Speaker Biographies
CROSSAN “BO” ANDERSEN, President & CEO, Entertainment Merchants Association
Bo Andersen has served as president and chief officer of the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) since April 1999.
During his tenure, Andersen has overseen EMA initiatives to support independent video stores, market the value of home video to the public, expand the Association's member benefits, and maintain its leadership in legislative and legal affairs.
Andersen joined EMA as vice president and general counsel in 1995, and became the senior vice president and general counsel of the Association in August 1997. As the Association's general counsel, Andersen directed EMA's joint activities with other entertainment industry trade associations to successfully thwart a wide variety of legislation proposed in numerous states and in Congress that would have unfairly taxed video retailers, restricted the content of motion pictures and video games available in video stores, and otherwise directly burdened video retailers. The Association responds to more than 200 such bills annually, and did not lose a single legislative battle while Andersen served as its general counsel.
From 1996 to 1999, Andersen managed and won a major lawsuit filed by (then) VSDA to defend the First Amendment rights of video retailers and their customers following the seizure of copies of the Academy Award-winning film "The Tin Drum" by police authorities in Oklahoma City, OK.
Before joining EMA in 1995, Andersen served as the anti-piracy legal director for the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and, in that role, built much of MPAA's criminal enforcement program, as well as its program of federal prosecution of cable and satellite "black box" manufacturers. Mr. Andersen also co-managed MPAA's government relations in the areas of anti-piracy and copyright legislation.
SEAN BESSER, VP, Business Development, Rovi Corporation
As the head of Business Development, Sean Besser is responsible for guiding the corporate growth of Rovi, including identifying, expanding and managing its strategic partnerships. Sean's current focus is on the company's digital content strategy. One of his key goals is to enable consumer TV viewing experiences to be more compelling and interactive by bringing downloadable video, music, photos, games, etc. directly to the TV directly through the guide.
Sean brings to Rovi nearly 15 years of experience in the delivery of entertainment and related services, including work at TiVo, Fox Sports, NBC, EchoStar (The DISH Network), and most recently Movielink, where he headed up all of the company’s business development and strategic partnership activities.
Sean holds an M.B.A. from the Haas Graduate School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, and both a J.D. and B.A from the University of Southern California.
TED COHEN, Managing Partner, TAG Strategic
Integrating his widespread digital authority in
music, mobile, IPTV and product & service development, Ted Cohen is the Managing
Partner of TAG Strategic.
In an industry that's been slow to embrace change, Cohen is the exception to the
stereotypical music-exec rule. Of course, when you start a career on the road
with Alice Cooper and Van Halen, you're more primed for the unexpected.
Known throughout the technology and music industries as being "part ambassador
and part evangelist," Cohen was instrumental in crafting the licensing
agreements upon which the Rhapsody subscription service and the iTunes Music
Store were built.
In his previous role as Senior Vice President of Digital Development &
Distribution for EMI Music (home of artists including Coldplay and the Rolling
Stones), Cohen led next-generation digital business development worldwide for
this "big four" record company, which includes labels such as Capitol, Virgin,
Angel/Blue Note, Parlophone and Chrysalis. During that time, EMI led the
industry by embracing and exploiting new technologies and business models such
as digital downloads and online music subscriptions, custom compilations,
wireless services, high-definition audio and Internet radio.
In addition to seeking out, evaluating and executing business opportunities for
the company on a global basis, Cohen served as both a strategist and key
decision-maker for EMI's global new media and anti-piracy efforts. He worked to
establish company-wide digital policies, which have provided EMI's artists and
labels a substantial advantage in the digital music arena.
Prior to his role at EMI, Cohen served as Executive Vice President of Digital
Music Network Inc., where he co-founded and served as Chairman of the
groundbreaking Webnoize conferences.
Cohen also led two highly successful new media consulting operations, DMN
Consulting and Consulting Adults, attracting clients such as Amazon.com,
Microsoft, Universal Studios, DreamWorks Records, Liquid Audio, Wherehouse
Records/Checkout.com and various other entertainment, technology and new media
organizations. Cohen also held senior management positions at both Warner Bros.
Records and Philips Media.
