10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Session A - DH1:
OnDemand Television – All-Access All the Time – From the Basic DTV Package, the Premium Package to the PVR Enabled Viewer
Movies may have been the driver in the pay TV universe, but with the arrival of on-demand television, an entirely new set of programming and viewing concepts may be on the verge of breaking through in the marketplace. This panel will explore the opportunity for syndicators, networks, cable, satellite and telco operators to provide the new vision of OnDemand television and what the entirely new wired TV world will look like into the future. With the arrival of DTV and the PVR, the viewer experience will never be the same.
Rishi Malhotra, Director, HBO On Demand
Philip W. Schuman, founder, HighView Media
Will Griffin, CEO, DoD™
Shari Glusker, Group Product Manager, Cable Solutions, Microsoft TV Division, Microsoft Corporation
Jeff Shultz, CEO, CONCERT
Judith Pless, Senior Vice President, Digital Media Group, Showtime Networks Inc.
Albert Cheng, Executive Vice President, Digital Media, Disney-ABC Television Group
Ken Rutkowski, founder, KenRadio Broadcasting, Moderator
Albert Cheng, Executive Vice President, Digital Media, Disney-ABC
Television Group: As Executive Vice President, Digital Media, for the Disney-ABC Television Group, Albert Cheng is charged with general management and strategic oversight of digital media, as well as development of ancillary revenue streams for Disney-ABC Television Group’s diverse portfolio of broadcast and cable networks, including ABC Entertainment, ABC News, ABC Daytime, ABC Family, Disney Channel and SOAPnet. To that end, he leads a newly formed digital media team that oversees product development, marketing and operations for the Group’s digital media content platforms, including video-on-demand, broadband, web-based and mobile platforms, as well as interactive television technologies. Cheng and his digital media team also supports franchise management through the development of related new products. Additionally, he will be responsible for creating new business ventures and partnerships in the digital media and online space, as well as providing additional negotiation planning and support for ABC broadcast affiliate relations in this emerging new area. Cheng works closely with Disney and ESPN Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing to ensure the distribution and development of digital media services to cable, satellite, telcos and wireless providers. He also works in close partnership with the Disney-ABC Television Group’s marketing team, led by Eleo Hensleigh, and the Media Networks’ strategy group, led by Peter Seymour, as well as other divisions within The Walt Disney Company developing these content platforms and consumer products. Previously, Cheng served as senior vice president, Business Strategy and Development for Disney and ESPN Networks Affiliate Sales and Marketing, where he was responsible for developing business strategies to increase distribution and generate revenue streams from new products and services. He also oversaw the development of interactive products related to Disney-ABC Cable Networks Group’s cable channels, which include ABC Family, Disney Channel, SOAPnet and Toon Disney. In addition Cheng worked in close association with Disney-ABC Cable Network Group and ESPN’s finance teams in sales forecasting and planning for all of the Company’s cable television assets. From 2002 to 2004, Cheng served as senior vice president, Distribution Strategy and Operations for ABC Cable Networks Group, where he was responsible for developing distribution strategies, negotiating deals and creating economic plans for the Group. Additionally, he oversaw the development and implementation of the division’s video-on-demand strategy and interactive television applications. He joined ABC Cable Networks in October 2000 as vice president, National Accounts and Distribution Strategy. Previously, Cheng was director, Distribution Strategy, for Fox Cable Networks Group. He was responsible for business development and implementation of three digital cable channels, now known as Fox College Sports. He also developed strategies related to digital cable and broadband services. Cheng also served as director, Business Development, at Fox/Liberty Networks, where he focused on business issues and analysis for Fox Sports Net and FX Networks. Prior to joining Fox, he served as a business strategy consultant for the Boston Consulting Group. Cheng earned a BS degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a MBA from Harvard University Graduate School of Business Administration. He resides with his wife in Los Angeles.Philip W. Schuman, founder, HighView Media: Prior to forming HighView Media, Mr. Schuman was Co-President, Universal Studios Television Distribution where he was responsible for the successful management of the global theatrical and television product distribution organization for Universal Studios, Inc. Mr. Schuman started at Universal as VP Business Affairs in 1995. Previously, Mr. Schuman was Senior Transactions Counsel, at a division of General Electric. Mr. Schuman began his career obtaining extensive relevant experience specializing in mergers and acquisitions and securities at the law firm of Shearman & Sterling in New York. Mr. Schuman holds a Bachelor of Arts in American History from State University of New York (magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa) at Buffalo – Buffalo, NY and J.D. from Emory University School of Law (Order of the Coif, Law Review)– Atlanta, GA.
