10:45 AM - Noon
Session D:
Building Broadband Networks - Reaching Multiple Platforms - TV, PC, Set-Tops, Satellite and Appliances
In Part Two of our day-long workshop on the broadband delivery of entertainment, we will take a closer look at what it means to build and deploy a “Next Generation Media Network.” Many Digital Hollywood attendees are becoming intimately familiar with the constraints of their current Internet networking model, having to face up to the problem of inconsistent performance in the midst of expansion and massive growth. In addition, that digital content must also be deliverable into a wireless, DTV, Broadcast or Set-Top environment. In this session, leading players from the computer and telecommunications industries will present their visions of our evolving networking future. There never is only one solution to a problem, and with a task as large as this one, evaluating various approaches will be fascinating.
Arthur Orduna, Vice President Marketing, Canal+ U.S. Technologies
Graeme Weston, Executive Director Entertainment Division, The Fantastic Corporation
Perwaiz Nihal, CEO, Multicast Media Network
Dan Sheeran, Senior VP Products and Strategy, nCUBE Corporation
Doug Mow, Vice President Product Management & Marketing, Qwest Digital Media
Tony Bawcutt, Group Manager Business Development, Microsoft Digital Media Division
Michael Sepso, founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer, Gotham Broadband, Moderator
Jean-Marc Racine, CEO, Canal+ U.S. Technologies: Considered one of America’s hottest young CEOs, CANAL + TECHNOLOGIES’ Jean-Marc Racine is leading the charge in the successful deployment of the world’s most advanced digital broadcasting set-top box applications for cable, satellite and terrestrial platforms worldwide. Racine relocated from CANAL + TECHNOLOGIES in Paris, France to oversee the development and growth in the U.S. of the MediaHighway digital interactive set-top box middleware as well as the MediaGuard conditional access system. Racine oversaw the successful integration by MediaOne of the MediaHighway and MediaGuard systems, the first Java-based, open interoperable digital broadcasting solutions adopted by a digital Cable operator in the United States. These systems were developed in France by Europe’s largest pay-TV operator, CANAL +, to support the launch of Europe’s first digital satellite platform, CANAL Satellite Numerique. Racine joined CANAL + TECHNOLOGIES in 1997 as a sales engineer. In this capacity he was responsible for supporting the deployment of MediaHighway’s more than thirty interactive applications and MediaGuard on twenty digital platforms in Europe and abroad. Racine was also a key figure in developing CANAL + TECHNOLOGIES’ SYSTEMS to support worldwide broadcasting standards as well as the specifications for more than twenty hardware manufacturers, namely consumer electronics firms manufacturing digital set-top boxes. Prior to joining CANAL + TECHNOLOGIES, Racine was based at ICL (International Computer Limited) from 1993 to 1995. In 1995, he joined the French Research Laboratory at Philips as project manager where he was involved in developing digital TV solutions. Racine attended the Institute of Superior Electrical Engineering in Paris. He majored in Electrical Engineering and earned a degree in mathematics and engineering
Graeme Weston, Managing Director Entertainment Division, The Fantastic Corporation
, USA: Graeme Weston brings nearly two decades of experience in the entertainment and interactive technologies marketplace to The Fantastic Corporation. He is currently serving as the Managing Director of Fantastic’s entertainment division. Most recently, Mr. Weston held the position of Chief Operating Officer at Los Angeles, CA’s Paramount Pictures Classics, the specialty releasing arm of Paramount Pictures. Here, Weston worked to develop business plans and long term strategy to produce/acquire and distribute a slate of eight to ten films per year as well as initiating plans to develop strategic partnerships with distributors in Canada and key European territories. Prior to Paramount Pictures, Mr. Weston served as Vice President of Business Development for Music Television Europe (MTV Europe). To his credit, Mr. Weston Spearheaded MTV’s Europe’s distribution outside limited cable markets focusing on cable, terrestrial and direct-to-home retransmission and broadcast. During his tenure as MTV’s Director of Network Development for both the Northern and Southern European regions, Mr. Weston was recognized for successfully negotiating MTV’s acquisition and lease of TV stations throughout Italy; coordinating MTV launches on cable networks throughout Scandinavia and Finland and negotiating with Greek government officials for 24 hour carriage of MTV on a nationwide terrestrial frequency. In 1990, Mr. Weston co-founded a British company to research and license interactive technologies. He secured a European franchise of Virtual World Centres, now majority owned by Roy Disney’s Shamrock holdings and launched the business in Europe. Mr. Weston has consulted for major media groups around the world including the News Corporation, Phillips and Viacom. While living in Los Angeles, he has been involved in various aspects of the television and film industries working with individual filmmakers and major production companies. Weston holds degrees The University of Pennsylvania, college of Arts and Sciences and the Wharton School or business.Steven L. Canepa, Vice President Marketing Global Media & Entertainment Industry, IBM Corp.: As Vice President Marketing and Strategy, Global Media and Entertainment Industry, Steve Canepa is responsible for IBM's strategy, market-share, business attainment, industry solutions and product offerings for entertainment, sports, broadcast, cable, publishing and advertising customers worldwide. In addition to his management responsibilities, Mr. Canepa has participated in the structuring and negotiation of numerous consulting, services, product and partner agreements; leading the development of IBM's Global Media and Entertainment solutions business from startup to a profitable worldwide organization with over 250 members. In addition, he has developed the business strategy and plans for two Interactive WWW joint ventures and is a regular speaker at industry events, including keynote addresses at NAB and Broadcast Asia. Mr. Canepa has extensive knowledge of how the application of technology can be used to create value for an organization. He has consulted extensively with many senior executives regarding how they can enable new revenue sources, extend their brands, and create value by better managing, distributing and repurposing digital content; gaining better customer insights and knowledge by using interactive techniques -- linking their existing physical goods processes/infrastructure to their digital initiatives. Mr. Canepa joined IBM in January 1983 as a sales trainee in Los Angeles.
