President & Founder of the Asian American Business Development Center AABDE

Sheena Iyehgar, Professor Columbia University

Coca-Cola Executive Nancy Quan

Reshma Kewalramani , President and CEO, of biotech company Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Rose Lee, President and CEO, Cornerstone Building Brands Inc. to receive the Pinnacle at the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC) Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award.

NEW YORK, NY – 9/22/2022 – Asian American Business Development Center is celebrating its 21 Anniversary by honoring the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award at a black-tie dinner gala; recognizing excellence in corporate professionals and entrepreneurs.

This year,AABDC hand the Pinnacle Award to Reshma Kewalramani, President and CEO, of biotech company Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Rose Lee, President and CEO, Cornerstone Building Brands Inc, the largest manufacturer of exterior building products in North America.

Each year, the Outstanding 50 award committee identifies and selects outstanding leaders who have built a successful business or who have distinguished themselves in their community. Of those, the committee also identifies a top Pinnacle Award recipient who has reached the acme of his/her professional career and is widely acknowledged as a leader in their industry.

WHERE: Cipriani Wall Street, 55 Wall St New York, NY 10005 TIME: 6PM – 9:45pm

BACKGROUND: Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC): The Asian American Business Development Center, Inc. is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization established in 1994. It assists Asian American businesses in strengthening their capacity to compete in the mainstream market, to expand business opportunities and to promote recognition of Asian American businesses’ contributions to the general economy. For further information visit: aabdc.com.or call Honglin He at 212-966 .0100.

The post Reshma Kewalramani , President and CEO, of biotech company Vertex Pharmaceuticals, and Rose Lee, President and CEO, Cornerstone Building Brands Inc. to receive the Pinnacle at the Asian American Business Development Center (AABDC) Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business Award appeared first on Good News!.

‘Getting ethnic consumers’ is not just about leaving money on the table, it will determine which brands win or lose. We are at the tipping point where the American critical mass is Multicultural and ‘minority-majority’ is an oxymoron. The need to do Multicultural marketing right is painfully obvious.
Multiculturals are nearly 40% of U.S. consumers who spend $1.7 trillion yet still get under 18% of all ad dollars, and less of company resources. U.S. kids are already majority-ethnic, Millennials will be in 2022, and all of America by 2040. Key states like Texas, California and Florida are led by Hispanics, and ethnic-skewed top 15 DMAs, which make up half of our economic activity.
Hispanics, African Americans and Asians will power all future growth in population, jobs, new HH formations and new customers – as aging Non-Hispanic Whites decline. National minority-targeted media, digital, and social platforms and content continue exploding, as do sophisticated research and data analytics to develop and evaluate multicultural marketing efforts, and a shift of cultural openness in overall attitudes to foster Multicultural marketing.
While major players in telecom, CPG, QSR, Automotive and banking have been effectively addressing ethnic consumers for decades, they still drive the bulk of MCM ad spend growth. Most of the Fortune 500 are still reticent, late in the game or not doing it right. It is not just about a few adjunct in-language TV spots, influencers, soccer, events or social. It’s about a top-down, thoughtful, holistic and organization-wide approach that impacts the company’s goals, metrics, research, operations, resource allocation, strategies, target segmentation and execution. And tactically, hopefully make English ethnic efforts BAU because it is way overdue – we did our first English McDonald’s Hispanic spot back in 1989.
Recently, a Univision C-suite executive asked me ‘Liz, don’t you get tired of the constant education to deaf ears and wish you had gone Wall Street like your Stanford buddies?’ The answer: No, I am still an avid preacher and believer in marketing, love the multicultural, uber connected world we live in, and never give up… because money talks.’ So I urge Fortune 500 stakeholders to get it right. And here are my top ten pitfalls to watch out for.

1. Approaching The Market As If It Were A Blended or Monolithic Reality.
Don’t assume one size fits all or that the lowest common denominator approach is viable for long-term growth and success.
The answer: Personalized marketing will be even more critical based on the expectations and needs of Multiculturals, Millennials and Gen We. The optimal marketing approach is more of both ethnic targeting plus leveraging broader-appeal strategies for all.
Multicultural marketing has certainly evolved from the orphan regional efforts and silo years, to the post-pubescent total market homogenization, and now the Multicultural-led total market. Yet few have matured to the adulthood rich with complexity where the truth lives. For Hispanics, there is granularity by country of origin, acculturation, integration, generational distance and language; for AA, single female HOH decision-makers vs. traditional families, single young influencers or matures; and for Asians, by acculturation, or country, like Chinese vs. Filipino vs. Korean. Marketing can be incisive, geo-targeted, layered, or general as desired, depending on the objective and ROI parameters. But the first priority is honing the common base to maximize the brand voice and investment, and as a DDB-bred ad executive, I totally get finding the universal truths of human nature. Yet while a LCD approach works at times, it’s not going to drive consistent growth. The need to address target specificity and needs to drive deep relevance is vital in the increasingly geo-targeted, digital and social me-centric era we live in – where we must know customers profoundly and use customization on a grand scale for two-way brand connections with multiple targets, platforms and technologies.

2. Oversimplifying and Under-estimating the MCM Potential.
Don’t delegate MCM sizing to a junior person or intern, or think it’s just a big deal in a few markets.
The answer: Dig deep, understand and quantify the size and potential of each segment rigorously, the sub-segments within, roll-up by market and product, and reapply per initiative.
To build sustainable and profitable brand relationships, you must delineate an accurate ‘lay of the land’ view with the bandwidth of data, information, evidence and expertise to make the best and most judicious choices. Quantify the national impact by aggregating the target potential by market, by product, by store or zipcode. Figure out how to package meaningfully so it resonates within your organization. Establish the right metrics to identify the priority targets and roll out plans applying the proper analytics, research partners and tools like Simmons, Nielsen, TNS, Millard Brown and Horowitz.

3. Not Grasping the Ethnic Differences Related to Your Category.
They are likely not at the same point of category lifecycle or brand development, and culture lifestyle, demos and preferences impact their category behavior, needs and response.
The answer: Knowledge-based strategies require discipline to ensure all consumer factors weigh in. Identify the category differences that matter, and assess how far to drill-down efforts.
Some differences matter to drive sales, some don’t, but the assessment is necessary to answer that. Understand their differences in demos, family dynamics, culture, lifestyle, psychographics, product usage, preferences, and buying influencers which trigger perceptual and behavioral differences in how they define quality, value and loyalty; buy and use products, media and services; what motivates them and how they respond to marketing and ads. For example, in telecom, Hispanics are the heaviest mobile and data users, AA the highest TV entertainment and latest gadget users, while Asians skew broadband Internet – and this varies by market and sub-demos. Thus, address strategic, message and tactical implications for the common segment approach, and then pertinent sub-segment variances.

