Networking Cocktail

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Conference Moderator: Robert Whitehead
Disruptionist & Media Entrepreneur, McPherson Media Group LinkedIn

The Realities of “Realities”: AR, VR, MR

As a major contributor to the recent INMA report on Immersive Reality or News Media, VR, AR, and 360 video, Steve will open the conference sharing the reality of all of these technology-enabled platforms from outside the news media industry and within. As an expert, he can share the trends and interesting models that we should be considering in our organizations.

Steve Deitz
Founder, 900lbs of Creative LinkedIn@stevedeitz

360 Videos and Video Storytelling

Innovating (Practically) with Visual Storytelling

The Associated Press is producing virtual reality and 360 videos. It's using artificial intelligence to create visual content, and experimenting with real-time video transcription that learns from its mistakes. It’s using source detection to acquire user generated content that consumers post on social media faster than ever, and more. All the technology is super-cool, but what are the practical implications for newsrooms as they strategize and implement these new tools?

Lisa Gibbs
Director of News Partnerships and Automation Strategy Co-leader, The Associated Press LinkedIn@lisagibbs954

How to Implement a Winning Video Content Strategy

VRtually There Gannett's USA Today transported its audience to the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump via VR and 360-video in partnership with Nikon (which provided the cameras). This was the first live stream VR content produced by USA Today's “VRtually There” show, which debuted in October and has reached more than 5 million views on various platforms. In 2016, Gannett's Detroit Free Press partnered with Silicon Valley's Matterport to give its audience a virtual tour of the Detroit Auto Show and a tour of the S.S. Columbia, aka the Bobla Boat. Russ oversees the video production, programming and strategy for the USA TODAY NETWORK across multiple platforms and audiences. Previously, Russ was head of Yahoo! Studios, responsible for developing original video content for Yahoo! Finance, Yahoo! Sports, Yahoo! News and a dynamic slate of lifestyle properties, overseeing the execution of 40+ digital video programs and LIVE productions across all of Yahoo!. Additionally, he has over two decades of experience in network broadcast television holding positions at BET, NBC and CBS.

Russ Torres
VP, Digital Video Content & Strategy, USA Today LinkedIn@russtorresnyc

The Path to Publishing in Virtual Reality: A Discussion of Opportunities and Best Practices with Samsung and Oculus

On November 27, 2015, Samsung, in partnership with Oculus, launched Gear VR, the first ever mass market consumer virtual reality device. Hear from the Director of Immersive Products at Samsung Electronics America, together with the Head of OEM Partnerships at Oculus, to get an inside view into the VR products and experiences that Samsung and Oculus have launched, and the opportunities these products and services enable for publishing. In March of 2017, it was announced that Samsung Gear 360 users can livestream directly to Facebook with 360-degree videos. Publishing needs to take note and see how to leverage VR as a platform for reaching key audiences.

Nicki Purcell
Chief Digital Officer/Senior Vice President, Consumer Sales,‎ The Dallas Morning News LinkedIn@nickipurcell1

Tom Harding
Director, Immersive Products at Samsung Electronics America LinkedIn@harding_tom

Andy Mathis
Head of OEM Partnerships, Oculus LinkedIn

Break

It’s Not Just Lip Service: Digital First Media - 360 Immersive Video, Live Video, Being a BETA for Google and YouTube, Plus the Revenue Models of Your Video Content

As Director of Audience at DFM, and previously senior editor at The Denver post, Dan is laser-focused into the video initiatives of Digital First Media company-wide and is shaping their video strategy towards solid revenue generation on both the video advertising and video content sides of the house. Learn what’s worked, what hasn’t, and how you can implement a realistic, actionable, and profitable video strategy in your market.

Dan Petty
Director of Audience, Digital First Media LinkedIn@danielpetty

OTT

Why OTT is the Place to Be: The Future of OTT for Media Organizations

Gain insights on how news media companies can take advantage of OTT, short for “over the top,� refers to video services that surpass traditional set-top boxes, delivering video programming to televisions via broadband Internet access. Hear why TownNews is investing in this endeavor, their upcoming journeys, the lessons learned, and the road map for how you too can capitalize on OTT.

