MBA Media, Entertainment & sports Conference 2024

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24 — Columbia business SChool

The MBA Media, Entertainment & Sports Conference is an annual event jointly organized by NYU Stern and Columbia Business School. In its 18th year, the conference is open to students, faculty, and industry professionals, providing industry knowledge and networking opportunities for hundreds of MBAs passionate about the media, entertainment, and sports industries. Through panel discussions, fireside chats, and keynote addresses, the Media, Entertainment & Sports conference generates unique discussions on the current state of the industry and its future.

schedule

10:45 AM - 11:50 AM

Opening Keynote: Fireside Chat with Sam Zussman — CEO, BSE Global

Moderated by Jonathan Knee, Michael T. Fries Professor of Professional Practice of Media and Technology & Co-Director of Media and Technology Program at Columbia Business School

Geffen 590

12:00 PM - 12:50 PM

Breakout Panel 1: Data-Driven Disruption

There’s no doubt that in the world of streaming, data is king. This panel explores the role of data in an increasingly competitive media landscape. Learn how top executives use data to isolate and propel competitive advantages, partnerships, new opportunities and more!

Sean Gupta (Moderator) – Adjunct Professor, Columbia Business School
Louisa Ferguson – Global Marketing, Spotify
Maggie Schumann – Director of Global Streaming Strategy, Warner Bros. Discovery
Ross Siegel – Executive Vice President, Head of Business Development Center of Excellence, MediaLink
Lauren Zweifler – Recent SVP of Insights & Measurement, NBCUniversal

Geffen 590

Breakout Panel 2: Masters of Marketing: Brand Breakthroughs

This panel will explore best practices around strategic marketing and brand management in the entertainment industry. Gain insights from leading experts in entertainment marketing on how brands maintain their relevance amidst the ever-changing media and entertainment landscape.

Professor Thomai Serdari (Moderator) – NYU Stern
Kiko Restrepo – Senior Director, Warner Bros. Discovery
Shyama Friedenson – Global Marketing Executive
Gideon E. Moncrieffe – Global Media & Event Executive
Michael Knopf – SVP, Marketing Transformation Practice Lead, MediaLink

Geffen 520

1:00 PM - 1:50 PM

Lunch Mixer

Geffen 5th Floor

2:00 PM - 2:50 PM

Breakout Panel 3: The Business of Production: Distribution, Monetization and Art

This panel will provide an overview of media monetization in today’s rapidly evolving consumption environment. It will explore the balance of creativity and commerce in the entertainment industry, highlighting content strategies and data-driven decisions undertaken by TV networks and media studios when greenlighting projects, acquiring content, or implementing distribution strategies. It will discuss metrics used to drive content strategies, and explore the future of tv and film commercialization while addressing media and technology consumption trends.

Darren Campo (Moderator) – Adjunct Professor of Media and Technology, NYU Stern
Anand Kini – EVP, Corporate Strategy, Comcast Corporation & CFO, NBCUniversal
Preetha Rajamani – Head of Original TV Strategy, Amazon Studios
Brian Rikuda – EVP, Strategy, Operations and Program Scheduling, BET Media Group
Kevin Lin – Co-Head, Cultural Business Strategy Group & Agent, CAA

Geffen 590

Breakout Panel 4: The Next Generation of Media Brands: Building Creator-Led Businesses

This panel will focus on key trends in the creator economy, namely the rapid rise of creator-led media companies and the business models that drive them forward. The discussion will cover strategies that creators and operators are taking to expand their companies, new challenges and opportunities they are facing, and how students and professionals can make an impact as this unique space continues to expand.