Talk Back to Television: Next Media Partners’ Gerard Kunkel on the Metaverse

AUDIO: The audio is a bit quiet at the beginning and elsewhere, but it is audible. This is usually due to the fact that some speakers don't hold their mic close enough to their mouth!SUMMARYThe discussion at TVOT NYC 2024 focused on overcoming fragmentation in TV advertising. Key points included the financial challenges in the TV landscape, the need for advanced technology, and the integration of business practices. Jeff Blaszack from ShowSeeker emphasized aligning technology with business plans, while Rob Jason of USIM highlighted the importance of customer data for targeting. Michelle Stone from Paramount+ noted the competitive advantage of publishers in managing fragmented landscapes. Matt Van Houten of DirecTV Advertising discussed the success of converged solutions at DirecTV. Steve Reynolds of Imagine Communications stressed the need for open data platforms. The panel agreed on the importance of innovative strategies and effective measurement to navigate the complexities of modern TV advertising.SPONSORED BY ShowSeekerDESCRIPTION OF SESSIONAs far as the viewer is concerned, TV is just TV, regardless of what screen it is viewed on and regardless of whether it is delivered over the air, via cable or satellite or via the Internet. But behind the scenes, the advertising that makes that TV possible is served and bought in very different ways, linear and streaming inventories are siloed, and this fragmentation inevitably gives rise to inefficiency and complexity. This session will explore ongoing efforts to break down these legacy silos, converge linear and streaming media channels, reintegrate inventories, and enable new efficiencies by allowing buyers and sellers to focus fully on audiences rather than on platforms. Panelists include:Jeff Blaszak, SVP of Business Operations and Strategy, ShowSeekerMatthew Van Houten, SVP, Product, Ad Ops Systems & Services, and Business Development, DIRECTV AdvertisingMichele Stone, VP of Advanced Advertising Product and Planning, ParamountPaul Erickson, Principal, Erickson Strategy & Insights (Moderator)Rob Jayson, EVP of Insights and Analytics, USIMSteve Reynolds, CEO, Imagine CommunicationsTOPICSTopics addressed during this session included fragmentation, convergence, measurement, currency, innovation, audience targeting, inventory management, business outcomes, business challenges, data availability, partnerships, consultative selling, reporting, insights, direct selling, curated inventory, campaign objectives, multiple measurement providers, smart inventory and dynamic inventory.

SUMMARYThis discussion at TVOT NYC 2024 focused on practical AI applications in the media and entertainment industry. Key points included using AI to enhance video content creation, such as increasing video production speed by 10 times and automating closed captioning, which boosted efficiency. AI was also leveraged for content discovery, personalizing user experiences, and improving metadata to enhance ad performance and user engagement. The panelists highlighted AI's role in reducing reporting time from 10-20 hours to seconds and in generating real-time audience insights. They emphasized the potential of AI in multimodal experiences and the need for cost-effective solutions like small language models to unlock new use cases. Much more was discussed (see Topics below).DESCRIPTION OF SESSIONThis session will explore advanced AI applications that are making money or saving money in video streaming services right now. Panelists include:Anjali Midha, CEO, Diesel LabsColin Dixon, Principal Analyst, nScreenMedia (Moderator)Deepna Devkar, SVP of Machine Learning and AI—Global Streaming, Warner Bros DiscoveryPhilippe Petitpont, CEO, Moments LabZack Rosenberg, CEO, QortexTOPICSThe key topics discussed in the conversation include: video understanding, metadata enrichment, content discovery and personalization, cost efficiency through automated reporting, content-based advertising targeting, the potential of AI to enhance creativity and engineering outcomes, AI-powered video captioning and transcription, leveraging user signals and data to personalize content recommendations, using AI to optimize content placement and ad monetization, the importance of consistent metadata and data architecture for AI applications, the challenges of cost and compute efficiency for conversational AI and voice search, and the potential for AI to enable new forms of multimodal and immersive content experiences.

SUMMARYThe panel discussed the evolution of branded entertainment, emphasizing the need for a balance between creative content and brand messaging. Key ingredients for success include a compelling idea, a producer, funding, distribution, marketing, publicity, and a brand partner. Examples highlighted included Expedia's co-produced content with Elite Media Group and Amica Insurance's partnership with the Boston Celtics. The importance of leveraging brand reach, ensuring ROI, and creating content that engages audiences without feeling like traditional ads was stressed. The panelists agreed on the value of collaboration, transparency, and aligning content with consumer interests to drive engagement and brand loyalty.  SPONSORED BY LEAP MEDIA GROUPSPEAKERSBrian Kekich, Director, Content Partnerships, Red BullChris Pizzurro, Chairman, Leap Media GroupMichele Fino, Chief Storyteller, Michele Fino, LLC (Moderator)Paul Furia, Head of Content and Creative Packaging, Media By MotherTOPICSThe key topics discussed in the conversation included branded entertainment, content creation, brand partnerships, audience engagement, distribution and promotion, ROI and measurement, collaboration and transparency, advertising, entertainment, and social good.