A 30-year industry veteran, Cohen was recently elected Chairman of the Mobile
Entertainment Forum Americas board, and currently chairs MidemNet, an
international music/technology conference convened in Cannes each year. Cohen
also serves on the NARAS (Grammy) Los Angeles chapter Board of Governors as well
as the national Trustee Board, the Board of Directors for the Neil Bogart
Memorial Fund, co-chairs the new media arm of the T.J. Martell Foundation, and
lends his time and talents to music & technology education efforts such as the
Grammy In The Schools Program.
GARY DELFINER, Senior Vice President, Digital Distribution, Screen Media Ventures, LLC.
Gary’s key responsibility is identifying and developing direct relationships with the major worldwide digital platforms for the purpose of exploiting Screen Media’s library of over 1000 films.
In addition, Gary works closely with those platforms to develop promotional and marketing opportunities to focus consumer attention on the company’s assets. Screen Media’s digital distribution division also actively aggregates film content from independent producers and suppliers specifically for digital exploitation.
BRUCE EISEN, Vice President, Online Content Development & Strategy, DISH Network
Bruce is responsible for the strategy and implementation of the company’s online and Internet based initiatives. Eisen’s responsibilities encompass DISH’s online video portal, the delivery of on-demand video content to subscribers’ set-top boxes and the company’s TV Everywhere strategy of making television content available to its subscribers on a variety of devices including computers and SmartPhones.
Prior to joining DISH Eisen was the founder and president of Digital Advisors, a digital distribution consulting firm advising a broad range of clients, ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies including Twentieth Century Fox, Blockbuster, Technicolor, Zoran Corp. and Juniper Networks. Eisen was one of the principals who started CinemaNow in 1999 and grew the company from a three person operation to a fifty person company. In connection therewith, Eisen negotiated five rounds of venture financing totaling in excess of $40 million with companies including Microsoft, Blockbuster, EchoStar and Cisco. Eisen was responsible for day-to-day operations of the company and for all of CinemaNow’s business development and legal activities. In that capacity he successfully negotiated CinemaNow’s agreements with over 200 content licensors including such major Hollywood studios as Warner Brothers, MGM, 20th Century Fox, Sony, Paramount, Universal, and The Walt Disney Company. In addition, Eisen brought great success to the company, spearheading distribution and marketing partnerships with MSN, AT&T, Best Buy and other globally-recognized companies including HP, Creative, Archos, Sandisk and Linksys.
Prior to joining CinemaNow, Eisen served as senior vice president of the Production/Business Affairs Department for Trimark Pictures, Inc. Eisen’s responsibilities included negotiating Trimark’s film production and distribution agreements. In that capacity, Eisen worked with the Walt Disney Company, Miramax, The Samuel Goldwyn Company, Columbia Pictures, HBO and others. On the production front, Eisen structured Trimark’s relationships with the Screen Actors Guild, the Directors Guild of America, the Writers Guild of America as well as such talent as Samuel L. Jackson, Renee Zellweger, Peter Jackson and Jim Belushi, amongst others.
Eisen’s experience in the legal arena of the entertainment industry is matched by his creative endeavors. His producing credits include cult genre favorites “Warlock: The End of Innocence,” starring Bruce Payne, “The Dentist 2,” starring Corbin Bernsen “Leprechaun in the Hood,” starring Warwick Davis and Ice-T as well as two films based on Stephen King properties, “Trucks,” and “Sometimes They Come Back For More.” In addition, he shares a writing credit on “Warlock: The End of Innocence,” the third installment in the popular series.
Eisen has lectured at U.C.L.A. and U.S.C. and has spoken at conferences organized by institutions including Digital Hollywood, iHollywood Forum, the California State Bar Association, NATPE, the Independent Film and Television Alliance, the British Screen Advisory Council and the Bangkok Film Festival. Eisen received his J.D. from the University of Southern California in 1991 and his B.A. cum laude with high honors in Philosophy from Clark University in 1984.
