Founder & Editor-in-Chief, TheWrap

CEO and Editor in Chief, is an award-winning journalist, best-selling author and the founder of TheWrap. She is also the creator of TheGrill business conference on convergence, and the creator of the Power Women series focused on women’s leadership, including the Power Women Summit in 2018.

A leading authority on the entertainment business and media, Waxman was the Hollywood correspondent for The New York Times and a correspondent for eight years for The Washington Post. She started out as a foreign correspondent, covering Europe and the Middle East for a decade. She is the author of two books, including, “Rebels on the Backlot: Six Maverick Directors and How They Conquered the Hollywood Studio System.”

Chairman & CEO, The Azoff Company

Irving Azoff is Chairman and CEO of The Azoff Company and has managed the Eagles since 1974, along with artists including Jon Bon Jovi, U2, John Mayer, Van Halen, Gwen Stefani, Steely Dan, and Maroon 5.

Based in Los Angeles, The Azoff Company is a privately held media and entertainment company focused on investing in artist- and fan-first businesses. Its portfolio includes Full Stop Management, Global Music Rights, Oak View Group, Iconic Artists Group, and Giant Music. Azoff previously served as Chairman and CEO of Ticketmaster Entertainment, Executive Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment, and CEO of Front Line Management. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

Award-Winning Producer, "F1"

Irving Azoff is Chairman and CEO of The Azoff Company and has managed the Eagles since 1974, along with artists including Jon Bon Jovi, U2, John Mayer, Van Halen, Gwen Stefani, Steely Dan, and Maroon 5.

Based in Los Angeles, The Azoff Company is a privately held media and entertainment company focused on investing in artist- and fan-first businesses. Its portfolio includes Full Stop Management, Global Music Rights, Oak View Group, Iconic Artists Group, and Giant Music. Azoff previously served as Chairman and CEO of Ticketmaster Entertainment, Executive Chairman of Live Nation Entertainment, and CEO of Front Line Management. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020.

President and Managing Partner, WME Group & President and COO, TKO

Mark Shapiro is President and Managing Partner of WME Group, a global network representing top talent, IP, and brands. He also serves as President and COO of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), home to UFC and WWE.

Shapiro began his career at ESPN, where he led production and programming and helped shape it into a global multimedia powerhouse. He later served as CEO and Executive Producer of Dick Clark Productions and as CEO and President of Six Flags Entertainment.

He sits on the boards of Equity Residential (NYSE), EverPass Media, Fifth Season, and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation, is Chairman of Captivate Network, and a minority owner of LAFC.

Co-Chairman, WME Group

Christian Muirhead is Co-Chairman of WME Group, appointed alongside Richard Weitz in Fall 2022 to lead the preeminent talent agency. Together, they oversee representation across entertainment, sports, and fashion. WME Group includes WME, global marketing agency 160over90, IMG Licensing, and nonscripted content company Pantheon Media Group. Under their leadership, WME has expanded through acquisitions in sports, books, and music.

Muirhead joined the William Morris Agency in 2004 and later became Endeavor’s Chief Communications Officer, playing a key role in the company’s 2021 IPO and communications for 30+ acquisitions and business launches. Based in New York, he was born in Brussels, lived in several countries, and holds a degree in International Relations from Boston University. He serves on the Los Angeles Board of Governors for the Paley Center for Media.

Co-Chairman, WME Group

Richard Weitz is Co-Chairman of WME Group, appointed alongside Christian Muirhead in Fall 2022 to lead the preeminent talent agency. Together, they oversee representation across entertainment, sports, and fashion. WME Group includes WME, global marketing agency 160over90, IMG Licensing, and nonscripted content company Pantheon Media Group. Under their leadership, WME has expanded into new growth areas through acquisitions in sports, books, and music.

A leading dealmaker for over three decades, Weitz was one of the first employees at Endeavor and served as head of its television department through its 2009 merger with William Morris. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his daughter Demi launched RWQuarantunes, a virtual benefit concert that raised over $38 million for 75+ charities. A Philadelphia native, Weitz earned his Communications degree from George Washington University and lives in Los Angeles with his family.

CTO, Fox Corporation

Melody Hildebrandt is Chief Technology Officer for Fox Corporation, where she sets and delivers the comprehensive technology strategy for the Company, spanning its brands FOX News Media, FOX Sports, Tubi Media Group, FOX Entertainment, and FOX Television Stations. She previously served as the company’s EVP of Engineering, Chief Information Security Officer and as the President of its research and development subsidiary.