TOPICSThe key topics discussed in the conversation include: AI, TV content, interactive content, generative AI, AI-powered filmmaking, democratizing content creation, AI as a tool in the creative process, controlling AI in content creation, and the future of AI in television and media.PANEL DESCRIPTIONIs content crafted all or partly through artificial intelligence the next giant TV programming leap? Will viewers embrace live-action or animated series, specials and made-for-TV movies produced this way? Hear from and interact with executives at new ventures pioneering this AI direction. Panelists include:Alejandro Matamala-Ortiz, Co-Founder and Chief Design Officer, RunwayJohn Attard, Founder, Showdog StudioRob Bralver, Co-Founder and Creative Director, DreamFlareSimon Applebaum, Host, “Tomorrow Will Be Televised” (Moderator)

TOPICSThe key topics discussed in the conversation include: monetizing connected TV, innovations in CTV advertising, challenges and opportunities in CTV, live sports and personal shopping on CTV, and the future of CTV and advertising.SESSION DESCRIPTIONWith Connected TV (CTV) advertising projected to be the fastest-growing segment of the media landscape over the coming year, this session will explore how CTV is giving rise to new monetization opportunities through interactive ad formats, shoppable TV/tcommerce, data generation, granular targeting, and more. Panelists drawn from companies at the forefront of the fast-evolving CTV economy will address such questions as: What innovations in advertising and other forms of CTV monetization are proving effective, and why? What kinds of programming are generating the most viewer engagement with CTV advertising and commerce? And, as CTV and FAST inventory grow, how will CTV advertising and commerce opportunities evolve and mature? Panelists include:Chris Pfaff, CEO, Chris Pfaff Tech Media (Moderator)Dallas Lawrence, CSO, TellyDavid Apostolico, Chief Distribution Officer, QVC/HSN+Fred Godfrey, CEO, OriginJennifer Monson, VP of Sales, FuboMark Lee, Head of North American Content Business Development, LG Electronics

December 15, 2022Talk Back to Television welcomes our friend Gabriel Berger, Head of Media and Entertainment Industry Solutions for Cognizant. As we all know, Cognizant helps companies modernize technology, reimagine processes and transform experiences so they stay ahead in a fast-changing world. In five minutes, Gabe tells us what’s gone wrong in the media and entertainment industry, and what we need to do to fix it going into 2023.

November 29, 2022ITVT/TVOT is pleased to present a new episode of “Televisionation,” our video/audio podcast exploring the advanced/interactive-TV industry.This episode features writer and director, Sheldon Epps (directing credits include episodes of Netflix’s “The Upshaws,” “Frasier,” “Friends,” “The George Lopez Show,” “Everyone Loves Raymond” and many others), who for two decades was also artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse. Among other things, he discusses “Christmas Party Crashers,” his new film for BET+, and his new book, “My Own Directions: A Black Man’s Journey in the American Theater.”

December 1, 2022Talk Back To Television welcomes Gerard Kunkel, Founder and Managing Partner of Next Media Partners, LLC. Gerard appears IRL (In Real Life) to continue the conversation we started with Chris Falkner (also of Next Media Partners) to replace the Mystery of the Metaverse with the Reality of the Opportunity.

December 8, 2022Sometimes you just can’t take yourself too seriously. And that’s why we welcome Patrick Donoghue from Next Media Partners to this week’s episode of Talk Back to Television. It’s all about the Reality of the Metaverse (which is an oxymoron if we’ve ever heard one), getting “a Ph.D in **** I don’t understand” to be able to design content for the Metaverse, and of course those *** **** Goggles!

December 9, 2022Televisionation: Friday Fireside, the #1 television industry Webcast, features Rick Howe, The iTV Doctor, in conversation with prominent figures from the advanced-TV/video industry.Like many of you, I have an old WebTV box somewhere in the attic. 25 years ago, it felt like the concept of playing hit games shows like “Jeopardy” and “Wheel of Fortune” on TV would usher in the Era of Interactive Television. And for the most part, we’re all still waiting for the ushers to find our seats. But this week’s Friday Fireside guest Jamie Parker, Chief Product Officer at Gamestar+, might finally have cracked the code. It’s not about the device or the platform: It’s about THE GAME! Watch, and learn.