The safety, security, and good health of participants at SVG events are our highest priority. SVG is following the directions of our venue partners regarding the status of ongoing events, and we will immediately alert you to any changes. However, for this upcoming event, we will be encouraging all attendees to practice “Healthy Meetings,” with the following common-sense guidelines:
- Stay home if you are sick
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, sleeve, or flexed elbow
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth
- Avoid shaking hands
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
Last year’s SVG Sports OTT Forum at the NYIT Auditorium on Broadway (July 25, 2019).
As the sports video industry enters 2020, the landscape has forever changed. Over-the-top distribution, subscription-based video services as becoming the norm, and the distribution of sports content is facing a whole new set of challenges at a rapidly escalating scale. Join your industry peers as we take these challenges head on at the third-annual SVG Sports OTT Forum. This year’s event will be held on March 10, 2020 at the prestigious Paley Center for Media in New York City.
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
10:00 a.m.: Registration Opens
10:25 – 10:30 a.m.: Welcoming Remarks presented by AWS
10:30 – 11:00 a.m.: The OTT Arms Race: A Snapshot of the Landscape
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Keynote Presentation: Blazing Their Own Trail: The New WWE Network
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: View From the Top: Streaming Sports (and More) in 2020 and Beyond
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.: Networking Lunch
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.: Measure What Matters: Redefining Quality in a Live and SVOD Ecosystem
1:45 – 2:00 p.m.: Technology Case Study Presented by AWS
2:00 – 2:45 p.m.: Dissecting the Tech: The Keys of the Next Generation OTT Stack
2:45 – 3:00 p.m.: Networking Break
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Keynote Presentation: Behind the Stream: Super Bowl LIV In UHD/HDR
3:30 – 3:50 p.m.: On the Frontlines of Content Protection and the Battle Against Piracy – A Featured Q&A with LaLiga
3:50 – 4:15 p.m.: Keynote Presentation: Inside Tennis Channel’s Virtual Channel Programming
4:15 – 5:00 p.m.: Networking Reception
* The use of The Paley Center for Media’s facilities does not constitute endorsement by the Paley Center of any views expressed during this event.
Full Program
10:00 a.m.: Registration Opens
10:25 – 10:30 a.m.: Welcoming Remarks
Presented by:
Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital (click here for audio)
Dan Marshall, AWS, SVP, Worldwide Sales and Service (click here for audio)
10:30 – 11:00 a.m.: The OTT Arms Race: A Snapshot of the Landscape
Click here for audio
What is the current state of the rapidly changing sports OTT ecosystem? Where do the rights live and where is the data showing that consumers are migrating? The experts at Octagon offer a primer to open the day offering you the lay of the land.
Moderator: Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital
Presenter: William Mao, Octagon, VP, Media Rights Consulting Division
11:00 – 11:30 a.m.: Keynote Presentation: Blazing Their Own Trail: The New WWE Network
Click here for audio
The WWE Network is one of the pioneers in the direct-to-consumer video streaming space. Foreseeing the split with Disney Steaming they embarked on the journey of replatforming. How did they do it?
Moderator: Jason Dachman, SVG, Chief Editor
Presenters:
Tracey Arrowood-Shaw, WWE, SVP, Global Strategy and Innovation
Jared Smith, WWE, SVP, Digital Products
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: View From the Top: Streaming Sports (and More) in 2020 and Beyond
Click here for audio
The streaming services are in place. Major live sports rights are on the verge of opening back up for bid. The chessboard is set. From major networks, to streaming startups, and social disruptors, what are the short- and long-term goals in sports for the key players? How is the ecosystem expanding to brings sports, news, and entertainment in the same fold? What does it take to stand out and create a special experience for viewers/subscribers?
Moderator: Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital
Panelists:
Peter Gallagher, Verizon Media, COO
Ben Grad, fuboTV, Head of Content Strategy and Acquisition
Raphael Poplock, Bleacher Report, SVP, Business Development and Strategic Partnerships
12:15 – 1:15 p.m.: Networking Lunch
1:15 – 1:45 p.m.: Measure What Matters: Redefining Quality in a Live and SVOD Ecosystem
Click here for audio
As the streaming wars take shape, how should high-profile streaming services define what makes for an elite streaming experience beyond the basics of start-up times and rebuffering? From peak live events to the management of services in a 24/7/365 world, what KPIs are being prioritized that are having tangible impacts on quality and engagement?
Moderator: Jeff Jacobs, Skyline New Media, Managing Partner
Panelists:
Scott Blomquist, Sony New Media Solutions, VP
Ethan Dreilinger, IBM Watson Media and Weather, Global Client Solutions Engineer
1:45 – 2:00 p.m.: Technology Case Study Presented by AWS
2:00 – 2:45 p.m.: Dissecting the Tech: The Keys of the Next Generation OTT Stack
Click here for audio
As live streaming of major sporting events at scale matures, the gears underneath the hood are continuing to evolve and advance. What’s the latest on the critical pain points in the live streaming/over-the-top distribution stack and what’s to come? Latency. Quality of Experience. Ad Tech. SaaS. Experts from the field explain.
Moderator: Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital
Panelists:
Andrew Crowe, Limelight Networks, Video Architect
Sergey Maliuk, Zixi, VP of Engineering
Michelle Munson, Eluvio, Co-Founder and CEO
David Shapiro, Pixellot, President, North America
2:45 – 3:00 p.m.: Networking Break
3:00 – 3:30 p.m.: Keynote Presentation: Behind the Stream: Super Bowl LIV In UHD/HDR
Click here for audio
Super Bowl LIV was a record breaker with a streaming audience of 3.4 Million (AMA) across platforms. Plus, for the first time ever, FOX produced & streamed the Big Game in Ultra High-Definition (UHD) and High Dynamic Range (HDR). Get an inside look at the technology strategy, implementation, and game day operations behind the biggest day in streaming sports.
Presenters:
Steven Thorpe, Fox Corporation, VP, Video Platforms
Ben Ziskind, Fox Corporation, Executive Director, Live Video Platform
3:30 – 3:50 p.m.: On the Frontlines of Content Protection and the Battle Against Piracy – A Featured Q&A with LaLiga
Click here for audio
One of the most critical issues facing the sports video industry today – and in the future, as the industry shifts to a world of digital delivery – is protecting live content against piracy. LaLiga, the premier soccer league in Spain and one of the top soccer competitions on the globe, is the sports entity thats perhaps been the most aggressive and innovative in its fight to protect its live content. In this featured Q&A, receive an inside look at their strategy and their plans for the near and long term future.
Moderator: Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial Services
Speaker: Juan Rotger, LaLiga, Global Content Protection Manager
3:50 – 4:15 p.m.: Keynote Presentation: Inside Tennis Channel’s Virtual Channel Programming
Click here for audio
With its multiple courts running across multiple weeks, marquee tennis events are an ideal place for the long tail of content to shine on an OTT platform, but packaging all of those productions and signals can be a challenge. Go under the hood at how Tennis Channel Plus OTT builds an elite product of virtual channel programming for its audiences.
Presenter: Jason Justman, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Distinguished Engineer
4:15 – 5:00 p.m.: Networking Reception
Featured Speakers
Tracey Arrowood-ShawWWE, SVP, Global Strategy and Innovation
Jason JustmanSinclair Broadcast Group, Distinguished Engineer
Jared SmithWWE, SVP, Digital Products
Steven ThorpeFox Corporation, VP, Video Platforms
Ben ZiskindFox Corporation, Executive Director, Live Video Platform
Scott BlomquistSony New Media Solutions, VP
Brandon CostaSVG, Director of Digital
Andrew CroweLimelight Networks, Video Architect
Jason DachmanSVG, Chief Editor
Ethan DreilingerIBM Watson Media and Weather, Global Client Solutions Engineer
Peter GallagherVerizon Digital Media Services, COO
Ben GradfuboTV, Head of Content Strategy and Acquisition
Jeff JacobsSkyline New Media, Managing Partner
Ken KerschbaumerSVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial Services
William MaoOctagon, VP, Global Media Rights Consulting Division
Michelle MunsonEluvio, Co-Founder and CEO
Raphael PoplockBleacher Report, SVP, Business Development and Strategic Partnership
Juan RotgerLaLiga, Global Content Protection Manager
David ShapiroPixellot, President, North AmericaEvent Location
25 W 52nd Street
Google Map
https://www.paleycenter.org/
Featured Speakers
Tracey Arrowood-ShawWWE, SVP, Global Strategy and InnovationJason JustmanSinclair Broadcast Group, Distinguished EngineerJared SmithWWE, SVP, Digital ProductsSteven ThorpeFox Corporation, VP, Video PlatformsBen ZiskindFox Corporation, Executive Director, Live Video PlatformScott BlomquistSony New Media Solutions, VPBrandon CostaSVG, Director of DigitalAndrew CroweLimelight Networks, Video ArchitectJason DachmanSVG, Chief EditorEthan DreilingerIBM Watson Media and Weather, Global Client Solutions EngineerPeter GallagherVerizon Digital Media Services, COOBen GradfuboTV, Head of Content Strategy and AcquisitionJeff JacobsSkyline New Media, Managing PartnerKen KerschbaumerSVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial ServicesWilliam MaoOctagon, VP, Global Media Rights Consulting DivisionMichelle MunsonEluvio, Co-Founder and CEORaphael PoplockBleacher Report, SVP, Business Development and Strategic PartnershipJuan RotgerLaLiga, Global Content Protection ManagerDavid ShapiroPixellot, President, North AmericaSpeakers
Tracey Arrowood-Shaw, WWE, SVP, Global Strategy and Innovation
Tracey Arrowood-Shaw is an entertainment executive with extensive experience overseeing industry-leading production and distribution initiatives. These include the launch and re-launch of the award winning and first-ever live linear and VOD OTT WWE Network. Arrowood-Shaw took her experience as SVP of TV and network operations at WWE where she was responsible for the oversight of strategy, planning, content distribution, finances, workflow, and operations of WWE’s television studio and network operations, into her role as SVP of global strategy and innovation. Currently, she is tasked with managing the scale, complexity, and cross-functional collaboration across the WWE to implement initiatives to achieve growth of the company.
Arrowood-Shaw brings over 25 years of experience in the film and television industries. Her storied career has spanned multiple media operations from content acquisition to distribution, network programming, media asset management, the transition to HD capture and broadcast technology, media space construction, re-branding campaigns, and the production of animated films, documentaries, commercials, radio spots, and TV news programs. She volunteers on the board of the Southern Connecticut chapter of Swim Across America, a non-profit organization benefiting cancer research.