Before FOX, she was a Forward Deployed Engineer at Palantir Technologies and an Associate at Booz Allen Hamilton where she designed military wargames.

EVP, CTO, Head of Multiplatform Operations, Paramount Global

Phil Wiser is an industry-leading technology and digital media executive, currently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Paramount. He oversees global technology strategy, shared services, and multiplatform operations. Prior to the Viacom-CBS merger, he held the same role at CBS Corporation, leading tech strategy across the company’s portfolio. He also served as CTO at Hearst, where he migrated the company’s infrastructure to the cloud and helped build a data-driven, cloud-first environment for its digital businesses.

Earlier in his career, Wiser was CTO of Sony Corporation of America and Sony Music, where he helped launch iTunes and drove digital innovation. As founder of Liquid Audio and Sezmi, he pioneered commercial internet-based media in music and TV, securing numerous patents in IP content delivery, recommendation systems, streaming, and cybersecurity.

Director, AI in Media, USC’s Entertainment Technology Center

Yves is an AI researcher and the director of the “AI in Media” Project at USC’s Entertainment Technology Center. ETC is a think tank and research center funded by all the Hollywood studios, as well as large technology companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Dolby. At the Center, Yves and his team use frontier AI methods to help media companies understand the relationship between culture, the DNA of narratives, and the human brain.

He is also the co-founder & CEO of Corto, an AI startup building software products to help studios, global brands, and advertisers understand the communities, narratives and behaviors that make up culture, and predict where it's going. Yves is also a member of the Digital Storytelling Lab at Columbia University, and a member of the Generative AI Working Group at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.

CEO, Dhar Mann Studios

Sean Atkins is a seasoned media executive with a track record of building high-value businesses at the intersection of consumer, media, and tech. He is currently CEO of Dhar Mann Studios, a mission-driven digital media company reaching over 143 million followers globally with inspirational content. Under his leadership, the company has grown to nearly 200 employees and operates a 125,000-square-foot production space in Los Angeles. He also launched 5th Quarter Agency, a creator-services division helping talent generate six-figure monthly revenue.

Previously, Atkins held senior roles at industry leaders including MTV, Discovery, HBO, Jellysmack, Yahoo!, and Disney. As President of MTV, he reversed a five-year ratings decline and unlocked $100 million in operating efficiencies. At Discovery, he led digital transformation efforts and helped develop Discovery+. At Jellysmack, he built the company into a top global creator economy brand, overseeing revenue, content, and brand sales strategy. Across his career, he’s launched and scaled multiple $100M+ businesses across streaming, ad tech, e-commerce, licensing, and the creator economy.

President and Managing Partner, WME Group

& President and COO, TKO

Mark Shapiro serves as President and Managing Partner of WME Group, a global network of businesses that represent the world’s leading talent, intellectual property, and brands. He also serves as President and Chief Operating Officer of TKO Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: TKO), a premium sports and entertainment company comprising businesses including UFC and WWE. 

Shapiro began his career at ESPN, where he oversaw both production and programming and led the creation of sports and entertainment properties that helped build ESPN into one of the world’s most prolific brands in sports media, earning 16 Emmy Awards and two Peabody Awards during his tenure. Shapiro then served as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer of Dick Clark Productions, and later Director, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Six Flags Entertainment Corporation. 

Shapiro is a member of the board of trustees of Equity Residential (NYSE: EQR) and a member of the board of directors of EverPass Media, Fifth Season, and the Shaquille O’Neal Foundation. He also serves as the Chairman of Captivate Network and is a minority owner of the Los Angeles Football Club, the MLS franchise that debuted in 2018.

Co-Chairman, WME Group

Richard Weitz is Co-Chairman of WME Group, appointed alongside Christian Muirhead in Fall 2022 to lead the preeminent talent agency. Together, they oversee representation across entertainment, sports, and fashion. WME Group includes WME, global marketing agency 160over90, IMG Licensing, and nonscripted content company Pantheon Media Group. Under their leadership, WME has expanded into new growth areas through acquisitions in sports, books, and music. 

