Boardroom Media (CEO News)
At CEO (Boardroom Media) we track over 1,000,000 startups and over 5,000,000 people who hold key positions in these companies. We use this directory of startups to highlight top employees, founders and board members we think deserve more appreciation than they are currently getting.
This list showcases the top New York based CEO’ operating in the Media and Entertainment space. If you think a CEO’ is missing from this list, feel free to contact our editor on [email protected]
The individuals on this list have been included because of exceptional performance in one of the following categories:
- Innovation – Operating as a key part in an extremely innovative business or startup.
- Growth – Operating as a key figure in the growth and upscale of a market leading business or startup.
- Management – Showing exceptional management skills.
- Societal impact – Putting their business on the map for their positive societal or environmental impact.
Our Data – We source our data from OSINT (open source intelligence) and public directories such as Crunchbase, SemRush and many more. The data from these sources should be treated with a degree of caution and verified yourself.
Heather Hartnett
CEO and Founding Partner of Human Ventures
Heather Hartnett is the CEO and founding partner of Human Ventures, an early-stage venture studio in NYC that backs and builds industry-changing business. Heather has spent her career in venture capital, technology startups, and philanthropy. She was recently featured in Business Insider as “the first female-led startup studio in New York City” bringing a fresh new perspective to the tech scene. Heather also serves on the Leadership Council for tech:nyc. Prior to Human Ventures, Heather incubated companies within a NYC-based venture fund that invests in companies seeking to generate measurable social impact alongside financial returns. Heather leads the Human team with a knack for identifying innate talent, and a track record of building strong, successful early teams.
Follow Heather Hartnett:
About AARP, Human Ventures: Human Ventures is a business creation platform, comprised of a venture fund, studio and enterprise agency.
Tom Shannon
Founder, President & CEO of Bowlmor AMF
CEO Tom Shannon joined Gregg Greenberg of “The Street” to discuss millennials, expansion, and making bowling cool again. “It’s going to be an iconic ad campaign because it’s fresh, unique and legitimate,” said Shannon regarding Bowlmor AMF’s highly-anticipated new ad campaign featuring elite bowler Jason Belmonte.
Follow Tom Shannon:
About Bowlmor AMF: Bowlmor AMF in bowling and entertainment in North America.
Chris Beals
CEO and President of Weedmaps
Christopher Beals is the chief executive officer of Weedmaps. Prior to being CEO, he first serves as the company’s president and general counsel from 2015 until his appointment in March 2019.
Follow Chris Beals:
About Weedmaps, WM Technology: Weedmaps is the world’s first marijuana technology and media brand.
Jaroslaw Gabor
CEO of Bertelsmann
Jaroslaw Gabor is CEO of Bertelsmann Inc., the US headquarters, and CFO of Bertelsmann Education Group. Headquartered in Gutersloh, Germany, Bertelsmann is a media, services and education company that operates in 50 countries around the world. It includes the broadcaster RTL Group, trade book publisher Penguin Random House, magazine publisher Gruner + Jahr, service providers Arvato and Be Printers, the music rights company BMG and e-learning provider Relias Learning. The company has more than 112,000 employees and generated revenues of €16.7 billion in 2014. Jaroslaw Gabor joined Bertelsmann in 2006 as Vice President Mergers and Acquisitions after working in various positions at the energy company Eon and at Deloitte. In the following years he assisted with several of the Group’s large transactions such as the sale of various Direct Group businesses, numerous BMG acquisitions and also the merger of Penguin and Random House to become the world’s largest book publisher. At Penguin Random House he was jointly responsible for the integration of the two publishing groups. In parallel, Jaroslaw Gabor worked on the development of the Bertelsmann Education Strategy and the acquisition of Relias Learning. He currently resides in New York.
Follow Jaroslaw Gabor:
About Bertelsmann: Bertelsmann is a transnational media corporation that operates in about 50 countries around the world.
Steve Stoute
Founder & CEO of UnitedMasters
Steve Stoute has a proven track record of building successful businesses and has garnered significant recognition as one of the most influential brand marketers in the country. As the Chairman of Carol’s Daughter, a Pegasus portfolio company, he has grown the company’s sales by over 15x in under 5 years by expanding distribution and creating marketing partnerships. Mr. Stoute also serves as founder and CEO of Translation LLC, a leading brand marketing firm that creates and executes innovative promotions between Fortune 500 companies and superstar celebrities in music, sports, fashion and entertainment. With a strong focus on the urban and youth markets and multi-cultural consumers, Mr. Stoute and Translation have built programs for Reebok, McDonald’s, Samsung, Procter & Gamble and Target and has worked with celebrities such as Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z and Gwen Stefani. Prior to founding Translation, Mr. Stoute worked with top music artists as an Executive Vice President at Interscope Geffen A&M.
Follow Steve Stoute:
About Translation LLC, UnitedMasters: UnitedMasters is a technology platform that gives musicians an alternative to exploitative record label deals.
Ned Kenney
Co-Founder & CEO of Laughable
Finance/biz dev background + tech nerdery + comedy fanaticism + millennial mandate to ‘do what I love’ –> starting Laughable. If you like comedy or podcasts, you should download our iOS app here: laughable.com/download _ _ _ The evidence is building that we’ve built something special: – 92% of our 275+ reviews are for 5 stars — a higher percentage than that of any other app focused on comedy or podcasts. – Our average user spends 3.5 hours per week listening to podcasts and 25 minutes per week directly engaging with our UI (i.e. tapping, typing, swiping, etc.). – Apple has featured us in the App Store multiple times, including in the ‘New Apps We Love’ section of the App Store homepage, an honor reserved for only a few hundred apps each year out of of more 2m+ iOS apps total. _ _ _ Other Links: – Android users can sign up to be notified when we have an app ready for them: laughable.com/android – We recently announced Laughable 2.0, which allows you to subscribe not only to podcast series, but also to individual artists. You can read more about 2.0 here: laughable.com/blog/april2017announcements – More on our long-term vision for Laughable: laughable.com/blog/helloworld – The ‘Unified Theory of Laughable’: laughable.com/blog/unifiedtheory – My thoughts about the future of comedy and podcasting: laughable.com/blog/nkthoughts16 – An FAQ for podcasters and comedians: laughable.com/artist-resources Instagram: @nedkenney Email: [email protected]
Follow Ned Kenney:
About Laughable: A better way to discover comedians and podcasts
Jonathan Steinberg
Founder and CEO of Cheddar
Follow Jonathan Steinberg:
About Altice USA, Cheddar, CNBC, DropBoxee, SocialGreat: Cheddar is a live video news network focused on covering products, technologies, and services.
Anastasia Leng
Founder & CEO of CreativeX
Anastasia Leng is Founder & CEO of CreativeX.
Follow Anastasia Leng:
About CreativeX: CreativeX is a developer of a smarter visual communication platform.
Don Katz
Co-Founder & CEO of Audible
Donald Katz is founder and CEO of Audible, Inc. Katz was previously a journalist and author for twenty years, writing five books and serving as contributing editor at Rolling Stone and other publications; his work won a National Magazine Award and was nominated for a National Book Critics Circle Award. For his leadership of the company since inception, Katz won the 2004 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for New Jersey. Katz graduated from New York University in 1974, where he studied with novelist Ralph Ellison.
Follow Don Katz:
About Audible, Newark Venture Partners: Audible is an internet provider of spoken audio entertainment, information, and educational programming.
Trevor Kaufman
CEO of Piano
Mr. Trevor Kaufman is CEO of Piano in 2015, based in New York. Prior to becoming CEO of Piano, he was CEO and President of Tinypass. Mr. Kaufman was the Founder of Schematic and served as its CEO. Mr. Kaufman served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Kaufman-Patric of Enterprises (KPE), a successful New York-based Web design and consulting firm backed by Grey Advertising. He served as CEO of The Content Project. He served as Global CEO of Possible Worldwide, where he led global strategy and guided future efforts for the agency’s 1,200 person staff. He is a leading authority on the future of interactive television and a pioneer in Web site design and development, with over a decade of experience overseeing cutting-edge projects for the world’s leading companies, including Microsoft, Disney, Intel, Discovery, Electronic Arts, Sony, CBS, ABC, Accenture, Yahoo!, Panasonic, Comcast, CNN, PBS, Motorola, Fox, AOL, MTV, BMW, Target, Volkswagen, Pfizer and the NFL. He often serves as a consultant to other organizations seeking to ensure the success of their critical interactive projects, including having worked directly with Al Gore on the 1996 Clinton/Gore online campaign, and with AOL senior management on 2005’s global Live8 event. He has been recognized as one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Next Generation,” featuring the 35 top Hollywood executives 35 and under, and one of Newsweek’s “Net 50: The Fifty People Who Matter Most on the Internet.”.