4. Inadequate Allocation Of MCM Company Resources.
Don’t say ‘This is all we have for Multicultural this year’ or allow territorial departmental silos to cause ineffective resource allocation to Multicultural marketing and hinder business growth.
The answer: Understand upfront the market in totality and by segment to objective budget allocation on segment revenue and upside, identify any programs/processes requiring recalibration, and address nuanced needs/opportunities across 360 strategies-tactics.
Inadequate pre-planning, lack of sound research, analysis or metrics, limited efforts, sub-standard concepts, and poor execution devalue the MCM potential. MCM should be an integral part of the top corporate strategies and planning process. There are likely disconnects in strategy, unidentified chances to leverage data, or missed opportunities from internal and external stakeholders. Within total resources, properly allocate MCM budgets by target share, revenue and potential, and weigh spend trade-offs across all the 5 P’s. Think about the money spent researching GM customers and identifying breakthrough product, insights or ads, while MCM cultural relevance, response, understanding or motivations dwarf in attention. The more this is done, the more impact ethnic marketing has in the mix. The best MCM marketers have recalibrated the organizational culture and programs where needed, and the way teams work so efforts are sustainable.

5. Executing short-term MCM Programs that Must Immediately Pay Out.
Multicultural efforts, generally added by switching dollars ‘from the GM’, are unrealistically expected to incrementally pay out in a limited time, with little costs for customer loyalty.
The answer: The right expectations and metrics, consistent marketing, engagement and two-way communication are all critical, and the base cost to maintain and grow customers.
There is a base cost for attracting, getting, growing and keeping Ethnic customers, and the MCM Program should not pay out solely on incremental sales. Short-term messaging and lack of customer engagement leads to poor brand perception, discounting, and churn. And don’t assume that brand affinity among AA will remain so without deep roots in their community; or brand familiarity in Mexico/LatAm will automatically transfer here without nurturing that relationship. A great example is Colgate-Palmolive left behind by P&G. Just like the GM, you need a consistent, integrated branding, retail, promotional and loyalty plan, a sound campaign across media and touch-points in the purchase path and customer lifecycle. Employ the proper research to ensure Ethnic segments are well defined and represented; and have realistic, measurable goals. We call this effective Transculturation, making your company Ethnic-relevant.

6. Not recruiting or Staffing Multicultural Marketing Appropriately.
Don’t have staff who happens to be ethnic lead Multicultural efforts, assume interspersing Multiculturals across departments is the holy grail, or recruit your housekeeper to evaluate work done by an experienced creative with a Masters.
The answer: Cultural leadership driven by a central group is foundational to success, layered with some cultural competency across all decision-makers, and an understanding of its importance across the organization. Effectiveness is not found in either extreme of silos or total market blending.
Assure Multicultural efforts are led by a multi-disciplined Ethnic marketing group with the depth of experience to guide strategies upfront at the high-level; have ongoing strategic oversight to feed into the brand as a whole; define where it makes sense to align or diverge; adeptly develop, execute and assess initiatives; assure ads are tested for validity; and be fully accountable for MCM performance. While also integrating Ethnic personnel across departments is beneficial, this alone fails as departmental management is still GM-driven, no one is accountable, and insufficient time is allocated to the ongoing depth of MCM segment knowledge and analysis required. While leaders like McDonalds entrench this philosophy with all marketing filtered by Multicultural leadership, I have also witnessed the loss of MCM accountability, dilution of efforts, and business erosion with various clients taken by the total market ‘efficiency’ model.

7. Consistently Opting For GM Translations, Benetton or Blended Casting.
Sometimes a concept or initiative transcends ethnicities, but consistently employing and force fitting a ‘universal’ approach is ineffective and dilutes all efforts and impact.
The answer: Leverage both universal commonalities and unique segment needs or opportunities. While always within a single brand platform, the target consumer should ground the segment efforts.
Seek synergies where it makes sense but don’t force-fit. It’s about transculturation, a relevant application of your brand essence to Multicultural segments, which usually results in a successful combination of three approaches – universal, parallel or unique. The ‘universal’ approach is a program, message or execution that works equally well across all segments (with minor tweaks); the ‘parallel’ approach makes strategic sense for all segments but may vary in product, message, nuances or casting; and the ‘unique’ approach is an initiative, promotion, channel or strategy necessary or opportunistic for one single segment, which may or may not cross-over to others.

8. Mistaking Language for Culture And Not Knowing the Difference.
There are the ‘fixers’ who use in-language as the solution to effective MCM marketing; the ‘uninformed’ who minimize the impact of cultural relevance regardless of language; and the ‘blinders’ who do not see the importance of either culture or language.
The answer: The currency of culture is how and where Multiculturals spend their time and money, the basis of effective marketing, with both native and English efforts key to maximize reach and impact.
Multiculturals, while integrated strongly or somewhat into the dominant culture, are set apart from others by their roots, context and idioms language abilities because they have access to a unique world of culture, people, way of relating, values, passions, content, music, food, sports experiences and media, and that they desire to maintain. There are three types of marketers that miss the mark. The most common are the ‘fixers’ who rely only on in-language efforts to define Hispanic or Asian efforts, but as most Multiculturals are bilingual/bicultural, they transition seamlessly in between, thus both in-language and English-targeted ads are important. The ‘uninformed’ misguidedly believe their GM spots work equally well, and while at times it does, it is not as effective as targeted efforts, as it’s foremost about cultural relevance, and staying culturally rooted is an inherent choice made by most African-Americans, Asians, and Hispanics whether foreign or US-born. Lastly, I’ve had Client ‘blinders’ who say ‘Half of them see our English spots, so we are covered since they’re the ones with the money anyways.’ They don’t get that over 20% of Hispanics have income over $100k income and Asians the highest of all, so they can likely afford the product, and their connection to cultural content and in their native language remains strong because is the language of the heart, even among bilinguals.

