4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
Session A:
Digital Entertainment Convergence: Old Media and New Media Converge on the Net
Another corporate announcement declaring the “convergence” of broadband technology and content is so commonplace, it is practically old hat. But that doesn’t make it any less significant. If a content company isn’t partnered with a broadband delivery company, it is suspect. And if a technology company doesn’t have a ready content game plan, it is perceived as potentially falling behind the competition. What is a telecommunications company without a cable play? What does it mean to be a media company today? In trying to focus on these questions, Digital Hollywood brings together some of the leading figures from entertainment and technology in an effort to make sense out of the movement of the entertainment industry into a broadband environment. What does it mean to be a music company, a film company or a television company in a broadband environment? Entertainment convergence is not theory to our guests - it is their everyday practice.
Ken Topolsky, Creator, Party of Five
Jeffrey Kramer, President of Cross Media, Honkworm (formerly Producer, Ally McBeal and The Practice)
Joseph A. Cantwell, Executive Vice President, New Media, Bravo Networks
Larry Kasanoff, Chairman and CEO, Threshold Entertainment, Exec. Prod. True Lies and Producer of Mortal Kombat
Brian Bowman, Vice President and General Manager, ABC.com
Ben Tatta, Senior Vice President, USA Networks Interactive
Michael Hirschorn, co-chair & Editor-in-Chief, Inside.com, Moderator
Joseph A. Cantwell is the Executive Vice President, New Media for the BRAVO Networks, which include Bravo, The Independent Film Channel (IFC), Bravo International, IFC Productions, Next Wave Films and the new World Cinema Network. Headed by Cantwell, Bravo Networks' New Media unit creates and operates consumer arts and specialized film digital media resources, and directs strategic alliances and acquisitions in domestic and international markets. Under Cantwell's direction, Bravo Networks has been on the cutting-edge of New Media activity since early 1997. In his previous role as Executive Vice President, Media Distribution and Development, Cantwell forged successful Broadband distribution and content partnerships for both Bravo and The Independent Film Channel. IFC has been widely recognized as a leader in Broadband and Internet programming; the network's live carriage of top film industry events including The Independent Spirit Awards and The Cannes Film Festival has created a much-anticipated annual new media event for cable operators and customers alike. Cantwell is a frequent guest speaker and panelist at the industry's most important conferences, including CES, Cannes Film Festival, SXSW, Digital Hollywood, Upside's Digital Living Room, Broadband Developers Conference, Independent Feature Film Market, CTAM and Shorts International Film Festival. Cantwell joined Bravo in 1991 as Vice President, Central Region, heading affiliate sales and marketing for the network's largest management territory. In 1994 he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Affiliate Relations and Sales, leading the growth of Bravo from 12 to 43 million households, directing the launch and rollout of the Independent Film Channel and creating Bravo's full-time online business. Before joining Bravo, Cantwell was the Marketing Director for the Cable Television Division of Palmer Communications, and managed The Disney Channel's Florida cable and Eastern U.S. New Markets business segments. Cantwell holds a MBA from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor's Degree from Barry University.
Brian Bowman, Vice President and General Manager, ABC.com: As vice president and general manager of ABC.com, Brian Bowman is responsible for overseeing all aspects of ABC.com, including editorial, content,design, production and marketing. He supervises teams in both New York and Los Angeles. Previously, Brian was the director of new media for Disney Channel, a job he held since April 1998. In that capacity, he served as the chief architect of Disney/ABC Cable Network's Internet and enhanced programming strategy, and oversaw Zoog Disney - an innovative block of programming that combines the network's on-air and online worlds into a complete entertainment package. During his tenure, DisneyChannel.com's page views increased 1000% and Zoog Disney acquired more than 1,300,000 online registrations. Prior to joining The Walt Disney Company, Brian worked in business development for various companies, including Turner Broadcasting, where he worked from January 1996-March 1997 as director of development, Intervista and Electric Communities. From 1993-95, Brian worked for Metrolight Studios as director of new media. He began his career in 1990 with Wavefront Technologies in Santa Barbara, California as an engineer. Brian has received several awards, including two Monitor Awards for Best Computer Graphics. He is currently a member of the Digital Coast Round Table and has served as an instructor at the UCLA Department of Visual Arts. Brian attended Purdue University and currently resides in Los Angeles.
Jeffrey Kramer, President of Cross Media, Honkworm: Jeffrey Kramer won a shelf full of Emmy’s while serving as President of David E. Kelley Productions during a time of rapid expansion and tremendous success for the company. During his tenure, Jeffrey was responsible forhelping grow the company into a television powerhouse, and as producer of five television series, including Ally McBeal, The Practice, Chicago Hope, Snoops, and a half hour Ally sitcom. He took the lead in expanding Kelley Productions beyond its basic role as a producer. He developed several ancillary businesses for the company, creating a line of Ally McBeal merchandise for Bloomindales called "Isms", and a music label that sold over four million copies of the Ally soundtrack. Prior to his time at Kelley, Jeffrey served as Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs for 20th Century Fox. From 1989 to 1994, he oversaw the development and production of such hits as The Simpsons, In Living Color and The X-Files, as well as managing The Practice and Ally McBeal from pilot stage to series development. Before joining Fox, Jeffrey spent a number of years as a producer of independent films and television programs. He began his career in live theater as an Executive Producer for both the Winter Quarter Theater in New York and the Vineyard Haven Players Foundation in Massachusetts. A former actor, Jeffrey appeared in many primetime series and in such feature films as Jaws and Clue.
Michael Hirschorn is co-chairman and editor-in-chief of Inside.com, a recently launched web-based information service for professionals working in the converging worlds of entertainment, media, and technology. Previously, he was features editor at Esquire and executive editor at New York before becoming editor-in-chief of Spin magazine, where he more than doubled earnings through significant increases in circulation and advertising, while winning two National Magazine Award nominations. He has written for the Wall Street Journal, the New Republic, and Slate, and was a columnist for Esquire. He is a 1986 graduate of Harvard University and has a master's degree in English and
comparative literature from Columbia University.
Larry Kasanoff is Chairman and CEO of Threshold Entertainment, Threshold Digital Research Labs and TheThreshold.com and producer of all "Mortal Kombat" media. Formerly president and co-founder with James Cameron of Lightstorm Entertainment, he supervised production of Terminator 2: Judgment Day and executive produced True Lies. In this capacity, Mr. Kasanoff assembled a consortium of worldwide film and ancillary rights distributors who agreed to provide $500 million in financing for the company's films. Prior to the formation of Lightstorm in 1990, Mr. Kasanoff served as head of production and acquisitions for Vestron, Inc, producers of "Dirty Dancing." He executive produced over 25 films and created "prebuy" financing and acquisition deals for over 200 additional films, including the 1986 Academy Award Best Picture "Platoon." In the music world, Mr. Kasanoff has packaged or produced video projects with several of the world's biggest talent, including Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Guns ‘N Roses and Dick Clark. To date, all of the films or film deals made under Mr. Kasanoff's supervision are profitable. Mr. Kasanoff holds an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and a BA from Cornell University.