Click on the Video Below and Sample a Session from the last Digital Hollywood event. For Additional Video Sessions, Click Here Digital Hollywood Fall 2006 Wednesday, October 25 12:30 PM - 1:45 PM Track IV: TV & Interactivity: Evolving Content & Business Models: Content, Commerce and Branded Entertainment TV networks have embraced interactivity for almost a decade, both with standalone website content and synchronized, Enhanced TV content. Much has changed over that time, including technological barriers, assumptions about consumer preferences, business models, and the economic climate for interactive experimentation. What's working and what's not? What can the industry expect to see over the next 24 months? Is there a future for synchronized content, or is "interactive TV" destined to be only about VOD and SVOD? In this session we bring together top programming executives and creators who are dealing with what it means to leverage and extend their on-air television programming to the Internet or into the Interactive TV space. Edward Skolarus, Vice President, Business and Operations, FOX Reality Jim Turner, Vice President, Interactive, A&E Television Networks Chris Lucas, Vice President/Executive Producer, Digital Media, Showtime Networks Jon Dakss, Director of iTV Product Development, NBC Universal Stephanie Quay, Site Director, TV.com, CNET Networks Inc. Lydia Loizides, Vice President, Director, Media and Technology Experience Analytics for The Consumer Experience Practice, Interpublic Media Turner Entertainment, speaker to be announced Jeff Binder, President, Broadbus Technologies, Moderator Edward Skolarus, Vice President, Business Operations, Fox Reality: Edward Skolarus serves as Vice President, Business Operations for Fox Reality where he oversees business development and emerging media applications for the year-old service. He likewise manages Fox Reality’s program licensing and content ventures for on-air and other platforms, together with Fox Networks Group support teams. Since joining Fox Reality in January of 2006, he has acquired and launched many top reality programs for on-air and digital media platforms. He also helped launch Fantasy Reality Challenge, an on-line fantasy game for reality television fans and initiated Fox Networks Group’s first interactive viewer experience, utilizing Fox Reality’s daily “Reality Remix.” Viewers can use their cell phones to answer questions, participate in polls and other features in real-time synchronization with the series. Skolarus also launched “Reality Remix” podcasts, available through www.foxreality.com, www.itunes.com and www.yahoo.com. Mr. Skolarus joins Fox Reality from GoldPocket Interactive Inc., where he served as division Senior Vice President responsible for distribution, sales and marketing. During his five year tenure with GoldPocket, Mr. Skolarus branded and launched the company within the entertainment market, significantly grew cable/satellite/mobile distribution, assisted in acquiring digital media and mobile companies and launched interactive and mobile applications for leading broadcasters such as CBS, HSN, NBC, GSN, FOX, NFL and DirecTV. Prior to GoldPocket, Mr. Skolarus served as COO and VP of Marketing at BadaBiz Inc., an Internet content collaboration company specializing in Digital Rights Management and security for content distribution. Prior to BadaBiz, Mr. Skolarus was the CEO and co-founder of RenderView Software Inc., a leading digital content collaboration and communication company. Skolarus began his career as a lead systems architect and software engineer for Ford and Chrysler motors developing large-scale enterprise software systems. Originally from Michigan, Skolarus graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering from Eastern Michigan University. In addition, did post-graduate studies at Wayne State University in medicine. Jim Turner, Vice President, Interactive at A&E Television Networks, is long time veteran of the interactive media industry. He has produced and developed programs for a broad variety of new media ranging from interactive videodiscs to CDROM’s, interactive television, and the Internet. Prior to joining A&E, Turner was President of AvitageMedia, a consulting and production company for advanced television, internet, and other media. In that role, he worked with clients to develop strategies and programming in on-demand television, internet publishing and ecommerce, and new forms of interactive advertising. In the early 90’s Turner co-founded a CDROM production company which was an early leader in interactive digital video, which he later sold to Digital Equipment Corporation. Building on that acquisition, Turner became General Manager and Executive Producer of Digital Media Studios which he created for DEC to produce interactive television programming for a wide range of domestic and international clients. In 1996, he joined Astronet, an early stage internet publisher, and as COO, led that company to become the #2 content site on AOL, a category-leading website, and (contrary to the times) profitable. After selling Astronet to Hearst and subsequently being spun out with Hearst’s internet properties into a merger with Women.com, he became SVP, Product, for that top-30 online network. Earlier in his career, Turner helped lead Kurzweil Music Systems through a turnaround as VP, Product Development, and he was co-founder and SVP of Visage, an early leader in interactive videodisc programs and systems. He began his career at CBS, where he was Associate Director at CBS Technology Center and oversaw advanced development for the videogame, software, musical instrument, and other divisions. He is active in a number of industry initiatives and organizations, and serves as the Administration Sub-Committee Chair of the Advanced Media Group of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. He has an MBA as well as a Masters degree in technology, and holds two patents. Jonathan Dakss, Director, iTV Product Development, NBC Universal: Jonathan Dakss became Director, Interactive Television Product Development, NBC Universal in June, 2005. Dakss’s team is responsible for creating and implementing interactive television (iTV) applications for all of NBC Universal’s television properties, including the NBC Television Network, Bravo, USA Networks, and Sci Fi Channel. Dakss’s team has implemented many successful interactive elements to NBCU programming, including premium short message service (SMS) voting for NBC’s hit game show "Deal or No Deal," single-screen interactivity for Bravo’s "Top