4:15 PM PT

Keynote Conversation with Nick Kroll

Nick Kroll - Comedian, Writer, Producer, Director and Actor
Angelique Jackson (Moderator) - Senior Entertainment and Media Reporter, Variety

Kroll, comedian, writer, producer, director, and actor, will discuss his creative vision across entertainment. He is an executive producer of FX’s critically acclaimed sitcom Adults and has served as EP and voice actor for several Netflix animated series, including Mating Season, Human Resources, and Emmy-nominated Big Mouth. He co-created and stars in Netflix’s upcoming series, A Hundred Percent.

4:15 PM - 4:55 PM PT

Storytelling Vanguards

Owen Thiele - Actor and Host, "In Your Dreams" Podcast
Este Haim - Musician, Composer and Music Supervisor
Kate Berlant - Comedian and Actress
Joel Kim Booster - Writer and Comedian

Explore the creative processes behind some of the most dynamic storytellers working today and learn more about their vision for the future of film, television, music, podcasting and more.

Sponsorship Inquiries	Registration & Group Attendance Options	Programming Inquiries
Michelle Fine-Smith	Sabrina Lee	Susanne Ault
michelle.fine-smith@variety.com	shlee@variety.com	susanne.ault@variety.com

Shaping the Future of Entertainment

Agenda