Andreas Hofmann works in Connected TV at LG, where he focuses on content discovery, personalization, and platform-level experiences across live TV, FAST, and on-demand services. His work sits at the intersection of user experience, content strategy, and monetization, with a particular emphasis on how data and AI can improve engagement and drive revenue on the TV screen. Andreas brings a platform-operator perspective on how discovery actually works at scale in the living room.
Ethan Settel is an experienced sales leader with a strong background in the technology and entertainment sectors. Currently serving as VP of Sales at Newton Research since August 2024, Ethan previously held various roles at LiveRamp from October 2019 to July 2024, including Senior Commercial Lead and Head of Customer Success for LiveRamp TV Measurement, and was recognized as a FY20 President’s Club Winner. Prior experience includes leadership positions at Data Plus Math as Head of Brand Agency Sales, Legendary Entertainment as Manager of Business Development for Applied Analytics, and Jana in roles ranging from Associate to Account Manager. Ethan holds a B.A. in Political Science with a focus on Markets and Management from Duke University and has studied at UNSW.
Michael Bologna is BrightLine’s Chief Accelerator/CRO, responsible for driving the company’s revenue growth. He leads publisher integrations and revenue strategy across both the buy and sell sides of the business, and spearheaded the launch of BrightLine’s demand side service.
Prior to joining BrightLine, Michael served as President and Chief Revenue Officer of HyphaMetrics, where he helped lead the company’s initial fundraise and introduced the platform to the media, advertising, and adtech markets.
Earlier in his career, Michael spent 20 years at GroupM and WPP, where he founded MODI Media, GroupM’s advanced video agency, and served as its President. Following MODI’s acquisition by Cadent, he became President of One2one Media, delivering addressable video solutions to agencies and advertisers. Michael has been recognized by Advertising Age’s 40 Under 40 and Television Week’s Hot List and is a frequent industry speaker.
In this role, Carmela oversees data monetization and licensing offerings that deliver impactful solutions for clients and partners while ensuring data is managed to the highest standards of consumer privacy and security. As an advocate for the business, Carmela’s team sets data product strategy, leads data and technical due diligence efforts, and forges partnerships to advance TV advertising.
Carmela and her team have been at the helm of many initiatives aimed at evolving the video advertising industry. She is spearheading media measurement innovation and building data licensing offerings that will deliver the highest fidelity audience measurement, brand effect and attribution capabilities to the industry. Additionally, she has a keen focus on privacy and protection for consumers and is leading the way for safe practices across the industry, as evidenced through her work with companies such as VideoAmp, Comscore and Nielsen.
Before being promoted to this role in 2020, Carmela was an Executive Director for FreeWheel’s Data Platform Operations. In this role, she worked across FreeWheel’s business units to implement data solutions to progress advanced advertising and reach extension opportunities and worked to build FreeWheel’s compliance programs with respect to data privacy regulations. Prior to this role, she served as the company’s resident expert on audience measurement, having formerly managed FreeWheel’s data and measurement partnerships.
Prior to joining FreeWheel, Carmela served in a variety of new product development roles in Global Media Products at Nielsen, where she led the company’s North American audience measurement operations.
Carmela is a regular speaker at top conferences including the Consumer Electronics Show and Cynopsis Measurement and Data Conference. Additionally, Carmela’s industry contributions have led her to be featured in top media outlets such as Beet.TV.
Passionate about the industry’s future, she mentors the next generation of video advertising leaders across Comcast Advertising and is actively involved in Comcast’s Women in Advertising & Media ERG. In her free time, she enjoys Pilates as well as hiking, drawing and playing ball with her six-year-old daughter.
Carmela holds a Bachelor of Science in Operations and Strategic management from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration from Babson College. She resides in the New York area with her family.
Michael Page is a nationally recognized leader in digital media and streaming sales, known for building high-growth revenue strategies at the intersection of technology, consumer behavior, and local advertising. As Senior Vice President of Digital Sales for the Fox Television Stations, he architected the group’s video-centric sales strategy, launched the FLX OTT platform, and helped drive a nine-fold increase in streaming and digital revenue—solidifying FOX’s position as a powerhouse in local CTV.
With more than two decades of experience spanning Amazon Media Group, Tegna Digital, Tribune Media, and Cars.com, Michael has led high-performing teams, scaled multimillion-dollar product portfolios, and guided transformational initiatives for national automotive manufacturers, global packaged good companies and local retailers. His work includes advising on major industry acquisitions, launching hundreds of ad products globally, and building new digital channels that connect brands with audiences in smarter, more data-driven ways.
A frequent contributor to conversations around the future of OTT, local streaming, and advertiser innovation, Michael brings a pragmatic, market-tested perspective shaped by leadership roles across some of the most influential companies in digital media.
He resides in Chevy Chase, Maryland with his wife, two kids and two dogs.
Head of Business Development & Partnerships – Automotive | v/MVPDs | Hospitality TV | NEXTGEN TV
Stefan develops, leads and executes the content programming and acquisition strategy for Xumo, Comcast and Charter’s streaming platform joint venture. His oversight includes Xumo’s leading free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service, Xumo Play, as well as the company’s enterprise business, where he partners with both content owners and streaming platforms to make FAST more accessible to consumers across the globe via channel syndication.
Van Engen’s leadership, Xumo became the first in the industry to integrate FAST channels into traditional pay-TV channel guides—an innovation that bridged the gap between paid and free TV experiences and expanded reach across platforms like Xfinity, Cox, and Sky. The effort netted a 2025 Digiday Video and Streaming Award for Best Distribution Strategy.
Since joining the company in 2016, Van Engen has also spearheaded major enterprise partnerships with the likes of Google and Hisense to power hundreds of FAST channels and deploy Xumo’s proprietary, award-winning ad tech (X-AMS) to enhance monetization and the end-viewer’s overall ad experience.
Van Engen has closed major content deals with top-tier content providers such as NBC Universal, Lionsgate, Warner Brothers Discovery, PGA Tour, UFC, NFL, and NBA to expand and enrich Xumo Play and Xumo Enterprise’s catalog and audience appeal.
Prior to Xumo, Van Engen was the SVP of Programming and Production for the digital startup Bedrocket Media Ventures, and before that, Co-Executive Producer of The Gayle King Show for O.W.N.
As Co-Founder and COO of Revry, and President of PrismRiot, Alia J. Daniels brings distinctive insights into:
Authentic inclusion in media: The systemic changes needed to ensure marginalized communities are genuinely represented across all platforms.
The business of LGBTQ storytelling: How Revry has built a category-leading streaming network by elevating diverse voices.
Where to meet consumers: Lessons from leading a digital-first entertainment brand in an era of shifting consumer habits.
Building a purpose-driven media company: How to balance business growth with a mission to spotlight underrepresented stories.
Engaging with multicultural audiences ethically: How to protect your audience’s data privacy when using programmatic ad exchanges.
Acclaimed media entrepreneur Alia J. Daniels is Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at Revry, leading the prominent queer global streaming network as it has become a category leader in LGBTQ storytelling, and President of Revry’s PrismRiot, the premium multicultural audience programmatic ad exchange and media buying demand-side platform. Launched in 2023, PrismRiot was built specifically for ethical, first-party data activation across the digital advertising ecosystem. It solves a unique market gap: helping advertisers and media planners reach multicultural consumers at scale while remaining fully compliant with global privacy laws.
Recognized by both the Forbes Next 1000 List and as a Southern California Rising Star for nine consecutive years, Alia J. Daniels is an award-winning voice accelerating diverse representation across entertainment. Her passion remains spotlighting and normalizing fresh voices from all communities while leading her programming and product vision alongside the diverse teams she builds. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Albion College and a Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School.
