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The Leadership Roundtable: Hollywood - Technology- Brand

The combination of Streaming, AI & Creator Economy are wholly transformative, only equaled by innovation in device, platform & consumer engagement. Welcome to 2026!

Speakers:

Beau Avril, Global Partnerships, Mr. Beast
Samira Panah Bakhtiar, General Manager, Media & Entertainment, Games and Sports, Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Elav Horwitz, EVP, Global Head of AI, Strategic Partnerships and Solutions, WPP

Leslie Shannon, Head of Ecosystem and Trend Scouting, Nokia, Moderator

10 – 10:40 AM: Pacific Time Zone,

Session I, ARIA, East Level 1, Joshua 9

AI & Cinematic Creativity: Approaching its Citizen Kane Moment

Producing cinematic works in AI has arrived. Feature length, maybe not, but the possibilities are amazing. This is the story of creative expert meets tech superpower.

Speakers:

Verena Puhm, Head of Dream Lab LA, Luma AI

Jason Zada, founder, Secret Level

Katya Alexander, Producer/Head of Production, Fable Studios

Larry Cutler, CTO and Co-Founder, Baobab Studios 

John Canning, Director Developer Relations - Creators, AMD, Moderator

10 – 10:40 AM: Pacific Time Zone

Session II, ARIA, East Level 1, Joshua 8

Architects of the Branding & Entertainment Experience:  AI - CGI – XR

Witness the stunning "Artistic Achievements" of Hollywood & the Advertising Industries, transforming imagination, devices and platforms –celebrating the creative spirit.

Speakers:

Elizabeth Kiehner, Global Chief Growth Officer, Nortal, Moderator

Nigel Tierney, Executive Creative Director, Yahoo Design Studio

Kristin Glushon, Executive Producer, Nexus Studios

Karen Kranack, Group Director of Applied AI, DEPT Agency

Dustin Callif, President, Tool of North America

11 – 11:40 AM: Pacific Time Zone

Session I: ARIA, East Level 1, Joshua 9

The Studio • The Network • The Brand • The Agency = A Global Vision

While Hollywood glamour never fades, the traditional silos of studio, networks & celebrity are being reshuffled into Global Brands, Mega Technologies & Global Agencies.

Speakers:

Keith Soljacich,  EVP, Innovation, Publicis Media

Margaret Stohl, #1 New York Times bestselling Author, Beautiful Creatures Series & CEO/co‑founder, Stone Kite

Adam Simon, Managing Director, IPG Media Lab (Tentative)

Sarah Buckler, Chief Executive Officer, Tangible, Moderator

11 – 11:40 AM: Pacific Time Zone

Session II: ARIA, East Level 1, Joshua 8

Monetization Matrix: Brand, Consumer, and Tech - Dynamics of Immersion

A seismic shift in “Monetization” has arrived, activated by the conversion of new technologies, innovative device platforms and unique consumer engagement strategies.

Speakers:

Jennifer Quinlan, Global Managing Partner, IBM iX

Danielle Carney, Head of Live Sports and Video Sales, Amazon Ads

Ty Roberts, CEO, FanTracks; former CTO, Universal Music Group

Albert Thompson, Managing Director, Digital Innovation, Walton Isaacson 

Andrew Klein, SVP, Creative Technology, Publicis Media

Jess Shuraleff, Head of US&C ENT + SMB, Uber Advertising

Travis Cloyd, CEO, WorldwideXR & VP, CMG (Celebrity Management Group), Moderator

1 – 1:40 PM: Pacific Time Zone

Session I: ARIA, East Level 1, Joshua 9

The Creator Economy & Unique Vision: Algos, Analytics & Monetization

The “Creator Economy” has slayed the giant of “Hollywood Entertainment” with a combination of YouTube & a host of Social Media platforms. Let’s explore the Secret Sauce.

Speakers:

Adrienne Lahens, former, Global Head of Operations, TikTok Creator Marketing

Joanna Popper, founder, Laurel Beach, Founder, & Co-Founder, SatireAI, Moderator

Additional speakers to be announced

1 – 1:40 PM: Pacific Time Zone

Session II: ARIA, East Level 1, Joshua 8

AI, Cinematic Creativity, Spatial and XR: The Next Level of Innovation

It takes a lifetime of dedication to the “Joy of Discovery” that makes a “Visionary.” We welcome cutting-edge creators, from the tech industry’s best to this roundtable

Speakers:

Charlie Fink, Producer, Podcast Host, Author, Adjunct, Columnist, Covering AI, XR, Metaverse for Forbes

Leila Amirsadeghi, Principal Program Manager, Industry Solutions Engineering, Microsoft

Aaron Luber, Director, Partnerships, Google

Ted Schilowitz, Visionary & Futurist, formerly Paramount Global & 20th Century Fox 

Christina Lee Storm, Governor, Television Academy Emerging Media Peer Group

2 – 2:40 PM: Pacific Time Zone

Session I: ARIA, East Level 1, Joshua 9

An AI Copyright & Data Valuation Conversation: What Comes Next?

As the AI-copyright debate enters its fourth year, legal battles and legislative proposals continue, but a robust AI data marketplace is redefining the "Value of Data.”

Speakers:

Peter Csathy, Chairman, Creative Media, Moderator

Rebecca Grossman-Cohen, Chief of Staff and Head of Strategic Partnerships, New York Times

Emi Wayner, Head of GTM & Strategic Partnership, Global Programs, Google

BT, Producer, Composer, Technologist, CEO, Soundlabs.AI

Dave Davis, General Manager, Protege Media, USA

2 – 2:40 PM: Pacific Time Zone

Session II: ARIA, East Level 1, Joshua 8

Conversational AI & Virtual Engagement: Text/Video/Audio Experiences

Conversational AI has arrived & Virtual Engagement Tools are Being Trained to provide a “Gateway or Interface,” establishing a new and unique connection to the consumer

Speakers:

Lori H. Schwartz, Founder & CEO, StoryTech, Moderator

Jordan Cuddy, EVP, Global Head of Experience, Monks

Kumaran Ponnambalam, Principal AI Engineer, Cisco

Jessica Berger, Senior Vice President, Innovation, Publicis Media

Cristina Lawrence, EVP, Consumer & Content Experience, Razorfish 

4 – 4:40 PM: Pacific Time Zone

Session I: ARIA, East Level 1, Joshua 9

Streaming Strategies: Platform Innovation, Advertising & Brand Loyalty

Millions of viewers, more than ever, are immersed 24/7 with video screens. Big Tech has teamed with media, advertising and Hollywood and a new industry has been unleashed.

Speakers:

Ira Rubenstein, Chief Digital and Marketing Officer, PBS

Adam Waltuch, EVP of Global Distribution and Streaming Partnerships, TelevisaUnivision

Courtney Howell, Head of Agency Development. Samsung Ads

Sara Livingston, Global Platform Strategy and Partnerships, Fandom

Melissa Berger, Chief Solutions Officer, Digitas

Brian Norris, Executive Vice President, Chief Revenue Officer, The E.W. Scripps Company

Mark Kapczynski, President, Storymill, Moderator