OTT Executive Summit Overview
T he OTT (Over the Top) Executive Summit brings together the top minds in the fields of television, film, cable/telecom, and enabling technologies, together with over 40 expert speakers from across the industry, to discuss how OTT is enabling new business models for both traditional Pay TV providers and new innovators. More than 90% of attendees are CEOs or VPs or other senior executives and most are themselves key thought leaders and decision makers. Confirmed attendees include executives from ABC, CBS Corporation, NBCUniversal, Fox, Hulu, FreeCast, HBO, QVC, NatureVision TV, NBC News, Complex TV, HGTV, Design Network TV, Comcast, Verizon, Cablevision, Footprint TV, Intelsat, Rogers, Time Warner Cable, VideoBuster, Rentrak, Theater Streams, DirecTV, Piksel, Christian Broadcasting Network, Rabbit TV, GigaMex, Pilotly, and many others. There is limited space available so please sign up soon to take advantage of the great content and networking during the day. Please direct any questions to OTT Executive Summit President Brian Mahony: bmahony@OTTexec.com, 508-479-7254
The first Summit held in Boston was hailed by a leading analyst as an innovative event "that had the perfect size and format for the topics being discussed, and was very insightful". A senior executive from Verizon called it an "excellent chance to share ideas and insights with an extremely bright, gregarious group... a truly worthwhile, enjoyable, experience. Great job putting this together!" The second OTT Summit in New York was bigger and better, drawing from experts and executives from the media hub of the world. The 2015 reprise of the New York venue will continue the highly informed and interactive discussions, with a few innovations. For example, for 2015 we are adding a "Product SpeedCase" to showcase some cool new OTT products and services.
The OTT Video Executive Summit is like no other conference you have attended. The format is guaranteed to make it highly strategic, educational, and lots of fun. The conference mingles industry executives and experts with a focus group of normal everyday people representing various demographics. In addition to discussions of key industry topics, the OTT Video Executive Summit is gamefied, with the winner being awarded the "OTT Genius” trophy. This conference is sure to be a thought-provoking and fun way to exchange ideas.
Representative Past Attendees
Why Attend?
Speakers
Strategic Panel Discussions
Trender Chats
Winner of the "OTT Genius" trophy
More than 90% of past attendees of the Boston and New York Summits were CXOs or VPs
It was a great event! It had the perfect size and format for the topics being discussed, and was very insightful. Great meeting everyone at the event!
94% of past attendees rated the 2014 Summits 8 ("Exceeded expectations"), 9 ("Loved it"), or 10 ("Amazing!")
Platinum Sponsor
About SeaChange
Enabling our customers to deliver billions of premium video streams across a matrix of pay-TV and OTT platforms, SeaChange (Nasdaq: SEAC) empowers service providers, broadcasters, content owners and brand advertisers to entertain audiences, engage consumers and expand business opportunities. As a three-time Emmy award-winning organization with over 20 years of experience, we give media businesses the content management, delivery, measurement and analytics capabilities they need to craft an individualized branded experience for every viewer that sets the pace for quality and value worldwide. Visit www.schange.com.
Venue
Westin Times Square, New York
- 270 W 43rd Street New York, NY 10036
www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/rates/rate.html?&propertyID=1380&rp=SN:343172
2015 Agenda
June 17th, NYC
7:30 - 8:15Check-In and Networking Breakfast
8:15 - 8:30Welcome
8:30 - 9:15Session 1: 2015 OTT Industry Scan- Assessment of Latest Deals, Strategies, and New OTT Services
2015 is really shaping up to be the "Year of OTT". Every week it seems there is a new product, service, or strategy being announced by both incumbent Pay TV providers and new entrants. Apple TV, HBO Go, Netflix, Amazon, Sony Vue, Sling TV, Verizon, CBS, Orange, Univision, TiVo... the pace of change is accelerating at a dizzying pace. In this session, we'll try to make sense of it all. We'll sort through those developments that are really revolutionary and shaping the industry, and those that earn yawns. We'll start by tackling how traditional Pay TV services are faring-- is TV Everywhere enough? Then we'll discuss if the new disruptors are really going to poach cord-cutters in large numbers-- or will consumers balk when they add up the re-bundled costs? Finally, we'll investigate what key Pay TV features are missing in the new OTT services, and whether they may become barriers to wide-scale adoption.