A frequent speaker at key industry events including the BANFF World Media Festival, American Film Market, and Ad Age Media Summit among others, Alia J. Daniels brings an insider’s view into the systemic changes required for authentic inclusion of marginalized communities across all platforms.
Video: Past speaking experiences –
Mr. Bergan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Villanova University and a Master of Arts in Public Communication from American University.
Global Head of CTV Partner Development and Growth
Inderpreet Sandhu leads the Global Head of CTV Partner Development & Growth within Google’s Global Partnerships team, helping our Media, Entertainment & Distribution partners effectively monetize their high-quality content with Google Ad Manager along with integrating Google Ad Manager with the core services that power CTV streaming.
Prior to Google, Inderpreet spent seven years as a Senior Product Leader at Accenture, advising top e-commerce, healthcare, and retail companies on digital advertising and business ops.
Inderpreet holds a Bachelors of Science (B.S.) in Managerial Economics from the University of California, Davis. Inderpreet spends his free time trying to keep up with his wife and two energetic kids.
Cécile Andreu is the founder of Le Brouillon, a Montreal-based creative studio. She works with studios, producers, and creators of live shows and experiences. Her studio was built to support and elevate the entertainment industry. She works internationally with studios and producers to create experiences that resonate with audiences and perform as a business.
Before launching Le Brouillon, Cécile spent 14 years at Cirque du Soleil, including 10 years within the executive creation division. Over the course of her career, she has contributed to more than 350 projects across 15 formats, including touring shows, permanent installations, exhibitions, and location-based experiences.
Today, she helps teams turn ideas into structured and actionable projects. Her work strengthens concepts, clarifies creative direction, builds monetization systems, and supports projects that can be produced, funded, and scaled.
Cécile is an expert member of the World Experience Organization (WXO). She regularly speaks about experience design, creative strategy, and how to connect creative ambition with real-world demand.
Kemal heads Data, Measurement & Analytics at DISH Media, leading DISH’s first-party data, set-top box viewership data research, analytics, reporting and licensing. In this role, he oversees data product roadmaps for addressable, linear TV and Sling TV, including programmatic innovation and audience-based initiatives. Additionally, he establishes and maintains strategic data partnerships to support key company objectives.
Davina Kent is Global GTM Lead – Brand and Agency Partnerships at Newton Research, a cutting-edge company that uses intelligent AI agents to make marketing analytics affordable and scalable. At Newton, Davina works with leading brands and forward-thinking agencies to elevate their media and marketing analytic capabilities as they embrace the future of advertising intelligence.
Before her role at Newton, Davina was Head of Industry – Retail, Media, Entertainment and Luxury at xAI, where, she led three high-performing teams. Previously, Davina was SVP, Client Partnerships, at Ampersand, where she led Ampersand’s Advanced Advertising Forum where senior marketers get together bi-annually to share learnings and collaboration opportunities. Earlier, she was VP, Advanced TV Sales at Comcast where she built the Advanced Advertising products division into a $100 million business. Davina was also a key player in the success of TiVo where she built the company’s advertising and audience analytics business from $0 to $30 million. Prior to joining TiVo, Davina led the launch of DIRECTV across Latin America.
John Wells is a dynamic, entrepreneurial digital media executive who has been at the forefront of online video, marketing and e-commerce. Skilled in strategic development and business building, he has been integral to the streaming revolution, successfully negotiating hundreds of contracts with Fortune media, technology and entertainment companies.
He applied those talents to create and scale Dooya Media Group (DMG), a leading OTT video services provider which offers superior data-driven solutions to create, distribute and monetize Free Access Streaming Television (FAST) Channels. Specialists in bringing live sporting events and engaging entertainment to streaming platforms worldwide, Dooya partners with both hundreds of quality content providers like Legendary, Stingray, Off the Fence and many more as well as 60+ OTT platform partners, including all the majors–Roku, Tubi, Pluto, Amagi, TCL, LG, Xumo, Vix–as well as traditional and ancillary broadcasters.
The company’s extensive programming spans a wide range of sports including combat, football, basketball, women’s baseball/softball, pickleball, jai alai and air soft, as well as niche genres and marquee live events, such as the Oscars Red Carpet, Rose Bowl parade, fashion shows and concerts. In addition, the company optimizes, manages and delivers content for Ad-Supported Video on Demand (AVOD) Streaming and Subscription Video On Demand (SVOD) environments.
John’s extensive experience in streaming and channel creation drove his success as SVP Programming, Frequency Networks Inc. where he was responsible for the networks’ digital first programming for AT&T/DirecTV and Liberty Global, creating partnerships with digital media companies like Tastemade, Cheddar, Newsy, Endemol, Fremantle, Machinima and VEVO along with other top brands and MCNs.
As an industry pioneer, John was a founder of DAVE Networks, the first IPTV Platform in North America, through which he opened doors for major cable networks such as Scripps, AETN, Discovery and Warner Bros. to participate in IPTV. In 2 years John signed 100+ contracts representing over 250,000 hours of content, including an exclusive deal with the NCAA. This achievement was augmented by his founding management role at ShowBiz Data Inc. where he created long term partnerships with Warner Bros., Paramount, 20th Century Fox and other key motion picture studios.
Concurrently, John launched Idea Giants to produce and aggregate 3D and 4K content for next generation platforms. Idea Giants worked with Universal Music Group, EMI, and Sony Music to bring major music acts such as No Doubt, Green Day, and Nicki Minaj to theatrical and broadcast outlets worldwide. John produced the Inaugural New Year’s Eve for Grand Park and the City of Los Angeles which featured art installations and a 32-storey projection mapping show on City Hall, a hugely successful event repeated ever since.
Balancing out his broad industry influence, previously John launched eMerchandise.com, a collection of online retail storefronts that sell a variety of movie memorabilia and licensed media merchandise. At one point, eMerchandise was the largest media merchandising company on the Internet and operated 20+ sites’ storefronts. His expertise in e-commerce continually in demand, John has launched many online channels and specialty web sites, including solutions for Sony, Spiderman 2 Store, NBC, The Henson Company, AOL MovieFone, Tribune Media, Viacom, HBO, Paramount and Hollywood Online.
John’s efforts have been covered in the media The Wall Street Journal Online, Interactive Week, Web Magazine, Internet World Magazine, The Boston Globe, and books such as the Top 1000 Web Sites and How to Make Money Online.
Aria Began is the Vice President of Enterprise Success at Madhive, where she leads the client success organization. Since joining the company in 2020, Aria has played an integral role in helping local broadcast clients, including Fox, Premion and Scripps, grow and build their streaming TV advertising businesses.
Prior to Madhive, Aria served as the Director of Enterprise Client Success at VideoAmp, where she focused on growing and supporting Holding Company clients. During that time, she established the company’s first technical account management and professional services team, which focused on onboarding and integrations to streamline client success.
A committed leader in the industry, Aria is an active member of She Runs It, Techbae, and Chief, where she contributes to advancing the roles of women in technology and business leadership.
As Chief Distribution Officer for QVC Group, Dave focuses on expanding the reach of QVC’s and HSN’s broadcast channels – QVC, QVC2, QVC3, HSN, and HSN2 – as well as the reach of the QVC+/HSN+ Streaming Experience. He also works with all distribution partners to ensure they have the rights to carry QVC Group’s networks and streaming service. QVC’s and HSN’s primary channels are available across all major platforms and reach more than 100 million US homes. QVC+/HSN+ offers a robust video commerce experience, with live, on-demand and streaming-only content together in one fully shoppable app.
Prior to joining QVC more than 30 years ago, Dave worked in private practice as a lawyer specializing in mergers and acquisitions and structured finance. Working in QVC’s legal department, Dave worked across multiple business functions, gaining unique insight into all areas of the QVC business. In Platform Expansion & Distribution, Dave has contributed significantly to the business, helping QVC and HSN expand their household reach across platforms. He continues to transform the cable industry through the deployment of next-generation interactive applications with our cable partners.
