MBAMEC 2012 Panels are here! All five schools contributed to the organization of these exciting panels.
The New Gate-Keepers
As the amount of information and media content available digitally continues to increase, how will people find what they’re looking for? How are the roles of critics, editors, and other ‘traditional’ curators of content changing? How will social networks, search engines, and preference algorithms continue to influence what we consume? What role will the profusion of platforms to access digital content play? This panel will explore these questions and examine who will be the new gate-keepers of content in the future.
Panelists - The Economist, Outbrain, Reader’s Digest, Trendrr
Marketing XYZ: The Generational Divide
With the “Millennials” of Generation Y and the “Digital Natives” of Generation Z, media companies must master the subtle difference between consumers who grew up “with” the Internet and “on” the Internet. This panel will explore how media companies address these important niche markets and what untapped value these age groups hold. What specific innovations help address the complexity of marketing, generation by generation?
Panelists - ABC News, ABC Family, 360i, The Sound Research, Nielsen
What is the Future of 3D?
As 3D becomes increasingly available in various formats and devices, we must ask – is it worth the cost? Will consumers continue to pay higher fees for 3D media, or has the novelty worn off? Now that the costs of 3D TVs are decreasing, and many cable providers offer 3D On Demand options, what does this mean for the future of 3D content? Does 3D offer the opportunity for increased revenue? When will 3D uptake become pervasive?
Panelists - NYU Stern, IFC, OFFHOLLYWOOD
What is the future of the Music Industry?
How will the music industry adapt to a changing business? The industry has faced evolutions in music consumption, technology and social media as well as increasing competition from other forms of entertainment. How can artists and labels benefit from new distribution models and platforms? What are the pros and cons of these platforms and what are the factors that drive success? What is the impact of new creative business models? What strategies are being worked on to drive revenue and generate income?
Panelists - ReverbNation, Sony Music Entertainment, YouTube
Use Your Remote to Click Here: The Impact of Interactive Advertisements and Shows
Over the past year, multiple network providers have made investments to bring interactive advertising into millions of consumers’ homes. Hundreds of advertisers large and small have launched interactive campaigns to engage customers and viewers. What are the benefits of interactive advertising for the advertiser and viewer? What are the required resources and benefits for the network providers? This panel allows students an early look at a potential evolution of television.
Panelists - Unilever, Canoe Ventures, BrightLine iTV
Women in Media & Entertainment: It’s Time to Change the Gender Ratio
Why do such gaping gender disparities persist in the entertainment industry? Why does the media industry sometimes feel like such a boys’ club? This panel will allow industry professionals and top MBA’s to be not just part of the discussion but part of the solution.
Panelists - womenandhollywood. com, Cinematic Rights Management/Film Buff, Univision, Time Warner, Inc.
Transmedia: How New Technologies are Changing the Media Business
This panel will discuss the viability of multi-platform franchises. How can a single story engage consumers on multiple media devices? How can companies generate not only a new kind of interaction between people and media products, but also multiple revenue streams for a single franchise?
Panelists - Campfire, SyFy Ventures/NBC Universal, Umami TV/NYCTransmedia, Starlight Runner
The Brewing Content Battle: Cable Networks vs. Online Distributors
As online content distributors like YouTube and Netflix venture into producing their own professional content, traditional media companies are left wondering – do they continue to do business with these distributors that might soon be competitors? Do the partnership benefits outweigh the risks? Are “TV Anywhere” content syndication offerings like HBO GO the answer?
Panelists - HBO, NBC Universal, A&E Networks, Discovery
Is Innovation Blurring the Line Between Media and the “Real” World?
Augmented reality is allowing companies to engage with consumers as they go about their daily lives. Facial recognition technology, once part of Hollywood’s “Minority Report,” has become an advertising reality. Applications now offer innovative alternatives in such areas as childhood education, new product development, and customer rewards programs. Are these technologies a richer way of engaging consumers? Is this a fad or is it the future of media?
Panelists - Viewdle, Honingman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP, Daqri, Augmented Stories, Ogmento
The Globalization of Hollywood: How Emerging Markets are Impacting the Film Industry
While emerging markets have traditionally been an afterthought to the American film industry, developing countries such as China, India, Brazil and Mexico now present new opportunities for growth and film financing. Hollywood studios are not only partnering with film studios and distributors in these markets to utilize local resources, but they are also collaborating to produce films that appeal to a global audience. As American companies within the film industry focus more of their efforts internationally, will they succeed in tapping into the revenue and growth opportunities that exist in these emerging markets?
Panelists - Cinetic, Goldcrest, Sony Pictures International, FilmNation Entertainment
Cross-Channel Monetization in Sports
The Olympic Games have always been a major media event – but with the pricetag reaching nearly 4.5B for the latest bid, how high can the cost of sports rights go? This panel examines how media companies can take advantage of the increasing popularity of sporting events, and best monetize sports rights, across multiple platforms.
Panelists - Bloomberg Sports, Global Sport 360
Making Room for Digital: How Should Traditional Content Providers Profit from New Digital Channels?
Digital isn’t the future – it’s now. Large media companies have battled the transformation from print and TV to online and video. This panel will explore the challenges and successes thus far and discuss what future obstacles must be overcome to ensure that the right information reaches right audience in a profitable and sustainable manner.
Panelists - Razorfish, HMH Publishing, CBS Radio
A Case Study in New Markets: Changing US Demographics and Investment in the Hispanic Media Market
Major demographic shifts revealed by the 2010 census are changing the investment outlook for media companies, reaffirming the increasing influence of minority groups on the US economy. For example, today’s America is home to more than 50 million Hispanics, who make up over 16% of the US population, and represent one of the fastest growing new segments of media consumers. This panel will address what strategies are expected to be most effective at targeting growing, under-served markets and what new business models can best profit from these changes.
Panelists - Fox, Univision, Telemundo
Is Brand Extension the Future of Publishing?
As traditional advertising models become less profitable for magazines, publishers are looking to brand extension to generate revenue. Through concerts, conferences, events, consulting and production, publishers are finding innovative ways to leverage their brands for additional profit. How are media companies extending their brands and revenue models to adapt to changes in media consumption? Will brand extension revenue eclipse advertising as the primary source of revenue for magazines?
Panelists - Pitchfork, TRUE Agency/TRACE Magazine
The Future of Live Entertainment
In an increasingly ‘digital’ world, live entertainment continues to stand the test of time and remain relevant. In this panel we shall talk about the future of live entertainment based on observed trends and changes in the world, and explore how it can continue to offer value beyond that achieved through technology.
Panelists - NuevoStage, Cirque du Soleil, Walt Disney Theatricals Group, Juilliard School