Broad Agenda At TVB Forward 2016

Media industry executives and leaders from across the United States will gather on Sept. 29 in New York for Forward 2016 – local broadcast television’s annual outlook conference presented by TVB.

More than 550 media, advertising, technology and broadcast experts are expected to attend the event, which is being held at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers. The conference presents a forum for industry leaders to discuss the economic, political, technological and viewer/consumer opportunities and challenges that are shaping the future of advertising and local broadcast television.

Forward 2016 attendees will hear discussions delivered by media research analysts and revenue forecasters, political insiders and influencers, digital and automated TV innovators and prominent CMOs and ad agency executives. This year’s event focuses on Americans’ evolving media consumption habits and how a combination of technology, innovation, measurement and new research have elevated local broadcast television’s dominant position as a proven marketing platform that has the broadest reach and greatest influence on consumers’ purchasing behavior.

“To engage with their target audiences and influence decisions brand managers, advertisers and political campaigns continue to choose local broadcast television to deliver their messages because it’s a trusted, proven media platform that generates accountable, measurable results,” stated Steve Lanzano, TVB president-CEO. “Forward 2016 brings together media industry executives and thought leaders to discuss emerging trends in television today and innovations and technologies that are powering the medium’s evolution and effectiveness in the future,” he said.

“Technology advancements and the proliferation of video content offer consumers more programming options than ever before with delivery across multiple screens and devices,” Lanzano continued. “In this environment, television impressively remains the predominant choice for Americans with adults 18-plus spending nearly five hours a day with traditional TV, or 16% more time than is spent with all other ad-supported media combined, according to a recent GfK research study.”

TVB Forward 2016 agenda highlights (for full agenda and speaker bios click here):

• Wall Street Keynote: Featuring Marci Ryvicker, Managing Director & Senior Equity Analyst, Wells Fargo Securities

• Forecast Panel:  Moderator: Tom Buono, Founder, BIA Financial Network and CEO, BIA/Kelsey. Panelists: Harry Jessell, Editor, NewsCheckMedia; Jack Myers, Chairman, Media Ecologist, MyersBizNet; Brian Wieser, Senior Analyst – advertising/Media/Internet, Pivotal Research

• Political Roundtable: Moderator: George Stephanopoulos, Chief Anchor, ABC News. Panelists: Alixandria Lapp, Executive Director, House Majority PAC; Mike Shields, President, American Action Network and the Congressional Leadership Fund

• Political Spending: Featuring Steve Passwaiter, VP and general manager, Kantar Media/CMAG

• Automotive Keynote: Steven Szakaly, Chief Economist, NADA.

• Digital Innovators: Moderator: Tom O’Brien, EVP, Digital Media & Chief Revenue Officer, Nexstar Broadcasting Group. Panelists: Hanan Avidan, Founder & CEO, Babator; Keith Bonnici, General Manager, Kixer, a division of Lakana; Adam Noble, Sr. Director of Product Marketing & Sales Strategy, Mixpo; Wayne M. Ruting, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Decentrix

• ANA Presents One-on-One Interview with Rob Lynch, Brand President & Chief Marketing Officer, Arby’s Restaurant Group, conducted by Bob Liodice, President & CEO, ANA

• Automated TV: Moderator: Anne Schelle, Managing Director, Pearl TV

• Presentations: Joy Baer, President, STRATA; Seth Haberman, CEO & Founder, Visible World; Stephanie Hanson, CRO, AdMore; Scott Hoffman, President, Yashi

• Media Agency Leadership. Moderator: Steve Lanzano, President & CEO, TVB. Panelists: Vaughn Ericson, SVP, Director of Media Acquisition, Bernstein Rein Advertising; Frank Friedman, EVP Local Activation, Zenith Media; Jennifer Hungerbuhler, EVP, Managing Director, Local Investment, Amplifi USA/Dentsu Aegis Network

Annual industry awards will be announced at the event. TVB will present the EMMA: Excellence in Local Media Marketing Solutions award to one television station and one ad agency; the Ad Council will present the Crystal Bell Award for leadership and exceptional support in promoting Ad Council public service messages; and the B&C Broadcaster of the Year Award will be presented by B&C/Multichannel News to Valarie Stabb, president, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations.