Speakers
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Mr. Abrams is the partner-in-charge of AGMB’s Los Angeles office and entertainment and sports law, corporate law, and tax and estate planning. Mr. Abrams’s practices in both New York and Los Angeles. In addition to being an attorney, Mr. Abrams is a Certified Public Accountant.
Mr. Abrams represents the local, national...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: The More You Know - Structuring & Identifying Your Worker Relationships
Jon Adler is Senior Director of Development for CNN Original Series at CNN, based in New York City. In this position, he is responsible for cultivating relationships within the creative community and developing original programming across a variety of CNN platforms. He is responsible for the development (and management/coordination thereof)...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners; Speed Pitching Two
The pioneer of the Israeli formats industry internationally, and the Founder and CEO of Armoza Formats, Avi Armoza is one of Israel's leading film and television producers.
Avi has been working in the television and film business for more than 20 years. He began his tenure at JCS in 1993 when...show more
Speaking on: Trendwatch: Tuning Up Music Competitions
As Senior Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs, Dom Atteritano oversees all aspects of the day-to-day legal and business affairs of BBC America and WE tv. Atteritano is responsible for negotiating and managing contracts across all areas for the networks from programming and development to talent, press and marketing,...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: The More You Know - Structuring & Identifying Your Worker Relationships
In her role as SVP, Blue Ant International, Solange Attwood oversees the strategic direction of Blue Ant Media’s global distribution arm, a leader in premium unscripted and 4K natural history content.
Attwood spearheads and oversees co-productions, pre-sales and worldwide sales activities. Under her leadership, Solange has positioned the division as a...show more
Speaking on: Acquisitions and Copros: Trends and Takeaways
Richard Au is the Director of Amazon Channels in the US, serving as the general manager of the Amazon Channels business. Amazon Channels, launched in 2015, is an OTT platform that provides Amazon Prime members with access to video channels, including CBS All Access, HBO, Showtime and Starz, without a cable...show more
Speaking on: Trendwatch: OTT Evolution
Betsy Ayala
Head of Content, Food Network, Interim Head of Content, HGTV
HGTV, DIY Network & Great American Country
Betsy Ayala currently serves as the as Vice President of Programming for Scripps Networks Interactive’s home category team. In her new role, Ayala manages the development and production of series and specials for HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country.
Ayala has more than 15 years of...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Three
As a longtime leader in the US television and digital media business, Brooke Bailey Johnson has launched multiple networks, shows, and iconic brands. She was the President of the Food category at Scripps Networks Interactive, the General Manager of the A&E Network, the Senior Vice President of Programming for A&E...show more
Speaking on: View from the Corner Office
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 responsible for creating, developing and overseeing several new specials, pilots and series on the three networks. He previously held the position of Director of...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Andie Beckerman, Syfy/USA Network; Speed Pitching Three
Jim Berger’s High Noon Entertainment is one of America’s most prolific production companies, currently with 15 series and 25 pilots in production for the 2017-2018 season, across networks and platforms including Facebook, HGTV, Food, Discovery, Lifetime, History, Nat Geo Wild, Travel, Animal Planet, DIY and Discovery Mexico.
Jim is a Colorado...show more
Speaking on: Unscripted: The Shocking Truth
Shirley Bowers is VP Sales and Acquisitions North America for Red Arrow Studios International.
Based in Red Arrow’s New York office, Shirley is responsible for leading Red Arrow’s sales activities in the US and Canada. She also works across North American acquisitions, alongside Red Arrow’s Scripted and Non-Scripted acquisitions teams.
Previously to...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
John Brunton thinks TV. All the time. As the Globe and Mail writes, he “has airwaves between his ears.”
A natural-born storyteller, Brunton is now celebrating over thirty-five years at the helm of Insight Production Company Ltd. As Chairman & CEO, Brunton’s entrepreneurial ingenuity, creative vision and passion for television have...show more
Speaking on: Trendwatch: Tuning Up Music Competitions
With more than three decades as a senior leader in media and entertainment and championing environmental and conservation causes, Clark has successfully developed and managed comprehensive strategies for quality branded enterprises, incubating business units and cultivating talent.
In July 2017, Bunting launched media company, Digital Circus, with partner David Wheeler. The...show more
Speaking on: View from the Corner Office
Steve Burns is Chief Programming Officer for CuriosityStream, the award-winning streaming and on-demand destination for world-class documentary features and series exploring science, space, technology, history, nature, health and more.
CuriosityStream, founded by John Hendricks, founder of Discovery Communications, premiered in March 2015, and Burns has been in this role since launch. He...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Steve Burns, CuriosityStream
James Burstall is CEO of Argonon, an independent production group based in London and New York that creates and distributes creative content across multiple platforms for the global marketplace. Founded by Burstall in 2011, with offices in Manchester, Glasgow and Vancouver, Argonon encompasses twelve companies and businesses throughout the UK, the US...show more
Speaking on: The Business of Unscripted: A Global View
M&C Media President/CEO Michael Cascio has executive experience in successful television programming, production, journalism and communication. As SVP/EVP at A&E, Animal Planet, MSNBC and National Geographic, he created and supervised many award-winning and popular programs: Investigative Reports, Brain Games, Biography, American Justice, Dog Whisperer, Doomsday Preppers, and landmark specials Inside...show more
Speaking on: View from the Corner Office
Meghan Cassin is the Director of Development for Nat Geo Wild. In this role she is responsible for specials, character-driven series, SharkFest and BarkFest. In addition to linear programming, Cassin develops digital content for Wild and executive produced the multiplatform series Untamed with Filipe DeAndrade.
Previously, Cassin has worked in development,...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables; Speed Pitching Three
Lauren Celinski currently serves as Vice President of Non-Fiction Programming for Lifetime and is responsible for developing and overseeing production of non-fiction projects for the network.
Prior to joining Lifetime in March 2017, Celinski was director of programming and development at E! where she was responsible for developing unscripted series and...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching One
Dan Cesareo is founder and president of Big Fish Entertainment, one of the boldest independent producers of unscripted content, overseeing all facets of production and development for the company. Cesareo launched Big Fish in 2006, and has since produced more than 400 hours of programming for such networks as A&E,...show more
Speaking on: Crime Time: The Evolution of a Genre
Dolyn Dobro is Manager of Production and Development for CNBC Primetime Alternative Programming, based in New York City. In her role at CNBC Prime group, Dolyn oversees development and production of original content with a business and money focus. She is responsible for finding new formats and working with independent...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Two; Coffee + Commissioners
A native New Yorker, Matt Chazen is an agent in the TV-Alternative and Digital Packaging Departments at CAA.
Upon graduating from Davidson College in Davidson, NC in 2009, Matt immediately started working as a Page at NBC in New York City. After his stint in the Page Program, Matt moved over...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Agents
As Director of Development at WE tv, Amanda Culkowski is responsible for scouting and developing fresh, new unscripted series that fit with the network’s existing slate of popular shows including Braxton Family Values, Marriage Bootcamp and the hit Growing Up Hip Hop franchise.
During her tenure at WE tv, Amanda has overseen the series development...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Two; SUMMIT SHOWDOWN: INTERNATIONAL PITCH COMPETITION
Experienced global sales executive Julian Curtis is co-founder of independent international distributor Lineup Industries. Prior to setting up the company with colleague Ed Louwerse in 2014, Curtis was at Sony Pictures Television (SPT) overseeing all format sales in EMEA following a stint in Hong Kong building the Asian business of...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
Since establishing T Group in 2010, Daly has created, sold and produced over 50 series, pilots and presentations to a wide range of networks. Daly oversees and manages a production slate that includes over 100 episodes of Mystery Diners (Food), Ozzy and Jack’s World Detour (A&E), Disney’s Fairytale Weddings (Freeform),...show more
Speaking on: Reality Check: After #MeToo, What Now?
As President and General Manager of TLC, Daniels leads the company’s flagship female focused channel, a global brand available in more than 89 million homes in the US and 325 million households around the world. Daniels oversees all aspects of the network’s programming, production, development, multiplatform, communications and marketing. Daniels...show more
Speaking on: Real Talk: Redefining Relevance - What Success Looks Like in a Post-OTT World
Joni Day is the Vice President of Alternative Programming at FremantleMedia North America (FMNA). In this role, she is responsible for development and production of reality competition, game show and other unscripted television programming. Day is currently serving as an Executive Producer for the kids game show, The Noise, which...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners
Robert DeFranco is the Director of Business Development for The Future Group and a technology and media executive with 20+ years’experience in film, TV, digital content, advertising, and mobile applications. Robert has designed and developed mobile applications, games, software portals, run social media campaigns delivering millions of impressions and has worked...show more
Speaking on: Where's the Big Idea?
As Director, Original Programming, Oxygen Media, Jeana Dill is responsible for expanding the networks growing slate of true crime programming. She is a member of both the current and development teams lead by Rod Aissa (EVP, Programming & Development) and Cori Abraham (SVP, Development & International). Dill joined the Oxygen...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
As Senior Vice President, Original Programming and Series Development for E!, Dogan is responsible for the development of series and specials for the global pop culture network. Dogan oversees on-air franchises, collaborates with the outside creative community, and forges key relationships within the entertainment industry on behalf of the network.
In...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Damla Dogan, E! Entertainment
Christian Drobnyk
EVP Programming Disney Branded Television & National Geographic
National Geographic Channel
Speaking on: Acquisitions and Copros: Trends and Takeaways
Tim Duffy is a two-time Emmy Award-Winning producer, an Emmy-nominated Director, a two-time James Beard Award nominee, and Co-President of Ugly Brother Studios with his twin brother, Mike. Since the launch of Ugly Brother, Tim’s created and produced shows across an array of genres including reality, documentary/factual, variety, and comedy....show more
Speaking on: Trendwatch: Tuning Up Music Competitions
Molly Ebinger is an Executive Producer of Programming and Development, Non-Fiction and Alternative Programming for A&E Network. In this position, Ebinger oversees multiple hit programs including Undercover High, 60 Days In, Nightwatch, and Wahlburgers, as well as maintaining a robust development slate. A 10 year veteran of A&E, Ebinger began...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Two
Kristina Edwards serves as Creative Development Consultant for Fuse Media, a cross-platform entertainment media brand for Latino and multicultural youth. Edwards is responsible for overseeing the development of linear programming for Fuse.
Kristina comes to Fuse from MTV Networks. As a network executive, Edwards supervised the full pipeline of development of unscripted series for...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Amy Entelis is executive vice president for talent and content development for CNN Worldwide. She is based in New York.
Entelis joined CNN in 2012 and is responsible for new program development and acquisitions for CNN Worldwide, as well as the identification and recruitment of on-air talent for CNN programming and...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Amy Entelis, CNN; To Tell the Truth: The Intersection of Non-Fiction and News
A multiple Emmy nominee for her work on VICELAND, Nomi Ernst Leidner, who’s been with VICELAND since the channel’s launch as both an executive producer and development executive.
Ernst Leidner was named SVP, Development in June 2016. In her current role, she helps steer unscripted development for VICELAND, working with the...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Nomi Ernst Leidner, Viceland
Hilary Estey McLoughlin is an Emmy Award-winning television producer and executive. Her 30-year track record includes developing many of syndication’s longest-running and most profitable broadcast franchises, as well as building groundbreaking multiplatform iconic brands.
Hilary is currently serving as Senior Executive Producer of The View and Nonfiction Content for ABC...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners
Tim Evans is an executive producer with Smithsonian Channel, an award-winning joint venture of the Smithsonian Institution and Showtime. His recent projects have included Building Star Trek, Survival In The Skies, The Weapon Hunter, The Spy In the Hanoi Hilton, and multiple seasons of the series Air Warriors.
Prior to joining...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners
Alan Eyres is senior vice president of programming and development for the National Geographic Channel.
Based in National Geographic Channel’s Washington, D.C., headquarters, he is head of unscripted development for the network.
He has been at the forefront of National Geographic’s pivot to premium content, where he’s been...show more
Speaking on: SUMMIT SHOWDOWN: INTERNATIONAL PITCH COMPETITION
Lisa Fahrenholt currently serves as the Acquisitions Director for Endemol Shine International. In her role, Lisa is responsible for sourcing and evaluating third party acquisitions and co-financing opportunities for both scripted and unscripted programs across all genres, throughout the United States and Canada.
Before joining Endemol, Lisa worked across many facets...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Real Talk: Redefining Relevance - What Success Looks Like in a Post-OTT World
Toby Faulkner heads up Facebook’s Unscripted content under Mina Lefevre. Faulkner was formerly VP of programming and development at FYI and a Senior Executive Producer at Lifetime for A+E Networks. He began his career with BBC Radio and rose through the ranks at ITV before moving to the United States...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails With: Toby Faulkner, Facebook; Luncheon Roundtables
John Feld is the Senior Vice President of Original Programming and Production for Scripps Networks Interactive lifestyle brands HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country. In this role, he is responsible for developing and supervising specials, series and tent-pole events for the networks.