Jason Justman, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Distinguished Engineer
As a distinguished engineer with SinclairDigital since 2015, Jason Justman is focused on developing next-generation cloud-based solutions for converged OTT, digital, and broadcast systems. While at Sinclair, Justman has helped architect and deliver digital products to innovate capabilities across all touchpoints of media workflows, with a focus on embracing cloud solutions for both VOD and live workflows. This investment in digital products has allowed Sinclair to bring new tools and capabilities for news and sports production to help deliver the right content, to the right audience, on any device.
Jared Smith, WWE, SVP, Digital Products
Jared Smith is currently the senior vice president of digital products at WWE, where he has been since January 2016. In that capacity, Smith leads digital product development for all digital properties, including the award-winning WWE Network. Previously, he was at AOL where he held roles as general manager of AOL Core businesses, Huffington Post News & Information properties, and AOL’s digital travel businesses.
Smith previously served as general manager of CruiseDeals.com, one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations in North America. From 2002 to 2007, he was the president of iCruise, an online seller of cruise vacation travel and a provider of travel booking technology. iCruise was recognized as one of the Inc. 500 fastest growing private companies in the United States. Prior to iCruise, Smith was a financial analyst at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and Credit Suisse First Boston.
Smith graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in economics and certificate in markets and management. He received a Congressional Proclamation from the U.S. House of Representatives in recognition of charitable work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Steven Thorpe, Fox Corporation, VP, Video Platforms
Steven Thorpe is vice president of video platforms at Fox Corporation where he is responsible for audience-facing video solutions and operations across the company’s portfolio of sports, news, entertainment, and local apps/websites.
Since joining Fox, Thorpe has led an overhaul of the video supply chain and content delivery ecosystem focusing on quality of service and delivering a “better than TV” customer experience. Additionally, he led the launch team in the creation of FOX NOW Live, offering a simulcast of the network’s programming across web, mobile, and living room devices, in what was and remains the only broadcast network to offer pay TV customers in all 210 television markets nationwide a live stream of its primetime entertainment and sports programming.
Prior to his current role, Thorpe worked at NBCUniversal in a variety of positions – including on the NBC.com team responsible for the award-winning iPad app and full episode player.
Thorpe began his career as part of the College Football production team at Fox Sports while attending the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University.
Ben Ziskind, Fox Corporation, Executive Director, Live Video Platform
Ben Ziskind is the executive director of live video platform for Fox Corporation, where he is responsible for audience facing video solutions and operations across the company’s portfolio of sports, news, and entertainment apps/website.
Since joining Fox, Ziskind has led an overhaul of the live video platform focusing on quality of service and delivering a “better than TV” customer experience. Recently, Ziskind led the launch of 4K UHD live streaming in the Fox Sports and FOX NOW apps with the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and NFL Thursday Night Football.
Ziskind holds a B.S. in information & decision systems and human-computer interaction from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.B.A. from USC Marshall School of Business. He has 10 patents and patents pending in the areas of video streaming, digital rights management, messaging, and digital marketing automation.
Scott Blomquist, Sony New Media Solutions, VP
Scott Blomquist is a vice president at Sony New Media Solutions. He leads the engineering program for Ven.ue, the end-to-end white label OTT suite that serves up content ranging from TV and movies to live sporting events to their partners’ die-hard fans. Prior to Sony, Blomquist helped build and run engineering teams at Microsoft and multiple startups.
Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital
Brandon Costa covers the sports video production industry with a focus on live streaming, over-the-top (OTT), social media, and other digital distribution technologies and platforms. He also directs SVG’s internal digital strategies launching the company’s video outfit, ‘SVG On Demand,’ designing and overseeing its mobile application, ‘SVG Mobile,’ and serving as executive producer and host of The SVG Podcast. Costa serves as program director of networking events serving the SVG College and SVG Digital communities. Prior to his time at SVG, Costa spent five years producing digital content for MLB Advanced Media.
Andrew Crowe, Limelight Networks, Video Architect
Andrew Crowe is the lead video architect at Limelight Networks focusing on scale, performance, and stability for delivering the highest quality live and on-demand video for the company’s global customers. He has a broad level of experience centered around video streaming technology encompassing internet content delivery, product development, systems engineering, and DoD projects (UAV video/telemetry and flight simulation). Prior to joining Limelight in 2015, Crowe had software engineering roles at companies such as Volar Video, SAIC, and Siemens. He received his Bachelor of Science from Morehead State University where he now sits on the Computer Science Advisory Board.
Jason Dachman, SVG, Chief Editor
Jason Dachman oversees all aspects of SVG’s North American editorial operations, including the thrice-weekly SVG Insider newsletter and SVG’s annual print publications. A member of the SVG team since 2009, Dachman also serves as program director for SVG’s RSN Summit, Sports Content Management Forum, Sports Graphics Forum, and TranSPORT event. Prior to joining SVG, he spent three years covering local sports for The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, MA and two years on the production staff of SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s The Ron & Fez Show. Dachman began his career in the Sports Information Department at Northeastern University in Boston, where he also earned a B.A. in media communications and cinema studies.