9. Assuming You Know the Target, Stereotyping & Cultural Appropriation.
Making generalizations about Multicultural consumers results in superficial or ineffective work, missed opportunities, negative stereotyping, and at worst, inadvertent racism and backlash.
The answer: A knowledge and demand based view and cultural lens and insight are key to a sound marketing strategy and ads. Assure you have the personnel, research, listening tools and hard data competency to know the difference, and avoid cultural appropriation.
We all know Hispanics are group-oriented, but showing a family with grandma in tow is not effective advertising – it’s how this collective lens affects their lifestyle, influencers and decisions. A Benetton Millennial cast piled into a car does not assure car buyers. Salsa is sold more than ketchup, but only 15% of buyers are Hispanic, and suburban White men consume 80% of urban AA hip-hop music. False assumptions and faux pas stem from ignorance, lack of perspective, and unvetted bad judgment. I almost choked when asked to translate Taco Bell’s ‘Run for the border’ for Hispanics. Another client wanted a ‘high level’ Asian campaign since ‘All Asians are smart’. Home Depot got ostracized for a tweet with African-American drummers and a Caucasian disguised as a gorilla, asking, ‘Which drummer is not like the others?’ Houston 1836 failed as the new MLS team name tied to its founding year, but also Texas winning independence from Mexico, offending its Mexican soccer fan base. Starbucks’ good intentions of engaging customers in race-related discussions was rejected by most ethnicities, and Kendal Jenner’s Pepsi ad showed just how bad it could get. And beware of poor GM translations, from the classic ‘Got Milk?’ campaign launched in Spanish as ‘Are you lactating?’; ‘Come alive with the Pepsi Generation’ translated in Chinese as ‘Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave’; to ‘Life Takes Visa’ translated in Spanish as ‘Life Drinks Visa’ which was confusing and culturally clueless. And be careful not to be seen as a quick fix, cliché or offensive when localizing regional text, radio or video. All of this counts as cultural appropriation, the ‘silent racism, disrespect, ignorance, tokenism, discrimination, pandering or cultural white-washing of marketing and advertising’ – which you must be aware of to avoid potentially catastrophic blunders.

10. Not Finding The Right Agency Partners.
Don’t settle for your GM agency hiring a few ‘ethnic experts’, just because Multicultural is now one of the few growth areas left, and also dominates youth, digital and social.
The answer: Hire the right ethnic agency with proven success, depth of knowledge and experts, which takes years to develop and effectively guide Clients strategies and profit.
Find the right ethnic agency that lives and breathes Multicultural. By definition, Multicultural experts have a uniquely broader perspective, as they have to be well versed in ‘GM/White’ consumers to lead the client and identify the commonalities and differences, whether in cultural cues, behavior, preferences, needs etc. Thus, are in the best position to feed the core MCM insights that will help fuel better ideas, opportunities and growth. Make them a part of the broader agency team that helps drive the company’s efforts. They are used to working collaboratively, have an engrained philosophy to work harder and smarter, and love challenging the status quo. Also, in shifting your GM strategy to be more culturally relevant, in addition to culturally focused efforts, there are several viable approaches. The ‘multi-agency reconciliation model’ has Ethnic agencies weigh in on overall marketing strategy and efforts (e.g., Wal-Mart); the ‘GM agency co-option model’ where they co-opt or buy-out a MCM agency, or create multicultural competency internally to better serve a Multicultural total market (e.g. Ogilvy); and the ‘Ethnic agency inversion model’ where Ethnic agencies go after the total market, competing on their deeper consumer knowledge. Bottom-line, hire a true MCM agency, and try a new one – like INFUSION by Castells.

About Liz Castells-Heard
CEO/Chief Strategy Officer of INFUSION by castells
Liz Castells-Heard is a ‘tell it like it is’ strategic thought leader and industry force with a Stanford MBA, finance and psychology training, 37 years of Multicultural, GM and Client experience with hundreds of brands, and unique brand of ‘brains, heart and grit’ with her analytical acumen, diverse skill-set, energetic style, solid values, and fearlessness.
Her agency, INFUSION by castells, is a leading national Multicultural agency providing Clients best-in-class marketing leadership and consistent results ‘no matter what’ by infusing strategic acumen, cultural insights and ROI-powered ideas. They create strategic brand and performance-driven creative with innovative 360° activation. The creators of Transculturation, they guide clients McDonald’s, Toyota and Charter Communications to profitably integrate Multicultural efforts across the P’s. The agency, founded in 1998 and formerly known as Castells & Asociados, is now minority and women-owned, expanded its Multicultural capabilities, and now has offices in both NY and LA.
Liz is regularly tapped industry source, speaker, and sits on the board of The LaGrant Foundation, which offers scholarships, internships and mentoring to Multicultural youth in pursuit of marketing/advertising careers. Education is her passion, which she calls the ‘equalizer’ to possibility. Liz is also a member of Easter Seals, AHAA/CMC, AMA, City of Hope, New America Alliance, SBSAA, Mentoring Partnership, Women In Management, and Who’s Who.
Fully bilingual and bicultural, Liz was born in Cuba, raised in Europe, Puerto Rico, and ten diverse U.S. cities. She lives with her husband Alan of 34 years in LA, has 7 godchildren, 2 German-Shepherds, a Chihuahua, and loud macaw (whose colorful personality matches hers).

Contact:
Liz Castells-Heard | CEO, Chief Strategy Officer | INFUSION by castells
liz@adcastells.com, Executive Asst.: carolina@adcastells.com
865 S. Figueroa St. Suite 1100, LA, CA 90017 | m: 213-305-4129 | p: 213.688.7217
122 East 42nd St. Suite 2305, NY, NY 10168 | p: 606.649.5600
www.adcastells.com

The post Top Ten Things To Avoid In Multicultural Marketing appeared first on Good News!.

You and a guest are cordially invited to a private brunch
showcasing the latest models from Ferrari &
Maserati along with exclusive luxury brands.

Hors d’oeuvres & Signature Cocktails will be served

Private Estate, Southampton, NY
(address upon confirmation)

Saturday, August 5th, 2017 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Silent Auction to benefit Every Mother Counts

Experience Luxury, Performance and Design
**Test drive the Maserati GT or Ferrari California
T with your own personalized test drive.
Limited test drives will be available to qualified buyers.

The post Ran Luxury appeared first on Good News!.

NATIONAL MAKE-UP ARTIST: MAKEUP BY NICOLE

GUADALUPE VELAZQUEZ DESIGNS: DESIGNER/PRESIDENT AND CEO
NYFWCARIBBEAN , will take place on Saturday February 13th, during New York Fashion Week (February 10-18, 2016 ). Bringing a piece of the Caribbean to the New York Fashion Week calendar is essential to us because it adds both diversity and authenticity to the global fashion economy. In addition, it integrates Caribbean’s designs and related brands with the global fashion calendar (which is essential for the Caribbean to complete globally). As important, creating this one day activation under the scope of New York’s biggest and most globally recognized fashion expose, allows guests to explore Caribbean’s modern fashion, hair and make-up designs, and related brands.

Overall, New York Fashion Week Caribbean becomes a bridge where people behind Caribbean’s brands can leave their imprint in America and meet consumers, partners, investors, and industry movers and shakers in the diaspora.

