The MIT Enterprise Forum of Atlanta will present an expert panel on the Internet’s impact on television and entertainment at its November 16, 2006 meeting. “TV Transformed: Moving Video – and Eyeballs – from Broadcast to Broadband” will be a participatory, town-hall style event where panelists will answer audience questions, discussing the migration of TV from broadcast to the Internet, and arguing the implications for consumers and businesses.
News about the recent merging of Internet and TV abounds, ranging from NBC’s budget cuts for traditional TV while increasing funding for Internet programming, to Google’s acquisition of YouTube and new Internet TV offerings. The MIT Forum will host leaders in publishing, advertising, content delivery, television and technology. Discussion will range from delivering HDTV over the Net to Network Neutrality and advertising’s shifting landscape.
Jim Louderback, Editor in Chief and SVP of PC Magazine and Editorial Director of Ziff Davis’ Consumer/Business Group, will moderate the panel. Louderback has more than 20 years experience in innovative technology and media developments, as well as being TechTV’s editorial founder. At Ziff Davis, Louderback focuses on increasing media exposure and launching a series of new sites and innovative IPTV shows and podcasts.
Michel Billard, CEO of Itiva Digital Media, posits the entrepreneur’s perspective on the panel. Billard has moved this Content Delivery Network start-up from a pure research company to commercial deployment, offering HD quality content delivery and attracting interest from DreamWorks, EMI and others. Billard previously served as Director of Strategic Initiatives for HP-Digital Entertainment Services, and as Director of PowerBook Engineering for Apple Computer.
The role of IPTV will be presented by David B. Davies, Vice President of Strategy and Product Marketing, Subscriber Networks for Scientific Atlanta, A Cisco Company. Davies is responsible for business and market strategy, new business development, and new product marketing support for subscriber products including the Explorer line of digital interactive set-tops, IPTV set-tops and data and voice cable modems. Past work includes system engineering, product development and manufacturing for technology companies.
Larry Gerbrandt, Senior Vice President/General Manager of Nielsen Analytics, joins the panel representing advertising and research. Nielsen Analytics is a division of VNU’s Media Measurement & Information group. Gerbrandt is responsible for developing leading edge research, analyses and valuation services for companies in the media and entertainment space. He previously served 20 years at Kagan World Media, most recently as Chief Operating Officer and also led the media & entertainment practice at AlixPartners.
David Rudolph, senior vice president of strategy and new products for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS, Inc.), will convey the issue from the broadcast network’s angle. At Turner, Mr. Rudolph directs the internal teams charged with providing consultation and analysis of potential acquisitions, including programming and technology, and domestic and international corporate strategy initiatives. In addition, he is responsible for working across TBS, Inc. divisions to identify and analyze market concepts and develop internal ideas leading to products of scale outside the company’s traditional network businesses.
The meeting will be held at the BellSouth Auditorium, Midtown II Building. Networking begins 5:30 PM; the program starts at 7:00 PM. Prices range from $25 for members to
$45 for non-member onsite registration; all students are $10. Program participation and membership are open to all, regardless of academic affiliation. Information and registration are available at
www.mitforumatlanta.org.