Dave was honored in the 2021 Cablefax 100 List, highlighting the most influential executives whose leadership continues to take the industry to new heights. Dave earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Delaware and his law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Dave lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania with his wife and their five children.
Tania Missad is a seasoned business leader with over 25 years of experience using data, insights, and strategic thinking to shape the success of global brands and entertainment content. She currently serves as Executive Vice President of Insights, Strategy & Analytics at Sony Pictures Television, where she leads research and analytics teams that inform content strategy across television production and distribution. Prior to joining Sony in 2023, Tania spent seven years at Warner Bros. Discovery, where she was Head of Global Corporate Research, Data Analytics & Insights, overseeing research and analytics across motion pictures, streaming (including HBO Max), TV networks, international businesses, and franchise development. Earlier in her career, she held consumer insights and strategy roles at iconic consumer brands and companies such as Mattel (where she played a key strategic role in the evolution of the Barbie brand), Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson, bringing a blend of consumer understanding and business strategy to every role. Tania’s work sits at the intersection of data, strategy, storytelling, and business impact, making her uniquely positioned to help media companies understand audiences and turn insights into strategic action.
Michael is an award-winning sales professional with 20+ years of experience driving revenue for youth culture brands. As the Chief Revenue Officer for Offscript Worldwide and REVOLT, his team provides actionable insights, authentic creative, and contextual planning for brands looking to connect with young adults through the power of Hip Hop and Black Culture.
Michael is skilled in branded content creation, cross-platform campaigns, experiential events, and technology-fueled partnerships. He formulated first of its kind co-sales initiatives with major players including ESPN, Jaunt VR, Twitter, VEVO, Vice, Electus, and Funny or Die and was a founder in the development of the multi-award winning REVOLT Music Conference and REVOLT Summit X AT&T.
Before joining REVOLT, Michael spent 13 years with Fuse and MuchMusic serving as VP of Advertising Sales, overseeing the Eastern Region’s TV and Digital teams and opening their first ever Midwest office in Chicago.
Michael earned his bachelor’s degree from University of Delaware’s Lerner College of Business and Economics. His passion for music and technology was already in focus, working with Hi Frequency Marketing, interning at Blue Note Records, and hosting his own show on WVUD’s college radio station.
Claire joined Adelaide in 2024 after 16 years as VP/Director of Media Research at RPA, a large independent advertising agency in Santa Monica CA, where she worked on American Honda Motor Company, La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, and CoStar Group, among other clients . Her prior experience in media research and client management spans multiple sell-side organizations including Ampersand and Razorfish. Member of the Advertising Research Foundation Board of Trustees, the CIMM Attention Working Group, and the IAB Experience Center. Former member of the Media Rating Council Television Committee and the 4As Media Measurement Committee.
Leif Welch is the Founder and CEO of JamLoop, a performance-driven Connected TV (CTV) platform built to help marketers turn streaming TV into a measurable growth engine. Originally founded to better connect local buyers and sellers, JamLoop has evolved into a full-service solution offering precision targeting, real-time analytics, premium inventory, and a deep commitment to customer success.
A 25-year adtech veteran, Leif brings extensive experience in helping brands maximize media investments. His entrepreneurial drive is fueled by a lifelong passion for music and a belief that great things happen when people “jam” together. Prior to JamLoop, Leif held leadership roles at several top digital media and ad tech companies, including Cox. He holds a BSE and BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management.
Co-Founder
Marc Petit graduated from Paris’ Institut National des Télécommunications in 1988 and began his career at Thomson Digital Image, a French CGI pioneer, where he developed rendering software and led product management.
In 1991, he joined Montreal-based startup Softimage to lead its European expansion. After Microsoft acquired Softimage in 1994, Marc relocated to the Quebec headquarters to head all 3D product lines.
In 2002, Autodesk brought him in to turn around their recently acquired discreet division. In 2005, he led the acquisition and integration of Alias, makers of Maya, and founded the Autodesk Media & Entertainment division. Under his leadership, the division became the dominant player in 3D, animation, and post-production tools, generating over $200M in revenue by 2013.
After leaving Autodesk in 2013, Marc spent several years as an investor and advisor, supporting tech companies through successful exits including Fabric Engine, The Foundry, Mixamo, and Thinkbox, while also co-founding Taxelco, a sustainable mobility company in Montreal.
In 2016, Marc joined Epic Games in Raleigh, North Carolina to expand Unreal Engine beyond gaming. By 2018, he was VP and General Manager of Unreal Engine, growing its revenues significantly through adoption in games, visual effects, architecture, and automotive design.
Since leaving Epic in 2023, he joined the board of Behaviour Interactive, works as a board member and consultant with LBE leader Moment Factory and supports entrepreneurs and founders through his TRNSFRM investment/consulting company.
Dr. Joe Ruthruff is an accomplished researcher and data scientist with over 20 years of experience in research & development, data analytics, media measurement, and product management. Dr. Ruthruff has been with Comscore for over eleven years and is currently Senior Vice President of Product Management at Comscore, leading Comscore’s television product management organization. Prior to joining Comscore, he completed his Ph.D. in Computer Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Dr. Ruthruff has also served as a Senior and Principal Member of Technical Staff at Sandia National Laboratories for over six years. He is the author of two dozen technical research publications, conference papers, and journal articles – some of which earned distinguished paper awards. Dr. Ruthruff completed his M.S. in Computer Science and his Honors B.S. in Computer Science with a minor in Mathematics at Oregon State University. He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife, twin daughters, and their dog. When he is not advancing Comscore’s industry-leading audience measurement capabilities, he enjoys long-distance running and doing his best to learn how to play the piano.
Joe Kotz, SVP Product Sales at VideoAmp, drives innovation at the intersection of commercial strategy and audience measurement. With deep expertise in helping in-house media teams and CMOs navigate the evolving media landscape, Joe specializes in positioning big data as a foundational capability for smarter audience targeting and measurement across cable, broadcast, OTT, CTV, and social platforms.
An entrepreneur at heart, Joe has spent his career building solutions that transform complex data into actionable business outcomes. At VideoAmp, he works directly with major brands and media holding companies to unlock actionable insights from cross-platform viewing data—transforming how marketers plan, measure, and optimize campaigns. His focus on consistent, currency-grade data and identity resolution has made him a trusted advisor for brands seeking to prove ROI in an increasingly complex media environment. Joe will share how AI-driven audience intelligence is redefining what’s possible in media measurement and enabling smarter monetization strategies across the streaming ecosystem.
Experienced General Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the media industry, Jerome is responsible for the Toronto team of multiplatform national account directors for Quebecor. His team manages all media investments from advertisers outside Quebec, primarily in Toronto but including western Canada and the U.S. With a background in broadcast, digital, marketing, and corporate sponsorship with a more recent growth into print, and out of home, he leads a team working with media agencies and advertisers. Covering all aspects of the business partnership from media agreements to project and content development, they also work with other teams in Quebecor to optimise the advertiser experience.
Head of OTT/FAST Channel Strategy and Operations
Carlos Pacheco has worked over two decades at the crossroads of content, technology, and audience strategy. Starting his media career in advertising and digital marketing before joining Just For Laughs in 2012, where he led the company’s leap into YouTube and quickly leveraging the brands global awareness to grow its online audience to tens of millions of subscribers and redefining how legacy entertainment could thrive online.
He joined Boat Rocker Media to develop its digital distribution and rights-management framework, launching channels for The Next Step and creating a new IP with Oh Yum with Anna Olson. Today, as Director of OTT and Monetization at Just For Entertainment/Just For Laughs, Carlos oversees the brand’s national and international streaming partnerships and FAST channel network growth. His experience across advertising, digital distribution, and platform strategy makes him a recognized voice on the future of entertainment and the creator economy.