A leading dealmaker for over three decades, Weitz was one of the first employees at Endeavor and served as head of its television department through its 2009 merger with William Morris. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he and his daughter Demi launched RWQuarantunes, a virtual benefit concert that raised over $38 million for 75+ charities. A Philadelphia native, Weitz earned his Communications degree from George Washington University and lives in Los Angeles with his family.

EVP, CTO, Head of Multiplatform Operations, Paramount Global

Phil Wiser is an industry-leading technology and digital media executive, currently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Paramount. He oversees global technology strategy, shared services, and multiplatform operations. Prior to the Viacom-CBS merger, he held the same role at CBS Corporation, leading tech strategy across the company’s portfolio. He also served as CTO at Hearst, where he migrated the company’s infrastructure to the cloud and helped build a data-driven, cloud-first environment for its digital businesses.

Earlier in his career, Wiser was CTO of Sony Corporation of America and Sony Music, where he helped launch iTunes and drove digital innovation. As founder of Liquid Audio and Sezmi, he pioneered commercial internet-based media in music and TV, securing numerous patents in IP content delivery, recommendation systems, streaming, and cybersecurity.

CEO, Dhar Mann Studios

Sean Atkins is a seasoned media executive with a track record of building high-value businesses at the intersection of consumer, media, and tech. He is currently CEO of Dhar Mann Studios, a mission-driven digital media company reaching over 143 million followers globally with inspirational content. Under his leadership, the company has grown to nearly 200 employees and operates a 125,000-square-foot production space in Los Angeles. He also launched 5th Quarter Agency, a creator-services division helping talent generate six-figure monthly revenue.

Previously, Atkins held senior roles at industry leaders including MTV, Discovery, HBO, Jellysmack, Yahoo!, and Disney. As President of MTV, he reversed a five-year ratings decline and unlocked $100 million in operating efficiencies. At Discovery, he led digital transformation efforts and helped develop Discovery+. At Jellysmack, he built the company into a top global creator economy brand, overseeing revenue, content, and brand sales strategy. Across his career, he’s launched and scaled multiple $100M+ businesses across streaming, ad tech, e-commerce, licensing, and the creator economy.

Founder, Dhar Mann Studios

Dhar Mann is the #1 digital scripted storyteller in the world, reaching over 143 million followers and generating 10 billion views annually. He is the founder and CEO of Dhar Mann Studios, a mission-driven media company that produces inspirational content promoting compassion and kindness. With a 125,000-square-foot, three-stage facility in Burbank and nearly 200 employees, the studio stands as a leading creator-built brand bridging legacy Hollywood and the Creator Economy.

Named to Forbes’ Top Creators list in both 2024 and 2025 and featured on the inaugural TIME100 Creators list, Dhar has earned multiple accolades, including “Studio of the Year” from the 2025 Shorty Awards and nominations at the Kids Choice and Streamy Awards. Off-screen, he is a dedicated philanthropist, donating to causes that mirror his content’s values. Fans also connect with Dhar’s personal life through family and entrepreneurial content on Instagram and TikTok, often alongside his wife and co-founder, Laura Avila.

Head of Theatrical Distribution, The Walt Disney Studios

As Head of Theatrical Distribution for The Walt Disney Studios, Andrew Cripps oversees the global distribution strategy for films across seven banners, including Disney Live Action, Pixar, Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and Searchlight Pictures. He also leads the Cinema Partnerships team, non-theatrical sales, and the iconic El Capitan Theatre. Since joining earlier this year, Cripps has already spearheaded the release of 2025’s first and only $1 billion hit, Lilo & Stitch, with a slate ahead that includes Predator: Badlands, Zootopia 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash.

Cripps brings over three decades of global leadership in theatrical distribution. He previously served as President of International Theatrical Distribution at Warner Bros., overseeing major global releases like Barbie, Dune, Joker, and Wonka. His prior roles include senior leadership at 20th Century Fox, IMAX, Paramount Pictures International, and United International Pictures, where he helped shape the global distribution landscape for Hollywood films.

CEO, Regal Cineworld

Eduardo Acuna has served as CEO of Regal Cineworld since July 2023. Previously, he was President for the Americas at Cinépolis, the world’s third-largest theatrical exhibition circuit, overseeing operations in 11 countries. Since joining Cinépolis in 2005, Acuna held multiple executive roles, including President and CEO of Cinépolis Brazil, where he was named International Exhibitor of the Year by ShowEast in 2014. He currently serves on the boards of NATO and the Global Cinema Federation, with earlier roles at McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, the Bank of Mexico, and Mexico’s Ministry of Social Development.

