The Digital Hollywood Experience

The Digital Hollywood Experience

including the launch of the network’s app in 2013.  Based in Los Angeles, Ware oversees the continuation of the network’s extensive digital growth of late, including its Tennis Channel Everywhere app, the new OTT-TV subscription channel Tennis Channel Plus, the ongoing rollout of TV Everywhere and the network’s overall website and social media efforts.  Previously, he served as acting CEO of Mnet America, a U.S.-based television network dedicated to Asian Americans and Asian pop culture. While there, he oversaw the channel’s launch and growth to reach 20 million homes. With a sizeable list of other new-network launches on his resume, Ware has held senior leadership positions within numerous television organizations, including FOX, UPN and USA Broadcasting. Additional Aware Media Consulting clients included AOL, Comcast Cable, Liberty Media, Boston Ventures Investment Partners and the United Talent Agency.

Amit Ziv – Senior Vice President, Business Operations, Development and Strategy, EPIX: Amit serves as the SVP of Business Operations, Development and Strategy for EPIX, a joint venture between Viacom, Paramount, Lionsgate and MGM. In his role, Amit is responsible for long-range strategic business planning and special projects for the CEO and GM/EVP of EPIX, as well as structuring multi-platform content distribution deals for EPIX’s suite of premium movie channels with major MVPDs (e.g., Dish Network, AT&T U-verse, Verizon FiOS, Time Warner Cable, Charter, Cox and more) and leading OTT distributors (SVOD, VMVPD). Launched in October 2009, EPIX is now available in over 50 million multichannel video households. In addition, Amit spearheads digital business development efforts for EPIX (linear, VOD) with key TV Everywhere platforms including PlayStation, XBOX, Google (Android, Chromecast), iOS, Roku, Windows, and more.  Prior to EPIX, Amit was a Senior Consultant for Ernst & Young’s Strategy & Operations Consulting Practice working with a broad range of media and entertainment companies in the areas of strategic planning, profitability improvement, organizational and process design, and rights management. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Amit was the Manager of Business Development for Madwood Media/Flutie Entertainment, a Talent Management and TV Production company specializing in endorsements and unscripted programming.  Amit holds an MBA with a concentration in Corporate Finance and Strategy from the Fordham University Graduate School of Business and a B.A. from Michigan State University.

Scott Barton is Senior Vice President of Branded Digital Content and Products for Starz. Barton is responsible for leading the programming and product vision at Starz for all on demand, online, digital and consumer-facing video products and platforms. Barton will also identify and develop programming strategies that leverage the Starz catalog across new and emerging platforms. Previously serving as Vice President for Digital and On Demand Programming, Barton oversaw the programming, product development, and promotion of Starz’ advanced services and digital products, including Starz.com, on demand, STARZ PLAY, and other TV Everywhere services. Barton plays a strategic role in the future development and implementation of new products and business opportunities across emerging platforms. Prior to that, Barton served as Executive Director, Advanced Services product development for the STARZ PLAY and Vongo broadband services.  Including user experience, programming promotion, personalized content discovery, registration purchase flow, and deployment with affiliates. Prior to that, Barton was Director, Subscription Video-On-Demand during the period when STARZ ON DEMAND was initially sold in and deployed to key Starz distributors. Prior to joining Starz in 2002, Barton served as Director, National Accounts for On Command, the leading provider of in-room interactive entertainment, Internet services, business information and guest services for the lodging industry and its guests. While at On Command, Barton helped negotiate multi-year partnership agreements and contractual arrangements for all Marriott full service and limited lodging brands, the Adam’s Mark Hotel chain, and others. Barton holds a BA in Economics from the University of California, Davis.

Joe Friend, Vice President, Ad Technology Systems, Fox Broadcasting Company: Digital Advertising executive with a background in digital, broadcast, media & entertainment, publishing, advertising, medical, pharmaceutical and information systems. Joe is the Vice President of Advertising Technology Solutions at Fox Networks Group. Joe’s experience is managing ad systems, workflows, and the departments responsible to those revenue streams. Joe has the depth and breadth of relevant experience to succeed in any field where plans need to be made, communicated, and managed. Additionally, Joe is an award-winning and optioned screenwriter. Prior to joining the "ad world" in 2006, Joe worked his way through the IT maze doing jobs like help desk, systems management, website programming and management. Before he settled into “online", Joe was (in order of appearance): a landscaper, a clerk, an EMT, a pizza deliveryman, a car detailer, a roofer, a First Mate, a retail & pharmacy manager, a medical records tech, a VPN specialist, and a network engineer.