Follow Trevor Kaufman:
About Piano: Piano helps organizations understand and influence customer behavior through one complete platform.
Gary Liu
CEO of South China Morning Post
Gary is the CEO of Digg, a New York based content discovery startup. He joined Digg originally as Chief Operating Officer, leading revenue strategy and operations across all functions. Previously, Gary was Head of Spotify Labs, where he led emerging technologies and new business strategies for Spotify’s global markets. Prior to that, he was Spotify’s Global Director of Ad Product Strategy. Before Spotify, Gary was the Director of Sales Strategy and Operations at AOL (Patch), and was a business and sales operations leader at both Clickable and Google. Born in California, Gary grew up in Taiwan and New Zealand, but has called the US Northeast his home for the past 19 years. He now lives in New York City with his wife Katrina, a pediatric dentist, 2 cats, and a dog. Ironically, he is extremely allergic to animals, and deathly afraid of dentists. Gary holds a BA in Economics from Harvard University.
Follow Gary Liu:
About South China Morning Post: South China Morning Post is an internationally-recognized English language newspaper in Hong Kong.
L.A. Reid
Chairman & CEO of Epic Records
Follow L.A. Reid:
About Epic Records: Epic Records Group operates a recording studio that markets DVDs and videos in jazz and classical releases, as well as rock, pop.
Chandler Tuttle
CEO of Freethink Media
Chandler Tuttle is a partner at Freethink, a digital media company based in New York City and Washington, DC. Tuttle previously served as the Creative Director for the Oslo Freedom Forum, a yearly international gathering of world leaders, journalists, activists and entrepreneurs, described by The Economist as “a spectacular Human Rights Festival, fast on its way to becoming the Davos of Human Rights.” Prior to that, he spent two years as the Assistant to the President at Focus Features before leaving to write and direct the short film 2081, based on Kurt Vonnegut’s acclaimed classic “Harrison Bergeron”. Tuttle currently resides in New York City with his wife and child.
Follow Chandler Tuttle:
About Freethink Media: Freethink Media is a creative media company for the people and ideas that are changing their world.
Chris Albrecht
President, CEO of Starz Entertainment
Chris Albrecht changed the television landscape when he was CEO at HBO, transforming the company from a movie-focused cable TV service into a worldwide leader in original programming and creating such hit series as “Sex and the City,” “The Sopranos,” and “Six Feet Under.” This summer — just after Albrecht reupped as CEO of Starz, which he joined in January 2010 — the company was bought by Lionsgate in a deal that creates a vertically integrated global content platform with one of the largest independent television businesses in the world, a 16,000-title film and television library and a premium pay network serving nearly 25 million subscribers.Previously, Albrecht worked at International Creative Management where he signed and represented comedians including Whoopi Goldberg, Eddie Murphy and Billy Crystal; he also co-founded Comic Relief, which in 20 years raised more than $50 million to benefit the homeless.
Follow Chris Albrecht:
About Starz Entertainment: Starz Entertainment is a provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship.
Bryan Goldberg
Founder and CEO of Bustle Digital Group
Bryan Goldberg is an entrepreneur in New York and San Francisco. He is the founder and CEO of Bustle.com. He previously founded Bleacher Report, and currently advises several startups.
Follow Bryan Goldberg:
About Bustle Digital Group: Bustle Digital Group is a news, entertainment, lifestyle and fashion website that caters to women.
Jared Augustine
CEO & Co-Founder of Thuzio
Jared is the CEO and Co-Founder of Thuzio, and the Founder of Julius.
Follow Jared Augustine:
About Julius, Thuzio: Thuzio is a client entertainment platform for b-to-b sales organizations and professionals.
Lance Johnson
CEO of Recurrent Ventures
Follow Lance Johnson:
About Recurrent Ventures: Recurrent is an innovative digital media company that helps brands to grow, and connect with consumers.
Pete Cashmore
Founder & CEO of Mashable
Pete Cashmore is the founder and CEO of Mashable, the leading source of news, information & resources for the Connected Generation. Pete founded Mashable in 2005 in Aberdeenshire, Scotland when he was 19. His passion for sharing how web tools and social networks were transforming human interactions and reshaping cultures drove him to create Mashable. Always an entrepreneur, Pete has continued to push Mashable to evolve from a tech blog to a global media company built around technology. He leads Mashable’s strategy and his innate sense of the web and its community, are core to the company’s operations and future growth. He has been described as the “Sage of Media” and considered one of the most influential voices of his generation– on and offline. Pete was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2012. He was featured on Forbes 30 under 30 list, named one of Ad Age’s 2011 influencers, and was named a Young Global Leader by The World Economic Forum.
Follow Pete Cashmore:
About Mashable: Mashable is a media company for the connected generation and voice of digital culture.
Robert Bakish
President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom
Bob Bakish is president and CEO of Viacom, home to global entertainment brands including Paramount Pictures, MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, and BET, and the leading free-streaming TV service in the U.S., Pluto TV. In August 2019, Viacom and CBS announced an agreement to merge. Upon completion, Bakish will become president and CEO of the combined company, ViacomCBS. He was appointed to his current role in 2016 after leading Viacom International Media Networks since 2007. In this position, he doubled revenues and guided a significant expansion of the company’s international footprint. He joined Viacom in 1997 after serving as a partner with Booz Allen & Hamilton. A graduate of Columbia’s business and engineering schools, Bakish is on the boards of both and is a director on the board of AVID Technologies.
Follow Robert Bakish:
About Viacom, ViacomCBS: Viacom is an American media conglomerate specializing in cable, satellite television networks, and cinema.
Justin David Blau
CEO & Co-Founder of Royal
Justin David Blau, better known by his stage name 3LAU, is an American DJ and electronic dance music producer.
Follow Justin David Blau:
About Royal: Royal is a developer of an NFT-based music platform used to allow buy ownership in songs.
Paul Budnitz
Founder & CEO of Superplastic
PAUL BUDNITZ is an American entrepreneur, artist, designer, filmmaker, photographer, author, and database programmer. He has founded over a dozen companies including the world’s top animated celebrity & synthetic media brand Superplastic, art toy brand Kidrobot, luxury bicycle manufacturer Budnitz Bicycles, and Ello, the social network for creators. Budnitz’ designs appear in permanent collection of MoMA, and his films have won awards worldwide. He wrote backend software that runs most of his companies, is the author of four books, and lectures on creativity worldwide. Budnitz studied art Yale University and lives in Burlington, Vermont.
Follow Paul Budnitz:
About Budnitz Bicycles, Ello, Superplastic, Superplastic: Superplastic is a character-based product and entertainment company that creates limited edition art toys, apparel, games, and animation.
Emery Wells
CEO of Frame.io
Emery Wells is the CEO of Frame.io from Feb 2014.
Follow Emery Wells:
About Frame.io: Frame.io is a cloud-based video collaboration platform that allows users to upload source media and assets into private workspaces.
Steve Martocci
Chief Executive Officer of Splice
Steve Martocci is a co-founder of Splice, a technology platform for music creators which streamlines the fragmented process of creating and sharing music, freeing musicians to spend their time and energy on the creative process. Previously he was a co-founder of GroupMe, a group messaging service that in August 2011 was acquired by Skype, which was subsequently acquired by Microsoft in October 2011. Prior to GroupMe, Steve was a lead software engineer at Gilt Groupe and founded Sympact Technologies and Bandwith.us. Steve helps lead SummerQAmp, a nationwide initiative to create tech jobs for American youth and train a new workforce in high-tech skills. Steve is actively involved in the New York tech startup scene, serving as a Techstars mentor, onSwipe advisor and an investor in companies including Codecademy, SmartThings, TransferWise and Timehop. Steve graduated from Carnegie Melon University in 2004 with a B.S. in Information Systems and currently lives in New York City.
Follow Steve Martocci:
About BLADE, Splice: Splice provides a technology platform for music creators that streamlines the process of creating and sharing music.
Jack Sullivan
CEO of Broadway Video
Jack Sullivan has served as Chief Executive Officer of Broadway Video Entertainment since 2002. Jack joined Broadway Video in 1994. Jack oversees all of Broadway Video’s operations, including the New York based enterprises, production, editorial and ventures divisions and the Los Angeles based primetime television division. Jack began his career as a finance executive for USA Network in New York. He received his juris doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law and his undergraduate degree in business administration from Tulane University.