Ethan Dreilinger, IBM Watson Media and Weather, Global Client Solutions Engineer
Ethan Dreilinger is a leader in applying AI to media workflows to enable unique customer experiences. His background was built from the ground up, as he started out in radio/television and learned the content creation side of the business. For more than 15 years, Dreilinger has worked with some of the largest media brands around the world to bring content to customers – no matter what platform they are using.
Peter Gallagher, Verizon Digital Media Services, COO
Peter Gallagher leads customer operations for the Verizon Media Platform. He is also responsible for professional services, customer service, engineering, and digital media operations in the over-the-top (OTT) and TV Everywhere space. Gallagher oversees the professional services organization that designs workflow solutions to address customers’ digital media delivery needs. His team supports the integration of the customers’ content management and storefront platforms with a media platform environment. Gallagher has more than 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry implementing operations that manage the rights and availability of content, solutions, and delivery technologies.
Ben Grad, fuboTV, Head of Content Strategy and Acquisition
Ben Grad is head of content strategy and acquisition of fuboTV, the leading sports-first live TV streaming service. He is responsible for content acquisition strategy, content analytics, packaging, affiliate relations, and contract negotiations with fuboTV’s content partners.
Grad joined fuboTV in August 2017 after a decade at Verizon, most recently as its executive director of content strategy and acquisition. He successfully led the content strategy and acquisition efforts for Verizon with major content providers and sports rights holders, managed financial and strategic analysis for key content-related initiatives at the company, and helped drive the development of Verizon’s multiplatform video offerings.
Prior to joining Verizon in 2007, Grad was head of strategy at Fuse, where he assessed programming and new business opportunities. He was also a member of Time Warner’s Corporate Strategic Planning Group, where he developed and analyzed new digital distribution opportunities for multiple divisions. He previously negotiated partnership agreements and developed strategy with eLabs, Universal Music Group’s digital group.
Grad began his career at Marakon Associates, a strategy consulting firm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Princeton University and an M.B.A. in finance and marketing from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Jeff Jacobs, Skyline New Media, Managing Partner
Jeff Jacobs is the managing partner of Skyline New Media, a sports and entertainment production company which specializes in third party productions, as well as the development and utilization of emerging technologies for content and entertainment. Jacobs draws on his years of experience in television and multi-platform production, in addition to his years in Olympic production and technologies to contribute to the creation and execution of a variety of the company’s strategic opportunities.
Jacobs formerly held various positions at Viacom’s Global Entertainment Group including most recently serving as SVP of production and emerging technologies at MTV: music television. Prior to joining MTV, Jacobs was with NBC’s Olympic Division where he ran much of NBC’s Olympic production operations in Sydney and Salt Lake City. He grew up at NBC Sports, starting out as an intern and later working a variety of roles from stage manager to associate director and production manager of several Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and sporting events worldwide.
Jacobs is constantly on a quest to discover the latest technology enabling new creative heights and elevating levels of production. He is constantly developing strategic alliances with potential broadcast, social, SVOD, OTT, technology, mobile, and digital partners. Jacobs considers executive producing “RE-ACT NOW, Music Relief Telethon” for New Orleans as one of his proudest control room moments and has been able to develop tentpoles and mega-programs like the Video Music Awards from one-night shows into week-long programming events. His work with the NBA in developing the NBA Summer League into a virtual content and innovation lab has earned him accolades from technologists worldwide, as well as his peers.
Jacobs takes pride in the pro-social work he is able to take part in, including MTV’s “A Thin Line” addressing texting abuse among teens and GYT, the “Get Yourself Tested” campaign. He has been quite active with Global Citizen and several non-profit and educational technology groups.
Jacobs is a six-time Emmy Award winner, a Directors Guild of America member, and a member of several advisory boards and non-profit boards, including the Sports Video Group.
Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial Services
Ken Kerschbaumer is co-executive director of editorial services for the Sports Video Group and SVG Europe. He was a co-founder of SVG along with Paul Gallo and Marty Porter in 2005 and has been writing about how sports networks and leagues use video and audio technology to deliver a quality TV experience since 1991. Kerschbaumer began his career in 1991 at Television Broadcast magazine before joining Cahners where he was founding editor of Digital Broadcasting magazine. In 2000, he joined Broadcasting & Cable magazine as senior editor of technology where he covered all aspects of broadcasting, cable, and internet content creation and distribution.
William Mao, Octagon, VP, Global Media Rights Consulting Division
William Mao is VP of Octagon’s Global Media Rights Consulting division. Leveraging IPG and Octagon proprietary data, research, and technology, Mao advises rightsholders, broadcast platforms, technology companies, and the investment community within the sports media space.
A recognized expert on the intersection of sports and digital media, Mao was named “30 Under 30” in sports by Forbes in 2015, and is a recipient of both the SportsPro Media “10 NEXT in Sport” and Cynopsis Media Rising Star awards. He has been a featured panelist at the Intercollegiate Athletics Forum, SXSW, and Sportel, and has guest-lectured at Columbia University and the London Business School. Mao is also a member of Sports Video Group’s Digital Advisory Committee.
Mao was previously VP of digital at MP & Silva, where he brokered foundational media distribution deals for MPS client properties, and advised on event development and brand expansion opportunities for the agency. He has also worked in Content Partnerships for YouTube, where he oversaw the college sports business. At YouTube, Mao developed high-impact digital content partnerships with major rightsholders, broadcasters, leagues, athletes, and multi-channel creator networks on the world’s largest video platform. He originally joined YouTube in Google’s London office, where he reported directly to YouTube’s head of football.