MARK ELY, Executive Vice President of Strategy, Sonic Solutions
Mark Ely joined Sonic Solutions in 1992. Mr. Ely has served as executive vice president of strategy at Sonic Solutions since April 2005. A leader in digital media software, Sonic develops products ranging from the advanced authoring systems used to produce Hollywood DVD and Blu-ray Disc titles to award-winning consumer applications and services. During his tenure, Mark has played a leading role in partner relations as well as mergers and acquisitions. Currently, Mark is directing Sonic’s Premium Content Group, and the RoxioNow initiative focused on delivering high-quality digital entertainment to a broad range of consumer electronics.
Mr. Ely received a B.A. from Middlebury College and an M.B.A. from the Anderson School at UCLA.
MARK FISHER, Executive Vice-President, Entertainment Merchants Association
Mark Fisher has over 30 years of retailing experience at store-level, field-level, and corporate-level. Since 1999, he has overseen the membership department of the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA), the trade association for video retailers and the home video industry.
Fisher started his career in 1975 as a store manager for a large supermarket chain. In 1982, he held responsibility for the field operations of all general merchandise and health and beauty care departments in Stop & Shop Supermarket Company's Connecticut Division
In 1985, Fisher developed the video rental division of Stop & Shop, which, under his direction, grew to 60 stores at its peak. Fisher held responsibility for store operations, purchasing, marketing, and profitability for over ten years.
In 1997, Fisher joined West Coast Entertainment, a public chain of over 240 rental stores around the United States, as Senior Vice-President, Retail Operations, where he was responsible for in-store and field management as well as warehousing and distribution.
During his tenure as a retailer, Fisher served more than five years on the New England VSDA Chapter Board of Directors, holding offices of Treasurer and Vice-President. Fisher also served three years on the VSDA national Board of Directors, two of which as Treasurer.
Fisher served eight years as Vice President, Membership & Strategic Initiatives for EMA with responsibility for the association's membership retention and growth, member communication, strategic planning, and strategic opportunities. Fisher was promoted to Executive Vice-President in 2009.
MORGAN FIUMI, COO & SVP, Operations, Deluxe Digital Studios, Inc.
Morgan Fiumi is currently Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations at Deluxe Digital Studios, a division of Deluxe Entertainment Services. In this capacity, Morgan has spent the last five years enhancing the home entertainment supply chain service offering by overseeing the integration of key services including video compression, authoring, BD-J development, subtitling, foreign language dubbing, audio, and creative services, across seven facilities and five countries. This successful integration has enabled content owners to prepare and package content for release on BD, DVD, and digital distribution formats in shorter lead times, at lowered total cost, and in a more secure environment. Morgan is also focused on Deluxe’s overall digital strategy and helping lead new service areas such as 3D and digital asset management and distribution.
Prior to joining Deluxe, Morgan was the founder and CEO of Softitler Net, Inc., a leading supplier of translations and subtitling to the entertainment industry. Softitler was acquired by Deluxe in 2004 and now has a network of more than 3,000 in-territory translators. Morgan holds a B.S. in Finance from New York University, an MBA from the University of Southern California, and a Masters in International Public Policy from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies.
JIM FUNK, VP, Business Development, Roku
Jim leads partnership and content relationship efforts for Roku. Jim was previously the VP of Business Development for Internet TV at Netflix. Prior to Netflix, Jim was VP Marketing & Co-Founder at Akimbo Systems. Previously Jim has held executive management positions at Macromedia and marketing positions at Apple. Jim has both a MBA and a bachelor's degree from Stanford University.
Dan Kelley, as senior director of marketing for D-Link Systems, Inc., oversees all marketing and marketing communications activities for D-Link North America, including the U.S. and Canada.
Since joining the company in 1999, Kelley and his full-service marketing department have contributed to the success of D-Link North America with creative, innovative, carefully planned and award-winning communications programs in support of the company’s overall marketing programs, including advertising, media and public relations, web design and maintenance and a variety of channel sales support functions.
As a result of Kelley’s leadership and more than 15 years of professional experience, D-Link Corporation’s worldwide headquarters has adapted many of the programs initiated in North America, including the implementation of the company’s global website, www.dlink.com, and use of many D-Link Systems expert resources. Kelley also created the successful online television portal, www.dlinktv.com, the first of its kind for a computer networking company and one of the first uses of viral TV as a viable business medium.