Feld came to Scripps Networks in 2012 from...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: New Buyers, New Mandates - Upping Your Pitching Game
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Three; Coffee + Commissioners; 30 Minutes With Cynthia Fenneman, American Public Television & Create TV
Kathleen Finch is Chief Programming, Content & Brand Officer for all six Scripps Networks Interactive brands. She was promoted to this position in August of 2015 after serving as President of HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country.
During her tenure as President of the Home Category, Finch led the networks...show more
Speaking on: Pressure Points: Making the Model Work
Laura Fleury serves as the SVP/Head of Programming, International, for A+E Networks, and is responsible for setting A+E Networks’ international programming vision to drive performance and growth across the company’s portfolio outside the U.S. which includes HISTORY, H2, Lifetime, A&E Network, FYI, Blaze and Crime + Investigation. She oversees the global...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Laura Fleury, A+E International
In her role with Discovery Networks, Follows is responsible for the commissioning, development, and production of independent programming for Discovery and its related networks (Animal Planet, Discovery Velocity, Investigation Discovery, and Discovery Science).
In 2005, Follows joined Discovery Channel’s in-house production company, Exploration Production Inc.’s (EPI) as producer and soon rose...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners; Speed Pitching Three
John Ford is general manager of the trade organization NPACT, established in June 2017 upon the merging of the Non-Fiction Producers Association (NPA) and PactUS, the two major trade organizations formed to serve the producers of nonfiction entertainment content. With 99 member companies, NPACT members collectively produce the vast majority...show more
Speaking on: Pressure Points: Making the Model Work; View from the Corner Office
Tom Forman is the Chief Executive Officer for Critical Content overseeing all creative and business operations for the company.
Forman previously served as CEO of Relativity Television, a position that he held for eight years since he founded the division in 2008. During his tenure, Forman received NATPE’s 2011 Innovator Award...show more
Speaking on: Pressure Points: Making the Model Work
Jimmy Fox is the founder and President of Main Event Media, part of the All3Media global family of production companies. He is the co-creator and executive producer of CNN's documentary series United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell which recently won the Emmy for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program. In...show more
Speaking on: Unscripted and Unprepared with Legacy Award Recipient Jonathan Murray
Elaine Frontain Bryant is Executive Vice President and Head of Programming at A&E Network, a position she has held since March 2015. She manages the A&E programming team and is responsible for overseeing the development, creation and execution of all programming for the network. She is also charged with integrating...show more
Speaking on: Unscripted: The Shocking Truth; Cocktails With Elaine Frontain Bryant, A&E
Jan David Frouman is Chairman & CEO of Red Arrow Studios, a ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE company. Red Arrow Studios is one of the world’s leading creators and distributors of entertainment content, comprised of 20 production companies in seven territories,including 10 companies based in the United States; world-leading multi-platform digital network...show more
Speaking on: The Business of Unscripted: A Global View
Speaking on: Inspiration/Perspiration
Bill Gardner oversees the acquisition, development and production of historical, cultural, current and world events, natural history and science programming for the PBS Primetime schedule as Vice President, Programming and Development.
Before joining PBS, Mr. Gardner was executive producer at Discovery Studios, where he developed projects in the reality, lifestyle and...show more
Liz Gateley was named Executive Vice President, Head of Programming, of Lifetime in April 2015. Based in New York, she oversees all content creation for Lifetime, including the network’s movies, scripted series and non-fiction teams responsible for delivering 400 hours of original programming each year.
Prior to joining...show more
Speaking on: Pressure Points: Making the Model Work
As WE tv’s executive vice president of development & original programming, Lauren Gellert is responsible for developing and producing brand-defining original series’ that drive viewership, build buzz and support the network’s overall business and revenue goals. She leads the network’s efforts in finding fresh new unscripted originals and oversees the...show more
Speaking on: Unscripted: The Shocking Truth
David George serves as president of ITV America, with oversight of creative development and production across the company’s production labels that include Leftfield Pictures (Alone for History), ITV Entertainment (Hell’s Kitchen and the upcoming The Four for FOX and Queer Eye for Netflix), Sirens Media (Real Housewives of New Jersey for Bravo), Loud TV (Tiny House Nation for FYI)...show more
Speaking on: The Business of Unscripted: A Global View
Nancy Glass is a six-time Emmy Award winner and the founder of Glass Entertainment Group. She opened Nancy Glass Productions in 2003. Since that time, she has created more than sixty television programs and documentaries seen on over twenty networks. She has also created IOS and Android apps for Animal...show more
Speaking on: Crime Time: The Evolution of a Genre
John Godfrey worked for 10 years in UK, series/exec producing for Channel 4/BBC2. He has been in Australia 14 years, was Head of SBS Documentaries and is now Head of SBS Unscripted, overseeing documentaries, factual entertainment, food and entertainment. SBS is one of Australia’s public broadcasters with a charter to...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners; Realscreen's Diversity & Inclusion Award Presentation & Case Study
In 2017 Kate Gold was promoted to Vice President of Video, Social Media and Convergent Content for Scripps Networks Interactive’s lifestyle brands, Food Network and Cooking Channel. In this role, Gold leads the digital video, social media, convergent and community management strategy, serving as a bridge between on-air programming, marketing...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Kate Gold, Scripps Lifestyle Studios
Jennifer joined TLC in October 2014. As Director of Development, she creates and conceptualizes series, specials and programming initiatives for the network. Since joining TLC, Jennifer has brought in a variety of new series, including hit show OutDaughtered and brand-new series The Healer.
Prior to her current position, Jennifer was on...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Sean Gottlieb is Executive Producer for A&E, where he oversees development and production of non-fiction programming for the network. He joined A&E in April 2014.
A seasoned producer with over 20 years’ experience, Gottlieb developed and is Executive Producer of Live PD, the new hit series that airs live from 9pm-12am...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
In his role as Senior Vice President, Digital Content and Social for Discovery Digital, Fred Graver oversees the digital network teams across Discovery’s US portfolio to extend the brand’s reach across all digital media platforms.
A seasoned industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, Graver most...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: Social Media and The Three Cs: Content, Connection, Community
Robyn Greene Arrington has consistently brought quality images to the screen. She is a seasoned creative executive with varied experience in the entertainment industry. In her present role as Vice President of Original Programming & Production at TV One, Greene Arrington is a key member of the core team that...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching One; Luncheon Roundtables
Abby Greensfelder is Co-CEO and Executive Producer at Half Yard Productions. With business partner, Sean Gallagher, Greensfelder’s passion for compelling television, unforgettable storytelling and her interest in social anthropology spurred her to start independent production company Half Yard Productions in 2006. Since inception, Half Yard has made hit series for...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Mentor: Abby Greensfelder, Half Yard Productions
Marisa Guthrie has been writing about the television industry for more than a decade. In 2010, she joined The Hollywood Reporter, which was re-launched as a weekly glossy and has since become one of the most buzzed about publications in the industry. Based in THR’s New York office, in June...show more
Speaking on: Pressure Points: Making the Model Work
As Senior Vice President of Development and Production for Nat Geo WILD, Janet Han Vissering is responsible for over 150 hours of programming commissioned each year.