Moderator: Brian Mahony, CEO and Principal Analyst, Trender Research
Format: Expert Panel (with Trender Panel)
Joshua Snow, Senior Director, Digital Incubation, DIRECTV
Jay Samit, CEO, SeaChange
David Price, Head of TV Business Development, Ericsson
Darren Lepke, Product Line Manager, OTT Applications, Verizon Digital Media Services
9:15 - 9:30Morning Break
9:30 - 9:45Trender Chat #1: Millennials
Moderator: Brian Mahony, CEO and Principal Analyst, Trender Research
Format: Trender Chat
Millenials' video watching habits are unique and they are forgoing Pay TV subscriptions at an alarming rate. In fact, many argue they are the key demographic driving new OTT subscriptions since they not only represent the future, but they can be considered "found money" if traditional Pay TV providers can find ways to entertain them.9:45 - 10:30 Session 2: Millennials: A Driving Innovative Force in the Industry, or Just A Phase?
Millennials are generally defined as a generation born between 1980 and 2000, and therefore came of age amidst the mobile and Internet booms. They are tech savvy, and often difficult to predict how their consumer habits will change as they age. There is no doubt that many board rooms are formulating their OTT strategies with this demographic in mind, but why? Do they really merit all the attention? More than being cord-cutters, they have been labeled "cord nevers", and finding a way to pull them "back into the fold", or create a "new fold", is crucial to the future of the entire entertainment ecosystem. In this session, we'll dig into what makes them tick. What makes OTT a more attractive option for millennials, does it change how they (and others) consume media, and do these trends really have staying power as they get jobs, become home owners, and have families?
Moderator: Jocelyn Johnson, Founder, VideoInkFormat: Expert Panel (with Trender Panel)
Rich Antoniello, CEO, ComplexDavid Wiesenfeld, Chief Strategist, Tru OptikSteve Smith, Founding Partner, Footprint.TV10:30 - 11:15Session 3: How to Build a Robust and Profitable OTT Ecosystem
In this session, we bring together experts across the OTT ecosystem to discuss how to build and deploy a robust OTT service by integrating content, transaction management, analytics, advertising, video service delivery, multiplatform device support, and an engaging user experience. Let's hear from the experts how to maximize customer adoption, what pitfalls to avoid, and opportunities to make your new OTT service go beyond traditional TV to become something better and more profitable.
Moderator: Steve Davi, SVP Software Engineering, SynacorFormat: Expert Panel (without Trender Panel)
Mike Lucero, VP Connected TV Strategy and Products, Ratio
Sefy Ariely, EVP Americas, Viaccess-Orca
Ben McLean, SVP Digital Enterprises, NBCUniversal
Doug Parrish, President, Americas, RR Media
Mark Myslinski, Media Product Dev. Manager, Intelsat11:15 - 11:30Platinum Keynote
Platinum Keynote: "OTT Analytics: Driving Consumer Engagement"
Sud Kaushik, Senior Director of Global Rave Products & Business, SeaChange
Sud will draw from his vast experience at SeaChange and past roles at Verizon FiOS TV, Flexview and StarzPlay, to provide insights on the current status and future direction of the OTT industry. Looking at OTT audience analytics, Sud will help us understand the larger trends shaping OTT viewing behavior.11:30 - 12:15Session 4: You Decide- The Top OTT Technology Trends in 2015
In this session, we'll pick up from our LinkedIn group discussion what we think are the top 5 technology trends shaping OTT this year-- 4K/8K, mobile TV, new methods of audience measurement, growth of Smart TVs, new ad-insertion techniques, social TV, new streaming technologies, HbbTV, DOCSIS 3.1, etc.? What is real, what is practical, and what is just a passing fad, or completely undoable in the near future. You'll help us think through and prioritize the top 5 OTT tech trends for further analysis and publication in the next issue of OTT Executive Magazine.
Moderator: Jim Turner, Head of Market Development, Net2TVFormat: Expert Panel (with Trender Panel)
Chris Walters, CEO, Encompass Digital Media
Martijn van Horssen, CEO, 24i Media
Matt Smith, Chief Evangelist, Anvato
James Norman, CEO, Pilotly12:15 - 1:15Lunch and Summit Keynote
Brian Balthazar, Vice President of Programming and Development, HGTV
Brian will share his thoughts as both a television personality and TV executive with keen insights as to what “works” in today’s fragmented entertainment market. Brian will be talking about how OTT Video, multiplatform television, and interactivity are changing the very nature of how we consume video content today.1:15 - 2:00Session 5: Monetizing Content and Advertising in a Post-Linear, Multiscreen World
This session is all about how to squeeze the most revenue and profit from content and advertising in the rapidly evolving OTT world. What are the best options for optimizing content windows across multiple distribution platforms? What forms of advertising best translate to OTT? How do you mitigate the economic damage of a rapidly crumbling TV subscription bundle as content becomes more a la carte? How do you balance the costs and ROI of licensed versus original content? Is the over-abundance of premium content being produced right now sustainable? We'll tackle these and other key questions facing the industry.
