Kristina Serafim, Director, Verizon Ventures: Kristina joined Verizon Ventures from Verizon’s Big Data and Artificial Intelligence product team. Prior to Verizon, Kristina was a Director at Intellectual Ventures, where she led investments in machine learning, media, advertising, and gaming technologies. Kristina’s entrepreneurial experience includes co-founding and leading two software companies, from their inception to acquisition. Kristina also spent several years on the strategy and corporate development teams at IBM and at NAGRA Innovations. She received an electrical and mechanical engineering degree from Kettering University and an MBA from Harvard University. Verizon Ventures invests in key areas leading the future of connectivity, with one focus being on immersive entertainment, as demonstrated by its recent investment in holographic display startup Light Field Labs and consumer VR platform The VOID and hologram platform 8i. Kristina can elaborate on the immersive experiences available to consumers today, the importance of seeing AR/VR/MR technologies as an additional advancement of human vision and even how it will integrate into the enterprise.

Mike Dee is the President of Sports at Audacy, the #1 creator of original, premium audio content representing an audio universe of discovery and connection. Home to the industry’s most influential collection of broadcast and digital content, podcasts and premium live experiences, Audacy engages over 170 million consumers each month. In this role, Dee has executive oversight of the company’s sports business enterprise with a focus on the company’s relationship with its extensive portfolio of professional and collegiate teams, revenue development from national sales and marketing programs and expanded distribution through both audio and digital initiatives. Additionally, he launched and oversees Audacy Sports, a national digital and broadcast sports platform that sits atop Entercom’s deep roster of leading local sports stations and is fully integrated into RADIO.COM, the fastest-growing audio app in the U.S and the exclusive home for all Audacy content. Prior to joining Audacy (then Entercom) in 2017, Dee served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the San Diego Padres as well as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium. During his time with the Dolphins, he presided over many landmark events, including Super Bowl XLIV. Beginning in 2002, Dee spent eight seasons with the Boston Red Sox, the last seven as the team’s Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure with the Red Sox, the team won two World Series titles and set franchise records for attendance and revenue. He also led the effort to create Fenway Sports Management, which diversified the Red Sox’s interests into other sports including the PGA Tour, NASCAR, collegiate sports and talent representations. Dee actively fundraises for cancer research and treatment and founded the Dolphins Cancer Challenge that has raised more than $27.5 million for the University of Miami’s Sylvester Cancer Center through cycling events. He also serves on the board of Boston’s Pan Mass Challenge, the nation’s largest athletic fundraising event, which has raised over $650 million. Dee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in government and business from Franklin & Marshall College and currently serves as a member of the institution’s Leadership Council.

Ezra Kucharz, Chief Business Officer, DraftKings: EZRA KUCHARZ | Chief Business Officer: Ezra Kucharz joined DraftKings as chief business officer in October 2017. In this role, Kucharz is responsible for DraftKings’ business and corporate development functions, business strategy, international growth, ad sales, strategic partnerships, live events and digital media, further solidifying the company’s position at the intersection of sports, tech and media. He is an award-winning innovator, leader and entrepreneur bringing transformational growth and scale to numerous organizations. Prior to DraftKings, Kucharz served as President of CBS Local Digital Media and Special Advisor to CBS CEO leading large scale organizations throughout his tenure. In this role, Kucharz oversaw online and mobile business across CBS Radio’s 115 stations nationwide and concert business and more than two dozen CBS Television stations. During his tenure, Kucharz’s leadership elevated CBS Local to the number one digital organization in broadcast TV and radio. Kucharz has also held several senior-level positions at NBC Universal, founded one of the first online digital sports media companies, Total Sports, and worked for NASA in their Space Shuttle and International Space Station Medical Operations divisions after serving as an Army Officer assigned to the Armor Branch. Kucharz holds degrees from Boston University, University of Houston and Duke University. Kucharz resides in New Jersey with his wife and kids.