The following is what to expect:

EVENT : New York Fashion Week Caribbean

DATE: Saturday, February 13th

TIME: 8:00pm

PLACE: 119 West 23rd Street (Between 6 and 7th Avenues) SUITE # 501

RSVP: Staceysiu39@gmail.com

SCHEDULE:

INTRODUCTION
LAUNCH:New York Fashion Week Caribbean
FEATURED BRANDS & MIXER (DJ, CARIBBEAN INSPIRED COCKTAILS AND HORS D’ OEUVRES)
SPEAKERS : TBA

FEATURED BRANDS:

WELLINGTON HAIR SPA: OWNER: PATRICK WELLINGTON & MESSAGE THERAPIST: SHINEKA

Website: www.wellingtonghairspa.com
Hashtags: #wellingtonhairspa
Social:
FB: wellingtonhairspa
Instagram:wellingtonhairspa
Twitter:@patwell
COMPANY/DESIGNER: COUTURE BY ELESIA (#CBE)

Hashtags: #CBEFEARLESS #CBEFLAWLESS #CBE #CBECAREYBAG #CAREYBAG #CAREY-ALL
Social:
FB: FACEBOOK.COM/COUTUREBYELESIA
Instagram: Couture_By_Elesia
Twitter: @COUTUREBYELESIA
NATIONAL CELEBRITY HAIR DESIGNER: DENNIS BAILEY

Social:
FB: Dennisbailey
Instagram: Dennisbailey
COMPANY: ASQUI Ventures: DEWRY BRADFORD CEO/CHAIRMAN

DESIGNER: Joseph Mbeh

BRAND NAME: FOURFRONT

Company Website: www.asqui.com
Brand Website: http://www.fourfront1602.com
Hashtags: #stylesqui #FourFront #intricate #getinspired #asquiventures #fashiongods #riseofthemachines #dewryduroi #CentralAmericaBranding #IBC #RTW
Instagram: @style.squi
FB: www.facebook.com/Fourfront1602
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fourfront1602/
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/FOURFRONT1602

NATIONAL MAKE-UP ARTIST: MAKEUP BY NICOL

Social:
Instagram: Darling_Nikki_mua

#america #authenticity #brands #caribbean #consumers #diversity #economy #fashion #global #hair #industry #investors #make #movers #new #nyfwcaribbean #partners #shakers #up #week #york

The post NEW YORK FASHION WEEK: CARIBBEAN™ appeared first on Good News!.

The Content Show is a dedicated conference and marketplace that will cover all aspects of programming, development and distribution for scripted, live, news, sports, documentary, and nonfiction entertainment, as well as branded content.

Beyond the conference sessions, The Content Show will also feature a networking lounge and a series of highly interactive presentation rooms where production companies can pitch their content and programming initiatives to buyers and programmers in a unique, organic setting unlike any other conference. The Content Show is a must-attend event for leaders, senior executives, and programming creators from cable and digital networks, broadcasters, production companies, producers, social media outlets, publishers, news, sports franchises, advertising agencies, and brands.

Featuring In Conversation With: A creative dialogue hosted by senior Programming and Development executives from top networks and production companies in breakout sessions.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE KEYNOTE AND GUEST PRESENTERS FOR THE CONTENT SHOW.

===============================================

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE (subject to change)

DAY 1: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

COLOR KEY:
Conference Session
Meet The Experts
In Conversation With

(Room locations are in parentheses.)

7:30 am – 9:00 am—Registration/Continental Breakfast

8:45 am – 5:30 pm—Networking: The Content Show Delegates Lounge

9:00 am – 9:05 am—Welcome: Steve Palm, CEO, NewBay Media

9:00 am – 9:20 am—Opening Remarks: Cynthia Lopez, Commissioner, New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (Fitzgerald)

9:20 am – 9:45 am—Opening Keynote: Josh Sapan, President and CEO, AMC Networks Inc. (Fitzgerald)

Moderator: Mark Robichaux, Editor-in-Chief, Multichannel News (Fitzgerald)

9:35 am -10:05 am—In Conversation With Group M (Wharton): Adam Pincus, EVP Programming & Production, Group M Entertainment

9:45 am – 10:30 am—Building Your Core Brand (Fitzgerald)
A network brand no longer merely identifies the channel and where to find it on your guide. It’s come to define the programming, level of quality and viewer experience that audiences look to that network to provide. But even beyond that, a strong network brand defines their viewers’ lifestyle, tastes and philosophy as well as giving birth to a multitude of new product lines and franchises. In this session, a seasoned group of network chiefs share their strategies for defining, building and invigorating their network’s core brand.

Courteney Monroe, CEO, National Geographic Channels U.S.
Dawn Ostroff, President, Conde Nast Entertainment (CNE)
Henry Schleiff, Group President, Discovery Networks
Moderator: Melissa Grego, Editor-in-Chief, Broadcasting & Cable

10:00 am – 10:30 am—In Conversation With NUVOtv and Fuse (Wharton): Bill Hilary, President, NUVOtv and Fuse; Lynnette Ramirez, SVP, Programming, NUVOtv

10:00 am – 10:30 am—In Conversation With Food Network and Cooking Channel (Gillespie): Todd Weiser, VP, Programming and Development—Food Network and Cooking Channel, Scripps Networks Interactive

10:30 am – 10:45 am—Networking Break

10:45 am – 11:30 am—The New Power Dynamic (Fitzgerald)
Industry leaders from digital and premium networks deliberate how the emergence of deep-pocketed, cash-rich, alternative distribution platforms and MCNs in the competitive landscape are affecting their programming strategy, funding choices and viewership trends, particularly in scripted programming. Does the biggest spender win? Or is change being driven predominantly by GenXers, Millennials and the digital generation? If so, where does this leave linear TV?

Rob Barnett, Founder/CEO, Omnivision Entertainment & My Damn Channel
Colin Decker, Group Operating Officer, Discover Digital Networks
Kathleen Grace, Chief Creative Officer, New Form Digital
Katherine Lewis, SVP Strategy & Operations, Fremantle Media Digital & Branded Entertainment
Moderator: David Bank, Managing Director, Equity Research, RBC Capital Markets

10:45 am – 11:30 am—Meet the Experts Roundtable: Agents (Rockwell)

Steve DeVall, Agent, N.S. Bienstock, Inc.

Shade Grant, Agent, International Television and Media, ICM Partners

Mark Turner, Vice President, Abrams Artists Agency – Alternative Programming Division
Moderator: Myles Hazelton, President, Myles Entertainment

10:45 am – 11:15 am—In Conversation With National Geographic Channel (Wharton): Heather Moran, EVP, Programming and Strategy, National Geographic Channel U.S.

