Julianna Barbieri, Manuka Sports Event Management, Co-Founder/Managing Partner

Julianna is a two-time Emmy Award winner who has worked extensively on some of the U.S.’s biggest sports events with both CBS and ABC. In 2010 she started her own business to create, brand and manage sports events.
Julianna began her career with ABC Sports in the promotion and advertising department. After two years of writing copy and editing spots, she took a position with NBC Sports to work on the Salt Lake Olympic Games. That started a long stint in remote production at ABC where she worked on a variety of live events including college football, golf, auto racing, basketball and Monday Night Football.
In 2006, Julianna was hired by CBS Sports to run the on-air graphics department and rebrand the show packaging for all sports events, which included Super Bowl XLI.  She led the graphics department until 2011 and some of the major redesigns and show opens she and her team were responsible for included CSTV becoming CBS College Sports, Super Bowl XLIV, the NCAA Tournament rebrand with Turner Sports and The Masters. While at CBS Julianna was also on the ground level of developing 3D graphics for CBS’ golf coverage, March Madness and the US Open Tennis Championships for which she won the 2010 George Wensel Technical Achievement Emmy.
At Manuka, Julianna wears many hats, but is primarily responsible for sponsorship sales and activation, marketing, branding and PR. Manuka’s signature event is The Atlantic Cup, an offshore, double-handed, grand prix sailing race that runs up the east coast of the U.S. annually in May.
Julianna holds a Bachelors of Science in Television Production from Ithaca College and a Masters of Science in Sports Business from New York University.

Brian Bell, ESPN Creative Services, Coordinating Designer, Motion Graphics

Brian Bell is the coordinating designer for ESPN Creative Services since 2000.  He has worked on many productions from SportsCenter to X Games.  He is also the lead VizRT developer for ESPN’s College Football and MLB productions.  More recently he built the insert graphics for the SEC Network / ESPN3 collegiate productions on the Ross XPression graphics platform.

Matt Celli, NBC Sports & Olympics, Producer, Graphic Operations and Playback

Responsible for all production technology, innovation and broadcast data for NBC Sports, NBC Sports Network, NBC Olympics. He is coordinating director, NBC Boxing.

Richard Einstein, Vizrt Americas, Head of Sports

Richard Einstein has been Vizrt’s Head of Sports for Americas since 2015 (based out of New York). Prior to that he was the business development manager for Vizrt Sports in Latin America (based out of Brazil). Richard Einstein joined Vizrt in 2010 as the marketing manager for LiberoVision in Switzerland. Richard holds a Master in Management, Technology & Economics at the ETH Zurich, the leading Swiss technology university. He also holds a bachelor in mechanical engineering at the same university.

Rami Genauer, FMProduction, Director

Rami Genauer is the Director of FMProduction and the founder of FightMetric, pioneers in bringing advanced statistics to Mixed Martial Arts and the official statistics provider of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Prior to starting FightMetric in 2007, he was a corporate strategy consultant and a journalist, covering sports, media, and politics. He lives in Washington, DC.

Gil Haslam, Troika Design Group, Creative Director, Sports

Gilbert Haslam is a Creative Director at Troika, where he oversees the agency’s sports branding efforts. Since joining Troika in 2004, Gilbert has been a key figure in establishing and building the company’s sports branding and marketing portfolio, and has led Troika to win numerous awards, including an Emmy for ESPN’s 25th Anniversary. Recently, Gilbert has developed brand identities for Time Warner Cable SportsNet & Deportes, NBC Sports Group, EA Sports, ESPN’s SportsCenter, College Football, and College Basketball, ROOT Sports, MSG, Sportsnet, and Golf Channel.

Prior to joining Troika, Gilbert served as Vice President/Creative Director for international broadcast design studio Novocom, where he headed sports projects including Monday Night Football, Sunday Night Football, the UEFA Champions League, and numerous campaigns for ESPN and CBS Sports. Gilbert’s design career began in the military while stationed at The Pentagon as an illustrator. This post eventually led to a special assignment as a broadcast designer for the U.S. Armed Forces Radio and Television Service in Korea.