Brad Ward
CEO, TownNews.com LinkedIn@braddward

Advertising Opportunities in Video

Honolulu's Out-of-Home In-Store Digital Billboard Network

With over 100 digital screens residing in various retail outlets in the Honolulu marketplace (and plans to grow to 500 in the near future) playing 15 second videos on a 3 minute clock, videos are shared between the publisher, retailer and vendor/advertiser. This initiative has revenue projection of approximately $700K and will continue to increase as more screens are added state wide. The new in-store digital billboard business is 100% incremental revenue and taking money away from TV, agencies and other digital platforms in the market. With added technology, these in-store digital billboards are able to provide the retailers and advertisers detailed reporting on who is viewing their video advertisements and the exact time(s) those particular demographics are viewing. The opportunities generated from this program for the newspaper, advertisers, and stores is extremely impressive and only projected to grow. Learn how this project was implemented, what it takes, and how it's growing Honolulu's business by creating a new advertising vehicle that's creating more sales for all.

J. David Kennedy
Chief Revenue Officer, Oahu Publications, Inc. LinkedIn

GateHouse Digital Billboards: An experiment turned successful

With a more grassroots effort, GateHouse has also launched digital billboards, with a low-cost experiment that's generated results and expanding into its own program. Unlike Honolulu, billboards are part of GateHouse's markets, yet this program is taking off successfully. Hear how you too can launch an innovative test, capitalizing on video in your market. Two different markets had the same idea and executed very differently, yet the results are successful all the same.

Office Hours Lunch

Because there's never enough time to ask all the questions and dig deeper into the key point of any presentation — we're offering Office Hours. Grab your lunch and keep the conversations going over lunch with our presenters. This is your opportunity to consult with presenters, share your story, and engage in learning next steps to make a change.

Innovations: Where are we as a region?

Listen to the chief innovation officer of the Local Media Association talk about the innovative video revenue opportunities available (and happening) within the North American media landscape. Innovate, Educate, Inspire are LMA's pillars - so hear how North American media companies are doing just that within the video space.

Jed Williams
Chief Innovation Officer, Local Media Association LinkedIn@williamsjed

Alabama Media Group: Going Deep with Video Centric Content

Advance is going deep with video-centric content, focusing on video content that people are passionate about: sports, geographic and regional pride. By creating engaging, socially compelling content, Alabama Media Group has delivered millions of views and gained significant sponsors for their videos. Local content, covering local areas, and allowing people to interact with their local content has opened a completely new avenue of revenue for Advance that is also providing a new vehicle for audience. Take notes and think about what passionate content you can capitalize on in your market.

Michelle Holmes
Vice President, Content, Alabama Media Group LinkedIn @mlh_holmes

Break

Brainsnack Case Studies and Strategic Solutions

Buckle up for INMA's quick-pace, brainsnack-style sessions with North American news media companies and industry experts. Rapid-fire case studies sharing straight to the meat of the information presentation of their case studies coupled with industry experts presenting their approach to specific challenge scenario presented by fellow INMA North American board members. Hear expert approaches to solving the challenges in our industry, and learn from the successful case studies of your peers.

Matthew Ipsan
Accudata LinkedIn

Lindsay Stewart
Stringr LinkedIn @LindsaySTV

Steve Dorsey
Statesman Media LinkedIn @dorsey

Andres Faucher
Colaborator LinkedIn @andresfaucher

Erik Haines
Wochit LinkedIn @E_CHaines

Douglas Caballero
Colaborator LinkedIn @dcaballero

Un-conferencing/Office Hours

Use this time to further your actionable take aways, engage with attendees and presenters, and participate in moderated un-conferencing to make the most of the presentations and your own unique market challenges. This is your time to dig deep, work with the resources in the room and close the day with your plans for your organization.

Wrap-Up and Summit Conclusions