Aviram Sharon is Co-Founder and CEO of Inthegame (ITG), a leading technology company helping broadcasters and streaming platforms unlock new monetization opportunities through patented in-content advertising solutions.
With a background spanning marketing, business development, and media innovation, Aviram has led ITG’s growth into a global platform powering interactive and in-content experiences across CTV, live sports, and VOD environments. ITG works with broadcasters and streaming partners to drive incremental revenue while preserving a seamless viewing experience.
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Prior to founding ITG, Aviram held leadership roles in marketing and digital media, combining product vision with strong commercial strategy. He holds a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and National Security from Tel Aviv University.
I am a multi-award-winning producer, podcast host, and currently the Head of Production at Fable’s Showrunner, where I’m helping shape the future of storytelling at the intersection of film and AI. I produced Pretty Problems, which was featured on the 2022 SXSW Deadline “Hotlist,” named one of USA Today’s “biggest movies out this fall,” and trended on Hulu in 2023. My work has screened at SXSW, Tribeca, and festivals around the world. Producing, to me, is about identifying stories with a strong emotional core, protecting and amplifying that heart, and building production environments where cast and crew can thrive. My job is to create the conditions where creativity flourishes and people feel taken care of. I also host two podcasts. Reel Intelligence brings together leading minds in AI to explore how it’s transforming the film industry. Pocket Change Films is a resource for aspiring filmmakers, focused on how to make your first project with minimal resources and maximum impact.
Pat is a product-driven CEO and transformation leader with 25+ years of experience building, modernizing, and scaling audience measurement and consumer intelligence organizations in Canada and internationally. As President & CEO of Vividata, Pat led one of the most significant transformations in Canadian media and consumer research—evolving the organization from a traditional audience measurement provider into Canada’s authoritative source for cross-media, cross-platform and outcomes-based consumer and audience intelligence.
Sitting at the intersection of product innovation, data strategy, and executive leadership, Pat specializes in translating complex measurement and data challenges into commercially relevant products and decision frameworks that deliver confidence, credibility, and growth for media owners, marketers, agencies, and industry stakeholders.
VP of Marketplace Intelligence
Megan leads research, insights, and measurement solutions across the video marketplace for Publicis Media agencies and clients, helping brands make smarter investment decisions across streaming and digital video. Previously, she led strategy and product development across affiliate, search, paid social, programmatic DOOH, audio, and CTV.
Marissa is a leading media executive with a long history of helping legacy organizations transform for their digital future. She is known as a change-maker, strategic thinker and digital trail blazer.
Marissa has more than 25 years of multi-platform journalism experience, 17 in leadership positions, across the media ecosystem. She worked in public media for a decade. Before joining Magid, she was the regional general manager for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in Ontario. She led a group of 8 stations. These stations served large audiences, like Toronto and Ottawa, and small audiences, like 78 fly-in/ice-road Indigenous communities in the north served by CBC Thunder Bay.
Prior to her local leadership role, Marissa oversaw all digital news operations for CBC – the top digital news provider in the country. In that role, she launched a strategy that helped propel the organization to the forefront of digital brands in Canada. It included staff integration, overhauling operations and workflow and modernizing digital products.
She also previously ran digital for Canada’s largest newspaper, the Toronto Star. Her career began as a reporter.
As Vice President at Magid, Marissa’s work across North America includes creating multiplatform content strategies, workflow, transformation and AI-implementation. She has helped dozens of media organizations, commercial and public broadcasters, across the U.S., from LA and New York City, Seattle and Atlanta.
Marissa is based in Toronto, Canada.
Independent Board Member and Senior Advisor
With more than 30 years in video investment, Lisa Herdman has guided brands through every major transformation of video viewing and therefore investment. At the Los Angeles based full-service advertising agency RPA, where she has built her career, Lisa is known for balancing fiscal discipline with forward-leaning innovation, ensuring media investments drive measurable business outcomes at scale. She has guided clients through major changes in the industry, including the advent of ad-skipping, the renewed interest in branded content, the growing importance of live sports, and today’s fast-evolving opportunities involving linear TV, streaming, data, and measurement. While, Lisa still oversees top-level video investment strategies for large, complex portfolios, she is also advancing RPA enterprise-wide, focusing on the intersection of human expertise and technology. A trusted steward through change, Lisa translates marketplace complexity into actionable growth strategies, shaping not only how clients invest in media, but how RPA continues to evolve in service of their business success.
Simon Gentry is a seasoned marketing and advertising executive with three decades of international expertise spanning media strategy, digital innovation, and advanced analytics. As founder and leader of two pioneering companies—Calibre + Candor and Mime Analytics—Simon has established himself as a transformative force in the global advertising tech space.
Under Simon’s leadership, Calibre + Candor became New Zealand’s largest independent agency, delivering integrated media, digital, social, and creative services to a prestigious client roster. Simon has provided strategic counsel at the executive and board levels, helping brands navigate the evolving media ecosystem.
As founder of Mime Analytics, Simon recognized early the critical need for sophisticated advertising measurement solutions.
For more than a decade, Mime has delivered media analytics platforms to clients across a dozen countries, establishing a global footprint in advertising intelligence.
Simon’s vision culminated in the development of Infinitum, a market-leading CTV measurement platform that has been adopted by broadcasters, ad-tech companies, and agencies throughout New Zealand, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Japan. Infinitum recently received the 2025 IAB New Zealand Gold Award for Digital Product of the Year, affirming its position at the forefront of connected TV analytics. The platform is now entering the US market, bringing its proven measurement capabilities to American media buyers and sellers.
Today, Simon focuses on advancing Infinitum’s technology and market reach while supporting his business partners and teams as they scale operations globally.
Lisa Heimann is the owner of EAGLE Media Advising and a veteran media executive with more than 30 years of experience in content measurement strategy. She has held senior leadership roles at Comcast/NBCUniversal, Disney/ABC, and CBS, most recently serving as EVP, Analytics, Insights and Measurement at NBCU, where she spearheaded cross-platform measurement innovation to drive monetization and program insights. She also served as founder and chair of the NBCU Research Council. Lisa is widely recognized for advancing unified measurement practices across major media portfolios and for her deep expertise in research strategy, forecasting and measurement.
James Brown is Executive Vice President of Content Distribution and Affiliate Marketing at REVOLT Media and TV, where he leads global distribution strategy across traditional and emerging platforms, including MVPDs, vMVPDs, broadcast, FAST, AVOD, SVOD, TVOD, and next-generation content ecosystems.
A 30+ year cable and media industry veteran, Brown brings deep operational expertise and strategic insight to expanding REVOLT’s reach and monetization worldwide.
Prior to joining REVOLT, Brown spent the majority of his career at Disney/ESPN, holding multiple senior leadership roles. Most recently, he served as Senior Vice President, Multicultural Content Development, where he helped shape inclusive programming strategies across the ESPN portfolio. His tenure also included general management of ESPN High School and ESPNW events, television, and digital video businesses, as well as leading the acquisition strategy that launched ESPN’s High School business unit.
Earlier, Brown served as Senior Vice President of Field Sales for the U.S. and Caribbean, overseeing distribution for all Disney and ESPN networks across cable, satellite, and telecommunications platforms.
Brown currently serves on the advisory boards of Story House Pictures Inc. and Groopview Inc. He previously served six years on the board of the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC).
CEO
A longtime champion of interactive video, Allison Dollar is an award-winning recognized expert in digital media, specializing in accelerating early-stage ventures. Dollar is the recipient of a 2024 TV of Tomorrow Award for Leadership in Interactive & Multiplatform Television, PBI’s Brand Builder Award and the Marilyn Silverman Apter Leadership Prize.