Regal Cineworld operates one of the most geographically expansive theatre circuits in the world. Across its Regal, Cineworld, Picturehouse, Planet, and Cinema City brands, it ranks as the second-largest exhibition business by number of screens, with locations in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Israel, and across Central and Eastern Europe. With premium large formats, a leading subscription program, and elevated food and beverage offerings, Regal Cineworld is focused on making every moviegoing experience unforgettable.

Owner, & Principal, Foster + Crew

Greg Foster is the founder and principal of Foster + Crew, an entertainment and media consulting firm, where he advises global industry leaders on content, distribution, and theatrical strategy—including international expansion and immersive formats.

For many years he served as CEO of IMAX Entertainment and Senior Executive Vice President at IMAX Corporation, where he led the company’s transformation from a niche large-format exhibitor into the world’s leading premium theatrical experience.

President, Global Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures

Jeff Goldstein is President of Global Distribution at Warner Bros. Pictures, where he oversees all aspects of worldwide distribution, including release strategy, sales, specialty formats, and exhibitor relations. He also manages the studio’s extensive international distribution network, spanning affiliate offices and third-party partnerships. Goldstein’s team handles a robust slate of films each year across Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, and DC Studios.

A widely respected distribution executive, Goldstein previously served as President of Domestic Distribution and began his career at Warner Bros. as an intern. He rose through the ranks with roles across regional offices in Florida, Ohio, and Massachusetts, helping shape the studio’s global strategy and box office success. He is a graduate of Syracuse University.

EVP & GM, Bleacher Report

Bennett Spector serves as the General Manager for Bleacher Report, a division of TNT Sports. With more than a decade at the company, he leads all social and digital content initiatives for the leading digital sports media brand. Under his leadership, Bleacher Report has captured millennial and Gen Z audiences through animated series like Game of Zones and The Champions, live-action series like Sneaker Shock, and athlete-driven storytelling across social media and the award-winning app. He also played a key role in the B/R website redesign, tailoring the platform to user behavior and highlighting premium sports culture content.

Prior to becoming GM, Spector held a range of roles including VP of Brand Strategy, Creative Consultant, VP of Emerging Technologies, and Director of Social Media, starting his career at B/R as Manager of the Newsletter Program. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and two daughters.

Director, Head of Sports Partnerships, Prime Video

Charlie Neiman is the Director, Head of Sports Partnerships at Prime Video, where he oversees the acquisition of live and on-demand sports content for customers in the U.S. and Canada. He leads a team that identifies and evaluates new opportunities, negotiates content deals, and enhances the customer experience for sports fans. Neiman has been instrumental in driving Amazon’s sports programming, securing rights across major leagues including the NFL, NBA, WNBA, NASCAR, Premier Boxing Champions, NWSL, and the NHL.

Recognized as a rising voice in sports media, Neiman has been named to several prestigious industry lists, including Sports Business Journal’s 2025 Power Players – Sports Streaming, The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Class of 2021: 35 Rising Executives Under 35, and Forbes 30 Under 30, Media. A native of Bellevue, Washington, he graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in political science and competed on the men’s water polo team. Prior to Amazon, Neiman held leadership roles at Google and YouTube.

Head of Fubo Studios, Fubo

Pamela Duckworth, an award-winning executive producer with extensive experience across production and brand marketing, is Head of Fubo Studios for Fubo, the leading sports-first live TV streaming platform. She oversees strategy, creative direction, and original programming for Fubo’s owned networks, including Fubo Sports, Fubo Movie Network, and Fubo Latino Network, and leads Fubo Studios, the company’s original production division for sports and entertainment content.

With more than 25 years of experience across pay TV, commercials, live sports, events, syndicated series, and short-form content, Duckworth has cultivated close relationships with top directors, producers, and agents, managing A-list talent including Beyoncé, Jay Z, Ryan Reynolds, Rob Lowe, Gilbert Arenas, and Peyton Manning. Her work has been honored with 12 Cannes Lions, 8 Tellys, 3 Clios, 3 AICPs, 2 Effies, 3 Andys, 2 D&ADs, a Webby, and a One Show. Prior to Fubo, she founded Duckworth Entertainment and Holiday House Productions and held senior production, advertising, marketing, and events roles at DIRECTV, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, and QVC.

