Monday, March 29 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM Track I: Games & Hollywood: From Feature & TV Crossover Development to Merchandising and Brand Extension In today’s global entertainment environment, the successful extension of a franchise is not only part and parcel of the business plan, it is also welcomed and embraced by the consumer. The power, quality and popularity of the various entertainment mediums, make it possible for a game to enable a successful movie franchise, just as a successful ‘70s TV show can be recast as a worldwide movie blockbuster. This of course can start the cycle all over again, generating the next generation of game, DVD, toys, CD, t-shirts, live events and so on. Unique to this phenomenon today however, is the need to protect the brand as it is extended into each category. Competition and consumer sophistication today demand a level of creativity in the games, movies and TV shows produced, something that brand extension itself can not overcome. Paul Jensen, Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Sony Pictures Digital Networks Chris Di Cesare, Director of Marketing, Microsoft Game Studios (Xbox, PC & Online Games) Jason Hall, SVP, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment Dave Perry, founder, Shiny Entertainment (Enter The Matrix) Don L. Daglow, President and CEO, Stormfront Studios Karim Sanjabi, EVP, Creative & Technology, Carat Interactive Mark Friedler, CEO, Gigex, Inc., Moderator Paul Jensen, Vice President, Strategic Alliances, Sony Pictures Digital Networks: As Vice President of Strategic Alliances for Sony Pictures Digital Networks, Paul Jensen is responsible for the overall strategic development of digitally distributed online games for Sony Pictures Entertainment. In addition, Jensen creates and develops relationships with key partners in both the domestic and international markets. Prior to joining Sony Pictures Digital Networks, Jensen was the business manager for MSN’s online games site Zone.com,.where he created a strategic vision and managed business development for Microsoft’s online games group. During his tenure, he identified, created, launched, and managed two new businesses for the online games group,expanding the revenue streams beyond online advertising. He also successfully worked to launch the first downloadable games business for Microsoft. Prior to his role as business manager, Jensen was the product planner for Microsoft’s online games group. While in that position, he oversaw Microsoft’s online game product portfolio which included the launch of 17 new games for the company and also managed over 20 external game developers. Jensen started with Microsoft in 2001 as a business development manager for the online games department, where he was primarily responsible for driving advertising and sponsorship revenue for MSN’s online games group. He developed the groups adver-gaming strategy and created unique and targeted marketing solutions for key accounts in various industries including Daimler-Chrysler, Ford, Radio Shack and Lego. Prior to Microsoft, Jensen has also worked for leading consumer package goods companies in marketing, sales, and business development. Jensen graduated with a B.A. in Business from Baylor University and received his Masters Degree in Business Administration from Xavier University. Jason Hall, SVP for Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, leads WBIE in creating and managing the Studio’s long-term interactive gaming goals and business objectives by leveraging its world-class brands across all current and future platforms. Prior to WBIE, Jason had been C.E.O. and founder of Monolith Productions Inc. since October 1994. Previously, Jason managed the multimedia department at Edmark Corporation and worked as a lead engineer at Broderbund Software. His career includes stints as a stockbroker, Marine, musician/composer, sound engineer and game developer. Jason understands the game-buying market because he is the demographic - a gamer, a technology buff and a gaming fan. His rare industry experience spans a broad range - from growing a high profile 3D technology licensing business to overseeing complete retail publishing and development efforts. Christopher M. Di Cesare, Director of Games Marketing, Xbox, PC and Online Games: Chris Di Cesare has ten years of experience in strategic marketing and planning within the online entertainment and games sector. With Microsoft since 1995, Chris has been actively involved in the marketing and product development of Microsoft’s most successful titles for Xbox, PC and MSN Games. Also responsible for the conception and development of OutSmart, Zone.com’s flagship celebrity trivia game, Chris has successfully guided Zone.com to a more strategic advertising and revenue-focused business model with record-breaking reach. Chris holds a BA