Andrew Heimbold, Reality Check Studios, President

Andrew Heimbold is co-founder and President of Reality Check Systems (RCS). The multi Emmy Award-winning visionary and broadcast technology pioneer hails from a diverse background in graphic design, live production and real-time data integration. Since RCS’s founding in 1997 he has collaborated with broadcast giants such as ESPN, DIRECTV, CBS Sports and NFL Network helping them to revolutionize the way their content reaches fans.

J. David Hoffman, Brainstorm, Sales Engineering Manager

J. David Hoffman is the Sales Engineering Manager, for Brainstorm Multimedia, the leading manufacturer of real-time 3D graphics and virtual set solutions. This appointment is part of the planned expansion of Brainstorm’s US subsidiary with the objective of further growing the company’s commercial success in the US and Canada by increasing the operational and technical support capabilities of the office. David brings more than 20 years of production/post production and technical experience in the entertainment field and during this time he has always focused on the latest software and hardware developments and capabilities in real-time graphics and virtual studios for broadcast and motion pictures.

David Jorba, Vizrt Americas, President

Based in Vizrt’s Americas headquarters in New York City,  David Jorba joined Vizrt in June 2001 as a Creative Director. Before taking the role as President, Vizrt Americas, David Jorba held the role of  Senior VP Americas Operations and Managing Director Vizrt South West Europe. David has a Bachelor of Science, Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Kansas and a Post Graduate in Design and Visual Communications.

Jose Luis Kruyff, Deltatre, Head of Sales – Americas

José L. Kruyff joined deltatre about three years ago and is part of the team responsible for the company’s business in the Americas. He has been involved in multiple recent projects, including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the 2014 and 2016 Olympic Games and this year’s Copa America Centenario.

He is a dynamic executive with extensive experience in developing relationships and growing business with decision makers through personal contacts, industry expertise, regional understanding and development of wining sales teams.

Born in Mexico and currently living in the United States he has been responsible for operations of companies like AT&T, Aeromexico, Bayer, Global Crossing, Microsoft, Reuters, Telefónica and Tellabs in markets from Canada to Argentina and Spain.

Marla Keethler, CBS Sports, Director, Graphics

Marla Keethler oversees the On-Air Graphics Department for both CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network. While at CBS, her team launched the inaugural CBS/NFLN Thursday Night Football package, and also executed the merging of the on-air look of all CBS Sports programming across broadcast and cable. An Emmy award-winning producer with 15-years in the sports television industry, Keethler has worked on a wide range of events across multiple networks, including: ABC’s Indy 500 and Bowl Championship Series’, ESPN’s figure skating, LPGA, and indycar coverage, and NBC’s Olympic coverage. She received a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Arizona State University.

JP Lomonaco, CBS Sports, Senior Art Director

Camille Maratchi, HBO Sports, Associate Creative Director

Camille Maratchi is a Producer and Associate Creative Director at HBO Sports where she oversees the on-air graphic look for the department’s live telecasts, studio shows and documentaries.
While in this role, Maratchi has helped create the on-air look for HBO Sports’ flagship telecasts – World Championship Boxing, Boxing After Dark and HBO Pay-Per-View.  In addition, she was instrumental in the rebrand of two of its other properties, Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel and The Fight Game with Jim Lampley, which included a seamless integration of new set designs and complimentary insert graphic packages.  Most recently, Maratchi developed and coordinated the on-air broadcast graphics for the historic record-breaking pay-per-view fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in a network collaboration between HBO and Showtime.

Anton Maximovsky, Motion Path, President and CEO

Mack McLaughlin, FX Design Group, CEO and Design Director

As CEO and Emmy Award Winning Creative Director for FX Design Group & Giant Octopus, Mack is responsible for the company’s overall direction and development of the company’s services. Mack has a wide range of Scenic Design and Lighting Design experience in over a thousand shows and projects. In addition to Scenic and Lighting Design, Mack has also served his clients as producer, technical director and stage manager, with numerous awards for his creative designs, including two Emmys. Mack holds a degree in Theatre from the University of Central Florida and is a huge booster of the University. He’s become a social media guru and some of his best stuff you’ll see on twitter.
When he gets a few minutes away from running the world of FX, he follows college football — UCF, UF and Notre Dame. (He’s Irish after all). He also is a youth sports coach and has 3 flag football championships under his belt. Throw in camping, golf and bowling and he’s an all-around sportsman. Lest you think he’s just a jock, Mack is also an avid reader of both fiction and non-fiction.
Follow Mack on twitter @mackmclaughlin