Follow Jack Sullivan:
About Broadway Video: Broadway Video has grown into an independent studio that produces and distributes original comedic content for every platform.
Greg Maffei
President & CEO of Liberty Media
Greg Maffei is the President and CEO at Liberty Media.
Follow Greg Maffei:
About Liberty Broadband, Liberty Media, Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings Inc, Qurate Retail, Qurate Retail: Liberty Media operates in the video and online commerce, media, communications, and entertainment businesses.
Alex Blumberg
Co-Founder and CEO and Podcast Businessman of Gimlet Media
Alex Blumberg is a CO-Founder and CEO and Podcast Businessman at Gimlet Media. He received a B.A. from Oberlin College and is currently an adjunct professor of journalism at Columbia University. From 1999-2014 he was the producer for the public radio show This American Life and his stories were regularly featured on the show. From 2007-2014 he was the executive producer of the television version of This American Life. Prior to This American Life, he worked as a freelance radio reporter, contributing to This American Life, the Savvy Traveller and Chicago Public Radio. In 2008 he collaborated with National Public Radio economics correspondent Adam Davidson to co-host the Planet Money podcast, which posts new episodes twice weekly. In August 2014, he started Gimlet Media along with Matthew Lieber. Initially pitched as the American Podcasting Corporation (APC), Gimlet Media is a podcasting business. Blumberg documented the startup process in the first season of a podcast hosted on Gimlet Media, titled StartUp. The second season follows “Dating Ring”, another startup company. Apart from StartUp, Gimlet Media has launched several other podcasts, including Mystery Show, Surprisingly Awesome, and Reply All. The company has raised $1.5 million in seed funding. After raising most of its initial capital from investment firms Betaworks, Lowercase Capital, and Knight Enterprise Fund, Gimlet invited the listeners of its shows to help raise the last $200,000 through crowdfunding platform Alphaworks. In December 2015, Gimlet closed a Series A round of funding that raised $6 million at a $30 million valuation.
Follow Alex Blumberg:
About Gimlet Media: Gimlet Media is a developer of a digital media network platform that focuses on producing quality narrative podcasts.
Ryan Star
CEO & Co-Founder ,Recording Artist of Stationhead
Ryan Star is the CEO & Co-Founder ,Recording Artist at STATIONHEAD.
Follow Ryan Star:
About Stationhead, Stationhead: A social radio platform for hosts, listeners, and friends to connect with music streaming and live talk.
Matteo Petrelli
Co-Founder & CEO of Exeest
Follow Matteo Petrelli:
About Exeest, Vicker: Exeest is a B2B digital market for premium Film, TV, and digital content that provides an integrated experience from discovery to delivery.
Brad Smith
Founder & CEO of Simplecast
Brad Smith joined Simplecast as Founder & CEO in 2016. Brad Smith is an entrepreneur and professional daydreamer, who splits his time between the concrete jungle of Manhattan and the foothills of the much-less-anxious Catskill Mountains. Brad is the founder and CEO of Audios Ventures, the home of Simplecast; a podcasting platform empowering audio creators with the tools they need to share their stories, evolve their craft, and connect with a world of listeners. He has dedicated his career to supporting creators. Brad is the founder of content incubator, Wayward Wild, the publisher of The Great Discontent magazine, and founder of Virb, a DIY website builder for creatives which was acquired by GoDaddy in 2013. Brad is survived by a pair of running shoes, several books he never published, and more Post-it™ pads than any human should ever own. He is available select speaking engagements, friendship, and dinner. Always dinner.
Follow Brad Smith:
About Simplecast: Simplecast is a podcast management platform for creators to publish and distribute podcasts and subsequently analyze how they are consumed.
Ross Clark
CEO & Co-Founder of Sanctuary
Ross Clark currently works as the CEO and Co-Founder for Sanctuary. He previously worked at EPIX as the Senior Vice President.
Follow Ross Clark:
About Sanctuary: Sanctuary is a mystical products and services company that provides illuminating experiences to millennials.
Michael Chow
Founder & CEO of Dart Technologies
Follow Michael Chow:
About Dart Technologies: Passenger In-Vehicle Infotainment for Connected and Autonomous Mobility
E.J. Klein
CEO, Founder of MolQ Entertainment
E.J. Klein is CEO/Founder of MolQ Entertainment, Inc., an American Entertainment Company that provides streaming media and subscription video-on demand online. Ms. Klein is an experienced Chief Executive Officer and Entrepreneur, with a demonstrated history of founding content and tech companies. Earlier in her career, Ms. Klein worked as a senior sales and marketing executive in the cable and telecommunications industry. Ms. Klein held the senior executive positions of Vice President of National Affiliate Sales at Universal Music Group, Vice President of National Affiliate Sales at the Canadian Broadcasting Company (CBC), Vice President, Eastern Region, ABC/Disney, Senior Director, Affiliate Sales at Scripps Interactive Networks, and Director of Comcast -National Accounts at HSN, Home Shopping Network. In 2010, Ms. Klein founded Klein Media Works, a leading global content distribution consulting company. In 2016, Ms. Klein founded Cloud Force Digital Media, a tech company that builds, distributes and monetizes TV Connected Apps for global content and advertising clients. In 2018, Ms. Klein founded MolQ Entertainment, a global subscription OTT Streaming Application Platform, offering independent film and documentary content and 24/7 global news, music, sports and e-sports TV Networks. Ms. Klein graduated from Smith College in Northampton, MA with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and holds a Masters in Business Administration in Global Management and a Graduate Degree in Digital Marketing from the Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Ms. Klein is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Business and Science at Bay Path University in Longmeadow, MA.
Follow E.J. Klein:
About MolQ Entertainment: MolQ Entertainment is an American entertainment company that provides streaming media and subscription video on demand on line.
JB Perrette
President And Chief Executive Officer – Discovery Networks International of Discovery
Named Chief Digital Officer at Discovery Communications in October 2011, JB Perrette oversees a combined team of more than 300 employees, leads the company’s digital strategy, including Discovery’s U.S. websites, Interactive Technology, Digital Operations and Programming group and digital distribution efforts. He is also responsible for Discovery’s Information Technology services division, Discovery Commerce, including Licensing and Home Entertainment, as well as Footage and Music Services. Prior to joining Discovery, Perrette spent 11 years with NBCUniversal, most recently serving as President, Digital and Affiliate Distribution and Content Distribution Strategy, leading North American distribution of television and film content across digital platforms. He coordinated NBCU’s overall content distribution strategy, and was responsible for NBC’s broadcast network distribution. He also helped launch new digital channels Sleuth, Chiller and Universal HD and played a leadership role in developing the industry-leading digital venture, Hulu. Perrette’s previous roles at NBC Universal included President of Affiliate Distribution, SVP of New Media Distribution; CFO of NBC Universal Cable; and VP of NBC Business Development. Before joining NBC in 2000, Perrette worked for GE Capital, and at CS First Boston in London and Tokyo. Perrette’s industry and civic commitments have included board positions with A&E Television Networks, Hulu, the Peacock Equity Fund and Citizen Schools New York, a non-profit devoted to expanding the learning day for middle school students in low-income communities. Perrette received his BA from Hamilton College and currently resides in New York City with his wife, Amy and their son.
Follow JB Perrette:
About Discovery: Discovery is a multinational mass media factual television company covering science, history, geography, survival, and more.
Stacy Spikes
Founder & CEO of PreShow
Stacy Spikes is the founder and CEO at PreShow. She was the Co-Founder and CEO of MoviePass before that.
Follow Stacy Spikes:
About PreShow: PreShow offers a platform where consumers can earn the ability to see movies in theaters for free.
Isaac Perlmutter
CEO of Marvel Entertainment
Follow Isaac Perlmutter:
About Marvel Entertainment: Marvel Entertainment is a character-based entertainment company engaged in licensing, publishing, toy making, and film production.
Akin Adebowale
Founder, CEO of Blacktag
Akin Adebowale is a founder of Blacktag, a global platform for Black content.
Follow Akin Adebowale:
About Blacktag: Blacktag is a global platform for Black content.