10:45 am – 11:15 am—In Conversation With H2 and HISTORY (Gillespie): Mike Stiller, VP, Development and Programming, H2 and HISTORY; Matt Ginsburg, VP, Development and Programming, HISTORY

11:20 am – 11:50 am—In Conversation With Leftfield Pictures (Wharton): David George, President, Leftfield Pictures

11:20 am – 11:50 am—In Conversation With Discovery Digital Networks (Gillespie): Tom Lofthouse, SVP Programming, Discovery Digital Networks

11:30 am – 12:15 pm—Meet The Experts – Audio Network US (Rockwell)

Ricki Askin, Head of Music Licensing, VICE Media
John Sands, Music Director, IMG Media
Mason Rather, independent composer who composed the theme for the new Nick Jr. show Blaze And The Monster Machines, and whose composer and producer credits include Sesame Street, Blue’s Clues, and many more
Matt McMullian, Sr. Acct. Manager, Film, Audio Network
Moderator: Eric Morse, Head of Marketing, Audio Network

11:30 am – 12:15 pm—The Changing Face of News, Sports and Weather (Fitzgerald)
This session brings together leaders from top news, sports and weather networks to share their strategies for revitalizing and shaking up the status quo of traditional newscasts, weather reports and game highlights. Docu-soaps, features, miniseries, game shows, talk shows – nothing’s off limits to appeal to viewers’ changing appetites.

Steve Capus, Executive Producer, “CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley” and Executive Editor, CBS News
David Clark, President, The Weather Channel Network, The Weather Company
Charlie Ebersol, Founder, The Company
Libby Geist, Senior Director of Development, ESPN Films
Moderator: Dade Hayes, Executive Editor, Broadcasting & Cable

11:55 am – 12:25 pm—In Conversation With Esquire Network (Wharton): Matt Hanna, Head of Original Programming, Esquire Network

11:55 am – 12:25 pm—In Conversation With Music Choice (Gillespie): Damon Williams, VP Programming, Music Choice

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm—Networking Lunch

2:00 pm -2:45 pm—We’re All Naked, Now What? (Astor)

We’ve dated naked, had sex in a box and married at first sight. What’s next to shock and titillate reality audiences? It is sometimes said, amid ratings volatility, that reality may be dead, though it is also said that rumors of the category’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Still, the challenge remains: how do we breathe new life into tired formats and stale docusoaps? With scripted TV enjoying a Golden Age and raising viewer expectations and entertainment value to all-time highs, must non-fiction TV be relegated to a lower echelon? Or is it gearing up for a budget-friendly resurgence when the rivers of money needed to develop and produce hour-long dramas and miniseries begin to run dry? Hear from reality visionaries who were integral to the creation of the non-fiction boom about what’s on the horizon.

Morgan Hertzan, VP, Executive in Charge at Lincoln Square Studios, Disney-ABC Television Group
Jay Peterson, Founder & CEO, Matador
Lara Spotts, SVP Development, Bravo
Shelly Tatro, SVP, Development & Programming, Nonfiction, Alternative & Reality, A&E Network
Lori York, Partner, ICM Partners
Moderator: Eli Lehrer, SVP of Non-Fiction Programming, Lifetime

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm—Lifestyle Programming Roundtable (Rockwell)

Katie Buchanan, SVP, Programming Strategy & Acquisitions, CMT
Matt Hanna, Head of Original Programming, Esquire Network
Steven Lerner, SVP Programming, HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country
Nick Rigg, President, Loud TV
Michael Smith, General Manager, Cooking Channel
Moderator: Michael Hirschorn, CEO, Ish Entertainment

2:05 pm – 2:35 pm—In Conversation With Atlas Media (Wharton): Glen Freyer, SVP Development

2:05 pm – 2:35 pm—In Conversation With Revolt TV (Gillespie): Val Boreland, EVP, Head of Programming & Production, Revolt TV

2:45 pm – 3:15 pm—In Conversation With True Entertainment (Wharton): Glenda Hersh, President & Founder, True Entertainment; Steven Weinstock, President & Founder, True Entertainment

2:45 pm – 3:30 pm—Must-See Event TV (Astor)
From tightrope walks and musical theatre to Lady Gaga and skydivers in outer space, networks have developed a range of spectacles aimed at luring viewers back to their TV screens in real time. While cord cutters revel in the joys of seemingly limitless on-demand selections, what strategies are programmers deploying to amass the tens of millions of simultaneous viewers that give advertisers bang for the buck? Outside of live mainstays such as sports, awards shows and a handful of competition shows that consistently deliver, what’s working in can’t-miss TV to generate water cooler buzz and propel social media to “Oscar selfie” heights?

Geoffrey B. Daniels, EVP and General Manager, Nat Geo WILD
Benjamin Ringe, SVP Development, Peacock Productions
Howard Swartz, VP, Development & Production, Discovery Channel
Moderator: Al Berman, President, Berman Productions

2:45 pm – 3:30 pm—Branded Content Roundtable (Rockwell)

Blake Callaway, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Digital Media, IFC
Jill Griffin, SVP, Managing Director, LiquidThread USA, a division of Starcom Mediavest Group
Carey Head, Head of Integrated Production and Technology, BBH North America
Corey Silverman, VP Global Sales, Corbis Entertainment
Moderator: Jon Lafayette, Business Editor, Broadcasting & Cable

3:30 pm – 3:45 pm—Networking Break

3:45 pm – 4:30 pm—The Rebirth of the Limited and Mini-Series (Astor)
Roots, The Thorn Birds and The Winds of War set the template in the 1970s. Now, even with audiences consuming their content in made to measure bites, the mini and limited series have roared back to life. Projects now routinely lure A-list film stars, award-winning producers, directors and writers to the small screen. But with big rewards come big budgets and, yes, bigger risks. In this session these maestros of the mini share their expertise and experience in producing some of TV’s biggest draws including new forms of distribution and funding models; how they attract the big-name talent that draws in advertisers and viewers and how they’re combating the growing competition from alternative programmers like Netflix and Amazon.

Elaine Frontain Bryant, SVP Development & Programming, HISTORY
Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive & GM, PBS
Tia Maggini, VP Original Movies, Lifetime
Scott Woodward, SVP, Programming & Production, Ovation
Moderator: A.J. Katz, Editor, Ratings Intelligence

3:45 pm – 4:15 pm—In Conversation With Travel Channel (Gillespie): Bethany Latham, Director, Production & Development Management, Travel Channel

3:45 pm – 4:15 pm—In Conversation With Discovery (Wharton): Laura Crowson, Development Manager, Discovery Channel; Matt Kelly, VP, Development & Production, Discovery Channel

4:20 pm – 4:50 pm—In Conversation With Nat Geo WILD (Wharton): Geoffrey B. Daniels, EVP and General Manager, Nat Geo WILD; Janet Han Vissering, SVP, Development & Production, Nat Geo WILD

4:20 pm – 4:50 pm—In Conversation With HGTV, DIY Network and Great AMerican Country (Gillespie): Courtney White, VP, Program Development & Production, HGTV, DIY Network and Great American Country

4:30 pm – 5:15 pm—The Twilight Zone of Reality Development (Astor)
With growing market saturation, derivative programming, cord cutting, softening ratings, and the difficulty of launching unknown casts, the pressure has never been higher to develop new reality hits. And yet, there are more steps than ever to get a series greenlit: from Skype calls to sizzles, casting reels to pilots. The bar is high — and so are the costs. Industry experts from both the network and production company side discuss and debate the costly process of getting a show to that green light.

