OTT.X Buzz Session 02.19.25 – Black History Month Edition

OTT.X will be returning its very popular webinar and podcast OTT.X BUZZ for 2025.

OTT.X BUZZ sessions feature prominent panels of Industry leaders and pundits who come together to discuss the most pertinent industry stories, trends, issues and breaking news.

Panelists represent a cross-section of disciplines across the industry, creating a unique mix of perspectives and an interesting, informative and entertaining discussion.

Rather than a single defined topic, panelists will use their expertise to take on the latest news, findings, and updates buzzing in the business of OTT, CTV & Streaming.

This edition of OTT.X BUZZ will take place on February 19th, 2025.In OTT.X’s continued efforts to amplify the reach, engagement, and representation of diverse voices, experiences, and identities of all people and In celebration of Black History Month, this BUZZ session will feature a prominent panel of Black & African industry leading executives

Moderator
Michael Smith, Chief Marketing Officer, NPR

Panelists
Lynnwood Bibbens, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Reach TV
Terry City, Senior Vice President, Advertising Sales, Cineverse
Alia J. Daniels, Co-Founder & COO, Revry
Stephen L. Hodge, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, OTTera
Michael H. Johnson, Director of Operations, ElectricNow

Learn about the latest BUZZ in streaming and OTT with leading industry executives representing a cross-section of disciplines across the industry, creating a unique mix of perspectives and an interesting, informative and entertaining discussion

Join this prominent panel of Black & African industry leaders and pundits who will discuss the latest buzz in OTT.

OTT.X Buzz Session 12-11-24

Moderator
David Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbes

Panelists
Jonathon Barbato, Co-Chief Executive Officer, Best Ever Channels
Brian Cullinane, Chief Commercial Officer, VideoElephant
Kyle Kaczmarek, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, KDMG
Lise Romanoff, Owner & Managing Director, Vision Films
Mike Vorhaus, Chief Executive Officer, Vorhaus Advisors

OTT.X Buzz Session 11-13-24

Moderator
Colin Dixon, Founder & Chief Analyst, nScreenMedia

Panelists
Jason Cohen, Chief Executive Officer, MyBundle.TV
Paul Colichman, Chief Executive Officer, Here Media
Tony Gunnarsson, Principal Analyst, TV, Video & Advertising, Omdia
Greg Smith, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, StreamVantage
Bill Sondheim, President & Chief Executive Officer, Greenfield Media

OTT.X Buzz Session 10-09-24

Moderator
Stephanie Prange, Editor in Chief & Associate Publisher, Media Play News

Panelists
Craig Heiting, Head of Corporate Strategy, Wurl
Alisa Joseph, Independent Consultant, Screen Media Alchemy
Bryan Louzil, Vice President, Business Development, Mometu
Vikrant Mathur, Co-Founder, Future Today
Vincent Muscarella, Vice President, Sales, Whip Media

OTT.X Buzz Session 9-11-24

Moderator
Jennifer Kent, Vice President, Research, Parks Associates

Panelists
Bryan Crocker, Chief Operating Officer, Multicom Entertainment Group
Fred Godfrey, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Origin
Quincy Newell, Founder & Managing Attorney, Newell Law Firm PC
Marc Rashba, Executive Vice President of Partnerships, Cineverse

OTT.X Buzz Session 8-14-24

Moderator
David Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbess

Panelists
Tom Gennari, Chief Executive Officer, BB Media
Matt Hill, Head of Fire TV Revenue, Engagement & Automated Marketing, Amazon
Yolanda Macias, Chief Content Officer, Cineverse
Matt Montemayor, SVP of Sales & Partner, Canela Media
Elizabeth Parks, President & Chief Marketing Officer, Parks Associates

Topics for discussion

• • This year’s Olympics set records, by a lot, for streaming and for advertising.

• Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery wrote off a total of $15 billion in value in their cable operations last week. What do these long-in-coming moves say about the state of “television,” and where does traditional TV go next?

• Theatrical box office for the first half of 2024 is down 20 percent from last year.

• More and more advertisers appear to be moving to connected TV, as with the Olympics, which NBCU said involved 70-percent first-time advertisers.

• Much more!

OTT.X Buzz 07-10-24

Moderator
TK Arnold, Publisher & Editorial Director, Media Play News

Panelists
Dave Bernath, Vice President, Sales & Partnerships, Wurl
Kyle Kaczmarek, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, KDMG
Scott Olechowski, Co- Founder & Chief Product Officer, Plex
Andrew Rosenman, President, Arise Communications
Gal Turjeman, Chief Executive Officer, Castify.ai

Topics for discussion

• Skydance, Paramount Global Agree on Deal

• Comcast Unveils $10-Month Spanish-Language Streaming Package Called Now TV Latino

• Free streaming channels have become ‘sleeping giants’ as Netflix, Max, others hike prices

• What’s next for Chicken Soup for the Soul? And what went wrong?