Head of Sports, Roku Media

Joe Franzetta is Head of Sports for Roku Media, where he oversees all strategic partnerships, initiatives, and go-to-market executions for Roku’s sports offerings across The Roku Channel and the broader Roku platform. As the inaugural leader of Roku’s Sports team, he has driven rapid expansion, including the launch of Roku’s Sports Zone and branded league zone experiences, creating a central destination for live and on-demand sports content. He also spearheaded Roku’s entry into sports programming, securing the company’s first live sports rights deal with Formula E and bringing the Emmy-nominated The Rich Eisen Show exclusively to The Roku Channel, while collaborating with Roku Originals to create content with top professional leagues including MLB, NFL, WWE, and UFC.

Franzetta has extensive experience launching and growing businesses, building partnerships, and leading high-performing teams. Prior to Roku, he held senior leadership roles in media and technology, most recently as Vice President of Rights and Business Relationships at Fox Sports. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Allegheny College and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

Head of Entertainment Content & Platforms, Google

Jonathan Zepp leads Entertainment Content & Platforms for Google, where he oversees a global partnerships team at the intersection of creativity and new technologies via Google TV, Android XR, and 100 ZEROS. Over his Google tenure, Jon has led global content partnerships across YouTube and Google Play, following leadership roles at Sony PlayStation, Paramount Pictures, and Napster. He began his career as a corporate and intellectual property lawyer and was recently elected Chair of the Digital Entertainment Group, where he is consistently recognized by peers for his leadership and contributions to industry evolution.

Based in Los Angeles, Jon lives with his wife and daughter and is a proud board member and advocate for El Nido Family Centers, a local nonprofit. Outside of work, he is an amateur screenwriter, movie buff, sports fan, and science and technology enthusiast.

Partner, 30 Ninjas

Jed Weintrob is an award-winning producer, director, and writer whose career spans storytelling, technology, and innovation. From pioneering CD-ROM video games to redefining content in VR, AR, and AI-driven media, he has consistently pushed stories into new dimensions where they are fully experienced. As Partner of 30 Ninjas, he leads the immersive story studio with Julina Tatlock and filmmaker Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity, Edge of Tomorrow), creating next-gen projects including Asteroid—a Liman-directed XR experience premiering at the 2025 Venice Film Festival with Google’s new Android XR platform—and collaborations with Google, Verizon, and other industry leaders.

Previously, Weintrob held senior roles at Industrial Color, Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, and Condé Nast Entertainment, where he built CNE’s digital video studio and oversaw more than 200 original series, 5,000 episodes of digital content, and its VR debut with Invisible, a Liman-directed series with Samsung and Jaunt VR. Earlier, he founded Orion Pictures Interactive (acquired by MGM) and Arena Films 3D, directed Experience 3D for Discovery Channel’s 3Net, executive produced Kill Me Three Times, and directed On_Line and The F Word, which premiered at Sundance, Berlin, and Tribeca. Based in New York City, he continues to create narrative experiences that blur the lines between technology and human connection.

Managing Editor, Business & PRO, TheWrap

Roger Cheng is TheWrap’s managing editor for business and PRO subscribers, bringing with him decades of experience leading newsrooms and shaping coverage.A former reporter for Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal, Cheng was the head of news and executive editor for nearly a dozen years at CNET, the world’s largest consumer tech news and reviews site.

Cheng has spent nearly 25 years covering the impact and consequences of technology on our lives. He has covered the rise of mobility and the smartphone for The Wall Street Journal and the Dow Jones Newswires, shaped coverage of tech’s impact at CNET and then later as editor-in-chief of Cord Cutter News. From covering the launch of the original iPhone to today’s AI revolution, Cheng has consistently sought to bring unique insight and perspective to readers around the world.

Senior Film Reporter, TheWrap

Drew Taylor is a senior film reporter at TheWrap, writing broadly across topics including blockbuster films, production, animation and with a side passion for Hollywood’s theme parks. Before joining the site in 2021, Drew was a film journalist with a keen interest in animation and Disney history. Drew has been covering film, television and theme parks for 15 years, writing for the New York Times, the New York Daily News, Time Out New York, Collider, The Playlist, Polygon, Vulture, Box Office Magazine, AOL Travel and Syfy.