Based in Los Angeles’ Silicon Beach, she focuses on corporate strategy, packaging and business development, spanning video/content, brand engagement, consumer electronics and enterprise technology. In complementary roles, she chairs the L.A. Venture Association’s Media and Space sectors, and is CSO for OTT solutions provider Dooya Media Group, which specializes in live sports and entertainment events and packages FAST and S/AVOD channels accessed on Roku Channel, Apple TV, Samsung and many other streaming outlets.
She has been a thought leader for SPROCKIT startup matching program and contributor to Expert Dojo’s accelerator where she has run her “Pitch, Pass or Play” event. She is a vested advisor and EVP Partnerships for Emmy-winner ARwall (XR/AI virtual production technology), which won Silicon Beach Fest 2024 as well as NAB’s 2024 and 2025 Best AI Product in Show.
Previously, she was CEO and co-founder of the Interactive Television Alliance (ITA), a ground-breaking trade association comprised of Fortune corporations in advanced digital television whose members spanned advertising, programming, technology and distribution.
In addition, she co-founded eTV World, Hollyweb Live!, and venture pitch events iNNOVATORS™ and iBreakfast LA. Due to this expertise, the National Association of Broadcasters’ tapped her to chair the Executive Committee to launch Multimedia World, the trade group’s switch to digital (which built the LVCC’s South Hall), followed by years of conference programming there including the FutureTech track and programs for their Destination NXT.
She is a vested advisor to Tapin2 (mobile concierge and merch kiosk for live events) and several other startups. For Team Kitchens and Kitchen Data Systems, she packaged strategic partnerships to create private label entities behind the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Home Plates ballpark delivery service and celebrity-branded virtual restaurants.
Key projects have included Telewave, IBM’s eBusiness (partnering American Express, Bell Atlantic, Mail Boxes Etc.), Liberty Media (Ascent), AOL’s Guerilla Games, SimplyTV, WB, Creative Planet (IPO), Stan Lee Media (IPO), MobileCasino, Vi[z]Rt (virtual sets), Envivio (France Telecom spinoff, acquired by Ericsson), Homerun Entertainment (Scripps), LSI Capital, Comcast, Digital Containers (P2P), and AT&T spinoff Telcordia.
Other early-stage companies included The Horror Channel, Gamma&Density (acquired), Mozaik (automated video hotspotting; acquired), Trumpit (mobile alerts; acquired), SnapCuts (social video messaging), AdMedia (one the largest search marketplaces), Shodogg (cloud video switcher), parWinr (gamification), WeVu (crowd sourced venue screenings), and Aqueti (array video camera). She provided strategy for ExciteM (2nd screen social platform), GN (lifestyle brand), Connectivity TV Fan Fest, SAMI Games, SuperCloud live streaming, Celebrities Squared, TMT’s Spot Direct, Celebrity Link and Ayonix Face Technologies AI face recognition.
For Webcasts.com Dollar was CSO and a founding board member (IPO as iBEAM Broadcasting), CEO of Celebrities.com, and CSO for WhiteBlox and Gizmo Media Group, creating partnerships with Dick Clark Productions, Westfield Mall and numerous brands. At Vault Comics she advised on corporate strategy, fundraising and partnerships. She is co-founder and executive producer of the Space Tourism Conference and Awards, crafted partnerships for the Space Games Federation Global Tie-Off Challenge during World Space Week, and was a board member of Media Excellence Awards at its inception. She produced sessions for Silicon Beach Fest, and was on the advisory board of KORUS, the Korea-US Vision Council.
Early on, as Executive Producer for Phillips Business Information, she led business/online content development for 40+ media trade publications, including In Motion Magazine where she was Editor-in-Chief (acquired Film & Video), Interactive Video News, Multimedia Week, and Multimedia Wire. She worked with Oscar-nominated James Agee Film Project, CBS affiliate WBAL, and the Maryland Film Commission. She was a founding board member of Women in Film & Video, MD.
A founding member of the TV Academy’s Interactive Media Peer Group executive committee, Dollar was a Blue-Ribbon Judge for the IMPG Emmys. Before an M.A. from the University of Virginia, she was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Goucher College in Baltimore. Her book, published by Focal Press, Interactive Television: Tracking & Preparing for an Emerging Market, examines the historic reworking of the television business.
George Leith is President of International Partnerships at AdCellerant, where he leads the company’s revenue organization across Canada, the UK, and global agency channels. A veteran of Canadian media — including a tenure as Managing Partner and CRO at Harvard Media — George also helped build the revenue organization at Vendasta, a Saskatoon-based SaaS company that surpassed $100M in ARR during his tenure as Revenue leader. His career has spanned publishing, broadcast, SaaS, and programmatic advertising, making him a credible and compelling voice on the forces reshaping how media companies compete and monetize in a digital-first world. George is a sought-after keynote speaker on media monetization, digital transformation, and technology partnerships.
Yan is the CEO and Co-founder of TVision, the only company which measures individual viewer attention to both TV content and ads. TVision helps brands, their agencies, TV networks and OTT platforms better understand how people really watch TV so they can make more effective media decisions. Yan founded TVision while earning his MBA at MIT. Prior to TVision, Yan started and managed Yo-ren, a leading digital marketing agency in China and also worked at McKinsey in Tokyo. He has an MBA from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a Bachelor of Industrial Engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology. Yan grew up in both Japan and China, and currently resides with his family in New York.
Dave Pauk is the Country Manager/GM for Samsung Ads Canada where he leads the commercialization of connected TV, addressable advertising, and first-party TV data within Canada’s media ecosystem. Dave has over a decade of experience launching and scaling global advertising platforms in the Canadian market and works at the intersection of content, data, and technology – partnering with agency holding companies, trading desks, and advertisers to move TV beyond reach and into measurable data-led performance solutions. Dave has also held leadership roles with Tremor Video, CBC-Radio Canada, Quebecor Media, and Rogers Media. In addition to his involvement on the IAB Canada Ad Tech Council, he’s also a member of their Video & Programmatic Councils.
Beatriz Ribeiro is SVP of Client Success at Mediaprobe, where she leads client strategy and oversees the company’s business across the US. She works with leading broadcasters, streaming platforms, agencies, and global brands to understand how audiences emotionally engage with content and advertising.
Having joined Mediaprobe in its early days, Beatriz has helped grow the company’s global client partnerships and insights capabilities. She collaborates with media organizations to translate biometric and behavioral engagement data into actionable insights that inform content strategy, advertising effectiveness, and media investment decisions across TV, streaming, and live events.
David Purdy was named chief revenue officer of Stingray in 2018. In this position, Mr. Purdy, who has years of experience managing multiple operating entities and steering them towards a single, unified vision, oversees all aspects of Stingray’s revenue expansion including advertising, and sales efforts.
David Purdy came to Stingray from VICE Media where, as Chief International Growth Officer he expanded VICE’s multiplatform partnership with Rogers in Canada, and helped VICE grow its global distribution network to deliver programming to all screens. Previously, David has held various senior roles over a 15-year career at Rogers Communications Inc. – most recently as Senior Vice President of Content and Video Product Management, where he oversaw content strategy for Rogers cable, broadband and wireless services, focusing on how content can drive differentiation for the company.
David has an extensive background in the TV industry and has helped launch several Canadian specialty channels throughout his career, including Sportsnet, OLN, Discovery Channel Canada, and The Comedy Network. In addition to his extensive content knowledge, David has been instrumental in launching a number of new products at Rogers, including VOD, HD, Rogers Anyplace TV, PVR, and Shomi. David combines a passion for content with a grasp of technology to forge a keen understanding of how the media business will be impacted by current and future technological innovations.
Mr. Purdy is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario (BA 1990) and holds a Bachelor of Economics from the London School of Economics and Political Science (1993).