In her role, Vissering manages WILD’s development team, working with the world’s leading independent producers, distributors, creative agencies and strategic broadcast...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Janet Han Vissering, Nat Geo WILD
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Acquisitions and Copros: Trends and Takeaways; Meet an Expert - Distributors
Brent Hatherill fulfills a critical role on the core content strategy team for Investigation Discovery, overseeing the conceptualization and development of ID’s original programming. Since joining the ID team full-time in 2016, Hatherill has been responsible for developing the upcoming James Patterson’s Murder Is Forever in addition to numerous yet-to-be-announced...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching One
Karin Heijink was appointed Vice President of Pay TV Channels & Products at Viasat World in 2015. Previously, she worked at MTG AB between 2011 and 2015 as Vice President of Pay-TV Channels East. Prior to that she worked for MTV Networks International as Senior Director of Music Content in...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners
John S. Hendricks is the founder and former Chairman of Discovery Communications, the global media parent company of Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC and Science, among many other television networks and ancillary businesses and brands. Hendricks launched Discovery Channel in 1985 as the first cable network in the United States...show more
Speaking on: Trendwatch: OTT Evolution
Tolani Holmes
SVP, Development, Unscripted Entertainment, MTV Entertainment and Paramount+
MTV & VH1
Tolani Holmes is Vice President of Unscripted Development for VH1 and MTV. In this role, she is responsible for developing and overseeing specials, pilots and series for both networks. This includes cultivating and discovering talent and pop culture worlds that fit into these iconic brands.
Before joining Viacom, she was an...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Tolani Holmes, MTV + VH1
Beth Hoppe is Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming at PBS. In that role she has overseen PBS’ growth from the 12th most watched in primetime to the 5th most watched among all broadcast and cable networks.
In just over three years in this position, Ms. Hoppe has...show more
Speaking on: Real Talk: Redefining Relevance - What Success Looks Like in a Post-OTT World
Born in Mainz in 1968, Nikolas Hülbusch studied Theatre, Film and Television, as well as Slavic studies, at Bochum (Germany) and Katowice (Poland) Universities from 1989 to 1995. He published several articles and
two books on documentary and feature film history.
After first experiences in various TV companies, he joined the...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners
Jimmy Humphrey is Head of Acquisitions at Passion Distribution. Jimmy is responsible for the continued development and management of the international pipeline, devising and implementing Passion Distribution’s content strategy and establishing relationships with rights owners and broadcasters. Passion Distribution specialises in popular quality programming and formats and works with some...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
Amy Introcaso-Davis is an Emmy award-winning television executive who currently serves as Executive Vice President, Development & Production for E! Entertainment. In this role, Introcaso-Davis oversees all unscripted development and production for the global pop culture brand, including popular series Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Total Divas, Hollywood Medium with...show more
Speaking on: Unscripted: The Shocking Truth
Maria Ishak is Vice President, North America Sales at all3media International and manages the pre-sale and sale of over 7000 hours of programming into the US and Canada.
Having worked in the television industry for more than 10 years, Ishak began her career within the marketing departments of FremantleMedia and Sony...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
Lee Jacobs serves as vice president and head of development for Loud Television, overseeing a dynamic team focused on developing content in the linear and digital spaces.
Before his time at Loud Television, Lee spent two years at NorthSouth Productions developing and executive producing series and pilots for History Channel, Red...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners
Elliot Jacobson is EVP & Chief Content Officer for RLTV, with responsibility for the network's content and marketing strategy.
Elliot oversees the programming development, production and acquisition teams, in addition to the marketing, PR and digital teams. As a founding executive, Elliot has been instrumental in the growth of RLTV since...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners; Speed Pitching Three
Brent Jacoby is the Vice President of Development for Outpost Entertainment. Prior to joining Outpost, Brent served as Vice President of Development at Pilgrim Media Group where he developed pilots and series for History, Discovery, TLC, Animal Planet, FYI, Lifetime, Freeform and many others.
Brent got his start in television as...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners
Brett-Patrick Jenkins is a Critic’s Choice award winning producer and television executive based in Los Angeles, and the Head of Development at Propagate Content.
After studying art at the University of Texas at Austin, Brett-Patrick joined Rick Baker’s Cinovation Studios and contributed to films including Hell Boy and The Haunted Mansion.
Since...show more
Speaking on: Where's the Big Idea?; Pitching Partners
Dane Harrington Joseph is a Senior Director of Development at MTV and VH1 where he develops specials, pilots and series for both networks. Prior to joining the Viacom family, he spent four years at Hot Snakes Media, working his way up from a Casting & Development Producer to eventually become...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Marc Juris is a uniquely talented creative executive with a proven track record of creating and developing brands and compelling original content for television and digital platforms across numerous networks.
As president and general manager of WE tv, Juris oversees all aspects of the network’s creative and business functions, including original...show more
Speaking on: Real Talk: Redefining Relevance - What Success Looks Like in a Post-OTT World
Marc Kamler is a partner and senior packaging agent in the Alternative & Factual Programming Department at APA, one of the world’s largest diversified talent agencies with offices in Beverly Hills, Nashville, Atlanta, New York, Toronto and London. Since joining the company in 2007, Kamler has become one of the...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: New Buyers, New Mandates - Upping Your Pitching Game
Endyia Kinney-Sterns is an accomplished television producer and network executive with over 20 years of entertainment television experience. Named one of the “Top Female Executives in Hollywood” by Essence Magazine, Kinney-Sterns has been instrumental in identifying and developing various new programming for various networks.
Most recently as Vice President of Development...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Endyia Kinney-Sterns, BET
Bert Klasey is the Executive Producer, Development and Programming for History, overseeing the creation and development of unscripted series and specials. Among the programs Klasey has developed and produced since joining the network in late 2016 is The Hunt for the Zodiac Killer and Truck Night in America.
Prior to joining...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables; Speed Pitching Three
Kyle Komen is an Agent in the Alternative & Factual Programming department at APA, one of the largest diversified talent agencies in the industry with offices in Beverly Hills, Nashville, Atlanta, New York and London.
