1:00 PM - 2:15 PM
Session A:
Entertainment & Information Content Sites, Enhancing Site Features, Ticketing and E-Commerce
The Internet is the perfect service industry. The old idea of a robot roaming from room to room helping out its master is quaint next to 24/7 Internet Appliances servicing the every need of a consumer - from buying tickets to a ballgame, movie, or theatre, to making reservations at hotels and restaurants. In this session, we bring together the most experienced site developers in the country who are writing the book on the “new” service industry. They are the experts in merging content and commerce and anticipating customer needs. We are pleased to welcome them to Digital Hollywood.
Larry Namer, CEO, Television.com
Bob Meyrowitz, CEO, eYada.com
Rand Bleimeister, CEO, FirstLook.com
Dwayne Ritchie, CEO, TicketClub.com
Keith R.Wortman, EVP Media and Entertainment UltimateBid
Steven J. Pena, Entertainment Department, Co-Chair, iLaw Group, Loeb & Loeb LLP, Moderator
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Larry Namer, Chairman, Steeplechase Media Inc. Larry Namer is a renowned new me
dia and cable television industry entrepreneur with over 28 years of professional experience. Over the years he has founded and developed several very successful entertainment companies, including E! Entertainment Television and Movies USA Magazine. Under parent company Comspan Communications’ banner, he established Steeplechase Media Inc. (SMI) in 1995 to explore the possibilities of interactive television and new media. Lead by Mr. Namer’s innovation and vision, SMI has become one of North America’s most innovative, new media production companies specializing in the creation of content, business strategy and technology for PC/TV convergence and the Internet. Today, the company is involved in numerous enhanced TV co-productions with some of the country’s most prominent entertainment organizations, including Big Ticket Entertainment (a division of Spelling Entertainment), Pacific Motion Pictures and WebTV. Mr. Namer continues to serve as president and CEO of Comspan Communications, one of Hollywood’s foremost strategic planning and consulting firms for the cable television and new media industries. For some 10 years, the company has developed the business plans and models for many new niche and enhanced cable television networks, including The Documentary Channel, Recovery Networks, Hobby Craft Interactive, Museum World and Expo Networks International. Comspan was also the primary consultant to Microsoft’s innovative, interactive television initiative, MiTV. In 1984, Mr. Namer and partner Alan Mruvka conceptualized and developed the business plan for Movietime Channel (later renamed E! Entertainment Television) and raised the capital to launch the channel in 1987. Serving as president and CEO, Mr. Namer guided the network as it expanded to include 11 international markets and a successful radio show, syndicated in over 110 markets. Mr. Namer and Mr. Mruvka eventually sold their interest in E! to Home Box Office. In 1981, he became vice president and general manager of Valley Cable Television (VCTV) in Los Angeles, the nation’s first 61 channel two-way cable system. His vision and direction garnered VCTV several Emmy and ACE Award nominations, as well as recognition by Forbes Magazine as the national model for local cable television programming. Mr. Namer began his cable industry career at Time Incorporated Manhattan Cable in 1971 and was quickly promoted to the position of director of corporate operations and then director of corporate development. Mr. Namer received the prestigious President’s Award from the National Cable Television Association in 1989. Today, he is widely recognized for his pioneering efforts in the areas of cable and new media and is often invited to serve as a keynote speaker and panelist at many of the world’s leading industry trade shows and seminars.Robert B. Meyrowitz: President & CEO, eYada.com: A
trailblazer in rock radio and cable television programming, Robert Meyrowitz is now bringing his legendary vision and business expertise to the Internet as the President and CEO of eYada.com, the Web’s all-star, all-talk radio powerhouse. In the early 1970s, Meyrowitz founded DIR Broadcasting, radio’s largest production and distribution company, with offices in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles. DIR Broadcasting created thousands of hours of programming, including the King Biscuit Flower Hour, which has become a "Who’s Who" of American rock music. The Biscuit presented literally thousands of performances from both established superstars and superstars on the rise, ranging from a 1973 concert by then-unknown Bruce Springsteen to the Rolling Stones at the top of their form. DIR’s program roster also included the DuPont-Columbia award-winning Direct News, This Date in Baseball History with Mel Allen, and The Financial Times of London. Recognizing the television industry’s momentum as the premier entertainment forum, Meyrowitz ultimately established his television entertainment company, Semaphore Entertainment Group (SEG), which produced award-winning music and comedy specials. Among his many credits are HBO specials, including two with Whoopi Goldberg, two spotlighting Bette Midler, and two Amnesty International shows. Meyrowitz also produced an Ace-nominated special for Lifetime Television, an Ace-nominated music series for A&E, a late-night series for ABC, and the Album Flash series for Cinemax featuring Paul Simon, Phil Collins, Alabama, and Pete Townshend. With SEG, Meyrowitz has presented an impressive variety of live music acts for pay-per-view audiences nationwide, including the New Kids on the Block, The Who, and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. In Sports, SEG has produced events like the Battle of Champions, an exhibition match between Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova, and the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a mixed-discipline martial arts competition.Steven J. Pena is a partner in the Entertainment