Michael Wolf
Founder and CEO of Activate Consulting
Michael J. Wolf is the Founder and CEO of Activate, Inc., the leading management consulting firm specialized in technology, internet, media, and entertainment businesses. Activate Consulting’s clients include leading companies across the tech and media industry: internet, eCommerce, TV programming, telecommunications, digital publishing, sports, video games, music, mobile entertainment, information, theme parks, hardware, devices, business information, and consumer services. The firm has led major growth initiatives for these companies in areas such as strategy, marketing, acquisitions, new businesses, and technology development. Previously, Wolf was President and Chief Operating Officer of MTV Networks (now Viacom Media Networks), where he was responsible for leading all of the company’s business, finance, sales, operations, technology, and production. Prior to MTVN, he was Global Managing Partner of McKinsey & Company’s Media, Entertainment, and Information Practice. He was McKinsey’s first direct-elect Senior Partner hire, joining from Booz Allen Hamilton, where he founded and led the firm’s global Communications, Media, and Technology Group. He was also a member of Booz Allen’s Board of Directors and Executive Management Team. Wolf served as a Director at Sotheby International (NYSE: BID), Yahoo Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO), and Entercom Communications (NYSE: ETM). He is a graduate of Columbia University, where he earned a BA in International Relations and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Author of the influential THE ENTERTAINMENT ECONOMY: How Mega Media Forces Are Transforming Our Lives (Random House).
Follow Michael Wolf:
About Activate Consulting, Activate Consulting: Activate Consulting helps media and entertainment clients grow faster than the market and smarter than the competition.
Andrew Horn
Co-Founder and CEO of Tribute
Andrew Horn is the Co-Founder and CEO of Tribute.
Follow Andrew Horn:
About Tribute: Tribute is a media platform that makes it easy to create a collaborative video montage that can give as a gift on any important occasion.
Kyra Reppen
CEO of Katapult
Follow Kyra Reppen:
About Katapult: Katapult is a digital entertainment company located at Betaworks in New York City.
Will Dean
Co-Founder & CEO of Electric Gamebox
Will Dean is a Co-Founder of Immersive Games Lab and the Founder of Tough Mudder Inc. Dean came up with the idea for a series of a military obstacle course challenges while completing his MBA at the Harvard Business School. Since launching in 2010, Tough Mudder has attracted more than three million participants worldwide and generates annual global revenues in excess of $100m. In 2017, Dean was made MBE by Queen Elizabeth II for his charitable contributions to sport. He chairs the advisory group for the Centre for Entrepreneurship at Bristol University (his undergraduate alma mater). He lives in London with his wife and two children.
Follow Will Dean:
About Electric Gamebox, Tough Mudder: Electric Gamebox delivers immersive team adventures in the world’s smartest room
Kellee Khalil
Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Lover.ly
Kellee Khalil, an Entrepreneurial Studies Graduate from USC, is Lover.ly’s fearless leader. Kellee started the company after realizing firsthand the inefficiencies of the wedding industry. She moved to NYC, invested her post-grad savings and launched Lover.ly in February of 2012. Prior to founding Lover.ly, Kellee ran Business Development at Be Inspired PR, the leading PR firm servicing the luxury wedding market. Kellee brings a high level of leadership, vision, and a strong understanding of the tech industry, while providing the team with instrumental enthusiasm and support.
Follow Kellee Khalil:
About Engage Media Group, Lover.ly: Loverly is an online media platform and free wedding planning newsletter helping savvy couples plan their dream wedding.
Molly Barton
CoFounder and CEO of Serial Box
Molly Barton is the co-founder and CEO at Serial Box.
Follow Molly Barton:
About Serial Box: Realm is an entertainment company that provides serialized entertainment for readers and listeners.
Manana Samuseva
CEO of Manan AI
I’m an Investor, Media Entrepreneur, Producer, and Partner at CryptoHQ Incubator-Fund, BuroHQ, iLIFT TV, Blockchain Crypto Media, “Women in Crypto” currently living in Manhattan, New York. My interests range from emerging technology, entrepreneurship, venture capital to next-generation media, fashion. I was listed as one of the “Top-100 young entrepreneurs”, “Global Women in the Blockchain”. I have a Master of Natural Science degree in Mathematics and Computer Science, and a Master’s Degree in Advertising with International Marketing, Design, Promotion, and Ph.D. I’m an entrepreneur whose media product includes a successful lineup such as iLIFT TV (2 minutes in an elevator to sell your startup to an investor), Trendy – MTV, connecting CIS-, BRICS-, MINT-, APAC-countries to Global Business. I launched CryptoHQ hybrid-based NYC’s crypto-fund and incubation program with the decentralized, scoring and evaluation of legal MVP, Blockchain Technology and secondary offering market. www.about.me/manana
Follow Manana Samuseva:
About CryptoHQ Fund, Manan AI: Synthetic AI for Multimedia, Metaverse, Web3, Synthetic Voice & 3D Avatars | @BabylonVoice @MetaverseVoice @SummeTimes
C Vijayakumar
Chief Executive Officer of HCL Technologies
C Vijayakumar (CVK or Vijay) is the President & Chief Executive Officer of HCL Technologies, a US$ 6.7 billion global IT services company. Vijay leads HCL Technologies, a team of over 111,000+ professionals in 32 countries helping customers reimagine their businesses as a 21st Century Enterprise with technology at the core. Driving growth and transformation in an age of connected assets and connected experiences, Vijay is responsible for devising a robust strategy, overseeing meticulous execution and guiding enduring partnerships. Vijay joined HCL Technologies in 1994 as a member of the core team that designed and implemented India’s first ever fully automated trading network at the National Stock Exchange. With a strategic vision and global outlook, he relentlessly reinvented himself to emerge as a leader who could span a breadth of technologies and deftly navigate the shifting industry landscape. Most recently, as Chief Operating Officer, he led the company’s strategy to leverage the transformative nexus of forces like Digitalization, Internet of Things, Cloud, Cyber-security and Artificial Intelligence. His Mode 1-2-3 Strategy today serves as the company’s blueprint for serving IT needs of the 21st Century Enterprise. Previously, as President of HCL’s Infrastructure Services Business, he led its exponential growth and market dominance over the years leading up to a contribution of 40% to HCL’s revenues today. As part of the founding team of its wholly owned subsidiary HCL Comnet, he played an instrumental role in building the Remote Infrastructure Management value proposition which is today a multi-billion-dollar market. Over the years, Vijay has held several Technology, Business & Operational leadership positions at HCL and is widely recognized in the industry for his strategic thinking and impeccable execution. He is currently a member of Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council and is on the Steward Board of World Economic Forum’s Strategic Initiative on ‘Future of Education, Gender and Work’. Vijay is deeply invested in promoting sustainable business practices in the communities where HCL operates in, with an emphasis on advancing STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) learning for the youth and is also a passionate champion of the Diversity and Gender empowerment agenda. Known for his hands-on approach, diligence, and deep connect with his teams and the clients, Vijay’s leadership style has been commended in the business bestseller ‘Blueprint to a billion: 7 essentials to achieve exponential growth’ by renowned management guru David G. Thomson. Vijay is a graduate in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from P.S.G. College of Technology, Tamil Nadu, India. Vijay was born in Coimbatore in the state of Tamil Nadu in India.[11] He is currently based out of New York City and Cary, North Carolina in United States.[12] Vijay is married and has one daughter. In his free time, he likes to listen to classical music and read books.[13]
Follow C Vijayakumar:
About HCL Technologies: HCL Technologies is a global IT services company, working with clients in the areas that impact and redefine the core of their businesses.
Michelle McCormack
CEO & Founder of Casting Coin
Michelle M. McCormack is the Founder & CEO Casting Coin.
Follow Michelle McCormack:
About Casting Coin: Booking Cool Models, etc from NYC to LA and Revolutionizing The Production Process.
Andrew Herrera
CEO & Founder of Remezcla
Follow Andrew Herrera:
About Remezcla: Remezcla is a Latinx youth media company that operates as a digital publisher, creative agency, and entertainment company.
Tiffany Kelly
Founder, CEO of Curastory
Sports, entertainment, and news analytics professional with tangible experience in the industry. Fixing social + cultural issues within sports & entertainment is my passion; machine learning and statistical modeling is my toolkit. Educational background in Sports Management, Statistics, Computer Science, and Deep Learning. Personal interests include modeling for social and cultural issues, startups, empowering athletes, public speaking, and mentoring women and minorities in STEM.
Follow Tiffany Kelly:
About Curastory: Curastory allows anyone to shoot and edit high-quality video, monetize shows, and distribute to all of their video channels, 100% free.
Marc Hustvedt
CEO of FBE
Co-founder of Tubefilter. Founding member of the International Academy of Web Television (IAWTV.org) Angel investor, entrepreneur and web television producer.
Follow Marc Hustvedt:
About FBE, Reach Agency: FBE has pioneered the digital revolution for over a decade.
David Bauer
Chief Executive Officer of Distractify
Follow David Bauer:
About Distractify: Distractify creates and covers what’s trending on the internet.