Moderator: James Norman, CEO, PilotlyFormat: Expert Panel (with Trender Panel)
Dennis Nugent, President, Vidillion
Kevin Joyce, Chief Commercial Officer, Piksel
Bonnie Optekman, Founder, Theater Streams
Ed Laczynski, CEO, Zype
Chris Wagner, EVP & Co-Founder, NeuLion2:00 - 2:45Product SpeedCase/ Afternoon Break
During this time, we'll break into pods and meet with the sponsors in the product showcase. In five minutes, each will get a chance to pitch the benefits of their solution. At the end, we'll vote on the "Best of Show".2:45 - 3:30 Session 6: Video Distribution and Quality of Service- Best Practices for Delivering OTT Content Across Both Managed and "Off-Net" Networks
Delivering HD content across networks of various types has evolved from a curious possibility to an economic necessity. In short, the entire OTT industry depends on it. In the best scenario, customers enjoy a seamless experience, a multitude of content options, across a variety of devices without ever thinking about where it comes from or how. In the worst case scenario, customers suffer from a fragmented and disrupted OTT service, thereby stifling adoption and innovation. Also, what impact will net neutrality have? In this session, our experts will share with us the state of the art in video service delivery to ensure the best quality of service for customers.
Moderator: Ben Chodor, EVP, InterCallFormat: Expert Panel (with Trender Panel)
Jean-Michel Planche, SVP Technology, WitbeMark Donnigan, VP Sales & Strategy, BeamrJonathan Shields, Director of Business Development, Limelight NetworksDavid Price, Head of TV Business Development, Ericsson
Kurt Michel, Sr. Director of Marketing, IneoQuest Technologies3:30 - 3:45 Trender Chat #2: The Modern Digital Family
Moderator: Brian Mahony, CEO and Principal Analyst, Trender Research
Format: Trender Chat
Today's digital family is nothing like the days when mom, dad, and kids gathered all together at the same time to watch the same shows. A more current scenario reveals family members in different rooms, watching different shows, at different times, on different devices. You might catch your child ignoring your new 60 inch TV, while she lounges on the couch watching a show from her iPhone 6 with earbuds. And good luck getting everyone to agree on what to watch. What can we learn from them to better serve (and profit from) today's modern digital families?3:45 - 4:30Session 7: Search and Discovery and User Experience in the Age of Disintegration
In this informative session, we'll discuss how to deliver an OTT or hybrid OTT/Pay-TV service using the latest techniques for search and discovery, content navigation, and user engagement. We'll delve into how the very definitions of channels and brands are changing, and ways to improve content discovery and user experience using personalization/recommendation engines, social media, universal content browsers, content sampling, and new types of guides and interface devices. We'll also discuss what role TV apps play, and how they replace or co-mingle with the concept of "channels." Finally, we'll discuss the opportunities and trade-offs of organizing content across multiple forms and devices. Can OTT actually make "watching TV" simpler and more enjoyable, or will it only make it more fragmented and confusing?
Moderator: Rick Howe, The iTV DoctorFormat: Expert Panel (with Trender Panel)
Stephen Johnson, UX Expert, Time Warner Cable
Mike Earle, CEO, AioTV
Jeff Berenson, Principal, ITV Partners
Steve Kasakitis, former VP Advanced User Experience, DIRECTV4:30 - 5:15 Session 8: Battle of the OTT/OVP Platforms
We'll end the day with a friendly battle among the leading OTT/OVP platforms. Rather than being antagonistic, our expert panelists will help anyone planning to deploy an OTT service to differentiate between what is mission critical versus what is just a "nice to have." They will also share some innovations from real-life customer studies and possibly help shape the key requirements for your next OTT RFP. What criteria should you use to choose a platform partner? How much should you expect to be fully productized versus requiring custom development? What third-party integration is required? How well does the platform scale to fit your growing content distribution needs? How important is speed to market? Should you be building "OTT Lite" for now or biting the bullet on an expensive and comprehensive future-proof platform? We'll wrestle with these and other strategic questions to help you decide what is important.