Edmond Shapiro, Video Solutions Architect, Global Service Provider Business, Cisco: Edmond Shapiro brings more than thirty years experience in software development, delivery, and operations to his current position as Video Solutions Architect in Cisco’s Global Service Provider Business, In this role, Mr. Shapiro is chiefly responsible for developing a strategic technology roadmap and implementing architectural decisions.  He also helps to manage integration of innovative new technologies and experiences that leverage cloud-scalable back-office technologies as well as immersive and branded multi-screen set-top box and soft client applications. Prior to joining Cisco in 2012, Mr. Shapiro served as Vice President for Project Delivery Americas at NDS Group. In this role, he was responsible for the technical sales, integration and delivery of the company’s digital pay-TV technologies. Previously, he was responsible for the deployment of corporate management systems at US West, a leading telecommunications provider that merged with Qwest Communications in 2000 and with CenturyLink in 2011. Edmond Shapiro holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in international management from Claremont McKenna College and has pursued international relations studies at Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Scott L Brown, SVP Global Engineering & Strategic Relations, The Nielsen Company: Scott L. Brown serves as Senior Vice President, Global Communications, Client Insights & Strategic Relations for Nielsen. In this role, Scott is a frequent speaker and sought after visionary for impending changes to the media landscape, the impact of new technology, and for the path of new advertising models. Scott is responsible for client insights and communications, strategic business relationships, and works with media strategy and digital platform development for the company. Scott focuses much of his time on establishing and managing business relationships with advanced technology and new media companies. He is the key company spokesperson for evolving television technologies, advanced metering systems, and new technology development. Scott provides the internal and external company vision and leadership for the new world of digital convergence, connected TV technology, and multi platform measurement, etc. Scott, is a veteran of Nielsen, with roots going back to Advanced Software Systems Design, progressing into Senior Operations Management, and then into his current position with Nielsen. Scott's expertise is grounded in technology, the implications for Nielsen measurement, coupled with a deep client following on what is relevant in the media world. Scott is frequently asked to forecast the future for major advertisers, and media companies. Scott holds a Bachelor of Science and a Masters Degree from Illinois State University.

Jordan Wiggins is a Principal in the Media & Entertainment industry for Deloitte Consulting, LLP.  Jordan leads the US Analytics Media & Entertainment practice. He has worked in the media and entertainment industry for more than 15 years. In his role, Jordan is responsible for overseeing Deloitte’s go-to-market strategy in analytics where he focuses on areas such as predictive modeling, advanced visualization, social media, and personalization strategy. Jordan has worked with most of the major studios, film producers and distributors, cable and broadcasters, interactive games, and new media.

Tuesday, October 18th, 2016

3:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Track I: Haas Conference Center - Room 172 & 173, Live Webcast

Cable, TV, Film and Broadband - New Content - New Networks - Streams, Platforms, Devices

Scott Barton, Senior Vice President, Branded Digital Content and Products, Starz

Amit Ziv, ‎Senior Vice President, Business Operations, Development, and Strategy, EPIX

Adam Ware, Senior Vice President, Head of Digital Media and Business Development, Tennis Channel

Joe Friend, Vice President, Ad Technology Systems, Fox Broadcasting Company

Scott Brown, SVP Technology & Strategic Relations, Engineering & Technology, The Nielsen Company

Edmond Shapiro, Video Solutions Architect, Global Service Provider Business, Cisco

Jordan Wiggins, Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Moderator

Adam Ware is Tennis Channel’s senior vice president, head of digital media, joining the network in spring 2014. He has extensive television experience as a media consultant across a variety of concentrations, including sports, entertainment and multicultural media. He most recently acted as founder and principal of Aware Media Consulting, a boutique firm that offered strategic counseling to media companies with a particular emphasis on digital media and emerging audiences. In that capacity, Ware was intimately involved in the development of select mobile and digital platforms for Tennis Channel,