Joe Covey
CEO of Interactivation
Joe Covey is a partner in Interactivation. Interactivation is a holding company owned by Joe Covey and Matthew Davidge. Its focus has been on acquiring and operating TV, education and health companies. Since 2008, we have acquired several businesses. These include: * Med School Tutors is the leading medical school tutoring company that helps aspiring physicians succeed in medical school, on their standardized exams, and beyond. It was acquired in March 2019 and sold to Blueprint Test Prep in October 2021. * The Mag Rack video-on-demand television network, which is available in over 38 million US homes from most major cable and satellite TV operators. Mag Rack was acquired in 2008 from Cablevision. Mag Rack was sold in June 2017 to Grace Creek Media. * The Wellness Network, which is the largest and most comprehensive hospital education TV network with over 2,300 hospital relationships. It was acquired from NBC in 2010 and was sold to private equity fund WAFRA Partners in 2015. * Logicare, a leading hospital patient education software company, was acquired in 2013 and sold as part of The Wellness Network sale to private equity fund WAFRA Partners in 2015. * Concert TV, which is a music performance video-on-demand television network available in over 30 million US homes from most major cable and satellite TV operators. It was acquired in 2009 and was sold to Stingray Music in 2010.
Follow Joe Covey:
About Interactivation: Interactivation acquires and operates media and health companies. Matthew Davidge and Joe Covey founded Interactivation
George Pyne
Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Bruin Sports Capital
George Pyne is an international business executive and founder of Bruin Sports Capital, an investment firm that utilizes private funds to acquire and build the most innovative businesses across the global sports, entertainment, media and lifestyle landscape. Since its founding eighteen months ago, Bruin’s portfolio of companies has grown to include more than 1,000 employees across twenty-four offices in nine countries and spans three powerful core platforms – Experiences & Hospitality, Marketing Services and Sports Media & Technology. Pyne is also Non-Executive Chairman of Courtside Ventures, a venture capital fund launched by Bruin that invests in early-stage technology and media companies with a focus on sports.
Follow George Pyne:
About Bruin Sports Capital, Courtside Ventures: Bruin Sports Capital seeks to invest in companies that operates in the media, sports, marketing, and branded lifestyle sectors.
Gregory Gittrich
Chief Executive Officer of Creatively
Follow Gregory Gittrich:
About Creatively: Creatively connects the creative community through best-in-class portfolios, collaborative features, and opportunities around the globe.
Tony Goncalves
CEO of Otter Media
Tony Goncalves helps AT&T navigate the rapid pace of change in a digital centric world, charged with identifying and assessing new opportunities, setting strategic direction and overseeing capital planning across the company’s consumer-facing video, wireline and mobile businesses. Goncalves has led the strategy behind the company’s entry into OTT with DIRECTV NOW, and its significant evolution toward ownership of premium content. In addition, he oversees AT&T’s joint venture with the Chernin Group in Otter Media, which focuses on streaming video and new distribution models for the younger generation. He serves on the Iona College Hagan School of Business Advisory Board and is a member of the CommonSense Media NY Advisory Council, a nonprofit dedicated to helping kids thrive in a world of media and technology.
Follow Tony Goncalves:
About Otter Media, WarnerMedia: Otter Media provides a mobile and web-based video sharing app that allows users to chat, send video messages, and create video cards.
Francesco Baschieri
CEO of Voxnest
Technology entrepreneur, investor and advisor Francesco Baschieri is the founder and CEO of podcast technology platform Spreaker and President of parent company, Voxnest. In his current role, he is spearheading the growth and development of Voxnest’s comprehensive suite of professional solutions for creating, distributing, managing, monetizing and advertising in podcast content. He holds a Master of Engineering, Computer Engineering from the University of Bologna, Italy and currently resides in New York.
Follow Francesco Baschieri:
About Voxnest: Voxnest develops podcasting technology that helps podcasters and podcast business create, manage, distribute and monetize their content
David Moffly
CEO of Baeble Music
David Moffly is the Founder and Chief Executive of Baeble Music – a leading music video platform. Baeble was founded in 2006 and has produced more than 1,000 original, full-length concert, session, interview, and documentary videos with artists like Sara Bareilles, Mumford and Sons, and Ellie Goulding for it’s exclusive, industry-leading, global video platform. The Baeble Music video platform reaches millions of viewers via the Web, OTT, Smart TVs, Linear Cable, Mobile, and Social outlets. Whether streaming to its 24/7 linear channel or any of its AVOD channels, Baeble is the heart of independent music television, bringing the best artists of today and tomorrow to life via its unique, programming platform. Previously Mr. Moffly founded Creatas in 2000. In his 5 years leading the company, Creatas acquired and integrated a number of creative services and publishing companies to form a profitable, global-growth platform that focused on the creative services marketplace. Mr. Moffly sold Creatas to Jupiter Media in 2005 for 67 million dollars. From 1997 to 1999, Mr. Moffly served as Chief Executive of FPG International, a $40 million operating division of London-based parent Visual Communications Group (“VCG”), a $100 million global distributor of photographic images to advertising, publishing and corporate clients. The company, a subsidiary of $4 billion United Business Media, was sold to Getty Images. David is a graduate of the School of Public and International Affairs at George Washington University.
Follow David Moffly:
About Baeble Music: Baeble Music produces and distributes high quality music programming on its exclusive global video platform.
Kate Brodock
CEO of Women 2.0
Kate is the CEO and Co-Founder at Women 2.0. She’s very heavily involved in issues and projects around women in technology startups and technology investing. Her expertise is in business and marketing strategy, digital marketing, and content production and has had the pleasure of speaking at numerous events such as SXSW, BlogWorld (NWX), and TEDx. She can be found writing on such publications as Forbes and Entrepreneur Magazine. She has also published a chapter on the digital divide in Digital Activism Decoded. Kate was most recently the CMO of untapt, an artificial intelligence-driven tech hiring platform, where she led all marketing efforts for the startup. She is the former President of a large global non-profit focused women in technology and entrepreneurship and Founder and CEO of the Other Side Group. She has also held positions as Director of the W2O Group Center for Social Commerce at the Newhouse School of Public Communication at Syracuse University and Executive Director of Digital and Social Media for Syracuse University, where she was responsible for leading the digital marketing strategy for the University. In her distant past, she spent some time in the startup space in Cambridge, MA, and has worked in marketing and business for companies such as Bose, Ignition Ventures and Priority 5. When she’s not doing all *that* she mentors startups, is a very non-professional athlete, and equally as non-professional musician, can be found outdoors in any weather – skiing, biking, hiking, sailing – loves a good meal with bubbly and good friends, supporting her ex-developer husband with his hops farm, raising two boys, hilariousness and life.
Follow Kate Brodock:
About Chief, Launch NY, The W Fund, Women 2.0, Women Business Collaborative: Women 2.0 is a media & tech company focused on creating an inclusive tech startup space that supports diverse founders, teams and investors.
Peter Low
President & Chief Executive Officer of Ensequence
Peter Low, Ensequence’s president and chief executive officer, has an extensive background in television spanning more than 25 years with expertise in programming and distribution. Before joining Ensequence, Low was executive vice president of cable distribution and marketing for MTV Networks and BET Networks, where he led cable distribution efforts for all 26 of the MTV and BET branded channels. In addition, Low was responsible for negotiating all large distribution agreements and developed the strategy that resulted in the most extensive digital channel launch in the industry. Prior to his position with MTV and BET, Low served as vice president of programming for CableVision.
Follow Peter Low:
About Ensequence: Ensequence provides solutions that enable programmers, advertisers and distributors to create and deploy interactive TV experiences.
Fabrizio Moreira
Chief Executive Officer of The Moreira Organization
Former President of the Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs in Ecuador for two consecutive terms. He currently owns two companies, VIP Music Records and The Moreira Organization. Advisor on business management through the International Initiative Empezar, former representative of the Coordinating Committee for Investment and Jobs in Ecuador for 4 years, former President of the Young Entrepreneurs Committee of the Chamber of Commerce Manta, Partner and Founder of the Association “Youth Open to Society”, as well as ex – Provincial Spokesperson of the Libertarian Movement. Fabrizio Moreira is a former member of the Network of Young Leaders of the Inter-American Development Bank, which has cooperated in complaints and investigations against drug trafficking and contract killings for the Journal El Universo of Ecuador. Former candidate for an Assemblyman dignities of the Movement ONE (A New Option) and a councilor for the Social Christian Party in Manta. Moreira was a promoter of Free Trade Ideas and training activities in Ecuador with the participation of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
Follow Fabrizio Moreira:
About Business 2 Community, Fabrizio, Lifehack.org, The Moreira Organization, VIP Music Records, Young World Leaders: The Moreira Organization operates as a talent management, public relations, and publishes Latin, Urban, Pop and Hip Hop music records.