Moderator: Steve Harnsberger, VP Global BD, Imagine CommunicationsFormat: Expert Panel (without Trender Panel)
Daniel Webster, Managing Director, Strategic Services, KalturaAnil Jain, SVP & GM Media Business, BrightcoveWilliam Mobley, CEO, FreeCast/ Rabbit TVMartin Wahl, Principal Program Manager, Microsoft AzureHillary Henderson, Director, Product Management, Clearleap5:15 - 5:30Closing and "OTT Genius" Trophy Presentation
5:30 - 6:30 VIP Happy Hour in Westin's "Bar 10" (invite only)
Spotlight Keynote
Brian Balthazar will share his thoughts as both a television personality and TV executive with keen insights as to what “works” in today’s fragmented entertainment market. Brian will be talking about how OTT Video, multiplatform television, and interactivity are changing the very nature of how we consume video content today.
Brian Balthazar
Vice President, Programming and Development, Scripps Networks' HGTV, DIY Network, and Great American Country
Brian Balthazar is vice president of programming and development for Scripps Networks Interactive’s brands HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country. In this role, he is currently creating, developing and overseeing several new specials, pilots and series on the three networks.
In 2014, Balthazar was co-executive producer of ABC’s popular daytime talk show The View, working alongside Whoopi Goldberg, Rosie O’Donnell, Rosie Perez and Nicolle Wallace and a long list of talented guest co-hosts.
Prior to his work on The View, Balthazar was Vice President of Programming and Executive Producer of Digital content production for AOL.com’s main homepage, where he helped launch the portal’s 24/7 video strategy and content. He was often the host of AOL Spotlight, where he sat down with celebrities in the world of film, television and Broadway for fun, light-hearted laughs – and sometimes intimate insights. His guests have included Jim Parsons, Adam Levine, Aaron Eckhart, Wendy Williams, George Lopez, Jerry Springer, Kristin Chenoweth, Naomi Campbell, Joan Rivers and more.
As director of programming at HGTV in 2008, Balthazar oversaw countless hours of television programming over the next five years. Under his creative leadership, his shows, The House Huntersfranchise, Selling New York, and dozens more, consistently ranked as the network’s highest performing programs each week.
Balthazar was also responsible for launching the wildly popular fourth hour of NBC’s TODAY Show with Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb, serving as the show’s leading creative force. Simultaneously, he was nurturing a side hobby as a standup comic, performing in New York City clubs, and going in front of the camera as a features reporter for NBC-owned local stations as well as United Airlines in-flight entertainment.
Throughout his career, Balthazar has remained closely tied to current events and popular culture, thanks to the launch of his popular website PopGoesTheWeek.com. His mix of quirky humor and reliable journalistic cred made him a frequent guest and expert on entertainment news, pop culture, viral trends and celebrity buzz on many national television programs including The Wendy Williams Show, The TODAY Show, CNN’s New Day and VH1’s I Love The 2000’s and Politics Nation With Al Sharpton, and Balthazar has been interviewed and quoted for newspapers and magazines including USA Today, The Daily News, The Christian ScienceMonitor, US Weekly and more.
Before ‘finding myself’ professionally, I was a singer on a ship, a publicist for a trance medium, an insurance customer service rep, waiter, bartender, activities director, substitute teacher, website programmer, pianist at a camp for spoiled children, and college mascot. None of them worked out. Let’s hope this does.
Platinum Keynote
Sud Kaushik
Senior Director of Global Rave Products & Business, SeaChange
Sud Kaushik is responsible for global product, business and market development strategy for SeaChange's cloud OTT and multiscreen products including the Rave premium-OTT platform. He has deep experience in advanced product development, business and program management with companies including Verizon, Avail/TVN and Dell for massively scaled business-to-consumer content service launches including FiOS TV, Flexview and StarzPlay.
Moderators
Our moderators are thought leaders in the industry.Speakers
Each speaker has been carefully selected to speak authoritatively on the session topic.Trender Panel
At the OTT Video Executive Summit, a Trender Panel representing people from all walks of life will participate in our discussions and in some cases present a specific perspective.Lauren G.