Jocelyne Meinert, Big Studios, Owner/Director

Four-time Emmy award winner and 12-time nominee, Ms. Meinert has been pioneering CG animation and design since the industry’s inception in 1982, receiving several national and international awards in the first five years of her career. Ms. Meinert started Big Studios Inc. in 1991, completing large scale design and animation projects for clients such as ABC News & Sports, HBO, MTV, Oprah, CTV, CBC, ESPN, CBS and NBC. Big Studios is now one of the most established design and animation studios in North America. Whether 2D or 3D animation, VFX, live action, graphic design or all the above, Ms. Meinert continues to direct and manage the design and implementation of large-scale projects (such as ESPN’s Monday Night Football, Turner Major League Baseball, CBS March Madness), as well as original content development.

Brian Perkins, MLB Network, Director, IT Production Systems

Brian Perkins is the Director of IT Production Systems for MLB Network. He oversees graphics technology, production system integration, and the continual evolution of statistical systems used to enhance storytelling.In addition to MLB Network, Perkins oversees the IT Production Systems for NHL Network since its daily on-air operations became based and operated out of MLB Network’s headquarters in October of 2015. A seven-time Emmy Award winner, he places particular importance on automating creation of on-screen and on-set graphical elements containing baseball and hockey data.
Perkins has been a key member of MLB Network since it debuted on January 1, 2009 in a record-setting 50-million homes, the largest launch in cable history at the time.
Prior to joining MLB Network, he spent eight years with NBC News as the Director of Newsroom Computer Systems. At NBC, he drove the transition from siloed newsroom systems in to an enterprise-wide connected newsroom “community.”
A true believer in the power of data, Perkins started his career scoring Little League games in New Jersey, later moving on to record stats for the basketball coaching staff at the University of Notre Dame. He graduated from Notre Dame in 1995 and holds a Master of Science degree in Technology Management from Stevens Institute of Technology.
A lifelong baseball fan, he still owns all his baseball cards from childhood.

Jeff Porper, DirecTV Original Content, Coordinating Producer

Jeff is coordinating producer for DIRECTV Original Content, overseeing the productions of Red Zone Channel and Fantasy Zone Channel on NFL Sunday Ticket, as well as The Dan Patrick Show, The Rich Eisen Show, and a number of other shows airing on Audience and other DIRECTV platforms.  A graduate from New York University, his career began at FOX Sports working on MLB, NFL, and NASCAR productions as a Broadcast Associate.  He then began working as a Graphics Producer on DIRECTV’s NASCAR HotPass, which was a revolutionary way of producing live sports television using UpperCut technology from Reality Check Systems.  Worked with both Reality Check and DIRECTV as a freelancer for two years primarily producing HotPass, then became a full-time employee with DIRECTV as the Sr. Graphics Producer, managing the on-air graphics department.  Managed all aspects of graphics and technology for all live DIRECTV productions before transitioning into current role of Coordinating Producer.

Maria Rapetskaya, Undefined Creative, Creative Director

A design professional since 1997, Maria retains an eternally fresh approach, exemplary work ethic, and unbridled enthusiasm. She built UC to reflect her vision of a successful 21st century creative agency: flexibility, low overhead, and a genuine emphasis on good, old-fashioned customer service.
Maria’s work has been internationally honored, screened and published.  She’s won her share of Telly and BDA awards, as well as other more obscure, but no less shiny.  She’s taught undergrads and seasoned pros.
A firm believer in giving back, she makes time for pro-bono work, as well as Undefined Creative’s unique internship program. Her story of finding a way to “pay it forward” earned her a speaker position at the 2013 Motion conference.
A serious case of wanderlust has taken her to 56 countries and counting.  If not at her desk, she can be spotted on horseback in offbeat places like Mongolia or Easter Island. (But alas, more often, powering up with a cup of coffee just a block away.) And, at Motion 2014, she inspired her creative peers to follow her lead and remember to balance their other passions with their career, by “designing their lives.”
She enjoys sharing her insight on travel and creativity, professional longevity and day-to-day career satisfaction. She writes for mainstream creative and entrepreneurial publications, most notably 99U and Fast Company, and makes appearances as a speaker and industry expert.