Jason Kelly
CEO & Co-Founder of Kambr
Jason Kelly is the CEO and Co-Founder at Kambr.
Follow Jason Kelly:
About Kambr: Raising airline revenue performance through Software, Consultancy and Content.
Richard Gelfond
Chief Executive Officer of IMAX
Richard Gelfond has been sole Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 2009 and has been a director since March 1994. Mr. Gelfond served as Co-Chairman of the Company with Mr. Wechsler from June 1999 to March 2009 and served as Co-Chief Executive Officer with Mr. Wechsler from May 1996 to March 2009. From March 1994 to June 1999, Mr. Gelfond served as Vice Chairman of the Company. Mr. Gelfond has also been the Chairman and Non-Executive Director of the Company’s subsidiary, IMAX China Holding, Inc., since May 27, 2015, and has been a director of IMAX China Holding, Inc. since 2010. Mr. Gelfond also serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Stony Brook Foundation, Inc., which is affiliated with Stony Brook University. He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, and serves on the International Advisory Board of the Turkana Basin Institute, a non-profit initiative focusing on field research in the Lake Turkana Basin of Kenya. Mr. Gelfond served as the Chairman of the Columbia Shuttle Memorial Trust Steering Committee, which was established in co-operation with NASA to support the families of the seven crew members of the STS-107 mission of the Space Shuttle Columbia, which came to a tragic end on February 1, 2003.
Follow Richard Gelfond:
About IMAX: IMAX Corporation is one of the world’s leading entertainment technology companies, specializing in immersive motion picture technologies.
Alexander Libby
Founder & CEO of ProductionPro
Alexander Libby is a Founder at ProductionPro.
Follow Alexander Libby:
About ProductionPro: ProductionPro is an entertainment technology company focused on improving creative collaboration in Film, TV, and Theatre production.
Rob Kingyens
Co-Founder, President & CEO of Yellowbrick
Empowering the next generation of talent through globally accessible and equitable programs in partnership with the world’s leading universities, brands, and employers.
Follow Rob Kingyens:
About Yellowbrick: Empowering the next generation of talent to achieve their calling by tapping into passion points
Audrey Napoleon
Co-Founder and CEO of Gostrider
Founder, CEO of Gostrider. Gostrider places Talent in the driver’s seat for their future by monetizing their audiences in a way that is efficient, easy, and most of all, their own. Our business model expands Talents’ franchises while creating sustainable revenue, and supercharging growth. Multi-Platinum, Award-Winning, Electronic Music Producer/DJ with 10+ years of Global Touring, Creative Direction, Brand, and Product Development successfully launching various global Beauty companies and campaigns with notable big name brands.
Follow Audrey Napoleon:
About Gostrider: Beauty brands for the next generation of Creators
Bianca Chen
CEO & Founder of OX3 TV Production
Follow Bianca Chen:
About OX3 TV Production: OX3 Productions is a video production service company.
Ori Segal
CEO and Board member of Snappers Crowdsourced Video
As the application “Guru” of Israel, Ori has a permanent spot on TV, radio, and leading Web news sites that deal in application issues. Ori is a communication and business administration graduate. For eight years Ori held the positions of Director of Business Development and Director of “Entrepreneur of the Year” competition at Israel’s largest accounting firm, “Ernst & Young”. Ori has personal experience in founding and managing start-up companies. Over the years, Ori has worked with the managers of many of the leading companies in the Israeli economy, with the general managers and people of senior positions in public and private companies, with entrepreneurs, businessmen, attorneys, investors, venture capital fund managers, with patent offices and senior academics. Ori also lectures at leading Israeli universities and colleges.
Follow Ori Segal:
About Snappers Crowdsourced Video: Crowdsourced Video Coverage for Media Outlets
Brian Sirgutz
Founder & CEO of Ampathy
As President of Causecast, Brian Sirgutz brings with him an extensive background encompassing the worlds of entertainment, technology and cause-related marketing. In his leadership role with the company, Brian wears multiple hats: strategist, business developer, emissary, ideator, and confidante – all the while using his wealth of experience for the greater good and effectiveness of the organization. With Brian’s guidance and vision, Causecast is positioned to become a powerful mechanism for social good. Prior to his arrival, Brian was an adviser to Textango, a patent pending mobile patent pending mobile billing and content delivery platform. From 2004-2007, Brian served as a representative for the estate of the late multi-platinum recording artist Aaliyah and her family. Brian helped to raise capital for the Aaliyah Memorial Fund, a non-profit organization, whose goal was to support breast cancer, Alzheimer’s and AIDS research and relief. In 2004, prior to his foray into personal management and advising, Brian was a partner with Shawn Fanning (Napster) and producer Michael Beinhorn (Korn, Red Hot Chili Peppers) in forming NoN Records, one of the first labels to start the “360-degree model†for artists. From 2000-2004, Brian was president of Elementree Records, a label owned by Korn and its management company, The Firm.
Follow Brian Sirgutz:
About Ampathy: Ampathy is a proprietary technology company that turns users into philanthropists.
Ken Manning
CEO of OUTPOST TRADE
Ken is the CEO of Outpost, a company that is reinventing interactive and experiential marketing. He came on to help the rapidly growing organization scale its strategy and operations and now leads the business as it expands its events, online media, and the interactive brand agency. Ken has been building companies from the ground up for 20 years. He’s lived on the cutting edge of new tech and agency business areas throughout his career. As a senior executive, he helped launch unicorns Razorfish, eMachines, as well as Acer Online, betterPropaganda, Soundtracker (sold to Sounday), and the charity WeShelter. He also ran Village Roadshow/Canwest JV SCAPE and co-founded and led creative and tech services agencies Radiant and Reimagine, innovators in the mobile marketing and product spaces. Ken studied philosophy and history at Marquette, health sciences at Columbia, and has an MBA from Renesselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). He specializes in scaling agency and tech businesses, product and business strategy, and creative execution. He lives in Manhattan with his wife and two sons.
Follow Ken Manning:
About OUTPOST TRADE: An experiential marketing platform, includes the industry disrupting Outpost Trade Retreats, our brand building agency, and media company.
David Gaines
CEO & Founder of Media by Mother
Follow David Gaines:
About Media by Mother: Media by Mother is an independent creative company that delivers business planning and media execution.
Dan George
Chairman & CEO of YIMBY
Follow Dan George:
About YIMBY: YIMBY is the go-to resource for cutting-edge information on new development.
Rajib Saha
Co-Founder and CEO of Parabole.ai
Follow Rajib Saha:
About Parabole.ai: Parabole.ai offers a software platform designed for enterprise domain learning and machine teaching.
David Kashak
Founder & CEO of Connatix
Follow David Kashak:
About Connatix: Connatix is a next-generation video platform that helps publishers deliver successful video experiences without compromise.
Sujay Jhaveri
CEO & Co-Founder of Flatiron Media
Before co-founding Flatiron Media, Sujay spent 5 years at Beliefnet, the leading online spirituality network. When Beliefnet entered into a Chapter 11 restructuring, Sujay took on the role of President and he helped lead the company through this process converting $25 million of losses into a viable, consistently profitable company. The company grew revenue by 700% over 3 years while always retaining and increasing profitability. He oversaw the sales, marketing, finance, operations and technology groups and led company efforts to build a very profitable e-mail newsletter business (10 million subscriptions) and launched a dating site, Soulmatch. Prior to Beliefnet, Sujay spent 3 years at iVillage where he co-led the revenue group during which time the company grew from $12 million to over $70 million in run-rate revenues. Sujay began his career as an investment banker and a venture capitalist.
Follow Sujay Jhaveri:
About Flatiron Media: Flatiron Media is a leading email and display publisher, targeting female consumers.
Heather Dietrick
CEO of The Daily Beast
Follow Heather Dietrick:
About The Daily Beast: The Daily Beast is an online news source that delivers reports and opinions on politics, pop-culture, world news and more.
Tyler Cooper
Founder & CEO of TheTake
Follow Tyler Cooper:
About TheTake: Artificial Intelligence that Understands Video
Brian Kelly
Founder and CEO of The Points Guy
Follow Brian Kelly:
About The Points Guy: The Points Guy is your go-to source to navigate the ins and outs of the travel world.
Anthony Frasier
CEO of ABF Creative
CEO of ABF Creative.