Andrew Schneider is a digital media executive and entrepreneur whose global experience includes launching disruptive products and services into the streaming media, video game, and entertainment markets. With over 20 years of experience in direct-to-consumer entertainment services, he has held leadership roles at FOX Bet/PokerStars, Disney, Sony Pictures Digital, and NBC, in addition to launching multiple startups in the video game space from infancy to acquisition. As head of global performance marketing strategy for Disney+ and ESPN+, Andrew led a worldwide team of growth, product marketing, creative and device partner marketers in driving subscriber adoption, engagement, and retention. He was a key driver of the global go-to-market strategy for Disney+, the unprecedented D2C service at the core of The Walt Disney Company’s digital transformation strategy. Launched in the US, Canada, EMEA and ANZ markets, the platform quickly rose to the number-one downloaded app with over 50 million subscribers in its first 5 months, during his tenure. In 2020, Andrew joined FOX Bet/PokerStars as Chief Marketing Officer a sportsbook and leading poker platform in partnership with FOX Sports. He oversees a global team shaping brand creative, developing talent, influencers and league relationships, driving growth and leads the many integration points with FOX’s media assets to competitively position the company’s products in a high-growth industry. Entrepreneurship is one of the hallmarks of Andrew’s executive pedigree. He has deep experience forming companies, developing products and guiding teams through acquisition. Andrew was co-founder and President of Live Gamer, a leading micro transaction platform servicing the video game industry which was acquired by Autodesk. Later, he co-founded the skill-based tournament platform eSports Hero, building upon the growing popularity of the competitive gaming space. The company was sold to German competitor Challenge.Me. Earlier in his career, Andrew was instrumental in pioneering digital marketing initiatives in support of blockbuster films, hit television shows and multi-platinum selling musical artists for NBC, Sony Pictures and Wind-up Records. He also served as Chief Digital Officer for TEGNA, a leading television station group. A graduate of New York University and the State University of New York at New Paltz, Andrew received his undergraduate degree in mass communication and master’s in interactive telecommunications.

Joshua Spiegelman, Managing Director, Sponsorships & Partnerships, Content+, Mindshare: Josh drives sports and entertainment partnerships for clients across the U.S. He works directly with brands, leagues, media properties, and more to negotiate everything from sponsorship deals to athlete endorsements to product placement, experiential platforms, and governing bodies. Prior to this role, Josh served as Group Category Director for Mindshare’s work with Unilever, overseeing strategic planning for their portfolio of deodorant brands (including Axe, Degree Men, Degree Women, and Dove Women). Before that, he oversaw planning for Unilever’s skincare brands (including Axe, Vaseline, Caress, Suave, Lever 2000, and Ponds). Prior to joining Mindshare, Josh also held roles at PHD and MediaVest. A respected industry thought leader, Josh’s marketing and media insights have been featured in CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Sports Business Journal, and more. He holds a BA in Business Administration and Marketing from Boston University.

Mike Vorhaus, President, Magid Advisors founded the Magid Internet and New Media research and consultation practice in 1995, with AOL and Excite as his first two clients. Mike’s team has completed over 2,500 engagements with over 100 Internet clients. Mike began the Magid Gaming Practice in 2001 with EA and Sony Online as his first two clients. The Magid Game Practice now works with most of the major game publishers. Mike provides research and consulting services to a number of major traditional media companies in regard to their new media initiatives, as well as consulting a number of leading Internet and gaming companies. He has also provided advice to venture capital and private equity firms in regard to investments in the media space. Mike has been involved in strategic and tactical consulting, including the launch of new services and programming, as well as development and implementation of online and offline marketing programs. Mike has also been extensively involved in video and PC gaming strategies for a number of our companies, as well as the development of game concepts. Mike has consulted on a number of film projects such as You’ve Got Mail and The Matrix. He holds a B.S. in psychology and sociology from Wesleyan University and has worked as a fundraiser and transfer of technology officer at the California Institute of Technology and the University of California. Mike also worked for the U.S. House of Representatives, The U.S. Senate, and for two Administrations in the White House.