A tenured and curious advertising leader, Lauren embodies the rare modern C-suite mindset—blending strategic precision, creative innovation, and technological fluency. As Chief Client Officer at The Brand Power Company, she’s built a reputation for her consumer-centric approach and transforming complex business challenges into new engines for measurable growth for the world’s largest Tier-1 manufacturers, including P&G, L’Oréal, Nestlé, Kimberly-Clark +. Lauren is as fluent in technologies like XR and AI as she is in brand strategy and execution, thanks to her 20 years’ experience spanning radio, television, creative, production, advertising, tech, and media. A passionate advocate for accountable, results-driven marketing, Lauren helps brands harness Third-Party Advertising credibility and Zero-Party Data to achieve predictable, sustainable growth.
Rick Ducey helps clients develop and implement strategies to accelerate business growth and solve leadership problems creatively. Rick leads BIA’s strategy consulting practice and serves as an advisor to an affiliated investment banking group BIA Capital Strategies. Rick works with media, adtech and martech companies to see and evaluate opportunities and strategies in the market to achieve corporate goals.
Rick helps clients with strategic planning, developing partnership strategies, product planning, and achieving revenue growth and diversification. He helps marketers including brands and agencies with effective planning and use of digital media platforms. He also works on investment banking projects assisting buy-side and sell-side clients
Rick co-cofounded SpectraRep in 2000, a technology company that specializes in emergency alert and warning solutions. Prior to joining BIA, Rick headed the National Association of Broadcaster’s Research and Information Group overseeing all research and information technology initiatives.
In addition to his work at BIA, Rick serves on the ATSC Business Advisory Council. He is a member of the Journal of Media Economics the editorial board. He has taught graduate and undergraduate courses in strategy, entrepreneurship, and research and analysis at Michigan State University, University of Maryland, George Mason University, and The George Washington University.
Rick earned his Ph.D. from Michigan State University, his M.S. from Syracuse University and his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
Pete Scott is currently the Chief Strategy Advisor for Play Anywhere, an interactive monetization platform that is helping sports leagues and IP holders create new revenue streams across gaming, ecommerce and interactive ads. They are also leveraging Ai Agents and Gentic Ai to hyper personalize these new interactive experiences down to the individual consumer.
He was recently the Vice President of Emerging Media and Innovation for Warner Media Discovery
In this role, Scott advises internal teams on new tech, trends and helping the company remain relevant in the new media world. Additionally, he is helping lead the strategy and operationalization of LIVE Virtual Productions, Sportsbetting, Ecommerce, Name Image and Likeness ( NIL), and Next Generation viewing experiences across the Turner Sports portfolio; NHL, NBA, MLB, USA Soccer and March Madness. He also manages a portfolio of existing partnerships including but not limited to companies building next generation experiences including computer vision, AI, metaverse, NFT’s, Fan Tokens, etc.
As an Emmy award winning digital strategist and operator Pete has helped the company evolve and embrace a digital and direct to consumer mindset.
Prior to his current role, Scott served as the Vice-President of Emerging Media for Turner Studios. While in this role, Scott was responsible for working with colleagues at TNT, TBS, and Adult Swim to onboard and operationalize new technology across production, post-production, visual effects, and content generation. His unique hybrid background of TV and digital helped Studios digitally transform itself into viable resource for production on Twitter, FB, Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat.
In 2014, Pete partnered with Coca Cola, and Mercedes to established a technology incubator in Tel Aviv , named the Bridge/Builder program. The program that finds the best Israel technology companies in ChatGPT Artificial Intelligence, VR/AR, Machine Learning and Blockchain. The program has been a great pipeline for Warner Media and ATT@T while providing validation for the Bridge/Builder companies and the Israel start- up ecosystem.
Scott began his Turner career as a sound tech and editor for CNN, covering such major events as the war in Bosnia and the U.S. invasion of Haiti while working with international correspondents Christiane Amanpour and Nic Robertson. In 2001, he transitioned to Turner Sports’ new media team where he laid the foundation for the development of Turner’s unique digital portfolio. He served as executive director of partnerships managing digital and mobile rights for NASCAR.com, PGA.com, NBA.com, and PGATour.com as well as of March Madness Live. Scott also guided the day-to-day programming of interactive content on each of the sites, which included live streaming, interactive TV and mobile platforms.
Additionally, he helped to create a digital media team with diverse expertise that attracted attention from other professional leagues and their peers throughout the digital media industry. In 2010, he helped launch NCAA March Madness Live, the successful live streaming video experience that is now available across twenty three platforms for the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship.
Before Turner, Scott served as a senior video producer for FoxSports.com where he produced and directed the first live college football game streamed online. Before Fox, he served as a senior production manager of remote operations for Turner Sports, coordinating logistics for the production of NBA, NFL and MLB telecasts
Scott earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in film and television, with a minor in business, from Boston University.
Pete Doe is Chief Research Officer at Nielsen. He has decades of experience in market research, audience measurement, big data and statistical modeling techniques.
In his current role he leads the Nielsen Data Science Organization’s development of audience measurement methodologies across video, digital and audio globally. This is his second stint at Nielsen: between 2004-2015 he was a primary architect of Nielsen’s data integration products and contributed to patented innovations in Set Top Box measurement, Digital and Outdoor Advertising Research
Between 2015-2022, Pete was Chief Research Officer at clypd, an advanced TV platform start-up acquired by Xandr in 2019, which in turn was acquired by Microsoft in 2022.
Before moving to the United States, Pete was a board director at RSMB TV Research in the UK, where he worked primarily on the BARB TV audience measurement currency as well as data fusion projects. He started his career at NOP Market Research in London.
Pete is a graduate of King’s College, London University.
Brian Laverty is a senior consumer insights leader with over a decade of experience uncovering consumer values, driving product innovation, and delivering people-centered strategy in media and entertainment. As Director of Corporate Research at Warner Bros. Discovery, he shapes foundational research and foresight across divisions touching on content strategy, product implementation, technology investment, and marketing innovation. Brian specializes in mixed-methods research and AI-enhanced analysis. Previously, he led UX research at WarnerMedia and Ad Sales Research at CNN, transforming ad innovation and user journeys. Armed with an MBA and MS in Television Management from Drexel and a BA in Business & Economics from Lafayette, Brian is as avid about consumer research as he is about his hometown Philadelphia Eagles. Go Birds.
Mike Bloxham has worked in media and tech research and consulting for over 30 years, advising multi-national corporations, media owners and government agencies on strategic marketing and communications issues on an international basis. A recognized innovator and thought leader in the media and marketing space, he has extensive experience in attitudinal and behavioural research across all channels with an emphasis on the integration of emerging and traditional media among all audiences from children to seniors.
At Magid, Mike works with colleagues to provide research and consulting solutions to clients across the ecosystem seeking to make the right decisions regarding all aspects of the business lifecycle; from programming, marketing, advertising and distribution, through strategy, product development and pricing to consumer insights, user experience and more.
In the last five years Mike has helped pioneered thinking in the streaming space on projects ranging from concept and service development through user experience, satisfaction and business growth. He is Practice Lead of Magid’s Subscriber Science practice which provides ongoing data on services across the streaming ecosystem and consults on value creation and subscriber acquisition and retention.
Prior to joining Magid, Mike led the Insight & Research team at Ball State University’s Center for Media Design where he and his colleagues became known for their large-scale observational research studies including the Middletown Media Studies and the Video Consumer Mapping Study for Neilsen’s Council for Research Excellence.
mbloxham@magid.com
George is the Executive Director and CEO of the Media Rating Council, Inc. (MRC), a not-for-profit industry organization created in 1963 at the request of the U.S. Congress to assure high ethical and operational standards in measurement services. Mr. Ivie’s background includes over 35 years of experience in media research auditing, oversight and consulting. Prior to being appointed the Executive Director of the MRC in January 2000, George was a partner at EY and their lead representative and advisor to the MRC, conducting all MRC audits and interacting with MRC management and member organizations. George has a thorough knowledge of research best practices, operations, controls and information systems across all types of measurement services in the supply chain for today’s media.