• Much more!

OTT.X Buzz Session 6

Moderator
Colin Dixon, Founder & Chief Analyst, nScreenMedia

Panelists
Beth Anderson, SVP/GM, FAST Channels & VOD Sales, BBC Studios
Stuart McLean, Chief Executive Officer, FAST Studios
Jason Peterson, Chief Executive Officer, GoDigital Media Group

OTT.X Buzz Session 5

Moderator
TK Arnold, Publisher & Editorial Director, Media Play News

Panelists
Bryan Crocker, Chief Operating Officer, Multicom Entertainment Group
Fred Godfrey, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Origin
Yolanda Macias, Chief Content Officer, Cineverse
Steve Saltman, Head of Domestic Sales, Electric Entertainment

OTT.X Buzz Session 4

Moderator
David Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbes

Panelists
Bryan Louzil, Vice President, Business Development, Mometu
Lacy Pack, Executive Vice President – Chief Technology Officer, iNDEMAND
Josh Pine, Chief Revenue Officer, XL8
Mike Vorhaus, CEO, Vorhaus Advisors

OTT.X Buzz Session 3

Moderator
Tom Gennari, Chief Executive Officer, BB Media

Panelists
Raquel Braun, Chief Business Officer, Women’s Sports Network
Jason Gish, President, Duplitech
Teresa Phillips, Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Spherex
Eric Sorensen, Director, Streaming Video Tracker, Parks Associates

OTT.X Buzz Session 2

Moderator
Colin Dixon, Founder & Chief Analyst, nScreenMedia

Panelists
Michele Edelman, Head of Growth, Premiere Digital Services
Josh Pine, Chief Revenue Officer, XL8
Matthew Singerman, President, KFA Consulting
Bill Sondheim, President & CEO, Greenfield Media
Chris Yates, Chief Commercial Officer, Mansa

OTT.X Buzz Session 1

Moderator
David Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbes

Panelists
Tom Ashley, Chief Executive Officer, Invincible Entertainment
Kristen Bedno, Content Partnerships & Acquisitions, VA Media
Andy Manidis, SVP, Global Account Strategy, Deluxe Media
Quincy Newell, Chief Executive Officer, TwentyOne14 Media
Mike Vorhaus, Chief Executive Officer, Vorhaus Advisors

OTT.X Buzz Session 7

Moderator
David Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbes

Panelists
Strath Hamilton, CEO, TriCoast Worldwide
LaShawn McGhee, Co-Founder & CPO, Revry
Andrew Rosenman, Vice President – Advanced TV Partnerships & Strategy, Equativ
Larry Schwartz, Chief Revenue Officer, OTTera
Chris Yates, Mansa

OTT.X Buzz Session 6

Moderator
Tk Arnold, Publisher and Editorial Director, Media Play News

Panelists
Jesse Baritz, VP, Content Acquisition & Development,  Multicom Entertainment Group
Bill Condon, VP, Enterprise Sales & Partnerships, Xumo
Ed Laczynski, Co-Founder, Backlight Streaming
Vikrant Mathur, Co-Founder, Future Today
Mike Vorhaus, CEO, Vorhaus Advisors

OTT.X Buzz Session 5

Moderator
David Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbes

Panelists
Tony Huidor, Chief Operating Officer, Cineverse
Laura Martin, Managing Director, Senior Internet & Media Analyst, Needham & Company
Sal Scamardo, VP, Distribution & Marketing, FilmRise

OTT.X Buzz Session 4

Moderator
Bruce Eisen, Attorney, Eisen Law PC

Panelists
Srini KA, Co-Founder, Amagi
Michael Pachter, Managing Director, Wedbush Securities
Michael Smith, Chief Marketing Officer, NPR
Richard Wolpert, Chairman & CEO, Ocean Life Network

OTT.X Buzz Session 3

Moderator
David Bloom, Senior Contributor, Forbes

Panelists
Craig Heiting, Head of Corporate Strategy, Wurl
Bryan Louzil, VP of Business Development, Mometu
Michael Maponga, CEO, AfroLandTV
LaShawn McGhee, Co-Founder & CPO, Revry

OTT.X Buzz Session 2

Moderator
Kirby Grines, Founder & CEO, 43Twenty

Panelists
Fred Godfrey, Co-Founder & CEO, Origin
Gene Pao, EVP, Strategy & Digital, Shout! Factory
Elizabeth Parks President & CMO, Parks Associates
Michael Smith, Chief Marketing Officer, NPR

OTT.X Buzz Session 1

Moderator
Colin Dixon, Founder & Chief Analyst, nScreenMedia

Panelists
Dennis Dortch, Co-Founder & CEO, Black & Sexy TV
Isabel Rafferty Zavala, Founder & CEO, Canela Media
Mike Vorhaus, CEO, Vorhaus Advisors