Founding Partner, WndrCo

Jeffrey is an entrepreneur and entertainment industry executive who has reshaped the media landscape throughout his career. He is a Founding Partner at WndrCo, an investment firm backing category-defining companies, where he advises portfolio companies including Aura, Airtable, Alembic, Netomi, and Writer. A dedicated philanthropist, he serves on the boards of the USC School of Cinematic Arts, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, CalArts, and LA28.

Jeffrey has been recognized with the Palme d’Or, the Motion Picture Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, the National Medal of Arts, and the TIME100 Impact Award. He co-founded DreamWorks and served as CEO of DreamWorks Animation, after leadership roles as Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios and President of Production at Paramount.

CEO & Co-Founder, Nova Sky Stories

Kimbal Musk is an entrepreneur and philanthropist with a personal mission to revolutionize the way people connect and share experiences. Musk is the CEO and Co-Founder of Nova Sky Stories, a company dedicated to empowering artists and producers to bring awe to live audiences around the world. At Nova, Musk leads a veteran team of engineers who develop and innovate the world’s safest, most advanced light drones. Nova represents Musk's commitment to blending technology with storytelling, creating communal experiences that bring people together.

Prior to Nova, Kimbal founded a number of sustainable food companies including The Kitchen, Big Green, and Square Roots, that reflect his enduring commitment to sustainable food systems and community empowerment. He serves on the board of Tesla and was named a Global Social Entrepreneur by the World Economic Forum. Follow him on X @Kimbal and Instagram @KimbalMusk.

CEO & President,

Gerber Kawasaki Wealth & Investment Management

Ross Gerber is the Co-Founder, President, and CEO of Gerber Kawasaki Wealth and Investment Management, where he oversees $3.59 billion in assets (as of 08/05/25) and provides financial guidance to individual clients. A frequent voice on Bloomberg, CNBC, Reuters, and Fox Business, he is recognized as one of the most influential investors across media for his insights on technology, clean energy, media, and entertainment.

A Los Angeles native, Ross co-founded Gerber Kawasaki in 2010 to create a more client-focused model of wealth management. He has since led initiatives like the Get Invested program for young investors and the firm’s early adoption of digital assets. Beyond finance, Ross is active in music as co-creator of Cocoon Music – Malibu, an advisor to NoCap Shows, and a board member of the Guardians of the LA Jewish Health Organization.

Analyst, Fox Sports

Rachel Nichols is an Emmy-winning television host and reporter who currently works as an analyst at Fox Sports 1 and co-hosts Sports Illustrated’s basketball podcast. She also appears regularly on CNN, hosts the interview series Open Run for All The Smoke, and fronts her own show, Hometown with Rachel Nichols, on the Monumental Sports Network. Her career has included hosting and reporting roles at ESPN, where she covered Monday Night Football and the NBA Finals, as well as Showtime’s Headliners with Rachel Nichols and CNN’s Unguarded.

Nichols has also contributed to coverage at TNT and TBS, working on the NBA, NCAA Tournament, Major League Baseball, and golf broadcasts. She began her career in newspapers, spending nearly a decade at the Washington Post. A native of Potomac, Md., she earned her journalism degree from Northwestern University and serves on the board of USA Curling.

Senior Leadership Team, CAA

Brent Weinstein serves on the senior leadership team at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where he oversees Digital Media, Podcasts, Games, Talent Business Ventures, and Speakers. He also plays a central role in the agency’s M&A and investment strategy and, in partnership with the Technology division, co-manages CAA’s Intell data team. With more than two decades of experience, Weinstein is recognized for building precedent-setting business models and forging partnerships that bridge traditional and digital media.

Prior to joining CAA, Weinstein was Chief Development Officer at Candle Media, leading corporate and business development efforts and partnerships for divisions including Hello Sunshine and Moonbug. During more than 20 years at United Talent Agency, he helped launch and lead multiple divisions — from Digital Talent and Podcasting to Ventures and Emerging Platforms — ultimately becoming Partner and the agency’s first Chief Innovation Officer. He also co-managed UTA’s Insights and News divisions, guided strategy for its Global Music and Speakers businesses, and played a key role in the company’s M&A activity.