Nancy Daniels, EVP and GM, TLC
Charlie DeBevoise, Founder, NorthSouth Productions
Rick Holzman, EVP and General Manager, Animal Planet
Lauren Lexton, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Authentic Entertainment
Scott Lonker, Agent, CAA
Moderator: Bruce David Klein, President & Executive Producer, Atlas Media Corp.

4:30 pm – 5:15 pm—True Crime Programming Roundtable (Rockwell)

Nigel Bellis, Showrunner/Director, “Wicked Attraction” (Investigation Discovery) & Co-Creator, “Pretty Bad Girls” (Investigation Discovery)

Laura Fleury, VP/Head of Programming & Development, LMN

Valerie Haselton, Executive Producer & Co-President, Sirens Media

Jane Latman, SVP of Development, Investigation Discovery and General Manager, Discovery Fit & Health
Chris Nusbaum, Executive Producer, Sirens Media
Moderator: Daniel Holloway, Programming and Digital Media Editor, Broadcasting & Cable

4:50 pm – 5:20 pm—In Conversation With Oxygen Media (Wharton): Brie Bryant, VP of Development and Production, Original Programming, Oxygen Media

4:50 pm – 5:20 pm—In Conversation With VH-1 (Gillespie): Jennifer McGovern, VP Development, East Coast, VH-1

5:30 pm – 7:00 pm—OPENING NIGHT COCKTAIL PARTY Sponsored by National Geographic Channel
Join Chef Eric Greenspan as he cooks up his signature grilled cheese sandwich — The Champ — and chats about his upcoming Nat Geo series “Eric Greenspan is Hungry.” In his new series, Eric and his trusted and carnivorous gastronome, Captain Mauzner, set off on the meatiest, off-the-beaten-path road trip, discovering Americana through rare homegrown family recipes, to satisfy their wildest meat imaginations and to get ideas for Eric’s critically acclaimed restaurants in Los Angeles.

NYCTVWK14_NatGeo_Party

DAY 2: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13

7:30 am – 8:45 am—Registration/Continental Breakfast

8:45 am – 5:30 pm—Networking: The Content Show Delegates Lounge

8:45 am – 9:15 am—Fireside Chat (Astor): Richard Brown, Executive Producer, True Detective

Moderator: Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive & GM, PBS

9:00 am – 9:30 am—In Conversation With Authentic Entertainment (Wharton): Lauren Lexton, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Authentic Entertainment

9:00 am – 9:30 am—In Conversation With TV One (Gillespie): D’Angela Proctor, SVP, Programming and Production, TV One

9:15 am – 10:00 am—Who’s Laughing Now? (Astor)
Why is Amazon willing to pay up to $4 million — aka broadcast network money — for a half-hour comedy pilot? Crude, rude, audacious, irreverent, loud, sexually charged, cerebral, sketch, classic, slapstick, dumb and dumber — comedy takes many forms and has shown remarkable stickiness across platforms. But it looks a lot different than it did in Lucille Ball’s day — or heck, even Ray Romano’s. With MCNs and digital networks offering viewers a never-ending menu of comedic programming to match their every mood and moment, in readily consumable bites, is the sitcom obsolete? Where will the fresh ideas that make us laugh come from and what form will they take? Is there another Saturday Night Live on the horizon? Programming toppers from leading digital and linear comedy networks discuss how they’re keeping viewers laughing and coming back for more.

Rob Barnett, founder/CEO, Omnivision Entertainment & My Damn Channel
Joe Livecchi, SVP of Development, CMT
Christine Lubrano, SVP, Original Programming, IFC
Brooke Posch, SVP, Original Programming and Development, East Coast, Comedy Central
Marissa Ronca, SVP of Development & Original Programming, truTV
Moderator: Mark Malkoff, Comedian and Filmmaker, My Damn Channel

9:35 am – 10:05 am—In Conversation With Lifetime (Gillespie): Kim Chessler, VP of Unscripted Programming, Lifetime Network

10:00 am -10:45 am—More Than Skin Deep: Diversity Programming (Astor)

Are networks and advertisers finally paying attention to America’s changing demographics or is diversity just this year’s hot thing? Networks love to jump on a trend and this season boasts an array of broadcast shows centered around ethnically diverse families, characters and cultures, among them Jane The Virgin, Cristela and Black-ish. Programming leaders from the top multicultural networks discuss the significance of these programs and the art and challenge of creating truly integrated and authentic bicultural programming that’s relatable to all audiences vs. mere diversity casting.

Michael Garcia, Chief Creative Officer, Televisa USA
Maureen Guthman, SVP Programming Strategy & Acquisitions, TV One
Linda Ong, President & Brand Strategist, TruthCo.
Lynette Ramirez, SVP, Programming, NUVOtv
Moderator: Val Boreland, EVP, Head of Programming & Production, Revolt TV

10:10 am – 10:40 am—In Conversation With Bravo Media (Wharton): Jenna Rosa, Director, Development, Bravo Media; Rachel Smith, VP, current Production, Bravo Media

10:10 am – 10:40 am—In Conversation With ESPN (Gillespie): Marcia Keegan, VP, ESPN Production

10:45 am – 11:00 am—Networking Break

11:00 am – 11:45 am—Changing Course (Astor)
Everyone knows that going the distance in a relationship takes work. So what’s a network to do when its loyal viewers get bored and start flirting with other channels or, even worse, forsaking it for digital alternatives? Or is it better to just move on, reinvent and start a new relationship with a completely different demo? This session brings together the best and brightest programming and development experts who’ll let you in on their strategies and successes in evolving and redefining their networks to create a whole new viewing experience.