Judith Pless is Senior Vice President, Digital Media Group for Showtime Ne
tworks Inc. In this role, Pless is responsible for new domestic and international businesses ventures, new channel launches, HDTV, SVOD, new technology initiatives, the network's websites, interactive television, and the development of Showtime's broadband strategy. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President, Business Development and before that as Vice President, Business Development. She joined the company in 1995. Pless joined Showtime Networks from Viacom World Wide, where she worked in the international arena as Vice President, Marketing and New Media Development. Prior to Viacom World Wide, Pless was Vice President, Marketing for ACTV, Inc., and before that, she served as Vice President, Marketing for Malarkey-Taylor Associates. Previously, Pless served as Director, Programming and Marketing for the National Cable Television Association and as National Accounts Manager for Home Box Office. Pless attended American University’s M.B.A. Program and received a B.A. in Communications from Lehman College. She works out of the company's New York headquarters.Shari Glusker, Group Product Manager, Cable Solutions, Microsoft T
V Division, Microsoft Corporation: Shari Glusker is group product manager, cable solutions, for the Microsoft TV Division at Microsoft Corporation. In this role, Glusker drives the overall strategy and vision for Microsoft TV Foundation Edition and is responsible for defining product positioning, packaging, pricing, research and product rollout plans. She works closely with customers and partners to ensure that Foundation Edition provides superior value and enables a profitable business. Glusker joined the Microsoft TV group in March 2001. She previously managed the Interactive TV Support Group for WebTV. There, she was responsible for working with key broadcast partners to create enhanced interactive programming and define revenue-generating features in WebTV products. From May 1999 – May 2000, Glusker was manager of broadcast services for WebTV. Before joining Microsoft, Glusker spent 18 years overseeing the creation of film and video programming, as well as video-based interactive applications for a number of companies. While working in positions such as manager of the interactive TV design team at Silicon Graphics and senior producer at Colossal Pictures, Glusker communicated with major advertisers, networks and cable channel operators nationally. Glusker’s varied experience with different facets of the digital TV industry enhances her ability to provide Microsoft’s cable customers with features, functionality and service that helps them improve the digital TV experience for consumers. Glusker has spoken at Digital Hollywood and at National Cable Television Association trade shows. She holds a bachelor’s degree in product design from Stanford University.Will Griffin, CEO, DoD™: Griffin (age 34) is the CEO of DoD (the fir
st Hip Hop Video on Demand channel in the industry), the TV distribution spin-off of Simmons Lathan Media Group (SLMG). Griffin served as President/COO of SLMG. Griffin's credits include being Executive Producer of several television shows and feature films including: Thug My Guy (VH1), Hip Hop Justice (Court TV), Run’s House (MTV) and Co-Producer of Bishop TD Jakes’ Woman Thou Art Loosed: The Movie (Magnolia/Fox). Griffin is an entrepreneur who has built an expertise of launching entrepreneurial ventures aimed at delivering lifestyle content across all media while COO of Urban Entertainment; GM and EVP of Intermix Media (formerly eUniverse Networks and recently acquired by News Corporation). He is frequently a featured speaker at industry conferences including: Digital Hollywood; Starcom MediaVests’ Tapestry Group Advertising Conference; the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Weekend and the American Film Institute. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur Griffin held executive positions at News Corporation, McKinsey & Company and Goldman Sachs & Co. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Dartmouth College and completed the Entrepreneurial Curriculum at Harvard Business School.Jeff Shultz, CEO, CONCERT: Jeff is CEO and co-founder of CONCERT, one of the nation’s first VOD television properties and the first television channel dedicated to music performance and documentary. Together with his business partner, Michael Shimbo, Jeff was among the first executives to begin forging relationships in the nascent VOD programming industry in early 2002. Currently he oversees the executive function for CONCERT, managing programming and distribution business development, advertising sales, and affiliate relations. Jeff was previously director of business development for NBC Internet, the online arm of NBC television network. There he focused on new media entertainment and e-commerce deals for one of the nation’s leading broadband Internet portals. Jeff began his career as an attorney for the international firm of Linklaters where he specialized in cross-border mergers and acquisitions and hedge fund management. Jeff graduated with a degree in Economics from the University of Arizona and with a J.D. from Georgetown University Law School.
Ken Rutkowski is one of most broadly-informed and connected peop
le in the media, entertainment and technology (MET) market. A true industry insider, Ken’s relationships span senior managers of leading technology companies to studio executives; from small software companies innovating the next generation of MET products/services to IT outsourcers and consultants. Part pundit, part matchmaker, part strategist – Ken helps start-ups to multi-national corporations understand the trends shaping their industries and connect with the people that matter. As pundit, Ken’s daily Internet and radio talk show, World Tech Round-Up, is a must-listen-to source of inside information for over 186,000 Internet listeners in over 40 countries – regularly scooping the major media and giving perspective to emerging trends, developments and industry maneuvers. His Daily Tech Clicks newsletter and IQ Report are distributed 5 days/week to the technology, entertainment and business elite. As matchmaker, Ken opens doors for clients across the media, entertainment and digital technology landscape. In 2000, he founded METal, a networking group of 100+ MET industry influencers that meet for breakfast and information sharing each Saturday in Los Angeles. Additionally, he co-hosts MET Salon, one of Los Angeles’ premier invitation-only networking events. As strategist, Ken helps clients utilize emerging technology developments to create new business models, identify revenue opportunities and out-maneuver competitors. Combining his deep understanding of MET convergence with an insider’s perspective of the problems facing the industry today, Ken crafts breakthrough strategies that leverage innovations in the digital economy. On an international level, Ken works with countries such as Finland, Australia and Holland – helping them fortify their technology outreach story and strategy. In his public role, Ken is a founding member of the Streaming Media Executive Committee and is on the board of several media, entertainment and technology companies. He is a much-sought-after speaker/moderator at conferences around the world. He regularly appears as a guest correspondent for Fox 11 KTTV and Fox’s Good Day LA – talking about everything from new tech gadgets to important websites.