Founder, Proximity Media

Sev Ohanian is a screenwriter, producer, and co-founder of Proximity Media with Ryan and Zinzi Coogler. Since launching the company in 2018, they’ve delivered a wide slate of event-driven projects across film, television, documentaries, and podcasts. Their debut feature Judas and the Black Messiah earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and won for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Song. Proximity has since produced Space Jam: A New Legacy (Warner Bros.), Creed III (MGM), and executive produced Marvel’s Ironheart, Eyes of Wakanda, Nat Geo’s Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time, and the IMAX-shot hit Sinners, starring Michael B. Jordan, which grossed over $360M worldwide.

Ohanian is also known for co-writing and producing Searching, made for $1M and grossing $75M worldwide, as well as Run and Missing. His accolades include the Sundance Institute Amazon Studios Narrative Producer Award, recognition on THR’s “35 Under 35” and Variety’s “40 Under 40” lists, and induction as the first member of the Armenian Film Hall of Fame.

Filmmaker & CEO, Confluential Films

Tommy Oliver is an Emmy and Sundance-winning filmmaker, entrepreneur, and photographer whose work spans film, television, and documentary. He is the Founder & CEO of Confluential Films, producing culturally specific yet universally resonant stories, and the media brand Black Love. His producing credits include The Perfect Find (Netflix), Fancy Dance (Apple TV+), Young. Wild. Free. (BET+), and The Perfect Guy (Sony, #1 U.S. box office opener). In nonfiction, he produced the Emmy- and Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project (HBO), six seasons of Black Love, Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss (HBO), and 40 Years a Prisoner (HBO). As a filmmaker, he has written, directed, shot, and edited features including 1982 (Lionsgate), Juice WRLD, and 40 Years a Prisoner. Upcoming projects include Hamlet, starring Riz Ahmed, and Goons, starring Michael Rainey Jr. and Chlöe Bailey.

A noted photographer, Oliver has more than 70 works in the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, PGA (National Board, Independent Producer Committee Co-Chair), WGA, DGA, and Television Academy. He also mentors emerging filmmakers through Sundance, PGA, Doc NYC, and Academy Gold, and has been recognized with Carnegie Mellon’s Alumni Achievement Award and Goldman Sachs’ “100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs.”

VP, Film, Topic Studios

Jasmine Daghighian is Vice President of Film at Topic Studios, where she has quickly become a rising force in independent cinema, championing bold storytelling with emotional depth and commercial appeal. Since joining the company in 2023, she has played an integral role in shaping the studio’s acclaimed film slate, serving as co-EP on Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain” (Searchlight) and co-producer on Michael Angelo Covino’s Cannes favorite “Splitsville” (NEON).

Daghighian is currently producing Eisenberg’s forthcoming untitled musical comedy starring Paul Giamatti and Julianne Moore, as well as “Mother Mary” starring Anne Hathaway and “Wicker” starring Olivia Colman. Prior to Topic, she was Head of Production and Development at 500 Blows, where she oversaw projects for Showtime, HBO, Amazon, and Netflix. Earlier in her career, she was Director of Development at Imperative Entertainment, working on films including Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Ruben Östlund’s “The Square” and “Triangle of Sadness,” and Mindy Kaling’s “Late Night.”

Founding Partner,

Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang

Nina L. Shaw is a founding partner of Del Shaw Moonves Tanaka Finkelstein Lezcano Bobb & Dang, specializing in television, motion picture, and live stage. A graduate of Barnard College and Columbia Law School, she represents award-winning actors, writers, producers, directors, and executives. She began her legal career at O’Melveny & Myers and has become one of the most respected attorneys in entertainment.

Shaw has been named to Variety’s Dealmaker Impact list and THR’s “Women in Entertainment Power 100.” Her honors include the WIF Crystal Award, Beverly Hills Bar Association’s Entertainment Lawyer of the Year, Essence’s Black Women in Hollywood Power Award, Columbia Law School’s Medal for Excellence, and the NAACP LDF’s National Equal Justice Award. A longtime advocate for women’s education, she serves on the boards of The Hollywood Commission, the Motion Picture Television Fund, and is a Trustee of Barnard College.

Journalist & Founder, The Box Sessions

Laura Holson is an award-winning journalist and founder of The Box Sessions, a series of curated gatherings where people explore arts and ideas with influential thinkers. Holson is a veteran of The New York Times where she worked for two decades writing about the intersection of money, power and influence in Silicon Valley, New York and Hollywood. Holson approaches her work as a cultural anthropologist and has been widely published, including in Vanity Fair, Fast Company, Town & Country, Marie Claire and BusinessWeek.