Rod Aissa, EVP, Original Programming & Development, Oxygen Media
Chris Linn, President, Head of Programming, truTV
Gena McCarthy, SVP, Programming, FYI
Darren Melameth, SVP of Program Planning & Acquisitions, Crown Media Family Networks
Moderator: Tom Umstead, Programming Editor, Multimedia Editor, Multichannel.com

11:30 am – 12:15 pm—Meet the Experts Roundtable: Attorneys (Rockwell)

Melissa Clark, Business and Legal Affairs, Scripps Network

Elizabeth Corradino, Partner, Moses & Singer
Richard Hofstetter, Esq., Partner and Co-Chairman Entertainment Group, Frankfurt Kurnit Klein+Selz
Amaryllis Seabrooks, Senior Director, Talent—Business Affairs, Discovery Communications
Moderator: Nicole Page, Esq., Partner, Reavis Parent Lehrer LLP

11:00 am -11:35 am—In Conversation With TruTV (Wharton): Angel Annussek VP, Original Programming and Development, TruTV

11:00 am -11:35 am—In Conversation With CMT (Gillespie): Katie Buchanan, SVP, Programming Strategy, CMT; Joe Livecchi, SVP of Development, CMT

11:40 am – 12:10 pm—In Conversation With WE tv (Gillespie): David Stefanou, VP Development, WE tv

11:40 am – 12:10 pm—In Conversation With Flama (Gillespie): Steven Benanav, VP of Content Partnerships and GM of Flama, Univision

12:30 pm – 1:30 pm—Networking Lunch

1:30 pm – 2:00 pm—Keynote (Fitzgerald): Peter Tortorici, CEO, Group M Entertainment Global

Moderator: Melissa Grego, Editor-in-Chief, Broadcasting & Cable

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm—Advertiser-Funded Programming (Fitzgerald)
Since the beginning of TV the model’s been the same: programs are funded by the network, which recoups the investment by selling advertising around the content. Yet “soap operas” are so named because the original soaps were produced and funded by soap brands like P&G. And so we’ve come full circle, where advertisers have moved from buying ad space, product placement and brand integration to the actual creation and production of whole shows from scratch. With the creation of dedicated studios for AFP by the world’s largest agencies like Group M, BBH and Omnicom, how does the entry of these deep pocketed, data rich global agencies into the role of content creator, funder and owner impact the other stakeholders? Heads of a production powerhouse; one of the country’s largest agencies; a top cable network; and the foremost producer of branded content square off to debate and discuss this new dynamic and shift of power. How will everyone play together? Does the one who holds the biggest purse hold the power?

Robert DeBitetto, President, A&E Studios
Chris Grant, CEO, Electus
Pat Lafferty, CEO – BBH North America

Brent Montgomery, CEO, Leftfield Entertainment
Moderator: Mark Robichaux, Editor-in-Chief, Multichannel News

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm—The Urgent Evolution of Storytelling (Astor)
If 2014 is any indication, we’re witnessing a radical change in the creation, distribution and consumption of content. “Programming” is metamorphosing by the second. From non-fiction to social to scripted to pure fantasy–from CNNGo to Snapchat Stories to Oculus Rift—the possibilities enabled by new thinking, big data, hardware innovation and the global explosion of social video are hyper-accelerating new formats, new storytelling, and new programming. This panel invites a select group of content innovators to discuss the urgent evolution of storytelling in a world that is as much about creativity as data. What just happened, what’s happening tomorrow and where will we be in a year?

Dewey Reid, VP, Executive Creative Director, CNN Digital
Hardie Tankersley,VP of Digital Platforms and Innovation, Fox Broadcasting
Co-Moderator: Channing Dawson, Senior Advisor, Scripps Networks Interactive
Co-Moderator: Colin Decker, Group Operating Officer, Discovery Digital Networks

2:00 pm – 2:45 pm—How to Source Multiformat content: Finding the Right Video, Images and Audio for Your Production (Rockwell) Securing the best visual content to effectively convey your story is essential. The right visuals –­ video or images — can set your story apart in a competitive environment. But today there is a lack of awareness and understanding of where to source the content and, most importantly, how to vet the rights and clearances of these resources. The cost for not licensing content properly can result in delayed launch times, expensive research and additional rights costs. This is especially true for user-generated content (UGC). As more media use UGC, understanding appropriate vetting and clearing procedure is vital. This roundtable session will explore strategies for sourcing, vetting and managing content to avoid the pitfalls that can derail your work. You will speak with a variety of industry experts including The Associated Press to determine what visual resources are available to meet your visual storytelling needs for your next production.

Ivett Chicas, Manager, National Networks and Major Accounts, AP (Session Chair)
Dawn Cohen, Manager of Sales Strategy and Initiatives, AP
Jenn Miller, COO and Co-Founder, Audiosocket
Abby Muraskin, Head of Strategy and Business Development, AP
Jenn Stanger, Newscred
Claribel Torres, Manager, Video Products, AP

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm—In Conversation With Ish Entertainment (Wharton): Michael Hirschorn, CEO, Ish Entertainment

2:00 pm – 2:30 pm—In Conversation With NorthSouth Productions (Gillespie): Blaine Hopkins, Partner + Co-Executive Producer, NorthSouth Productions

2:35 pm – 3:05 pm—In Conversation With The Weather Channel (Wharton): Mary Ellen Iwata, VP, Original Content Development, The Weather Channel; Neil Katz, Editor-in-Chief and VP of Content, The Weather Company

2:35 pm – 3:05 pm—In Conversation With Munchies TV (Gillespie): Lauren Cynamon, Executive Producer; Christopher Grosso, Producer

2:45 pm – 3:30 pm—How A Show Gets Made (Fitzgerald)
The art of the pitch is a noble pursuit: tasty sizzle reels can woo a wide-eyed network executive. But in the end, a good idea is worthless if it can’t be executed. There are good shows and great ideas that produce a variety of results. Join us for an immersive, behind-the-scenes dive into the thinking behind the WHY of how a show gets made, including: Motivating factors for moving a project forward; the risk and rewards of working with seasoned vs. up-and-coming producers and the cost of development and its pitfalls.

Gil Goldschein, President, Bunim/Murray Productions
Abby Greensfelder, Co-Owner & Executive Producer, Half Yard
Jason Hodes, Partner, WME Entertainment
Tim Pastore, President, Original Programming & Production,
National Geographic Channel U.S

Moderator: Philip D. Segal, CEO & Executive Producer, Original Productions

2:45 pm – 3:30 pm—Creative Distraction (Astor)
Multiplatform viewing is TV’s new normal, a secular shift that challenges companies to operate nimbly and see around corners. But the biggest complication of the convergence of digital and traditional businesses is the need to ensure synchronized efforts among internal teams. Simply letting the “digital group” down the hall handle the task of business evolution doesn’t cut it anymore. In this revealing conversation, veteran executives will shed light on how they have navigated the seas of innovation and developed cultures marked by open-source creativity and collaboration.

Conal Byrne, VP, Digital Media, Discovery Communications
Michael Sorenson, VP of Development & Production, Discovery Channel
Moderator: Michael Malone, Deputy Editor, Broadcasting & Cable

3:30 pm – 4:00 pm—Closing Keynote (Fitzgerald): Robert Hayes, Executive Vice President, Digital NBC Entertainment and Gavin Purcell, Producer, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

Moderator: Daniel Holloway, Programming and Digital Media Editor, Broadcasting & Cable

4:00 pm – 4:30 pm—Programming for the Evolving Syndication Market (Fitzgerald)
Top studio execs weigh in about the opportunities and challenges of developing, producing, launching and growing syndicated shows in an increasingly consolidated market and fragmented TV landscape. From program tests to new formats and launch strategies, this roundtable of veterans share what works, what doesn’t and what’s new.