A market leader, APA’s AFP department represents the creative and business interests of award-winning production companies,...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Agents
Richard D. Landau is a Principal in the White Plains and Albany, New York, offices of Jackson Lewis P.C. He has represented employers in all aspects of labor and employment law and has extensive experience providing employers with strategic advice relating to union organizing and in proceedings before the National...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: The More You Know - Structuring & Identifying Your Worker Relationships
As a 14-year veteran of programming and development at Discovery Communications, Jane Latman was elevated to EVP, development and research at Investigation Discovery in November, 2016. In this role, Latman leads a fierce and innovative team that is the creative force developing and monitoring the success of true-crime and justice...show more
Speaking on: Crime Time: The Evolution of a Genre
Betsy LeBlanc, Director, PBS International has more than 20 years of broadcast sales and marketing experience. LeBlanc helped to launch the division as WGBH International in 1997, has been instrumental in the successful growth of the company. In her current role she is responsible for the direction and implementation of...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
Howard Lee is the Executive Vice President, Development & Production for TLC. In 2015, Lee’s role expanded to General Manager of Discovery Life in addition to overseeing TLC’s entire development and programming slate, originating from the Los Angeles, New York and Silver Spring, MD offices. A Discovery veteran, he joined...show more
Speaking on: Unscripted: The Shocking Truth
Steven Lerner is the Senior Vice president of Programming for Scripps Networks Interactive’s brands – HGTV, DIY Network, Travel Channel and Great American Country. In this role, Lerner oversees the programming efforts at all three networks, as well as leads the New York and Knoxville-based programming teams. He is responsible...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Two
BJ Levin is the Senior Vice President of Development for Wilshire Studios, the unscripted studio part of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment and oversees all development and sales of original, non-scripted programming. Levin is a two-time Emmy Award-winning executive producer and showrunner who has worked in the television and film industry for more...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners
As Head of Original Content, Canadian Media for Blue Ant Media, Sam brings over 25 years of production expertise to the media company’s specialty television channels including Cottage Life, T+E, Makeful, Smithsonian Canada and BBC Earth Canada. In her role, Sam oversees commissioning and production of original series such as...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Two; Coffee + Commissioners
Joe Livecchi is a seasoned media professional with over 20 years of experience in content creation, programming and marketing. He has created and produced dozens of television shows as well as managing and developing hundreds of hours of content as a senior development executive. He’s that rare professional who has...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners; Small Companies, Big Ideas
Anne has worked at the Gersh Talent Agency, Fletcher & Co. Literary & Management Company, IFC, ITV Studios and is currently a development executive at Fusion TV. During her tenure at IFC she oversaw shows like Portlandia, Comedy Bang! Bang! and Maron. She's been at Fusion for two years and...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Bill Margol serves as Senior Director of Programming & Development for PBS across science, history & natural history and has overseen such programs as The Bomb, Big Blue Live, In Their Own Words and the upcoming Genius: With Stephen Hawking and The White House, amongst many others.
A graduate of Syracuse...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners; Speed Pitching One
Ari Mark is Co-Founder of AMPLE Entertainment, a production company dedicated to hands-on, handcrafted and filmmaker led premium content. Since launching less than three years ago, the company has produced more than 40 hours of programming including Murder in the Heartland for Discovery ID, Cooper’s Treasure with Amblin Entertainment for...show more
Speaking on: Small Companies, Big Ideas
Leila Mattimore joined VICELAND in 2015, and was a member of the development team that launched the channel. She is responsible for new original series as well as talent identification, recruitment, and development. Mattimore also acts as a liaison to VICE Media's various digital verticals, sitting on the company’s inter-departmental...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners; Speed Pitching Two
Russ McCarroll is Senior Vice President, Development and Production at Discovery Channel. McCarroll most recently served as the Senior Vice President of Programming and Development for History. In his role, he oversees the East Coast production and development of Discovery’s unscripted programming slate on all development and series.
McCarroll also oversees...show more
Speaking on: Pressure Points: Making the Model Work
Founded in 2014 by Geno McDermott, Blackfin has quickly become an industry leader in premium nonfiction, tracking true talent, building series or specials around them, and delivering these packages to cable television networks, OTT and digital outlets.
In 2017 alone, Blackfin produced 45 hours of television, including the critically...show more
Speaking on: Inspiration/Perspiration
Before founding social media agency Jumpwire Media in 2009, Gavin worked for Skype funded webvideo start up Joost and he was the Head of Cross Platform Business Development at global media company Endemol.
Jumpwire Media specializes in building and managing social media communities for pages with fans over 100,000. Jumpwire clients...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: Social Media and The Three Cs: Content, Connection, Community
Ben has been on the eOne development team since 2014, where he has worked on developing series across cable and digital. He helped develop Growing Up Hip Hop and served as an Executive Producer on Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta. Prior to eOne, he sold series to networks such as...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners
Winona Meringolo is the Vice President of Development for Investigation Discovery and American Heroes Channel. ID is the preeminent true crime destination; delivering over 650 premiere hours a year of mystery and suspense programming that fully immerses and engages audiences. Winona plays a critical role developing original content for the...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Winona Meringolo, Investigation Discovery
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables; SUMMIT SHOWDOWN: INTERNATIONAL PITCH COMPETITION
Brent Montgomery is CEO of ITV America, with oversight of ITV’s US portfolio, including Leftfield Pictures, ITV Entertainment, Sirens Media, Loud TV, Outpost Entertainment, Thinkfactory Media, High Noon Entertainment, DiGa, Gurney Productions, Red Bandit Media and Kingdom Reign. As the largest independent producer of non-scripted content in the US, ITV...show more
Speaking on: Pressure Points: Making the Model Work
Melanie Moreau is Head of Premium Content Development at Complex Networks where she is responsible for the development and oversight of scripted and unscripted premium content for Complex and Rated Red. Most recently she produced Going Cambo, Why We Fight and Road to Race Day currently airing on Verizon’s go90....show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Widely credited with helping to usher in the modern reality television genre with his late partner Mary-Ellis Bunim, Jonathan Murray continues to inspire, influence and entertain television audiences worldwide. Since the launch of The Real World on MTV in 1992, Murray has created and executive produced some of the industry’s most innovative,...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Mentor: Jonathan Murray, Bunim/Murray Productions; Unscripted and Unprepared with Legacy Award Recipient Jonathan Murray
As Executive Vice President of Programming and Development for National Geographic, Mykura leads content development and production for the channels outside the US, and also commissions series and events that will air in the US and globally, in conjunction with the National Geographic commissioning team in Washington, DC. He is responsible...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Hamish Mykura, National Geographic Intl
Erik Nelson is the president of Creative Differences. In 2017, Nelson produced and directed A&E’s feature documentary A Gray State, and is now completing production on a new feature documentary, The Cold Blue, in association with Vulcan Productions which will be released in 2018. In 2005, Nelson produced Werner Herzog’s...show more
Speaking on: Inspiration/Perspiration
As Vice President, News & Public Affairs for PBS, Marie Nelson is responsible for collaborating with executive producers of acclaimed PBS news and public affairs series, as well as independent producers, to develop and direct innovative approaches to engage audiences in current events across these programs and platforms.