Kelley’s previous positions were leading marketing efforts for businesses in a variety of industries. Kelley also has taught college courses covering marketing and graphic arts. He holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and resides in Aliso Viejo, Calif. with his wife and three children.
MITCH MALLON, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Digital Distribution and Television, Image Entertainment
An accomplished 20-year career within the music and video industry’s, having held senior management positions at Rhino Entertainment, Warner Music Group and now at Image Entertainment. Initially focused on independent niche products, and then long form music video. Mr. Mallon has successfully promoted and incorporated these mediums into each company’s mindset ensuring success. Since 2005, Mr. Mallon has been focused on the digital frontier and its overall market potential and opportunity.
UTE ROTHER, Co-Founder and CEO, Q-Sensei
Ute Rother is co-founder and CEO of Q-Sensei. Q-Sensei provides next-generation technologies to better search, navigate, explore and interact with vast amounts of information. Prior to founding Q-Sensei, Ute was co-founding managing director of Lalisio, a German social knowledge network. Before her entrepreneurial engagement, Ute worked in Investment Management at the German VC bmp AG. Ute has earned a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from Ohio University (USA) and a Diploma in Economics from the University of Trier (Germany).
BRETT SAPPINGTON, Senior Analyst, Parks & Associates
Brett Sappington is currently Senior Analyst with Parks Associates. Brett has spent over fifteen years in the industry as an executive manager and entrepreneur, building new businesses and new divisions for technology and business services firms. Previously, he founded and served as vice president of sales and marketing for Teligy, a software company specializing in embedded software for wired and wireless communications systems. Brett established new divisions for audio/multimedia software and networking for Intelligraphics. He has also been involved in the development and marketing of early-market products for 802.11 wireless networking, PC-based VoIP, and other technologies. With a comprehensive understanding of all areas of marketing for technical product and service companies, including product development, strategic planning, and marketing communications, Brett knows the critical role that market research serves in the success of market-driven companies. He is able to work with Parks Associates’ clients to arm them with the market information they need to succeed in their business. Brett holds an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin with a concentration in high-tech marketing and a BA in physics from Baylor University.
JEFF SCHULTZ, SVP/Business Development, Clicker
Jeff leads all business strategy and development for Clicker. Previously Jeff was the Co-Founder and CEO of Concert.TV, the first national live music television network. Over the course of six years, Jeff grew Concert.TV into one of the most successful on demand networks on television, reaching nearly 40 million households through distributors such as Comcast, Cox, Charter, Insight, DirecTV, Verizon and Dish. He also closed sponsorship deals with advertisers like Coca-Cola, AT&T, Visa, Levi's, Target, Starbucks, VW, Paramount, Warner Bros and Live Nation. Prior to founding Concert.TV, Jeff served in business development executive roles for NBC Internet and Quepasa.com. Jeff started his career as a corporate finance attorney for Linklaters in London after graduating from Georgetown Law School.
JASON STODDARD, Founder and CEO, Centric/Agency of Change
Jason Stoddard is the founder and CEO of Centric/Agency of Change, a digital marketing agency, as well as an award-winning science fiction author.
His book "Winning Mars" will be released in 2010 from Prime Books, and he's under contract from a major publisher for a SF series that begins release in 2011.
He also serves as a film technology consultant for Ironhead Studio.
MARK VRIELING, CEO, Screenplay
EVAN YOUNG, Director of Broadband Services, TiVo Inc.
Evan Young is Director of Broadband Services at TiVo Inc., where he is responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of broadband applications, content, and services. He has extensive experience in broadcast, broadband, and consumer services, and has edited books on digital video recording and digital home audio recording and production. Evan has an MBA from Stanford University and a BA from Harvard University. While at Stanford, Evan was the founder of "The Future of Entertainment", an annual business and technology conference about media convergence.
Previous Speaking Experience: IPTV Evolution 2007 - Los Angeles, CA, Digital Hollywood Fall 2007, Zocalo Panel in Los Angeles, Killer App Expo - Fort Wayne, IN, Future of Entertainment - Stanford University, Streaming Media West 2006
Author: “How to Do Everything With Your TiVo”