Chef," SMS-to-TV for CNBC’s "Suze Orman Show," subscription SMS for USA Network’s "The 4400" and online interactivity for NBC’s "Primetime Emmy Awards." His team collaborated with Universal Studios to launch interactive TV games internationally around its blockbuster films. Additionally, under Dakss, the iTV Product Development team has helped drive the creation and adoption of industry standards for the interoperability of iTV content among broadcasters and cable operators, taking leadership roles in CableLabs’ Enhanced Binary Interchange Format and the Advanced Television Systems Committee’s Advanced Common Application Platform standards. Before joining NBCU, Dakss was the Vice President, Technology and Distribution at GoldPocket Interactive, where he began in September 2003. Starting in April 2003, he worked in the company’s London, England offices where he was the Chief Technology Officer of GoldPocket Interactive UK, Ltd./WatchPoint Media, UK, Ltd. Dakss began working for WatchPoint Media, Inc in June 1999 as the Vice President of Technology and Co-Founder, before he became the Chief Technology Officer in January 2002. Dakss graduated from Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a Master of Science in Media Technology in 1999, and from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science in 1997. He resides in Monrovia, CA with wife Marcy, daughter Sydney and son Miles. Stephanie Quay, Site Director, TV.com, CNET Networks Inc.: Stephanie Quay has spent the past 10 years in the entertainment industry garnering both above and below-the-line credits. She has worked in front and behind the camera in over 20 productions in television and film, and received a nomination for a Hollywood Discovery Award in 2000 for her portrayal of a teen pop icon during the heyday of cult classics. Currently, Quay is manager of industry relations at TV.com, the online community and information resource for today’s passionate TV fan, where she spearheads all of the industry relations and partnerships for the brand. Seeing a need for new distribution outlets for independent films, Quay focused her earlier ambitions on starting an IP-based Video-on-Demand Company, Broadline Media Corp. where she served as CEO until 2005. Earlier, Quay founded the independent production company Liquid Film Factory, LLC shortly there after, producing "The Last American Virgin" among others. She fulfills her philanthropic goals through non-profit, San Francisco FilmWorks, Inc. which educates and encourages filming in the bay area. Lydia Loizides is vice president, director, media and technology experience analytics for The Consumer Experience Practice at Interpublic Media. Lydia manages the study of consumers and their interaction with technology through the Interpublic Emerging Media Lab; cultivates strategic alliances and partnerships with technology vendors; and advises Interpublic Media agencies and their clients on how to best use emerging media technologies in their communication plans. A respected senior strategist, she has excelled in driving sustainable new business for media and entertainment corporations. She was previously with Paphion Inc., where she collaborated with entertainment, media and technology companies to identify, develop and launch commercially viable entertainment products and services for traditional and alternative distribution platforms. Her clients and associates included Sony USA, Scripps Networks, A&E Networks, Scientific Atlanta, Motorola, Advance/Newhouse and Ziff Brothers Investments, among others. Before joining Paphion, Lydia was an analyst with Ziff Brothers Investments. Prior to that time, she worked for Jupiter Research as a senior analyst for four years. During her career, she has held senior positions with FCB Worldwide, V-Systems and NCompass Labs Inc., which was later acquired by Microsoft. Lydia is on the board of governors for the New York chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and serves as vice chair of the advanced media committee. She also is an adjunct lecturer for New York University’s department of Design, Digital Arts and Film. Lydia holds undergraduate and graduate degrees from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. Christopher Lucas is Vice President and Executive Producer of Showtime's Digital Media department where he oversees production of the network's online, interactive television and wireless initiatives and participates in the development of new business strategies leveraging shifting consumer behavior and emerging technologies. During his tenure, Chris has established partnerships with key technology and content providers to create breakthrough entertainment experiences resulting in increased exposure and awareness for Showtime’s award-winning Original Programming. Showtime Digital Media has received numerous awards, including two Emmy® Awards in 2004 for the network’s virtual channel on Dish Network and has achieved many industry firsts, earning the network a reputation as an industry leader and technology innovator. Prior to joining Showtime in 1998, Chris was Executive Technical Director at US Interactive where he led the agency's Technology Solutions department in servicing its roster of blue-chip clients. Previously, he spent seven years at Comedy Central as Director of Online Services. Chris holds degrees from the University of Hartford and Yale University. Jeff Binder, President, Broadbus: Jeffrey Binder is a Broadbus founder and serves as President. He was previously CEO of Magic Music, where he managed development of three generations of DRAM based server technology, overseeing the overall operations of the company from start-up to 30%+ market-share in just two years. He was formerly founding CEO of the Leading Golf Companies, successfully delivering frequency marketing client/server technology and systems in partnership with the top 500 golf courses in the US and major airlines, including American Airlines and TWA. Binder is a named inventor to several Broadbus patents and continues to collaborate and innovate with the Broadbus team. He has authored key vision documents published in major industry journals regarding television-on-demand (TOD®), and frequently presents at major audio and cable industry events. In addition, he serves on the boards of Greater Chicago Bank (a regional FDIC Banking), and FastenerOasis, Inc., (the e-commerce arm of one of the largest fastener distributors in the US). He is a member of NCTA, CTAM, SCTE and has been a member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences since 1988.