Wednesday, September 25 1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Session C: ITV and Internet Broadband Programming and Advertising Strategies The idea of broadband information and entertainment networks are now, not only an accepted model of programming, it’s becoming a staple in Net and DTV communication. Contrary to popular belief, streaming networks as well as innovative iTV programming, representing broadband content in many forms, are the future. Millions of users are online watching and interacting with streaming content. Whether it’s a broadband network, Internet Radio or an ETV/ITV programming, streaming is here. There’s no escaping the future. For the skeptics or converted alike, television, music and film production entities had better figure out how to implement this technology and get its content streaming if it wants to play a part in the future. Michael Dorf, CEO, KnitMedia Slide Nippert, Los Angeles District Manager, Zoom Culture Larry Namer, Chairman, Comspan Communications Terri Swartz, Vice President, Marketing, Navic Networks Rick Mandler, VP and GM, Enhanced TV, Disney Neil McGinness, Vice President, National Lampoon, Moderator Rick Mandler, VP and GM, Enhanced TV, Disney, is responsible for all business development, production, technical, and integrated sales for Enhanced TV fare produced for all Disney-owned broadcast and cable network programming. WDIG & ABC’s Enhanced TV programming is delivered via an Internet-connected computer and is controlled by the user while watching the show simultaneously on television. It is neither a television experience nor an Internet computer experience, but truly both at the same time -- the first step towards in-home convergence programming. Prior to assuming his current position in March of 2001, Mandler had been vice president of WDIG Local and Broadcasting. In that position, he was responsible for developing and managing the Internet efforts of the ABC Broadcasting properties, including ABC-owned television and radio stations across the country, ABC Radio Networks, and the localization of WDIG’s Internet businesses. Earlier, Mandler was vice president, new media for ABC Broadcasting after serving as general manager, new media for ABC Radio Networks, where he had operational and strategic responsibility for the ABC Radio division's Internet efforts. Mandler joined Capital Cities/ABC, Inc. (now ABC, Inc.) in 1992 as a general attorney. He was named director of business affairs for ABC News in 1994, where he was responsible for negotiating talent and business agreements. Prior to coming to ABC, Mandler was an associate at the New York law firm of Patterson, Belknap, Webb and Tyler from 1989 to 1992, and a law clerk for the Honorable Leonard I. Garth, United States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, from 1987 to 1989. Mandler is a graduate of Wesleyan University and New York University Law School. Michael Dorf, CEO, KnitMedia: The musical leanings of Michael Dorf, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, were solidified early on when he founded his own record label while attending law school at the University of Wisconsin. In 1986, he quit school, moved to New York City and began to promote bands on his label full-time. A year later, he opened a small performing arts space called The Knitting Factory. Today, Dorf's Knitting Factory, the state-of-the-art, 15,000-square-foot, fully-wired facility in TriBeCa, has become the international home of new music, and stands as a focal point at the heart of KnitMedia and its productions. In 1994, Dorf had the foresight to see the potential and power of the internet by making the Knitting Factory the first music venue to enter the cyber-universe by launching its initial website, knittingfactory.com. Shortly thereafter, Dorf upped the ante by making the Knit the world’s first "global club" by webcasting its shows live around the globe. And thus, the groundwork was laid for what would become KnitMedia. One club has grown into three; One record label has blossomed into several, providing both new and historic music; One ambitious festival has become one of the largest festival production companies in the world; And one website has evolved into a new media company that has put forth a new benchmark model in music entertainment. In a December, 1999, Los Angeles Times Weekend Calendar cover story on Dorf, Don Heckman stated, "It was skill that allowed Dorf to transform an offbeat venue into one of the most influential companies in jazz and alternative music, and, in the process, enact some visionary methods of connecting musicians with listeners." Larry Namer, Chairman, Comspan Communications: Larry Namer is the founder of E! Entertainment Television, Inc., Movies USA magazine, Steeplechase Media and Comspan Communications, Inc. He began his career in 1971 within Time Incorporated video group (Manhattan Cable TV) where he ultimately became Director of Corporate Development. This group was charged with moving the company from a magazine publisher to a full blown media company. While starting as an installer, his last position there put him in charge of developing new uses of cable television beyond being a simple provider of better TV reception. He is widely credited with pioneering the use of cable television lines for data communications. After leaving Time, Inc., he moved to Los Angeles and established Valley Cable Television (VCTV), the nation’s first 61-channel two-way cable system. VCTV’s accolades included being recognized by Forbes Magazine as the national model for local cable television programming. In his role as Vice President and General Manger, he negotiated contracts with all major cable television networks as well as ran all other aspects of the company’s operations. In 1984, he co-founded Movietime Channel Inc. (renamed E! Entertainment Television, Inc.) and raised the capital to launch the channel in 1987. Serving as President and CEO, he guided the network as it expanded to 14 international markets and a successful radio network syndicated in over 110 markets. He negotiated programming deals with all major Hollywood studios as well as affiliate carriage deals with the nations largest cable operators. He was also responsible for negotiating investments from 8 of the nations largest media conglomerates. In his role as CEO he oversaw every aspect of the companies operations from its finance and investor relations, to the production of several thousand hours of television programming annually. In 1989, Mr. Namer founded Comspan Communications, Inc., and established Comspan Russia to manage the company’s rapidly growing international activities. Comspan Communications, Inc. remains the most prolific producer of live entertainment events in the former Soviet Union (concerts, to fashion shows, to sporting events). Comspan also made its mark in television in Russia as the syndicator of the soap opera Santa Barbara, which ran for 10 years. In 1995, Mr. Namer founded Steeplechase Media, Inc. He has also served as the primary consultant for planning and strategy to Microsoft Interactive TV (MiTV) for several years. Steeplechase grew into one of the most widely recognized developers of new television services and revenue streams and is recognized globally as a leader in the field of convergence of television and computing power. Today, Steeplechase is at the forefront of developing video on demand services as well as helping consumer product companies integrate into the changing landscape of television that is unveiling itself as a result of new technologies. Terri Swartz, Vice President Marketing, Navic Networks: Terri Swartz brings to the company more than a decade of product marketing and business development experience. Swartz recently served as vice president of product marketing for MoreCom, Inc., where she spearheaded strategic and tactical plans for marketing and public relations, and was instrumental in positioning the start-up for a $500 million acquisition by Liberate Technologies. Swartz was a product manager at General Instrument Corporation, where she directed business activities for one of the company’s advanced set-top terminal lines with annual revenues of $300 million. Swartz was recently named one of the cable industry's "Women to Watch in 2001" by Cablevision Magazine. Each year, the magazine dedicates one issue to profile the most powerful women in cable, as well as spotlighting up-and-coming leaders, such as Swartz, whom they think will set the pace of the industry in the coming year.