Department in the Century City office and is a Co-Chair of the firm’s iLaw Group. He has extensive experience in the Internet, entertainment and telecommunications fields from both a legal and an operations perspective. He works with clients beginning in the start-up phase, assisting in securing initial and subsequent round financing and advises companies in conducting day-to-day activities. In addition, he assists in planning and structuring co-marketing deals and other strategic alliances. Representative clients include WireBreak Entertainment, Inc.; Paramount Digital Entertainment; iFuse, Inc.; Shockwave.com; Sandbox Development Group and VIC. Prior to joining Loeb & Loeb, Mr. Peña was General Counsel of Warner Bros. Online during its first three years. At Warner Bros. Online, Mr. Peña was responsible for all legal, business and policy matters pertaining to the development, production and distribution of online content for the Warner Bros. Online website, as well as several highly successful areas featured on America Online. While in charge of operations for the division, he expanded his knowledge in understanding the "nuts and bolts" of building, launching and operating an Internet company. Before Warner Bros. Online, Mr. Peña was Vice President of Legal Affairs at Twentieth Century Fox, where he oversaw all legal matters pertaining to the development and production of theatrical motion pictures, including the engagement of talent, literary property acquisition and exploitation of ancillary rights. Mr. Peña worked on a variety of theatrical motion pictures such as "Speed", "Nell", and "Nine Months." During his seven years at Fox, he was also responsible for music licensing, exhibition rights clearance, theatrical film clip licensing and merchandising activities (including the now-legendary "Simpsons" licensing campaign). Before working at Fox, Mr. Peña practiced radio, television and telecommunications law in Washington, D.C. Mr. Peña received his B.A. in economics from the University of California at Santa Cruz. He earned his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C.
Keith R.Wortman, EVP Media and Entertainment UltimateBid: Keith R. Wortman currently serves as the head of the Media and Entertainment Group at UltimateBid Inc. In this capacity, Mr. Wortman is responsible for setting and implementing the strategy for the negotiating and structuring of UltimateBid’s film, television, live entertainment, and new media partnerships. As a member of the founding group of eSuperstars(since merged into UltimateBid), he was the key liaison for identifying and securing prospective internet distribution and finance partners that included the likes of CMGI. Prior to that, Keith was a partner in Keith Wortman Productions, a motion picture and television production company that is represented by entertainment-business powerhouse, the Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The company’s initial film project is in development with Universal Pictures. Previously, Keith served as Senior Vice-President of Business and Legal Affairs for SFX Alphabet City Records (the record company unit of SFX Entertainment} the industry-wide leader of the sports-music business. There he was responsible organizing and negotiating joint venture, production, distribution and licensing, agreements for the company with likes of major sports teams, leagues, and venues. Wortman received his J.D. from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in 1996. He earned a B.A. in political science and history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1993, where he was a member of the academic honors program. He is a member of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law Arts and Entertainment Law Society and successfully completed their Digital Media Seminar.
Rand Bleimeister is Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of FirstLook.com, Inc. FirstLook.com launched in New York on September 15, 1999. Founded in January 1999, FirstLook.com, Inc. is an idealab! company, backed by Cox Communications, Cox Enterprises, The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Intel Capital and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Bleimeister is a leader in the entertainment and interactive industries with more than 20 years of sales and marketing management experience. Before FirstLook.com, Bleimeister served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Scoop Inc., a Web-based business news and information service. At Scoop, he was responsible for the direction and development of IntelliSearch, a sophisticated online tool for business research. In October 1998, Bleimeister sold the assets of Scoop to Solutions Corporation of America, Nashville TN, and The Call Company of Newport Beach, California. Prior to Scoop, Bleimeister served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Virgin Interactive Entertainment where he developed and implemented all sales, marketing, manufacturing, distribution, and customer support strategies in the Western Hemisphere. During his two-year tenure, revenues from North American computer game sales increased over 600%. Bleimeister developed the company's Internet strategy, and launched its Web site, online store, and Web-based technical support. During his career, Bleimeister has held senior management positions at major entertainment companies including Columbia TriStar where he served as Senior Vice President of Special Interest & Interactive Programming and Nelson Entertainment where he served as Executive Vice President. Bleimeister is credited with developing a revolutionary, PC-based co-op Advertising Management System at EMD, a division of Capitol/EMI Music where he served as Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Planning. Previous positions include sales and marketing management roles at Embassy Home Entertainment (acquired by Nelson Entertainment), and Warner Home Video. Bleimeister attended Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif., where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in political science.