A graduate of the London Business School, where his M.B.A. studies focused on strategy, Mao was president of the London Business School Student Association and led an executive team that managed an annual operating budget in excess of £1 million. Prior to his M.B.A., Mao spent 4 years as a management consultant with Novantas, and held positions with IMG and Masterplan Group International.
Mao completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University, earning a B.A. in psychology with honors. Originally from Los Angeles, he speaks both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
Michelle Munson, Eluvio, Co-Founder and CEO
Michelle Munson is the co-founder and CEO of Eluvio (www.eluv.io), based in Berkeley, CA. The company recently launched the Eluvio Content Fabric, a global software overlay network enabling content owners to manage and distribute ultra-low latency, high quality video (live and on-demand) to consumers and business partners without CDNs – and reduce their reliance on transcoding services, cloud storage providers, and aggregators. Munson previously founded Aspera in 2004 and led the company as CEO until May 2017, including through its acquisition by IBM in 2014. She created the Aspera FASP transport technology, an Emmy-award winning technology used in the digital media supply chain for high-speed low-cost secure digital content transport, replacing satellite and traditional tape-based delivery technologies.
Munson holds several patents and is a frequent speaker in the areas of content networking, machine learning, block chain, and cloud infrastructure. She was recently awarded the 2019 David Sarnoff Medal from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMTPE) for inventing FASP. Munson also received the Charles S. Swartz Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA); was named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by the International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers (IABM); serves as an SMTPE Fellow; and is on the board of directors at Avid. She was the 2019 Kansas State University College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Speaker and the 2006 Alumnus of the Year for the College of Engineering.
Munson holds dual B.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering and physics from Kansas State University, was a Goldwater Scholar for achievement in science and mathematics, and was later a Fulbright Scholar at Cambridge University where she received a postgraduate diploma in computer science.
Raphael Poplock, Bleacher Report, SVP, Business Development and Strategic Partnership
Raphael Poplock serves as senior vice president of business development and strategic partnership for Bleacher Report, the leading sports media brand reaching 200 million millennial and Gen Z fans each month.
Poplock is a core part of the senior executive team, and works closely with Bleacher Report’s CCO Sam Toles to scale the company’s licensing business and collaborate with Turner Sports.
Poplock joins Bleacher Report as it drives more video views and interactions than any other publisher in the sports category, with the brand consistently ranking in the top-10 for engagement across the Instagram and Twitter platforms. He will play an integral role in developing business strategy for the B/R brand, as well as its leading portfolio brands: House of Highlights, B/R Football, B/R Kicks, B/R Betting, and the recently launched B/R Gridiron. Poplock focuses on building upon Bleacher Report’s state of portfolio brands, while also playing a role in diversifying and growing non ad-supported revenue at Bleacher Report.
Poplock joins Bleacher Report from The Players Tribune, where he served as executive vice president of partnerships and business development and head of content. Prior to his role at The Players Tribune, he was the vice president of partnerships and gaming at ESPN, where he led the global partnerships business, seeking to create world-class content and product experiences, while driving incremental revenue to the company.
Juan Rotger, LaLiga, Global Content Protection Manager
A former trademark attorney, Juan Rotger has taken on the important role of overseeing LaLiga content security and protection from live piracy. LaLiga has played a highly active role working with government agencies to ensure the league’s ability to act swiftly when combating piracy during live match broadcasting in a digital ecosystem.
David Shapiro, Pixellot, President, North America
David Shapiro is currently Pixellot’s president of North America. He is the former CEO of Steel Sports and brings with him nearly 20 years of experience in management, coaching, and corporate development in the youth sports arena. In addition to his time at Steel Sports, Shapiro spent 13 years helping build Positive Coaching Alliance, a national non-profit with the mission of developing ”Better Athletes, Better People” and is currently a member of its National Board of Directors.
Keynote Speakers
Tracey Arrowood-Shaw, WWE, SVP, Global Strategy and Innovation
Tracey Arrowood-Shaw is an entertainment executive with extensive experience overseeing industry-leading production and distribution initiatives. These include the launch and re-launch of the award winning and first-ever live linear and VOD OTT WWE Network. Arrowood-Shaw took her experience as SVP of TV and network operations at WWE where she was responsible for the oversight of strategy, planning, content distribution, finances, workflow, and operations of WWE’s television studio and network operations, into her role as SVP of global strategy and innovation. Currently, she is tasked with managing the scale, complexity, and cross-functional collaboration across the WWE to implement initiatives to achieve growth of the company.
Arrowood-Shaw brings over 25 years of experience in the film and television industries. Her storied career has spanned multiple media operations from content acquisition to distribution, network programming, media asset management, the transition to HD capture and broadcast technology, media space construction, re-branding campaigns, and the production of animated films, documentaries, commercials, radio spots, and TV news programs. She volunteers on the board of the Southern Connecticut chapter of Swim Across America, a non-profit organization benefiting cancer research.