Ms. Nelson is...show more
Speaking on: To Tell the Truth: The Intersection of Non-Fiction and News
Sheila Nevins is president, HBO Documentary Films, for Home Box Office, responsible for overseeing the development and production of all documentaries for HBO, HBO2 and Cinemax. She was named to this position in February 2004.
As an executive producer or producer, she has received 32 Primetime Emmy® Awards, 34 News and...show more
Speaking on: 20th Anniversary Legacy Award + Keynote: Sheila Nevins, HBO Documentary Films
Danielle Ostroske D’Ingillo joined the TLC team as Director of Development in August 2013. Based in New York, she plays an instrumental role in the development of all series across TLC’s slate of programming including such shows as 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, This is Life Live and...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Three
Simon Ostrovsky is a Soviet-born American-Israeli documentary filmmaker and journalist at CNN. He is known for his coverage of the 2014 crisis in Ukraine for VICE News and for Selfie Soldiers, a 2015 documentary in which he re-enacted a Russian soldier's social media posts to track him to Ukraine. He...show more
Speaking on: To Tell the Truth: The Intersection of Non-Fiction and News
Allison Page is General Manager of U.S. Programming and Development for Scripps Networks Interactive. In this role, she oversees all programming and development for Scripps Networks’ domestic brands HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.
Prior to her current position, Page served as General Manager...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails With: Allison Page, Scripps Networks Interactive; Reality Check: After #MeToo, What Now?
Gretchen Palek is co-president of Leftfield Pictures, a part of ITV America, and is responsible for all development, programming and production across broadcast, cable and digital platforms.
Some of Leftfield Pictures' hit series include such key titles as the long-running Pawn Stars, Alone and Counting Cars (History), The Book of John Gray (OWN), The Adventures of Dr. Buckeye...show more
Speaking on: Reality Check: After #MeToo, What Now?
Chris Palmer is an environmental film producer, professor, speaker, and author. He serves on American University’s full-time faculty as Distinguished Film Producer in Residence at the School of Communication. His books include Shooting in the Wild (Sierra Club Books, 2010); Confessions of a Wildlife Filmmaker (Bluefield Publishing, 2015); Now What,...show more
Speaking on: Networking Made Easy
Charlie Parsons is Vice President of Development for the National Geographic Channel, responsible for developing new projects, discovering new talent and serving as one of the network’s main points of contact for the global production community. Since joining the Channel in 2010, Parsons has developed popular series Doomsday Preppers, Inside Combat...show more
Speaking on: SUMMIT SHOWDOWN: INTERNATIONAL PITCH COMPETITION
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Real Talk: Redefining Relevance - What Success Looks Like in a Post-OTT World
Taj Paxton is currently the Head of Logo Documentary Films. Under her guidance, the division won its first Emmy Award in 2016 for the critically acclaimed documentary Matt Shepard Is a Friend of Mine and a subsequent Emmy in 2017 for Out of Iraq about two soldiers in love and fighting to be reunited. At Logo, she...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Taj Paxton, Logo
Caroline Perez serves as Vice President, Development and Production for Science Channel. In this role, she is responsible for bringing new series and specials to the network while supervising the development and production of concepts to green light, in addition to maintaining the quality of current series through production and...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners; Speed Pitching Two
Jacqui Pitman
CEO, Casting Director & Executive Producer
Pitman Casting Inc/ Partypit Productions Inc.
Jacqui Pitman is widely known throughout Hollywood as “The Casting Director with an Executive Producer’s eye.”
Jacqui began her casting career in the late 80’s for the hit dating show, Love Connection and Fox’s Hit Studs. She quickly moved up the ladder and became Casting Director on multiple shows in no...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: New Buyers, New Mandates - Upping Your Pitching Game
As Senior Vice President of Production for Smithsonian Channel, Charles Poe guides the editorial process for programming that combines the entertainment DNA of parent company Showtime with the credibility and boundless assets of the Smithsonian Institution, the world’s largest museum and research complex. He has shaped successful tentpole specials such...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
D’Angela Proctor is TV One’s SVP of Original Programming & Production. In this role, she maintains creative and business oversight for all original programming, including a portfolio of true crime, factual, reality, scripted, specials, original movies and a daily news and entertainment program.
Under her original programming leadership, TV One is...show more
Speaking on: Inspiration/Perspiration
Jennifer Quainton is Vice President of Cooking Channel and Food Network. In her current role, Quainton oversees both development and scheduling strategy for Cooking Channel, as well as daytime programming for both networks.
A member of the Food Network and Cooking Channel team since 2000, Quainton has...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching One
Chris Rantamaki is Discovery Channel’s Senior Vice President of Production and Development. Based in Los Angeles, Rantamaki oversees the east and west coast teams responsible for the network’s non-fiction slate, which includes such hits as Gold Rush, Deadliest Catch, Fast n’ Loud, Naked and Afraid and Killing Fields, among others. Currently, Discovery is...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails With Chris Rantamaki, Discovery Channel
Neil Regan joined Scripps Networks Interactive as Vice President of Programming for Travel Channel in January 2016. He reports directly to Courtney White, who was recently promoted to Senior Vice President of Programming at the network. In this position, Regan manages the development and production of series and specials for...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Joe Rivadeneira has been leading mitú's Unscripted development department since January 2017 selling shows to Verizon Go90, Spotify and Facebook Watch to name a few. Prior to mitú, Rivadeneira was a producer on shows for Spike, Youtube Red, Matador Content, Alevy Productions and A. Smith & Co.
Rivadeneira has also held...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Three
An experienced show runner, development executive, and executive producer, Steven Robillard rejoined the ranks of Original Productions as Senior Vice President in 2015 after a two-year stint in the United Kingdom. A Philadelphia native, Robillard has developed and overseen projects for Fremantle UK, Entertainment One, and Original Productions including Netflix’s...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners
Jane Root is a leading creative executive who has transformed major networks on both sides of the Atlantic. She has built a reputation for innovation, determination and delivery in both television and digital.