Stephen Brown, EVP of Programming and Development, Fox Television Stations (FTS)
Hilary Estey McLoughlin, President, Creative Affairs, CBS Television Distribution
Alexandra Jewett, EVP, Programming, Debmar-Mercury
Moderator: Paige Albiniak, Contributing Editor, Broadcasting & Cable

– See more at: http://nyctelevisionweek.com/thecontentshow/#sthash.Kkw257AE.dpuf

The post The Content Show appeared first on Good News!.

STEP 2
TRY IT
OUT

STEP 3
HAVE
YOUR SAY

STEP 4
GET
REWARDED

Why PINCHme?
PINCHme promises to
SURPRISE
We love giving you products you have never tried, tasted or touched before.

PINCHme promises to
DELIGHT
We make the effort to get to know you so that we can always deliver relevant products

PINCHme promises
CONVERSATION
We love when you share your product experience with your friends
(And with us!)

The post Jeremy Reid, www.pinchme.com appeared first on Good News!.

The post 9 Top Brands-1 Location-adtech-NY13 appeared first on Good News!.

With the Holidays just around the corner, Groupon has the perfect solutions for all of your gift giving and holiday needs! Enter – the Grouponcierge – Groupon’s resident holiday gift-giving expert!

Groupon has revolutionized the online shopping experience and has created the gift of the local experience (skydiving, cooking classes, concert tickets, hot air balloon rides, travel adventures, museum memberships…and beyond). The gift-giver gets a deep discount, and the recipient will never know! It also allows you to give out-of-town friends/family something they can use locally.

Grouponciereges are available on Dec 13 to provide your listeners with great advice on how to get through the holiday gift giving season! From the must-have toys to the best way to start tackling that overwhelming shopping list, Grouponcierges, Brett Runyan, Nick Gajewski and Emma McKee will share gift giving advice and even how to deal with the toughest people to buy for on your list this season!

Topics discussed include:
• Holiday gift-giving advice: What do you get that annoying aunt who has a dinner party every year that your obligated to attend? What do you get your “friend with benefits” who’s not officially your boyfriend? What do you get your friend Crazy Mary, who’s obsessed with her 9 cats?
• The Groupon Gift Finder – Groupon’s brand new Gift Finder which helps consumers find just the right item for the toughest people to shop for on your list. (groupon.com/gifts), chose search terms from three different categories and click “Find the Perfect Gift.”
• Local Gems – Exclusive insight into the coolest local experiences in your local city.
• National Brands – Deals for big national brands like American Apparel, Toys ‘R Us, Blue Nile and Omaha Steaks.
• Travel Experiences – Need to get away from the madness this holiday season? Grouponcierges can give you tips on the cozy B&Bs, trips to five-star island resorts, and more.
• Unique Items – Find electronics, home goods, fitness products and more.
• Epic Deals – Priceless deals that give you rare and exciting experiences and general bragging rights, like an intimate cooking class with Todd English.
• Charitable Gifts – Find gift options that support the causes that mean the most to you.

Additionally, this year, Groupon commissioned an independent study to determine some of the common gift-giving challenges people face during the holidays, who on their list is toughest to buy for, what do you do when you receive something you don’t want or like, etc. Grouponcierges are prepared to discuss the results of the survey and offer useful tips!

For more information, please visit www.Groupon.com

About Grouponcierge Brett Runyan:
Hailing from the incredible Mitten State, Brett Runyan is no stranger to all things Groupon. Starting as an Account Executive for the Grand Rapids market, Brett has managed teams for Groupon Now, Groupon Goods and currently seven Groupon markets in the Midwest. A former Michigan State University cheerleader, Brett is always the loudest in the room with the most spirit. On any given weekend you can find him out with his friends, shopping downtown, stopping strangers in River North to pet their dogs or on the couch at home watching Aladdin (his 2nd favorite Disney movie behind The Lion King). No matter where he is or what he’s doing, it’s safe to say he’s having fun and looking great doing it.

About Grouponcierge Nick Gajewski:
California native Nick Gajewski (Guy-F-Ski) is a Groupn veteran with a deep understanding of the country’s hottest merchants and best local options for fun and gifting. While living in Chicago Nick helped launch Groupon in Canada in 2010 and Groupon Now! In the Motown City of Detroit, and currently works with California businesses supporting the sales team. Favorite Groupon gift for 2012: Two-Hour Coffee 101 Class. Worst give ever: crystal service set at age 17. Favorite interests: Cooking, the study of all things design, architecture, motorcycling.

About Grouponcierge Emma McKee:
Emma McKee has more hometowns, charm, and good-looks than Brett and Nick combined. Hailing from St. Louis, Kansas City, Tulsa and Toronto she is often referred to by her manager as a “gypsy.” Emma handles Canada and the Pacific Northwest for GrouponLive, Groupon’s joint venture with music goliath Live Nation. When Emma isn’t talking to Ghostface Killah on her two way, she can be found any place in Chicago where the pool tables are lopsided, the tacos are 1 dollar, and the tunes are fresh. Favorite gift ever: The Legend of Zelda, Ocarina of Time for N64.

The post GROUPON EXPERTS SOLVE ALL OF YOUR GIFT GIVING WOES! appeared first on Good News!.

The Future of Enhanced Advertising: Addressing Brands, Message, Technology, Media and Entertainment, 2:15 PM – 3:30 PM on Thursday, November 15th
David is going to discuss issues relating to branded entertainment and the panel topic/discussion in more detail.
Brief bio of David Lang below.
David Lang is an Emmy Award-winning producer who has brought his talents to the marketing world as President of Mindshare Entertainment. In this role, David creates innovative, engaging, groundbreaking branded content for some of the world’s most recognizable brands.
Lang oversees all creative development & production, strategic marketing and partnerships in the entertainment marketing arena, as well as focuses on the creation of new economic models in this fast-moving space. Over the past six years, he has led his team in producing more than 100 projects for Fortune 500 marketers across a vast array of categories and targets.
A few clients include: Unilever, Kimberly Clark, Sprint, IBM, American Express, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Pepsi. High profile projects include: Karl Lagerfeld and Rachel Bilson for Magnum Ice Cream; Marisa Tomei for Bertolli; Whoopi Goldberg for Poise; 30 Rock’s Jane Krakowski for Breyers; Alicia Keys/Dove for MTV, Sprint’s “Create Your Hero” for NBC/Heroes; and “The Rookie” for Fox “24”.
Before joining MSE, Lang was Senior Vice President of Development & Production at Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video, where he oversaw his group’s development of shows and the production process as show runner/executive producer.
Mindshare is a global media and marketing services network with billings in excess of $27.8 billion (source: RECMA).

The post David Lang, President of Mindshare Entertainment North America appeared first on Good News!.