Jason Justman, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Distinguished Engineer
As a distinguished engineer with SinclairDigital since 2015, Jason Justman is focused on developing next-generation cloud-based solutions for converged OTT, digital, and broadcast systems. While at Sinclair, Justman has helped architect and deliver digital products to innovate capabilities across all touchpoints of media workflows, with a focus on embracing cloud solutions for both VOD and live workflows. This investment in digital products has allowed Sinclair to bring new tools and capabilities for news and sports production to help deliver the right content, to the right audience, on any device.
Jared Smith, WWE, SVP, Digital Products
Jared Smith is currently the senior vice president of digital products at WWE, where he has been since January 2016. In that capacity, Smith leads digital product development for all digital properties, including the award-winning WWE Network. Previously, he was at AOL where he held roles as general manager of AOL Core businesses, Huffington Post News & Information properties, and AOL’s digital travel businesses.
Smith previously served as general manager of CruiseDeals.com, one of the largest sellers of cruise vacations in North America. From 2002 to 2007, he was the president of iCruise, an online seller of cruise vacation travel and a provider of travel booking technology. iCruise was recognized as one of the Inc. 500 fastest growing private companies in the United States. Prior to iCruise, Smith was a financial analyst at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, and Credit Suisse First Boston.
Smith graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in economics and certificate in markets and management. He received a Congressional Proclamation from the U.S. House of Representatives in recognition of charitable work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.
Steven Thorpe, Fox Corporation, VP, Video Platforms
Steven Thorpe is vice president of video platforms at Fox Corporation where he is responsible for audience-facing video solutions and operations across the company’s portfolio of sports, news, entertainment, and local apps/websites.
Since joining Fox, Thorpe has led an overhaul of the video supply chain and content delivery ecosystem focusing on quality of service and delivering a “better than TV” customer experience. Additionally, he led the launch team in the creation of FOX NOW Live, offering a simulcast of the network’s programming across web, mobile, and living room devices, in what was and remains the only broadcast network to offer pay TV customers in all 210 television markets nationwide a live stream of its primetime entertainment and sports programming.
Prior to his current role, Thorpe worked at NBCUniversal in a variety of positions – including on the NBC.com team responsible for the award-winning iPad app and full episode player.
Thorpe began his career as part of the College Football production team at Fox Sports while attending the Edward R. Murrow College of Communication at Washington State University.
Ben Ziskind, Fox Corporation, Executive Director, Live Video Platform
Ben Ziskind is the executive director of live video platform for Fox Corporation, where he is responsible for audience facing video solutions and operations across the company’s portfolio of sports, news, and entertainment apps/website.
Since joining Fox, Ziskind has led an overhaul of the live video platform focusing on quality of service and delivering a “better than TV” customer experience. Recently, Ziskind led the launch of 4K UHD live streaming in the Fox Sports and FOX NOW apps with the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and NFL Thursday Night Football.
Ziskind holds a B.S. in information & decision systems and human-computer interaction from Carnegie Mellon University and an M.B.A. from USC Marshall School of Business. He has 10 patents and patents pending in the areas of video streaming, digital rights management, messaging, and digital marketing automation.
Scott Blomquist, Sony New Media Solutions, VP
Scott Blomquist is a vice president at Sony New Media Solutions. He leads the engineering program for Ven.ue, the end-to-end white label OTT suite that serves up content ranging from TV and movies to live sporting events to their partners’ die-hard fans. Prior to Sony, Blomquist helped build and run engineering teams at Microsoft and multiple startups.
Brandon Costa, SVG, Director of Digital
Brandon Costa covers the sports video production industry with a focus on live streaming, over-the-top (OTT), social media, and other digital distribution technologies and platforms. He also directs SVG’s internal digital strategies launching the company’s video outfit, ‘SVG On Demand,’ designing and overseeing its mobile application, ‘SVG Mobile,’ and serving as executive producer and host of The SVG Podcast. Costa serves as program director of networking events serving the SVG College and SVG Digital communities. Prior to his time at SVG, Costa spent five years producing digital content for MLB Advanced Media.
Andrew Crowe, Limelight Networks, Video Architect
Andrew Crowe is the lead video architect at Limelight Networks focusing on scale, performance, and stability for delivering the highest quality live and on-demand video for the company’s global customers. He has a broad level of experience centered around video streaming technology encompassing internet content delivery, product development, systems engineering, and DoD projects (UAV video/telemetry and flight simulation). Prior to joining Limelight in 2015, Crowe had software engineering roles at companies such as Volar Video, SAIC, and Siemens. He received his Bachelor of Science from Morehead State University where he now sits on the Computer Science Advisory Board.
Jason Dachman, SVG, Chief Editor
Jason Dachman oversees all aspects of SVG’s North American editorial operations, including the thrice-weekly SVG Insider newsletter and SVG’s annual print publications. A member of the SVG team since 2009, Dachman also serves as program director for SVG’s RSN Summit, Sports Content Management Forum, Sports Graphics Forum, and TranSPORT event. Prior to joining SVG, he spent three years covering local sports for The Patriot Ledger in Quincy, MA and two years on the production staff of SiriusXM Satellite Radio’s The Ron & Fez Show. Dachman began his career in the Sports Information Department at Northeastern University in Boston, where he also earned a B.A. in media communications and cinema studies.