Follow Anthony Frasier:
About ABF Creative: A multiethnic podcast network that bridges the gap between culture and media.
Matt Crowley
Co-CEO of Studio71
As co-CEO, Matt Crowley leads global media and content revenue management, sales, strategy, operations, account management, integrated marketing and investment. His domestic teams span New York, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Toronto. Crowley previously held the title of CRO and managed Studio71’s sales teams, which are charged with monetizing the company’s premium content across all digital platforms. The sales teams work directly with marketers to target and control placement and brand suitability, via Studio71’s network of creators and channels across all platforms, so that an advertiser’s message aligns with the most contextually relevant content that appeals to their brand’s audience, as seen in last year’s Newfronts Most Memorable Moments, according to Adweek. Crowley’s current oversight spans sales, ad operations, pricing, planning, programmatic, sales strategy and yield to maximize revenue for Studio71 and its content entities. His team has also helped with the development of Studio71’s modern day monetization arm. Tallying over 12B monthly views and reaching over 110M monthly active unique video viewers in the U.S., Studio71 is comprised of 1,400 Channels containing the most watched digital content. Studio71’s content is known to resonate with engaged audiences for the hard-to-reach younger demographics. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, Crowley’s team ensures brand safety of media placement on Studio71’s published content through a product he helped create called Context, which scans audio and visual data via machine-based learning, prior to human review which allows for advertiser assurance of running alongside appropriate content for their brand. Crowley has over 18 years of experience in both the digital and TV sales industries. Prior to Studio71, he spent the first half of his career on the Television side spending time at Discovery as well as A&E Networks selling a wide array of TV properties and products. In early 2010, he joined Hulu and was responsible for selling traditional advertising across the newly created digital video platform. Crowley then helped launch and bring to market Shazam’s mobile TV product, Resonate, which provided a second screen experience for audio enabled TV content and advertisements. Crowley later led AOL’s national video sales team where his focus was dedicated to video product releases, ad revenue, sales strategy and merchandising AOL / Verizon’s differentiated video offering across top holding companies and advertisers. Crowley was responsible for revenue across all video products under the AOL, Microsoft, Millennial Media & Verizon umbrella as well as emerging Verizon video properties. Crowley’s unique background across TV, Digital Video and Mobile Sales makes him an expert in the video landscape. Crowley is based in the Greater New York City area, his teams are based across the U.S. and works closely with Studio71’s global offices in Canada, London, France and Germany.
Follow Matt Crowley:
About Studio71: Studio71 is a leading global media company for digital-first creators and brands.
Ben Lillie
Co-Founder and CEO of Caveat
Ben Lillie is the Co-Founder and CEO of Caveat. He is also the co-founder of The Story Collider.
Follow Ben Lillie:
About Caveat: Caveat is a live event space and publishing company dedicated to refining and experimenting talks, conversations, and experiences.
Jared Feldman
Founder & CEO of Canvs
Jared Feldman is leading the charge on how television networks, content creators, and advertisers are measuring the impact of an audience’s emotional reaction to content. When he founded Canvs in 2014, Jared created a robust qualitative research offering which has become the industry standard for emotion analytics. Thanks to Jared’s continued vision, Canvs was recently named as one of the most innovative companies in measurement by the Advertising Research Foundation and is the trusted measurement partner for clients like Disney, Netflix, Sony Pictures and more. Jared was recently honored on the Forbes “30 under 30” list in the Marketing & Advertising category and was a recipient of a 2017 ARF Great Minds Award.
Follow Jared Feldman:
About Canvs: Canvs AI is a platform for automating emotional insights from your social commentary and open-ended text.
Charles Beckwith
Founder, CEO of Greyland Fireworks Corporation
Charles Beckwith is an executive with extensive experience across the technology, media, design, marketing, branding, events, fashion, entertainment, and non-profit sectors. Great at working with engineers, legal teams, sales and business development, and creatives. Charles emphasizes a dedication to collaboration, planning, preparation, teamwork, and situational flexibility to his teams and co-workers.
Follow Charles Beckwith:
About Greyland Fireworks Corporation, Harmony Mediation Incorporated, MouthMedia Network, The Pod Corporation: Greyland Fireworks Corporation conducts advanced research and development.
James George
CEO & Co-Founder of Scatter
James George is CEO and Co-Founder of Scatter, a company dedicated to defining the emerging language of Volumetric Filmmaking. Scatter creates original virtual reality experience and creative tools. The company’s first virtual reality title Zero Days VR puts viewers in the perspective of the Stuxnet virus on its way to sabotage a nuclear facility in Iran. Zero Days VR was adapted from Alex Gibney’s feature documentary Zero Days, and is nominated for a 2018 News and Documentary Emmy. James is co-creator of Depthkit, Scatter’s first software product, which empowers filmmakers to create their own volumetric experiences using the equipment and workflows they already know from video production. Prior to Scatter, James was a practicing media artist. His work has been exhibited at Museum of Modern Art in New York, The Barbican in London, Ars Electronica, Sundance New Frontier, and Tribeca Film Festival Storyscapes. He was also the first artist in residence at Microsoft Research in Redmond, Washington.
Follow James George:
About Scatter: Scatter brings human likeness into the metaverse. Our software product Depthkit is the most widely used solution for volumetric video.
Dani Pascarella
Founder & CEO of Invibed
Follow Dani Pascarella:
About Invibed: Invibed makes business and personal finance relevant, accessible, and entertaining to millennials.
Sean Cunningham
President and CEO of VAB
Sean Cunningham is the president and CEO of the Video Advertising Bureau (VAB), one of the advertising industry’s leading trade associations. Since his appointment in June of 2003, he first completely transformed the CAB (Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau) from an informational bureau to a direct-to-client television advocacy group with the strategy of presenting the medium’s many investment options dramatically to advertisers and their agencies; then in May of 2015 Sean evolved the CAB to become the VAB, a move that has been extremely well received by the advertising industry. Prior to his role at the CAB and now VAB, his eighteen-year career was marked by several senior management positions with some of the most respected companies in the advertising industry. Cunningham was executive vice president & managing director at Universal McCann in New York. During his tenure, he was responsible for the management of four of the agency’s strategic operating units. He played an integral role in helping to lead the firm during a tremendous period of new business growth. His stint culminated with Universal McCann being named “Agency of the Year” for its 2002 performance by both leading industry trades publications Advertising Age and Adweek.
Follow Sean Cunningham:
About VAB: VAB navigates the data-fueled world through industry-defining insights & custom analyses, addressing challenges, & inspiring conversations.
Justin Havlik
Founder & CEO of HYPE MOB
Justin Havlik is the Founder & CEO at Hype Mob.
Follow Justin Havlik:
About HYPE MOB: Hype Mob is a next-gen sports entertainment, lifestyle, and media company, in the world of action sports, designed for Gen Z.
Brian McCourt
Founder and CEO of The Able Channel
Brian McCourt is the Founder and CEO of The Able Channel.
Follow Brian McCourt:
About The Able Channel: The Able Channel is a streaming & digital health platform that delivers inspiration, information, and innovation for families meeting.
Les Yeamans
CEO and Founder of RTInsights
Les Yeamans is the managing analyst and founder of RTInsights, a senior business and IT/Data community focused on AI, IoT and real-time analytics. Before RTInsights, Les founded ebizQ.net, an Internet portal specializing in the application of critical enterprise technologies including BPM, event-driven architectures, and event processing. Previously, Les started an enterprise software business called ezBridge which was licensed to IBM as the initial code base for IBM MQSeries. Les was also co-founder of the Message Oriented Middleware Association (MOMA). Les has worked extensively as an analyst and consultant for end users and vendors in this growing market. He started his career consulting at Accenture, providing end-user IT solutions.
Follow Les Yeamans:
About RTInsights: Expert-driven web resource that sheds light on the business and technical impact of real-time analytics, IoT, AI/ML, cloud and big data
Sean Hoess
Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Wanderlust
Follow Sean Hoess:
About Wanderlust: Guiding your journey toward a mindful and inspired life.
Steven McBride
Founder/CEO of One Chronicle, Inc.
Follow Steven McBride:
About One Chronicle, Inc.: One Chronicle is a visual storytelling platform.
Jaryd Hermann
Co-Founder, CEO of WECAST.
Optimist, Learner. Founder, Product Manager, CEO (www.mywecast.com). Member of Young Entrepreneurs Council (www.yec.co). Writer for Forbes, Inc Magazine, The Startup, and on my personal blog (www.theunlearnt.com)
Follow Jaryd Hermann:
About WECAST.: A marketplace for on-camera talent with SaaS for hiring and managing talent.
