3:50 PM - 5:00 PM
Track IV:
Understanding the Integrated DTV, Broadband & Mobile Customer Experience: Demands in Design and Delivery of Content, Products and Services
Homes are being "invaded" by set-top boxes, DVRs, satellite TV receivers, broadband modems, VoIP adapters, WiFi networking gear, media gateways, digital music adapters--not to mention PCs, HDTV home entertainment systems and wireless phones. Many consumers are daunted by the number of devices and related services available, as well as by the complexity of connecting and using them. Increasingly, consumers are looking for help. For example, only 45% of consumers say they plan to install their own home entertainment equipment. Confusion and uncertainty surrounding the choices available (what standards, what manufacturers, where to buy, how to service) are creating new "pain points," and are suppressing consumer adoption and spending on these new products and services. This panel will explore the implications of emerging complexity for industry players seeking to successfully address consumer needs. How do these new "pain points" create opportunities for software developers, equipment vendors, service providers, and retailers? Which players are best positioned to meet consumer needs for installation, repair and maintenance of home communications and entertainment equipment? What services (e.g., installation, support, in-home repair) are consumers willing to pay for? What successful business models are likely to emerge? What will be the key success factors, and who will win?
Randy C. Roberts, VP, CPE Products & Integration, BellSouth
Michael Grossi, VP Business Development, SK Earthlink
Andrea G. Devenow, Vice President, Business Development, Napster
Carl Rohling, VP Business Development, RadioTime
Joe Weiss, Precinct Chief, Geek Squad
Jonathan Hurd, Vice President, ADVENTIS, Moderator
Andrea Devenow, Vice President, Business Development, Napster: Andr
ea G. Devenow joined Napster as Vice President, Business Development in January 2005 and was charged with identifying and leveraging partnerships that will introduce the Napster experience to new audiences and partners in the rapidly expanding digital music marketplace. Since coming on board Devenow has negotiated a ground-breaking long term strategic partnership with XM Satellite Radio, the nation’s leading satellite radio company, to launch a co-branded service that integrates the two digital media giants offerings as well as a short-term incentive marketing program that will be heavily-supported by a major US-based ISP. She was also heavily involved in sourcing the first Janus-enabled flash-based memory digital music player and bringing it through production to completion. Devenow has been on the cutting edge of digital media distribution throughout this industry’s rapid development. Demonstrating an early appreciation of the now-vibrant industry, Devenow negotiated the terms of MGM’s equity stake in Movielink, LLC in her position as Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Development at that studio. She then went in-house at Movielink, first serving as Interim Head of Operations and then as VP of Business Development, playing a key role in transforming the joint venture between several of Hollywood’s top studios from a retail commerce web site into a partner-driven, co-branded broadband movie download service. Prior to her work at MGM and Movielink, Devenow served as an associate consultant with LEK/ALCAR Consulting Group. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband.Carl J. Rohling, Esq., Business Development, Creative Labs, Inc.: Carl currently oversees business development for Creative’s portable digital audio, web camera and speaker product lines with a focus on channel development and services. Carl was responsible for closing several high profile technology and content deals, which compliment one or more award winning Creative devices with industry leading services. Prior to Creative, Carl handled business development for SONICblue, include Rio Digital Audio, ReplayTV and Go Video product lines with a focus on licensing core technology, channel development and services.
Randy C. Roberts, VP, CPE Products & Integration, BellSouth: Randy Roberts has spent over 12 years in the telecommunications industry. He joined BellSouth in July, 2005 as Vice President of Customer Devices and Integration. In this role, Randy has responsibility for product planning and portfolio management of BellSouth’s consumer and small business products and their integration with BellSouth’s voice and data services. Prior to joining BellSouth, he held the position of Senior Director of MultiMedia devices at Motorola where he led the planning for products and services focused on imaging, music and gaming. Randy also spent eight years with Nokia in various product management and business development roles, most recently as Director of Nokia’s Imaging business for North America. Randy is a graduate of Texas Tech University.
Michael Grossi, Vice President of Business Development, SK Earthlink: Michael leads our Business Development efforts at SK Earthlink. He is responsi
ble for driving strategic relationships with our carrier, handset, and content partners to insure a differentiated experience in the marketplace. Content partners include wireless platforms and messaging, media, music, entertainment, artists, gaming, as well as other forms of new media. Prior to SK Earthlink, Michael was a Vice President (Partner) at Adventis, a leading management consultancy to the converging telecom, computing and media sectors, where he was the Wireless Practice leader for North America. Michael was an early architect of the MVNO movement in the U.S., helping to devise market and operational strategy prior to launch, of a number of leading brand entrants including Earthlink, Disney, and ESPN, as well as several other unbranded upstarts. He has advised several existing MVNOs including VirginMobile, Boost and OnStar. Due to his extensive work with MVNOs and wireless carriers, Michael is regarded as one of the industry’s thought leaders and thus has been quoted over 50 times by leading publications such as NY Times, Financial Times and Business Week. Michael previously was Managing Director of the Equity Ventures Practice where he worked with Venture Capital/Private Equity firms and their portfolio companies looking to launch businesses in wireless. He has also provided strategic guidance to leading wireless and wireline carriers including Sprint, Nextel, SBC, British Telecom, Bellsouth and Bell Canada. Other leading blue chip companies Michael has consulted with include Dell, IBM, Kodak and General Dynamics. Michael was also a Captain in the U.S. Air Force, where he led program management and financial functions for several technology focused defense programs within the Intelligence and Space Commands. Michael received a BSBA in Finance from Villanova University and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Bentley College.Jonathan Hurd, Vice President, ADVENTIS: Mr. Hurd focuses on helping clie
nts in the communications, media and computing industries develop and deploy breakthrough marketing and corporate growth strategies. Mr. Hurd draws on more than twenty years of consulting and industry experience in communications services and equipment, publishing, software and computer peripherals. Prior to joining ADVENTIS, he was a partner in the communication, information and entertainment practice of Mercer Management Consulting. Mr. Hurd received a B.S. from MIT and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.Joe Weiss, Precinct Chief, Geek Squad: Geek Squad Precinct Chief Joe
Weiss has been fixing machines since he was three years old. He has been helping rid the world of technological evil since 2002 when he joined the Geek Squad. All information prior to that is classified.