Perwaiz Nihal, CEO, Multicast Media Network: Perwaiz Nihal is a 27-year veteran of the satellite and Internet industry. Mr. Nihal's work at IBM in research and development of worldwide broadband networking infrastructures, satellite communications, high-speed cable modems, DSL and other areas led to 13 United States and worldwide patents. Prior to founding Multicast Media, Mr. Nihal served in various management and technical positions at IBM in software and hardware development, product program management and worldwide market development of data compression for the telecommunications industry. Mr. Nihal has served on numerous communication industry committees and has chaired the Broadband Internet Council and XIWT infrastructure committee.
Daniel Sheeran, Senior VP, Products & Strategy, nCUBE: Daniel Sheeran directs product
management for all of nCUBE's product lines, including n4 Streaming Media Systems, VOD Solutions, Ad Insertion Solutions, and IP Video Products. Prior to the nCUBE merger with SkyConnect in 1999, Mr. Sheeran served as Executive Vice President of Product Management for SkyConnect, where his duties included managing product development, product planning, strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions. Previous to joining SkyConnect in 1993, Mr. Sheeran was a senior analyst at Maroon Bells Capital Partners, a merchant bank specializing in emerging telecommunications and software companies. He holds a Masters in Management from the Kellogg School at Northwestern University, and a Bachelor of Science from Georgetown University.Michael Sepso, founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer, Gotham Broadband: Michael Sepso founded Gotham Broadband in 1999 with Rafi Kronzon. As Co-CEO, Michael directs Gotham’s strategic growth initiatives and guides the company in transforming its clients into leaders in the broadband marketplace. Michael is also a prominent voice in the industry, having helped launch several industry organizations that drive toward standardization and foster educational efforts across industries. Before founding Gotham Broadband, Michael was an Internet consultant for media and e-commerce initiatives for clients such as Pearson Television and Apple Computers. Prior to that, Michael developed a film-centric interactive media company where he produced several award-winning promotional Web sites for feature films and network television shows. Michael met Rafi Kronzon while working at Thompson Financial Services in 1994. Five years later, the two formed Gotham Broadband. In addition to being a regular speaker at major industry events, Michael also served as a founding Working Group Chair of the Broadband Content Delivery Forum. He holds a B.S. in Management from Babson College.
Doug Mow, Vice President Product Management & Marketing, Qwest Digital Media
: Mr. Mow is responsible for product management and strategic product direction. He oversees the product planning and development activity for services related to the production, management and distribution of rich media content. This includes digital asset management, digital rights management, e-commerce, media-on-demand, live webcast, and production and creative services. Prior to Qwest Digital Media, Mr. Mow was the VP of Product Marketing and Strategy for Qwest Communications International, Inc. Mr. Mow is a former member of the Board of Directors of the ASP Industry Consortium and is a member of the Advisory Board of the ASP Summit. He has spent twenty years in the high tech industry working for software, consulting and telecommunications companies. He has managed sales, marketing, product development and consulting operations for companies such as Andersen Consulting, Cognos Corporation, Information Builders and Software AG. Past speaking opportunities include but are not limited to, Nextravaganza Conference, VPNCon, Establishing Brand Recognition and Effective Reselling Channels and the Sundance Film Festival.