Founder
Bill Harvey, who won an Emmy® Award in 2022 for his invention of set top box data, has spent over 35 years leading the way in media research with pioneer thinking in New Media, set top box data, optimizers, measurement standards, privacy standards, the ARF Model; and inventions such as ADI/DMA, addressable commercials, passive peoplemeters, media/purchase singlesource by Big Data matching (4 U.S. patents assigned to TRA, Inc.). Bill’s latest invention is an EEG-trained AI method, marketed by his company RMT (Resonance Mapping Technologies), of customizing media to creative, which has been proven by ARF Cognition Council, Wharton Neuroscience, NCS, Simmons, Neustar and others, to efficiently increase sales and branding effects per ad dollar. His latest big project is to make all of television one big superplatform which he calls UltiMedia.
Carol Hinnant is a seasoned media executive with more than two decades of leadership at companies including Comscore, Rentrak, HBO, and GAC Networks. She has built a reputation for driving innovation in media measurement, accelerating revenue growth, and forging trusted partnerships across the evolving media landscape. At Comscore, she played a pivotal role in advancing cross-platform currency, securing key client relationships with leading media and technology companies, and guiding the organization toward major accreditation milestones such as MRC and U.S. JIC certification. Her work consistently bridges the needs of advertisers and publishers, delivering accurate, independent measurement solutions that fuel industry growth.
Beyond her executive leadership, Carol has been recognized by CableFax, Multichannel News, and CTAM for her contributions to media, advertising, and innovation. She currently advises multiple organizations at the intersection of media, technology, and investment, serving or has served as a board member and executive advisor to MediaBrain, Rave Me Away, and as Executive in Residence at Progress Partners. Passionate about the continued evolution of audience measurement, she combines strategic vision with operational expertise to help shape the future of how media is valued and monetized.
Kym Frank serves as Senior Vice President, Ad Sales Research, Fox Corporation. In this capacity, she leads the centralized, cross-platform research and measurement team developing attribution models and analytics that inform and shape future ad innovation.
Before joining FOX, Frank served as Global Chief Experience Officer at Motionworks where she led customer-facing functions, including insights, enterprise and partnership sales, marketing, business development, product research, international, and thought-leadership for this mobile population intelligence provider to the media industry and other sectors.
Prior to that, she served as President of Geopath where she led all aspects of the non-profit audience measurement organization for the out-of-home (OOH) media industry serving nearly 400 members and thousands of users.
Earlier in her career Frank has held a number of senior-level leadership positions in the research industry including Senior Vice President, Client Solutions for Symphony Advanced Media, a cross-platform measurement start-up, and Senior Vice President, Strategic Insights, ZenithOptimedia.
Frank earned a Master of Arts degree in Speech and Communications from Montclair State University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Pennsylvania.
Industry awards include the 2025 She Runs It “Changing the Game” award, Cynposis’ “Top Women in Media” and “Top 25 Leading Women Entrepreneurs, Intrapreneurs, & Brand Builders.”
Frank’s volunteer work includes serving on the Media Ratings Council, Market Research Council, and the Digital Signage Federation.
Melva Goffney Benoit is an accomplished Executive Media Strategist and a recognized leader in audience research, analytics, and data-driven strategy. With a career spanning major media brands and innovative startups, she is renowned for her ability to translate complex consumer insights into actionable business growth.
Currently, Melva is the Founder and President of The Marian Dupree Group, Inc., a strategic advisory firm she established in 2014, specializing in consumer insights, content, and product development for start-ups and Fortune 500 companies. She is also an Executive Professor of Digital Media & Innovation at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business, where she focuses on the intersection of audience analytics and media innovation.
Drawing on over 20 years of executive experience at major media companies, including Viacom, Disney, Turner, NBC Universal, and Fox, Melva has driven strategic direction in content creation, product strategy, marketing, and advertising. Known for her ability to synthesize trends and anticipate market shifts, she brings both analytical precision and human-centered thinking to her work.
Beyond her advisory roles, Melva is a partner in Band of Vices, an art and culture company providing a platform for the creative community through curated exhibitions and mission-driven community programming.
Melva holds a BA in Communications from Howard University and completed the Executive Leadership Program at the Institute for Communication Technology Management (CTM), USC Marshall School of Business. She currently serves as a Board Member for Neighborhood Partners, Inc., supporting affordable housing and economic development initiatives.
When she’s not diving deep into insights, you’ll find her mentoring emerging insights leaders, exploring new cities, or deep in a great book.
Jon Watts is Managing Director of CIMM, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement. He has 25 years of professional experience in media and advertising, in the US and internationally, working as an advisor and consultant to major media and technology enterprises, investors, policy makers and regulators.
At CIMM, Jon is leading a range of initiatives, including work on the future of cross-platform measurement, the transition to a multi-currency market, and the use of data across the TV ecosystem. Jon is also Executive Director at The Project X Institute and Editorial Director of Beet.TV’s events and industry retreats.
Prior to moving to the US from the UK, Jon founded and led MTM, an international research and strategy consultancy. He graduated from Cambridge University with a top first in Social and Political Science and has an MPhil in Social and Political Theory.
Brandon Pankey is CEO of Artist Presented Experiences (APEX), a new AVOD streaming network focused on creating and distributing scripted, unscripted, and licensed content exclusively by and for artists. Content and strategic partnerships for the network include Radio, Mercury Studios, Complex, and more. The network has distribution across Roku, Amazon Fire, Xfinity (Comcast) as well as live shopping for artists launching in 2026.
Brandon has also served at as Vice President of Business Development & Operations for Live Nation Urban and proved integral to the planning, positioning, and execution of marquee annual events and initiatives, ensuring the ultimate audience experience along the way. These include The Roots Picnic where he serves as an official producer and offers his expertise firsthand for Lil Wayne’s Weezyana Festival, Mary J Blige’s Strength of a Woman Festival, and many more.
Brandon was recognized as one of Essence Magazine’s Power Players 2025 among other previous recognitions for his accomplishments and impact including Variety Magazine’s Hollywood’s New Leaders of 2022, EBONY’s 2021 Power 100 List, Billboard magazine’s prestigious “30 under 30” music executives list and also a Billboard “Power Player” Executive in 2019, 2020, 2022 & 2025. Additionally, he has been featured in national publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Black Enterprise, Ad Age, and Pollstar.
He has also been a guest lecturer at several top institutions in the United States including Harvard University, New York University and the University of North Carolina. Brandon earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Annenberg School of Communications at University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.
Chris Pfaff is a leading new media and technology producer and strategist. He is renowned for integrating leading-edge technology into the media and entertainment community. He was the first to use IRC for an interactive corporate webcast; produced one of the first DVDs, in March, 1997; produced the first HD animated logo; produced numerous multipoint broadband events in the late-1990s; produced some of the first mobile short films in 2002-2003, and produced the first Twitter Wall in 2011.
His company, Chris Pfaff Tech/Media LLC, provides strategy and marketing services for leading technology service providers, technology firms, and new media companies worldwide. Since founding Chris Pfaff Tech/Media LLC in 2002, Chris has represented a wide range of clients, including strategic ventures from the likes of Eastman Kodak, PRIMEDIA, Cantor Telecom, and ASCAP, and firms ranging from mobile content distributor Thumbplay, video encoding firm On2 Technologies (sold to Google), and 3D face and body animation production studio face2face animation. He leads a global team that works with a large, and growing, number of North American and European ventures.