In 2008, Root set up her own TV production company Nutopia. With offices in London and...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Mentor: Jane Root, Nutopia; The Business of Unscripted: A Global View
Gillian Rose is Senior Vice President, US Sales and Acquisitions, for Sky Vision, the wholly owned production and distribution business of Sky (UK). She joined the company recently and is based in New York. Prior to this she was Managing Director, PBS Distribution, the commercial arm of PBS and WGBH...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
David Royle leads the editorial team that launched the Smithsonian Channel, overseeing commissioning, acquiring, producing and scheduling. Smithsonian Channel is now available by satellite, cable and telecom service, as well as on multiple digital and mobile platforms. It launched in Canada in 2013 and in Singapore in 2016. One of...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With David Royle, Smithsonian Channel; Inspiration/Perspiration
Speaking on: Trendwatch: OTT Evolution
Loren Ruch is the Senior Vice President of Programming, Partnerships and Special Events for the six Scripps Networks Interactive domestic network brands – HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country. He oversees programming tied to the company’s ad sales-driven initiatives, including custom, cross-network and...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Loren Ruch, HGTV & DIY Network
Claire is responsible for identifying content for production and international distribution, and for establishing relationships with producers and broadcasters. Every deal that TCB is part of becomes tailor made to suit the needs of the production, whether there’s requirement for co-development, deficit financing, minimum guarantee, advance and/or cash-flow. TCB has...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
Lynn Sadofsky
SVP, Food Network Programming & Development
Food Network, Cooking Channel & Travel Channel
Lynn Sadofsky currently serves as Vice President of Programming and Development for Food Network, Cooking Channel and Travel Channel. In this role, Sadofsky works with programmers to develop new series, manage show production and cultivate new talent for the three networks. She also serves as one of the senior liaisons...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Jason Sarlanis joined TLC in December 2016 as Senior Vice President, Development. Based out of the Los Angeles office, Sarlanis oversees development teams on both coasts, spearheading such projects as the highly anticipated return of Trading Spaces, Four Weddings and new series Unexpected. Sarlanis reports directly to Howard Lee, EVP...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Jason Sarlanis, TLC
Joel Savitt joined YouTube in May 2016 as Head of Production for YouTube Originals, where he works with partners and oversees all physical and financial aspects of their productions for YouTube Original Programming. Prior to joining YouTube, Joel was the VP of Production and Operations at NBCUniversal’s cable network Oxygen...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Jessica Schmiedchen is an innovative media executive with over 15 years experience in all phases of development and production. In her role in CBC’s Unscripted Content group, Jessica oversees development of formats and original content in the genres of factual entertainment, arts, and doc series - on both linear and...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners
Joseph Schneier is Discovery Channel’s Vice President of Development and Production, heading the West Coast Development team, based at the Discovery Channel offices in Los Angeles.
Schneier first joined Discovery in 2012. He has Executive Produced multiple hours for Shark Week and oversaw the hit series “Alaskan Bush People” and “Moonshiners.”...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Eric Schotz, president and CEO of production company Anvil 1893, is a nine-time Emmy-award winner whose innovative style and creativity has established him as one of the television industry’s foremost producers/directors of non-fiction and reality-based programming.
Schotz launched his new Anvil 1893 shingle in 2016, with credits including the two-hour newsworthy...show more
Speaking on: Inspiration/Perspiration
Based in New York, Hit + Run is a full service production company known for high concept and high quality story-driven programming with unprecedented access to incredible locations and underground subcultures. Combining storytelling with compelling and dynamic visuals, the company produces across all genres, from disruptive digital programs to cutting...show more
Speaking on: Small Companies, Big Ideas
Matt Shanfield is the Senior Vice President, Development at Asylum Entertainment. In this role, he is the creative executive behind the development of original concepts, unique formats, and fresh new talent leading to the sale of a slew of successful new series. He has Executive Produced and shepherded Asylum series...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: New Buyers, New Mandates - Upping Your Pitching Game
Evan Shapiro (independent showrunner/writer/producer) has run IFC, Sundance Channel, Pivot and Seeso. He has produced or co-created comedies such as Portlandia (Peabody Award), Take My Wife, Please Like Me, Shrink, Harmonquest, Dinner For Five (Emmy Nomination), Trapped In The Closet, There’s Johnny!, My Brother My Brother and Me, HitRecord (Emmy...show more
Speaking on: To Tell the Truth: The Intersection of Non-Fiction and News
Barnaby Shingleton is the Director of Entertainment and Factual at Sky Vision, the production and distribution company founded by Sky PLC in 2012. The distribution arm represents over 6,000 hours of quality primetime programming across all key genres, from Sky Original Productions and independent third party production. Sky Vision also...show more
Speaking on: Acquisitions and Copros: Trends and Takeaways
As Senior Vice President, Development, Bravo Media, Rachel Smith oversees the non-scripted development for the network including pilots, casting reels and original concepts. Based in New York, she reports to Frances Berwick, President, Lifestyle Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.
Previously, Smith served as Senior Vice President, Current Production,...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Rachel Smith, Bravo
Matt Sorger is an agent at ICM Partners in the Broadcasting and International Television and Media departments working out of their New York office. He represents on-air talent, producers, and production companies in the broadcast, cable, digital, and syndication markets.
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Agents
As Vice President, Original Programming and Series Development for E!, St. Aubin is responsible for the development of series over a variety of genres. St. Aubin also oversees current on air series, collaborates with talent and producers, and builds key relationships within the entertainment industry on behalf of the network....show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Carlyn Staudt, EVP, Love Nature Programming & Development leads the global programming strategy of Love Nature’s linear platform internationally and commissions original content to grow the brand’s extensive library of 4K natural history programming. Prior to this, Staudt held numerous roles at National Geographic. As SVP, Global Programming and Managing...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Carlyn Staudt, Love Nature
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With David Stefanou, WE TV; SUMMIT SHOWDOWN: INTERNATIONAL PITCH COMPETITION
Adam Steinman served as Vice President, Non-Scripted International Development & Sales from October 2010 until October 2016 and in November 2016 was promoted to Vice President, Creative, Format, Development & Sales at Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP), where scripted formats have been added to his remit.