from Villanova University and an MBA in marketing from George Washington University. David Perry is the President and founder of Shiny Entertainment, Inc. A 23-year game industry veteran, Perry launched his professional career at just 15 years of age by writing video game programming books in his native Northern Ireland. Since then, Perry has developed 32 games (serving as lead programmer on 24 of them), totaling 88 individual retail titles across 23 video game platforms. All told, Perry's games (including The Terminator, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Disney's Aladdin) have totaled over $750M in retail sales. Perry sits on the Advisory Board of the Game Developers Conference and is a regular speaker at industry events. His latest project was "Enter The Matrix", the #1 Award Winning Movie Game of 2003, made by working in close collaboration with the writer/directors of the Matrix universe. Don L. Daglow has served as president and CEO of Stormfront Studios since founding the company in 1988. Stormfront's most recent best-seller is "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers" for PS2 and Xbox from EA Games, based on the film from New Line Cinema. Don's work has earned recognition in publications ranging from Computer Gaming World to Inc., Upside, The Red Herring and the San Francisco Business Times. Electronic Games called him "one of the best-known and respected producers in the history of the field." Prior to founding Stormfront, Don served as director of Intellivision game development for Mattel, as a producer at Electronic Arts, and as head of the Entertainment and Education division at Broderbund. He developed the first-ever computer baseball game in 1971 (now recorded in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown), the first mainframe computer role-playing game (1976), the first sim game (Intellivision Utopia, 1982) and the first original play-by-email game (Quantum Space for AOL, 1989). Don co-designed Computer Game Hall of Fame title Earl Weaver Baseball (1987) and the first massively multiplayer online graphic adventure, Neverwinter Nights for AOL (1990). He holds a BA in Creative Writing from Pomona College and a M.Ed. from Claremont Graduate University. KARIM SANJABI, EVP Creative & Technology, Carat Interactive: Karim leads both the technology team and emerging media practice group at Carat Interactive. In this role, Karim ensures that creative, technology, and media blend together on every client project, guided by a higher-level strategy. He serves account teams by being a catalyst for new ideas on clients such as Electronic Arts, EarthLink, Macromedia and RadioShack. Before joining forces with Carat Interactive, Karim was founder and CEO of Freestyle Interactive, a full service digital agency. Formed in 1997, Freestyle combined hard-hitting media with innovative design, well before the Internet boom. Serving as CEO, Karim built a profitable, independent, industry leading organization known for delivering brilliant results for clients. He is married, and has a MS in Computer Science from California State University at Chico. Mark Friedler, CEO, Gigex, Inc.: Mark is CEO and co-founder of Gigex, Inc. (http://gigex.com) the leading Internet distribution and marketing service game trailers and demos. He has been with the company since 1995. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry trade gatherings including CES, E3, Digital Hollywood and events sponsored by Microsoft, IQPC, Jupiter Communications, Digital Media Wire, The Interactive Entertainment Merchants Assoc, The Software and Information Industry Association and IHollywood Forum. He was chairperson for both IQPC’s San Francisco conference "Best Practices for Marketing, Selling and Distributing Software over the Internet" and the European Electronic Software Delivery Conference. Mark’s television experience includes several features in 2003 including NBC’s "TechNow," "NBC Today About the Bay" (San Francisco/San Jose KNTV) and "Silicon Valley Business." He has written for industry publications Software Business , GameDAILY and SIIA’s Upgrade. Previously, Mark was Director of Marketing at Reach Networks, Inc from 1994-1995 where he managed marketing and sales of integrated services to Fortune 500 clients. From 1992 – 1994, Mark was Managing Director of Teleworld Sweden AB, a joint venture with Philips Media. Teleworld developed and operated interactive voice and television-based online entertainment and transaction services together with MTV Europe and other major European broadcasters. Between 1988-1992, he founded and operated Sweden’s first chain of cookie stores. He holds a B.A in Political Science from Hamilton College in New York and has taken graduate courses in business law, programming and network management. Mark is 39 years old and lives in San Francisco with his wife and 2 sons.