Chris was one of the founders of the Producers Guild of America (PGA) New Media Council East, and served as chairman of the group from 2007-2013. He served as the vice chairman of the national PGA New Media Council from 2011-2013, for which he served as a delegate from 2006-2013, and also served as a delegate on the PGA Board of Directors from 2008-2013. Chris is also a founder of the New York chapter of the
VR AR Association, for which he currently serves as vice-chairman of the Storytelling Committee.
Prior to launching Chris Pfaff Tech/Media, Chris was involved with the early-stage ventures GeoVideo Networks and MobileQ, and previously had helped launch more than 16 ventures with the Lucent New Ventures Group and Bell Labs, including Lucent Digital Radio (later iBiquity Digital, sold to Xperi), SyChip (sold to Murata), e-Ink, Flarion (sold to Qualcomm), and savaJe (sold to Sun Microsystems), among many others. While at AT&T Corp., he helped launch AT&T WorldNet Service and the AT&T NetWare Connect Service, and also helped launch the AT&T Personal Online Services division. Prior to this, he represented such clients as Sony Electronics; Viacom New Media, Sharp Electronics, and Kyocera, among others. He began his career in the music industry, representing clients including Yamaha Corporation; Hal Leonard Publishing, and working with a wide range of musical artists and producers, including such notable figures as Walter Becker, Chick Corea, Wynton Marsalis, and Phil Ramone.
Braden Blacker is the Co-Founder of “Creators vs. Greats” and the Global Head of Content, Talent, and Growth for Galactic Markets, after formerly being a top manager in the creator space working with globally recognized creators and overseeing a roster generating over 3 billion views per month.
Braden started managing top content creators at the age of 16 and has worked with creators and talent such as Sketch, FaZe Clan, Yung Gravy, and Ty Dolla $ign across both representation and brand partnership campaigns. He led the full influencer strategy and development of Sports Illustrated’s SI Predict campaign.
The first episode of his co-founded show “Creators vs. Greats” has surpassed 100 million views across social media and featured stars like FaZe Clan and Dwight Howard. Currently producing the next “Creators vs. Greats” events focused around Soccer, Football and racing to bring “Creators vs. Greats” to new fields, markets and audiences in the US and globally.
He is also the owner of The Content Code, a premier social media marketing agency where he has worked with companies such as Walmart and Sports Illustrated Predict.
As an 18 year old Gen Z social first entrepreneur Braden can speak authentically to his generation’s consumption, engagement and use of social media across all platforms.
Holly Leff-Pressman is the Chief Client Engagement Officer at Screen Engine/ASI (SEA), where she leads client service teams and has been instrumental in expanding the company’s business and client base across its offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, New York, and London.She began her career as an entertainment attorney before transitioning into the OTT space, where she held key roles in distribution and acquisitions at NBCUniversal and In Demand. Prior to joining SEA, she also worked at The Nielsen Company in a similar client-focused capacity, bringing a wealth of experience in media, data, and strategic partnerships.
Bill Hague serves as Executive Vice President at Magid. As Executive Vice President, Bill has oversight of Magid’s corporate relationships and business development efforts. During his tenure at Magid, Bill has served as the lead consultant with clients as diverse as CBS, NBC, Hershey, Canadian Broadcasting Company, McDonald’s, Dude Perfect, University of Notre Dame, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Onex, among others.
Bill spearheaded the development of several innovative service offers including Magid’s local advertising effectiveness research efforts. The impressive team that Hague has built continues to lead Magid into the revenue generation side of the traditional media business as well as on the digital side of local media. He also led Magid’s major expansion into Canada.
Prior to joining Magid in 2005, Bill served as Vice President, Sales, Midwest Division at KingWorld Productions in Chicago and was responsible for all program distribution efforts in the central region for programs such as The Oprah Winfrey Show, Wheel of Fortune, and CSI, among others. Prior to that, he was Director of Client Development with Magid’s North American television group. Bill originally joined the firm in 2001 from Digital Convergence Corp. in New York City, where he served as Senior Vice President and managed the media sales staff. Prior to Digital Convergence, he was Senior Vice President and Central Sales Manager at Telepictures Distribution, a unit of AOL Time Warner. From 1987 to 1999, Bill was Senior Vice President of Central Sales at Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Vassar College and is an avid runner and traveler.
Tracy Swedlow is the CEO, publisher, and editor-in-chief of InteractiveTV Today (ITVT), which she founded in 1998, and is also the executive producer and director of the TV of Tomorrow Show (TVOT) conferences.
Her writing has appeared in many leading newspapers and trade publications, including the New York Times, the San Francisco Examiner, PC World, Multimedia World and VR World. Topics she has covered in the past include virtual reality, email communities, privacy and technology, online gravesite memorials, and, of course, interactive television.
Prior to founding ITVT, she was chief evangelist at eGroups.com (now Yahoo! Groups); new media editor at PC World; a producer and director for Telemorphix, a pioneering interactive TV company, and a video producer at Steve Michelson Productions in San Francisco.
A regular presenter at ITV industry conferences and panels, and a frequent guest on television and radio shows, she actively communicates her understanding of the history of interactive TV; its current trends, technologies, content innovations and applications; the complexities of executive leadership and industrial dynamics; and where she thinks the medium and the ITV industry will and must go in the future to audiences around the world. She has served as the founding chairperson and judge of the “Television” and the “Broadband” categories respectively for The Webby Awards since its inception and regularly produce editorial events and awards programs benefiting the ITV industry (e.g. The annual TV of Tomorrow Show).
Other experiences include voiceovers on many feature films while at Sound One in New York City (e.g. “Hannah and Her Sisters” and “9 1/2 Weeks”); participation in the Director/Playwright Workshop at Playwright’s Horizons in New York City with founder, Bob Moss; participation on various experimental technology multimedia theater showcases directed by the visionary George Coates in San Francisco; conceiving, producing, directing the first 3 fashion shows (as interactive theater) on the Black Rock Desert in the early years of the Burning Man project, and directing an episode of the Twlight Zone called “The Obsolete Man” at the Dark Room in San Francisco. In August 2005, she created and directed a politically-charged multimedia “blogtheater” (my word) piece that focused on post-election America called “Fuck That!: The Political Science Show.” In her non-spare time, she produces and edits the occasional book such as “Desert to Dream” (a photography book) and “Train of Thought” (a children’s book), trains as a traditional boxer, and paints http://tracyswedlow.work. She also recently published her first collection of poems in “No Visiting ‘Till My Show Is Over” published on Amazon. She is also a mother to a wonderful little girl named Hannah and wife to Richard Washbourne, the co-owner and co-producer of ITVT/TVOT.
Her education includes a Ph.D fellowship in directing at the University of California, Berkeley; a Masters degree in Dramatic Criticism from Northwestern University; a certificate in French and French Literature from the Université de Cannes; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater History from Tulane University; studies in Drama at the Royal Holloway College at the University of London; as well as a high school degree from Culver Military Academy in Indiana.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, she witnessed the birth of QUBE, the first commercially deployed interactive television platform, and CompuServe, the first commercial online service. She is also the proud creator of an artcar.
Jon Giegengack is the founder and principal at Hub Entertainment Research. He launched Hub in 2013, as the convergence of technology and entertainment began to gain speed. Jon recognized the need for real-time insight about the changing world of digital entertainment: from how people discover new content, to how they consume it, to how they pay for it (if they pay at all).
Jon works with leading entertainment brands including ABC, Comcast, Netflix, Sony, AMC and AT&T. Jon has more than 20 years of experience in research for the entertainment industry. He is a regular speaker at industry events organized by Streaming Media, NYC TV Week, TVOT, SubSummit, the Advertising Research Foundation, to name a few; and has been quoted in publications like Variety, TheWrap, Forbes, Bloomberg, and more. For the latest insights, subscribe at hubintel.substack.com.