Ethan Dreilinger, IBM Watson Media and Weather, Global Client Solutions Engineer
Ethan Dreilinger is a leader in applying AI to media workflows to enable unique customer experiences. His background was built from the ground up, as he started out in radio/television and learned the content creation side of the business. For more than 15 years, Dreilinger has worked with some of the largest media brands around the world to bring content to customers – no matter what platform they are using.
Peter Gallagher, Verizon Digital Media Services, COO
Peter Gallagher leads customer operations for the Verizon Media Platform. He is also responsible for professional services, customer service, engineering, and digital media operations in the over-the-top (OTT) and TV Everywhere space. Gallagher oversees the professional services organization that designs workflow solutions to address customers’ digital media delivery needs. His team supports the integration of the customers’ content management and storefront platforms with a media platform environment. Gallagher has more than 25 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry implementing operations that manage the rights and availability of content, solutions, and delivery technologies.
Ben Grad, fuboTV, Head of Content Strategy and Acquisition
Ben Grad is head of content strategy and acquisition of fuboTV, the leading sports-first live TV streaming service. He is responsible for content acquisition strategy, content analytics, packaging, affiliate relations, and contract negotiations with fuboTV’s content partners.
Grad joined fuboTV in August 2017 after a decade at Verizon, most recently as its executive director of content strategy and acquisition. He successfully led the content strategy and acquisition efforts for Verizon with major content providers and sports rights holders, managed financial and strategic analysis for key content-related initiatives at the company, and helped drive the development of Verizon’s multiplatform video offerings.
Prior to joining Verizon in 2007, Grad was head of strategy at Fuse, where he assessed programming and new business opportunities. He was also a member of Time Warner’s Corporate Strategic Planning Group, where he developed and analyzed new digital distribution opportunities for multiple divisions. He previously negotiated partnership agreements and developed strategy with eLabs, Universal Music Group’s digital group.
Grad began his career at Marakon Associates, a strategy consulting firm. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Princeton University and an M.B.A. in finance and marketing from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Jeff Jacobs, Skyline New Media, Managing Partner
Jeff Jacobs is the managing partner of Skyline New Media, a sports and entertainment production company which specializes in third party productions, as well as the development and utilization of emerging technologies for content and entertainment. Jacobs draws on his years of experience in television and multi-platform production, in addition to his years in Olympic production and technologies to contribute to the creation and execution of a variety of the company’s strategic opportunities.
Jacobs formerly held various positions at Viacom’s Global Entertainment Group including most recently serving as SVP of production and emerging technologies at MTV: music television. Prior to joining MTV, Jacobs was with NBC’s Olympic Division where he ran much of NBC’s Olympic production operations in Sydney and Salt Lake City. He grew up at NBC Sports, starting out as an intern and later working a variety of roles from stage manager to associate director and production manager of several Super Bowls, NBA Finals, and sporting events worldwide.
Jacobs is constantly on a quest to discover the latest technology enabling new creative heights and elevating levels of production. He is constantly developing strategic alliances with potential broadcast, social, SVOD, OTT, technology, mobile, and digital partners. Jacobs considers executive producing “RE-ACT NOW, Music Relief Telethon” for New Orleans as one of his proudest control room moments and has been able to develop tentpoles and mega-programs like the Video Music Awards from one-night shows into week-long programming events. His work with the NBA in developing the NBA Summer League into a virtual content and innovation lab has earned him accolades from technologists worldwide, as well as his peers.
Jacobs takes pride in the pro-social work he is able to take part in, including MTV’s “A Thin Line” addressing texting abuse among teens and GYT, the “Get Yourself Tested” campaign. He has been quite active with Global Citizen and several non-profit and educational technology groups.
Jacobs is a six-time Emmy Award winner, a Directors Guild of America member, and a member of several advisory boards and non-profit boards, including the Sports Video Group.
Ken Kerschbaumer, SVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial Services
Ken Kerschbaumer is co-executive director of editorial services for the Sports Video Group and SVG Europe. He was a co-founder of SVG along with Paul Gallo and Marty Porter in 2005 and has been writing about how sports networks and leagues use video and audio technology to deliver a quality TV experience since 1991. Kerschbaumer began his career in 1991 at Television Broadcast magazine before joining Cahners where he was founding editor of Digital Broadcasting magazine. In 2000, he joined Broadcasting & Cable magazine as senior editor of technology where he covered all aspects of broadcasting, cable, and internet content creation and distribution.
William Mao, Octagon, VP, Global Media Rights Consulting Division
William Mao is VP of Octagon’s Global Media Rights Consulting division. Leveraging IPG and Octagon proprietary data, research, and technology, Mao advises rightsholders, broadcast platforms, technology companies, and the investment community within the sports media space.
A recognized expert on the intersection of sports and digital media, Mao was named “30 Under 30” in sports by Forbes in 2015, and is a recipient of both the SportsPro Media “10 NEXT in Sport” and Cynopsis Media Rising Star awards. He has been a featured panelist at the Intercollegiate Athletics Forum, SXSW, and Sportel, and has guest-lectured at Columbia University and the London Business School. Mao is also a member of Sports Video Group’s Digital Advisory Committee.
Mao was previously VP of digital at MP & Silva, where he brokered foundational media distribution deals for MPS client properties, and advised on event development and brand expansion opportunities for the agency. He has also worked in Content Partnerships for YouTube, where he oversaw the college sports business. At YouTube, Mao developed high-impact digital content partnerships with major rightsholders, broadcasters, leagues, athletes, and multi-channel creator networks on the world’s largest video platform. He originally joined YouTube in Google’s London office, where he reported directly to YouTube’s head of football.