In this position, Steinman...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners
Colleen Needles Steward is always on the hunt for the next brilliant idea and has discovered that the ones scribbled on the back of cocktail napkins are usually the best. With more than 30 years of television experience, she spearheads the company’s new show development and oversees the production of...show more
Speaking on: Small Companies, Big Ideas
Mike Stiller is Vice President, Development and Programming for History. During his time at History, Stiller has developed and commissioned a slate of hits and critically acclaimed documentaries. In 2014, he developed and executive-produced The Curse of Oak Island, currently the highest-rated hit series on History, and the #1 rated...show more
Cynthia Stockhammer is the Senior Vice President of Development at Critical Content where she oversees the development of non-scripted programming for broadcast, cable, and digital networks.
Cynthia was previously on the network/studio side of the business and served as Senior Director of Development at ABC both in the unscripted studio, ABC...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners
Hank Stuever is the Washington Post's television critic, a job he's held since 2009. Before that he was a features writer in the Post's Style section. Among other awards for his work, he has twice been named a Pulitzer Prize finalist. He is also the author of Off Ramp, an...show more
Speaking on: 20th Anniversary Legacy Award + Keynote: Sheila Nevins, HBO Documentary Films
Based in New York, Igal Svet is Senior Director, Development for the National Geographic Channel, responsible for ideation and development of original premium content for the global channel. Svet is the main point of contact with the production community in New York. Prior to National Geographic, he served as Vice President,...show more
Speaking on: SUMMIT SHOWDOWN: INTERNATIONAL PITCH COMPETITION
Rob Swartz is Sr. Vice President of Development and Current Programming at REELZ, a leading independent cable and satellite general entertainment network connecting its viewers to Hollywood wherever it happens. Swartz leads creative execution of the network’s development and production slate.
Prior to joining REELZ, Swartz served as President of production company...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Rob Swartz, Reelzchannel
Drew Tappon is the Chief Creative Officer for 495 Productions, a position he has held since October, 2016. In this role, he oversees all creative elements (both development and current) for the prolific production company, known for their boisterous and outrageous reality programming, including Jersey Shore, Party Down South, the...show more
Speaking on: Meet a Mentor: Drew Tappon, 495 Productions
Susan Taylor
Executive in Charge of Production and Development, Unscripted
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Speed Pitching One
Spencer Thomas is Senior Producer for CJ E & M’s Factual Team. Spencer’s specialty is creating and packaging new programs, facilitating international co-productions, and bridging markets. Spencer has worked in South Korea’s television industry since 2012, and has extensive production experience as a producer and technician in the United States...show more
Speaking on: Trendwatch: Tuning Up Music Competitions
Kari Thompson practices Entertainment Law and Corporate Law in the Los Angeles office of Abrams Garfinkel Margolis Bergson, LLP. Kari represents a broad range of clients, including production companies, producers, directors, writers, actors and unscripted on-camera talent in connection with motion picture, television, and new media projects. She structures, drafts...show more
Speaking on: MASTER CLASS: The More You Know - Structuring & Identifying Your Worker Relationships
Kurt Tondorf serves as Senior Vice President of Development for Animal Planet. In this role he oversees the development strategy and slate for the network and creates series, specials and other programming initiatives. The most recent series Tondorf developed for Animal Planet include The Zoo, I Was Prey and Animal Cribs. Other series Tondorf developed during his tenure...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Kurt Tondorf, Animal Planet
Recently joining the E! Team mid-2017, Unger previously served as Director, Programming & Development at Dick Clark Productions where he developed Netflix’s A Little Help with Carol Burnett and worked on Billboard Music Awards, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest and American Music Awards. He also previously worked in...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching One
As Manager, Original Programming & Development, Oxygen Media, Monica Valdes is responsible for expanding the networks growing slate of true crime programming. She is a member of both the current and development teams lead by Rod Aissa (EVP, Programming & Development) and Cori Abraham (SVP, Development & International). Valdes joined...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching Three
Erin Wanner serves as Vice President of Production for Animal Planet and heads the network's production teams, working with internal executive producers and external production companies to ensure the excellence of Animal Planet's storytelling and to execute the content vision for the network. Wanner is also a key creative voice...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners
Jamie joined Discovery in 2014 working across acquisitions and strategy, road mapping the long range plan across a portfolio of channels. Working within the new EMEA Content Team he is now jointly responsible for the supply of over 3000 hours of programming and primarily responsible for the selection and supply...show more
Speaking on: Coffee + Commissioners; Speed Pitching One
Jessica Watson is Director of Global Sales & Acquisitions at Boat Rocker Media. In this role, Watson is responsible for cultivating sales and distribution partnerships with producers, broadcasters and global content buyers. Prior to joining Boat Rocker Media, Watson held the position of Manager, TV International Acquisitions at Entertainment One...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
Nina Weinstein is the Director of Development for MSNBC Longform programming. She joined NBC NEWS in 2015, bringing an extensive background in non-fiction television production and development. Prior to joining NBC, she served as Senior Producer for RocknRobin, Robin Roberts’ production company and was a programming consultant for Fusion Television.
Previously...show more
Speaking on: Luncheon Roundtables
Courtney White currently serves as the Senior Vice President of Programming for Scripps Networks Interactive’s Travel Channel, Food Network and Cooking Channel. She was given the additional responsibility of overseeing all series development for both Food Network and Cooking Channel in 2017 after serving as Senior Vice President of Programming...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With Courtney White, Food Network & Travel Channel
Justin Wilkes is an Academy Award-nominated and multiple Emmy and Peabody-winning producer known for a wide range of feature documentaries and television series including the Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning film, What Happened, Miss Simone?, Oscar-nominated, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory, Metallica: Some Kind of Monster, Emmy-winning Under African Skies, Keith Richards: Under...show more
Speaking on: Crime Time: The Evolution of a Genre
Courtney Williams is the European Regional Director for Parrot Analytics. With more than 20 years’ experience in the international media and entertainment sector both as a senior executive at several networks and studios, as well as having been a successful entrepreneur in several media ventures, Mr. Williams brings a wealth...show more
Speaking on: The Deep Development Data Dive
Justina Hemperek is the Director, Non-Scripted Acquisitions UK & Europe, International Distribution, Entertainment One. Based in London, Hemperek focuses on the acquisition of factual television product for distribution to all media outlets around the world.
Prior to joining eOne, Hemperek held a similar role at ITV Studios Global Entertainment and has...show more
Speaking on: Meet an Expert - Distributors
Scott just finished runs on back-to-back series (Perception on TNT and most recently NBC’s The...show more
Speaking on: SUMMIT SHOWDOWN: INTERNATIONAL PITCH COMPETITION
Fay Yu serves as Senior Director of Development for Animal Planet. In this role she is responsible for bringing new series and specials to Animal Planet while supervising the development and production of concepts to green light, in addition to maintaining the quality of current series through production and delivery. Additionally,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching One