Christy Tanner
CEO of TV Guide
CEO with expertise building businesses that connect with consumers; creating successful mobile, social products; and media business turnarounds. Transformed TVGuide.com and TV Guide Mobile — as an independent digital business unit — into a profitable business with a world-class team, blockbuster products, and strong industry partnerships. Results include the category’s largest smartphone and tablet apps with the most-engaged users, 6 consecutive years of double-digit growth, and an AdAge Vanguard Award for the Watchlist, a personalized, reinvented TV Guide.
Follow Christy Tanner:
About TV Guide: TV Guide is an online entertainment portal covering TV listings, movies, celebrities, photos and more.
Dennis Potami
Co-CEO & Co-Owner of New Project
Follow Dennis Potami:
About New Project: New Project is a full-service design, fabrication, and installation company, specializing in museum and gallery projects.
Paul Greenberg
CEO of Butter Works
Paul Greenberg is an experienced video, content, and technology leader, a three-time CEO, President and General Manager. He is CEO of Butter Works, a digital video agency that works with companies and brands to provide comprehensive partnership in creating, distributing, and monetizing digital and social video. Greenberg has proven success in this field: during his recent role as EVP/GM at A+E Networks, he oversaw the creation of the #1 show on Facebook (50 million views/episode), the #2 show on Snapchat (80 million views), multiple hit shows on YouTube (70 million views), and many successful branded content advertising campaigns, while growing A+E’s overall digital video audience by hundreds of millions of views. Simultaneously, he ran FYI, one of A+E’s cable networks. Similarly, as CEO of CollegeHumor, he grew traffic by billions of views to make the company the #7 YouTube channel while tripling revenue, and as CEO of Nylon, he grew revenue 150% and digital audience 15x year-over-year. Prior, Greenberg was President of SFX, where he closed multi-million-dollar deals with MasterCard, Heineken, Avis, and MTV. As CEO of CollegeHumor, he oversaw three websites, a long-form TV and film production division, and as President, Digital of Time Inc. Lifestyle Group, he ran 10 digital properties, which grew 50% YOY. In 2009, Greenberg was named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s “Top 50 Digital Power” executives as EVP/GM of TV Guide Digital. There, he tripled revenue and grew audience 5x. Prior, Greenberg served as SVP, Global Business Development and Partner Relations at MediaNet, a top digital music provider and was previously VP, Business Operations at MTV.com. He began his career as a sports announcer at 1010 WINS in NYC. Mr. Greenberg is very involved in the New York start-up community as a mentor for TechStars and Entrepreneurs Roundtable. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia College and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.
Follow Paul Greenberg:
About Butter Works: Full-service digital video firm
Brian Camelio
Founder and CEO of ArtistShare
Brian is as a musician, entrepreneur and Grammy nominated producer. Most notably, he is credited as being a pioneer of modern “crowdfunding”. In 2001, Brian founded ArtistShare, the Internet’s first “fan-funding” website which became the blueprint for today’s rewards-based crowdfunding model. In 2004, the first ArtistShare fan-funded release won a Grammy award and became the first album ever to win a Grammy that was not available in retail stores. ArtistShare fan-funded music projects have received 32 Grammy award nominations and 11 Grammy award wins to date. As a pioneer in crowdfunding he has been an invited guest speaker at Judge Business School at Cambridge University, Midem, The Grammy Foundation at NARAS, ASCAP, NYU Law School, Pew Center for Arts & Heritage,The Songwriters hall of fame, The Future of Music Coalition, George Mason School of Law, The Global Crowdfunding Convention and has been an advisor to the Canadian Heritage Copyright Policy Branch as part of their research on copyright reform in Canada. In 2005, he was featured in the marketing book “The Big Moo: Stop Trying to be Perfect and Start Being Remarkable” by entrepreneur and author Seth Godin. He served for 15 years as an adjunct professor at the New School for Social Research in Manhattan, NY teaching courses on music technology, music history and web marketing. Brian is a U.S. Patent holder and advocate of intellectual property rights for creative artists. “But even then, with the world population so huge, placing your endeavor at the forefront of public attention for anyone willing to contribute to, is a purely brilliant idea. That is exactly what was playing in the mind of Boston musician Brian Camelio when he founded ArtistShare, the world’s oldest crowdfunding website for creative professionals, in 2003. Following the immense success of this brave new idea, other websites soon followed suit, and crowdfunding, became a full-fledged industry.” ~ Forbes Magazine, 2016
Follow Brian Camelio:
About ArtistShare: ArtistShare is an online platform that enables artists to share their work and crowdfund their new projects through fans.
Stéphane Reynaud
Co-Founder & CEO of CogniK
Follow Stéphane Reynaud:
About CogniK: CogniK is a recommendation platform that personalizes website and mobile experiences.
Kevin Pham
CEO of WEALLNET
Simplify Our Digital Life
Follow Kevin Pham:
About WEALLNET: Social network, media, news and e-commerce
Michele Amar
Founder & CEO of France Rocks
Follow Michele Amar:
About France Rocks: France Rocks operates an online platform that shares and updates information on music artists and events.
Ara Galarza
Founder | CEO of Eat In Chef
The initial management team consists of Ara Galarza, Chief Executive Officer; Lawrence Laski, Chief Technology Officer. Ara Galarza, CEO | Co-Founder. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: • Head business development, sales and sales strategy for the business • Manage personnel (recruit, hire, train, evaluate, and terminate staff) • Develop and manage annual budget. • Develop partnerships and networks within food, culinary, and technology industries • Make final decisions on marketing and branding initiatives • Oversee daily operations, project planning, and working closely with the CTO. • Manage memberships including establishing and maintaining member and prospective member databases; produce renewal notices; special member mailings.
Follow Ara Galarza:
About Eat In Chef: Enabling professional chefs to make eating at home extraordinary.
Dyllan McGee
CEO & Executive Producer of McGee Media
I just launched a digital video and broadcast initiative, MAKERS: Women Who Make America. The entire project took eight years to get off the ground, which in itself is a Lean In moment, but oddly, not my defining Lean In moment. If someone had followed me with a camera during my college years (thankfully, that didn’t happen), I would have been caught on tape saying, “I’m not a feminist, but…” At the time, I didn’t really know the story of the women’s movement. Yet, I was raised to have it all and be it all and though I’m modest, I have come pretty close to hitting that mark. I have a job that I love, a husband who shares the household chores equally (if not more) and two young boys I get lots of help rearing, but who also have both their Mom and Dad present for most school functions. In many ways, this was just how I imagined it would be. I grew up watching That Girl and Mary Tyler Moore, and I can still recite most of Free to Be You and Me. I spent my early years in New York City never feeling restrained as a woman, went to college, got married, had kids and assumed this is how my life would be and how it has always been. It wasn’t until I listened to the MAKERS stories that I understood where these privileges came from; I was a product of the women’s movement without even knowing what the women’s movement was. As I compared notes with my peers, I realized I wasn’t alone. As much as I was emboldened by my freedoms, I was also saddened that not everyone has been able to realize those same ambitions; the hard work of many women still goes overlooked. I would like to say I embarked on MAKERS for exactly that reason, but the truth is, I embarked on it because I am a filmmaker and I thought it would be a good story. But as the project has come to a conclusion, as much as it has been professionally successful, it has been personally transformative. I realized it’s easy to sit back and believe in change, but not stand up for it; standing up takes effort and risk, and that can be uncomfortable. Shelby Knox, the young feminist organizer, says at the end of the film, “I don’t care if a woman calls herself a turtle and she’s doing pro-equality work—the work is being done.” While she is right, and I agree you don’t have to label yourself a feminist to help women in this world, there is an incredible sense of gratitude I feel towards what these women have done. We ask every interviewee, “Are you a feminist?” The answers are fascinating and complex. But mine is very simple. I’m leaning in and telling the world, “I am a feminist!”
Follow Dyllan McGee:
About McGee Media: McGee Media produces documentary content that uses television, film and digital media in radical.
Jan Umansky
CEO & Founder of Twizted Design
Follow Jan Umansky:
About Twizted Design: Twizted Design is a software solutions company for graphics production in marketing, advertising, media, entertainment and beyond.
Iman Oubou
Founder and CEO of SWAAY Media
Follow Iman Oubou:
About SWAAY Media: SWAAY Media is a media and online publishing company that harnesses the style and glamour of today’s business-minded woman.
Kiryl Sidarchuk
CEO of Oyper
Forbes Business Council Member
Follow Kiryl Sidarchuk:
About Oyper: Oyper creates AI to make social networks and movies shoppable
