Workshop
2:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Session A:
Wireless Media - The Next Wave of Delivering the Web
As everyone knows, wireless is the hottest technology in the marketplace. Wireless has obviously redefined the telecommunications industry and now it’s headed into the Internet Appliance and media business. Can wireless effectively deliver video into the home? Will wireless become a significant player in Internet delivery. What kind of content and services will wireless devices be able to reliably deliver and in what time framework? In this session, Digital Hollywood takes it first look at wireless. We welcome the idea as well as its leading practitioners to our workshop.
Fred Johnson,
Fred Johnson, Producer, Yahoo! Everywhere, Yahoo! Inc.
Geoff Katz, Director of Programming, Packet Video
Jonathan L. Prial, Director of Marketing, IBM Pervasive Computing Division
Justin Nesci, Vice President of Business Development, Bolt Inc.
Allan Scott, Business Manager, Wireless Communications, Lucent Technologies
Geoff Pitfield, founder and CEO, Scout Electromedia
Marty Perlmutter, Broadband Specialist, Looksmart, Moderator
Fred Johnson is the Yahoo!“ Everywhere producer for Yahoo! Inc., a leading global Internet media company. As the Yahoo! Everywhere producer, Johnson is one of the driving forces behind the company’s strategy to make Yahoo!’s services accessible to users from any information appliance beyond the desktop. Johnson is fundamental in conceptualizing, creating and managing products and projects pertaining to Yahoo!’s efforts to extend its content to wireless and alternative (non-PC) devices. Prior to joining Yahoo! in June 1998, Johnson served as chief multimedia producer at the San Jose Mercury News Mercury Center (www.mercurycenter.com). In that capacity, he managed teams responsible for implementing all multimedia-based initiatives on the site, including audio, video and animation. He was also responsible for the overall design of the Pulitzer Prize winning Web site. Johnson spent eight years in the United States Air Force and holds an A.A. in Business Management from the College of the Air Force. He also holds credentials in Graphic Design and Digital Media Production and Project Management from the University of California at Santa Barbara.
Jonathan L. Prial, Director of Marketing, IBM Pervasive Computing Division: As Director of Marketing for IBM’s Pervasive Computing Division, Jon Prial leads the channel strategy, marketing communications and worldwide marketing programs for pervasive computing technologies, which extend real-time information and interactive Web-based services to smart devices (e.g. mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), networked vehicles, home appliances). Before his current role, Prial was Director of Integrated Solutions and Linux Marketing for IBM’s Software Solutions Division, with worldwide marketing responsibility for IBM’s cross-platform software strategy and the delivery of integrated solutions. Prial also led IBM’s marketing strategy for Linux. Prial joined IBM in 1978 as a programmer developing communications software products and in 1981 entered the sales organization holding various technical marketing, regional support and managerial positions. In 1990, Prial began marketing IBM's document management products, launching IBM Digital Library in 1995. After working as Executive Assistant to the General Manager of the Software Solutions Division, Prial was appointed Director of NT Solutions Marketing. Prial has a BS in Mathematics and an MS in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Justin Nesci, Director of Business Development, Bolt, Inc.: Justin Nesci has a vast amount of experience in the business and Internet fields. Nesci joined Bolt from E!Online where he served as the Director of Advertising and Partnership Development. Nesci started the New York office for E!Online which was responsible for significant growth of media revenue from 1998 to 1999. Additionally, Nesci was responsible for expanding E!Online's content syndication business through partnerships with theglobe.com, Infoseek and Netscape Netcenter. Prior to his experience at E!Online, Nesci managed business development at 2nd Interactive, an interactive media company for college students, building relationships with Barnes & Noble College Stores and a number of national advertisers including Calvin Klein, Reebok and Apple Computer. Nesci received his B.S. from Brown University.
Cynthia Spence, Chief Marketing Officer, Scout Electromedia – Prominent technology, entertainment and retail marketing executive Cynthia Spence is Chief Marketing Officer for Scout Electromedia, a pioneer in the design and development of wireless product solutions. Ms. Spence will oversees all marketing activities including strategic branding, advertising, promotion and public relations for the company. Cynthia has the unique combination of marketing, fashion, retail, technology and entertainment industry experience. Before joining Scout, Ms. Spence had an impressive career with Intel Corporation where she was Director of Broadcast Marketing, Content Group. In this position, she was responsible for managing all of the company's entertainment studio relationships including positioning the brand marketing messages related to Intel's work across all entertainment mediums. Prior to Intel, Ms. Spence was the Executive Vice President for Apple Marketing and President of CAS Entertainment Marketing, a boutique marketing/advertising agency that supported a niche segment of the entertainment industry. Ms. Spence began her career in marketing at Atari where she was the Director of Promotions and Merchandising. Scout Electromedia is a pioneer in the design and development of wireless product solutions for the global marketplace. The company was formed to create a more dynamic and efficient mechanism for the receipt and utilization of information by the consumer. In that regard, Scout, through a space termed "electromedia," is seamlessly integrating branded media content with a dedicated and powerful wireless device. Scout’s first line of products will be distributed early next year. Offering superior design, voice, and functional characteristics, the product is targeted to active urbanites who have a continual need for current information on the happenings in the cities in which they live. The branded content will merge with the innovative technology resulting in a product with high consumer appeal at a moderate price point.
Geoff Katz, Director of Programming, PacketVideo Corporation: Born in a small log cabin on the banks of the Missouri River in the last half of the 20th century, Geoff Katz, the eldest son of a traveling salesman, currently holds the position of Director of Programming for PacketVideo, Corp. PacketVideo is developing video programming for delivery across digital wireless networks to a wide range of wireless consumer electronic devices: phones, PocketPC, PDA, etc. PacketVideo software adds streaming MPEG-4 video and audio to the wireless device platform. Geoff lives in Topanga Canyon, California, spends part of his time at PacketVideo headquarters in San Diego, California and part of his time in the PacketVideo Programming Division offices in Santa Monica. Prior to joining PacketVideo in January 2000, Geoff was Director of Broadband Programming for Excite@Home where he worked with his team to developed ClickVideo, the personalizable broadband video on demand application for the worlds largest consumer broadband network.