Trender, "Chatty Teen"
I'm an 8th grade middle school student. My interests include singing, student council, and soccer. I like to watch live TV for news, Comcast On Demand, Netflix, and various video sites on my iPhone. My favorite shows are Once Upon a Time and Survivor. I love to play volleyball and hanging out with my friends. I'm an avid reader and writer.Akshay Bhardwaj
Trender, "Social Shark"
I'm a first generation American whose parents emigrated from India. I am currently a rising sophomore at George Washington University down in D.C, studying International Business. My interests include martial arts, running and I am a huge movie buff. My favorite TV shows are Game of Thrones, Walking Dead, and Arrow.Alicia Perez
Trender, "New Vision for Univision"
I am a second generation Spanish speaker who watches both Latin and American TV. I am sociable, and like to network and be on top of what's happening. I watch Univision, Mundo Fox, Telemicro International and Mun 2. I love movies, soap operas, variety shows, comedy, and game shows. My interests include travel, entertaining friends and family, and dancing.Susan Winograd
Trender, "No-Tech Nana"
I am a retired septuagenarian, having been a speech and hearing teacher with the New York City Board of Education for 26 years. I have been married to my first husband, Elliott, two months shy of 54 years and am the mother of two and the grandmother of two. I love to read, travel and be among interesting people.Iliana
Trender, "Aspirational 20 Something"
I’m a 21 year old Suffolk student and am a marketing major with a minor in public relations. I played basketball for Suffolk and loved it. I do not have much time to watch TV due to my busy life, but when I do I generally watch it on an LCD HD flatscreen TV.Jack Underhill
Trender, "Big Brother"
Hello, my name is Jack Underhill and I'm a rising sophomore at Emmanuel College in Boston. Sports that I love to play are lacrosse, baseball and basketball. I love to spend time with friends on the weekends and fishing on the lake. I enjoy watching movies and Netflix with friends and family. I sing and play guitar.Andrea Nelson
Trender, "Multi-Tasking Mom"
Stay at home mom of 4 kids ranging from 17-7. Our family was lucky enough to buy the home of our dreams last year. We live on a small farm with horses, a dog and chickens. My days are spent doing laundry, cooking, grocery shopping, barn chores and kids activities. It is non-stop busy but I love it!Cathryn Sennott
Trender, "Scholar-Athlete"
Hello my Name is Cathryn Sennott. Some of my biggest priorities in life are family, school, friends and sports. In my free time, which I don’t have a lot of, I am usually watching movies, shows, or Youtube videos with my friends or relaxing by myself watching Netflix.Todd Nelson
Trender, "Dutiful Dad"
I am a 40-something busy dad of 4. I work as a real estate agent and project manager of new construction homes. My passions include football, fishing and skiing. I also love spending time at our family’s summer home in Ocean Park, Maine.Brenda Lavinsky
Trender, "No-Tech Nana"
I'm a 74-year-old active mother and grandmother who loves the outdoors and going to the theater, traveling, reading good books and spending time with family and friends .I retired after spending 25 years as a guidance counselor in the New York City public schools .i loved my work and now I love my retirement!Registration
Payment Instructions
Video on Demand (VOD) All Sessions: $249
Streaming the sessions from the last OTT Executive Summit is a great way to learn about the major issues impacting the industry right now. Or gather your team in a conference room and use the insights from our experts as the basis for a training or strategic discussions with your management team.
Your payment will be processed securely via the form to the right. Pay via PayPal or major credit card, or check. After payment, refunds are not available. After registering, enter your email and password at this link "OTT Executive Summit VOD Sessions"
If you have any question please email Brian Mahony (bmahony@TrenderResearch.com. Please join the "OTT Executive Summit" group on LinkedIn.
Your conference... gamefied.
O ne of the innovations that makes the OTT Video Executive Summit unique is the use of gamification to keep the dialogue interactive and fun. How often have we been to conferences where someone stands at a podium and drones on and on, making sure to include every possible buzzword and bit of technical jargon in the presentation. Not here. Though we will have expert speakers and industry executives dispensing wisdom, we'll "keep them honest" by awarding points for good presentations, comments, or predicting how the expert or Trender panels may respond to key questions posed to them. And we'll do it in real-time during the conference. The winner will be awarded the "OTT Video Genius" trophy at the end of the day. Just a small token of the audience's appreciation for being interesting and insightful.
To do this, each attendee must remember to bring a smart phone, tablet, or laptop to the event. We'll make sure you get a good WiFi connection or you can use your mobile service provider. Click this link to join the "OTT Video Executive Summit" LinkedIn group to access content and receive instructions for onsite interaction and "The Game". The rest of the game system will be explained onsite.