A graduate of the London Business School, where his M.B.A. studies focused on strategy, Mao was president of the London Business School Student Association and led an executive team that managed an annual operating budget in excess of £1 million. Prior to his M.B.A., Mao spent 4 years as a management consultant with Novantas, and held positions with IMG and Masterplan Group International.
Mao completed his undergraduate studies at Yale University, earning a B.A. in psychology with honors. Originally from Los Angeles, he speaks both Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.
Michelle Munson, Eluvio, Co-Founder and CEO
Michelle Munson is the co-founder and CEO of Eluvio (www.eluv.io), based in Berkeley, CA. The company recently launched the Eluvio Content Fabric, a global software overlay network enabling content owners to manage and distribute ultra-low latency, high quality video (live and on-demand) to consumers and business partners without CDNs – and reduce their reliance on transcoding services, cloud storage providers, and aggregators. Munson previously founded Aspera in 2004 and led the company as CEO until May 2017, including through its acquisition by IBM in 2014. She created the Aspera FASP transport technology, an Emmy-award winning technology used in the digital media supply chain for high-speed low-cost secure digital content transport, replacing satellite and traditional tape-based delivery technologies.
Munson holds several patents and is a frequent speaker in the areas of content networking, machine learning, block chain, and cloud infrastructure. She was recently awarded the 2019 David Sarnoff Medal from the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMTPE) for inventing FASP. Munson also received the Charles S. Swartz Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hollywood Professional Association (HPA); was named Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by the International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers (IABM); serves as an SMTPE Fellow; and is on the board of directors at Avid. She was the 2019 Kansas State University College of Arts and Sciences Commencement Speaker and the 2006 Alumnus of the Year for the College of Engineering.
Munson holds dual B.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering and physics from Kansas State University, was a Goldwater Scholar for achievement in science and mathematics, and was later a Fulbright Scholar at Cambridge University where she received a postgraduate diploma in computer science.
Raphael Poplock, Bleacher Report, SVP, Business Development and Strategic Partnership
Raphael Poplock serves as senior vice president of business development and strategic partnership for Bleacher Report, the leading sports media brand reaching 200 million millennial and Gen Z fans each month.
Poplock is a core part of the senior executive team, and works closely with Bleacher Report’s CCO Sam Toles to scale the company’s licensing business and collaborate with Turner Sports.
Poplock joins Bleacher Report as it drives more video views and interactions than any other publisher in the sports category, with the brand consistently ranking in the top-10 for engagement across the Instagram and Twitter platforms. He will play an integral role in developing business strategy for the B/R brand, as well as its leading portfolio brands: House of Highlights, B/R Football, B/R Kicks, B/R Betting, and the recently launched B/R Gridiron. Poplock focuses on building upon Bleacher Report’s state of portfolio brands, while also playing a role in diversifying and growing non ad-supported revenue at Bleacher Report.
Poplock joins Bleacher Report from The Players Tribune, where he served as executive vice president of partnerships and business development and head of content. Prior to his role at The Players Tribune, he was the vice president of partnerships and gaming at ESPN, where he led the global partnerships business, seeking to create world-class content and product experiences, while driving incremental revenue to the company.
Juan Rotger, LaLiga, Global Content Protection Manager
A former trademark attorney, Juan Rotger has taken on the important role of overseeing LaLiga content security and protection from live piracy. LaLiga has played a highly active role working with government agencies to ensure the league’s ability to act swiftly when combating piracy during live match broadcasting in a digital ecosystem.
David Shapiro, Pixellot, President, North America
David Shapiro is currently Pixellot’s president of North America. He is the former CEO of Steel Sports and brings with him nearly 20 years of experience in management, coaching, and corporate development in the youth sports arena. In addition to his time at Steel Sports, Shapiro spent 13 years helping build Positive Coaching Alliance, a national non-profit with the mission of developing ”Better Athletes, Better People” and is currently a member of its National Board of Directors.
Audio
Featured Speakers
Tracey Arrowood-ShawWWE, SVP, Global Strategy and InnovationJason JustmanSinclair Broadcast Group, Distinguished EngineerJared SmithWWE, SVP, Digital ProductsSteven ThorpeFox Corporation, VP, Video PlatformsBen ZiskindFox Corporation, Executive Director, Live Video PlatformScott BlomquistSony New Media Solutions, VPBrandon CostaSVG, Director of DigitalAndrew CroweLimelight Networks, Video ArchitectJason DachmanSVG, Chief EditorEthan DreilingerIBM Watson Media and Weather, Global Client Solutions EngineerPeter GallagherVerizon Digital Media Services, COOBen GradfuboTV, Head of Content Strategy and AcquisitionJeff JacobsSkyline New Media, Managing PartnerKen KerschbaumerSVG, Co-Executive Director, Editorial ServicesWilliam MaoOctagon, VP, Global Media Rights Consulting DivisionMichelle MunsonEluvio, Co-Founder and CEORaphael PoplockBleacher Report, SVP, Business Development and Strategic PartnershipJuan RotgerLaLiga, Global Content Protection ManagerDavid ShapiroPixellot, President, North AmericaTITLE SPONSOR
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