She won a National Magazine Award for public service and is a frequent podcast guest and moderator, and writes a newsletter about creativity. As founder of The Box Sessions, she is responsible for program design and strategy, and teaches workshops and classes on writing and the importance of a creative culture. She can be found at lauraholson.com.

SVP & Sr. Relationship Manager,

City National Bank, Entertainment Division

With over 30 years of experience in commercial and corporate banking, Judy is a Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at City National Bank, where she is part of the Entertainment Corporate Team in Los Angeles. She focuses on financing film and TV projects, large corporate content creation companies, and previously produced library assets.

Judy began her career at Sanwa Bank (now BMO) in the Management Development Training Program before joining its Commercial Banking group, managing a portfolio of upper middle market and corporate clients across Southern California. She later served as Vice President in Comerica Bank’s Entertainment group before moving to City National. A graduate of UC Riverside with a B.A. in History, Judy is also an active mentor with Big Brother Big Sister of Los Angeles and the KFC Foundation. A lifelong Disney fan, she dreams of working at Disneyland in retirement.

VP, National Research Group

Fergus Navaratnam-Blair is Vice President on the Trends and Futures team at NRG. In this role, he conceptualizes and produces thought leadership research at the intersection of content, culture, and technology. He has led research initiatives on topics ranging from the evolution of childhood and the moviegoing habits of Gen Alpha to the impact of AI on creative workers, and has advised some of the world's leading media brands on key strategic questions. His work has earned coverage from CNBC, Variety, Slate, Sports Business Journal and The Hill, among other publications, and he has appeared as a guest on multiple episodes of Matt Belloni's The Town podcast.

VP, Creative Technologies, NBCUniversal

Annie Chang is the Vice President, Creative Technologies for NBCUniversal, responsible for developing strategies and designing innovative next-generation workflows across film and episodic television productions. Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Chang was the VP, Technology for Marvel Studios and held various roles during more than a decade tenure at The Walt Disney Studios. Chang is an AMPAS Governor-at-Large, the Chair of the AMPAS SciTech Council and the Board Chair for UHD Alliance. She was the Chair of the Interoperable Master Format (IMF) Working Group at SMPTE, is an SMPTE Fellow and recipient of the SMPTE Workflow Systems Medal Award, Advanced Imaging Society’s Distinguished Leadership award and StudioDaily’s 2018 Exceptional Women in Production and Post. In 2020, The Hollywood Reporter named Chang on their list of top “Hollywood Innovators.”

Annie has been honored with the HPA League Honor of “The Catalyst” which recognizes a leader who has successfully inspired and sparked positive change and innovation in entertainment as a “mover and shaker,” as well as TVNewsCheck’s Women in Technology Futurist Award, Women in Technology WiTH Leadership Award, SMPTE’s Presidential Proclamation and DEG Entech Hall of Fame award.

Executive Editor, TheWrap

Adam Chitwood joined TheWrap in 2021 as Assistant Managing Editor for Audience after working for over a decade at Collider, where he spent five years as Managing Editor after previously serving as Deputy Editor at the entertainment website where he helped build and manage the site’s content strategy. As Assistant Managing Editor for Audience, Adam oversaw TheWrap’s consumer-facing content strategy. He became Executive Editor in January 2023, overseeing TheWrap’s newsroom.

Los Angeles Sports Anchor, CBS

Jaime Maggio is a mainstay in the Los Angeles sports television industry. A two-time Emmy winner, you'll find Maggio on the sidelines with the Clippers for FanDuel and also anchoring in the studio for CBS Los Angeles. She has worked the sidelines for the NBA Playoffs on TNT, and filled in on FS1 national shows Undisputed with Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe, and The Herd with Colin Cowherd. Maggio previously worked on NFL Network, NFL on FOX, MLB on TBS, and Spectrum SportsNet.

Maggio graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Communications, and earned Dean's Honors. She was a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She is an avid yoga practitioner, travel enthusiast, and firmly believes in the importance of philanthropy. She is an Advisory Board Member for the Rose Bowl Institute, a Board Member with the American Red Cross, and an adjunct Professor at Loyola Marymount University.