Mário Sousa, wTVision Co-founder, CEO

Mário has been Co-founder / Partner / CEO of wTVision since 2001.
He is also director and then Partner / Managing Director of Infordesporto, leading company in Portugal of sport statistics, TV Graphics and web portal, acquired by Portugal Telecom in 1999.
Led wTVision’s international expansion, founding wTVision subsidiaries in Belgium (2005), Spain (2008), Brazil (2010) and USA (2012). Currently based in Miami, USA.
Mário holds a degree in Sports and Physical Education by the Lisbon Technical University.

Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN Creative Services, Senior Director, Motion Graphics

Michael Szykowny (better known as “Spike”) has worked at ESPN for the last 20 years.  He currently leads the Motion Graphics Group at ESPN.  This group designs, animates and plays out almost all of the graphics that you see on the ESPN family of networks, including many International shows and events.  In his 20 years at ESPN he has also held the titles of Director (live television events), Creative Director and Director of Post Production Edit.  He has won 4 Emmys for his work at ESPN, 2 in the last 3 years.
Michael holds a B.S. in Media Communications from Medaille College in Buffalo and a M.S. in Media Studies from the State University of NY at Buffalo.
He lives in Avon, CT with his wife and 2 sons.

Jason Toliopoulos, ChyronHego, Creative Services Manager

Jason Toliopoulos serves as manager of ChyronHego’s Creative Services group. At ChyronHego, Jason has designed and built broadcast and stadium graphics packages, live data visualizations for sports player tracking solutions and data workflows for major media and entertainment clients around the world. Before joining the company, Jason was ChyronHego’s client working as a creative director and senior designer for major Canadian networks including CTV and CBC.

Jan Umansky, Avid, Senior Market Specialist for Graphics

With decade of experience in the broadcast industry, Jan started working for Orad in 2006 as a graphic designer. Soon he transitioned into a product specialist for Orad’s graphics tools. In 2008, he took part in the Beijing Olympic games production with CCTV. He took over as manager for the graphics department in 2011, creating the creative services department that offered a complete end-to-end service to clients, including graphics creation, controller creation and data integration. The team was a small group of highly skilled individuals and in 2012 his team successfully lunched the production of the presidential elections for NBC, MSNBC & Telemundo in USA. This was a massive production that included augmented graphics with tracking, data integration from the polls and interactive touchscreen applications. It took this team of 5 people roughly 8 months to create.
In 2013, Jan moved to the United States as senior director of graphics and professional services to grow Orad’s North American business. He managed projects such as the new Weather Channel Studio, ION Television channel rebranding, KABC news studio, The Daly Show & Live with Kelly and Michael.
In 2015, Orad was acquired by Avid and Jan became the Global Market Specialist for Graphics and oversees all the graphics related presales activities and projects worldwide. Daily topics currently include data integration and virtual / augmented graphics.
Career Highlights: Jan has some extreme projects on his resume such as the elections in Kenya in 2007 where they actually had to run from the riots that followed the resulst of those elections. Other projects: Elections in Germany, Israel, Turkey & Canada and Formula 1 production.

Dirk Van Dall, MLBAM, VP, Multimedia Strategy

Mr. Van Dall oversees multimedia technology development for baseball as well as various sports and entertainment partners at Major League Baseball Advanced Media. Trained as a director with a deep technical understanding of his craft, Mr. Van Dall rose to design the digital production environment for Showtime Networks. He was subsequently tapped to lead technology for Broadway Video Digital Media, a Lorne Michaels company. As a member of numerous advisory boards, Mr. Van Dall has championed technologies in OTT video, security, digital archiving, artificial intelligence, and machine vision. His most recent project is the StatCast Player Tracking Initiative for Major League Baseball. StatCast records the metrics of every player of every game, illuminating nuances of the athletes, and exciting fans of all ages. Mr. Van Dall is proud to be a new media pioneer at the confluence of streaming video, traditional storytelling, big data, and interactivity.