Participation media is a new genre of production in which call-ins from audience members, cell phone text messages, and online votes are incorporated into television shows, ranging from American Idol to So You Think You Can Dance. The industry, already more than $300 million annually in the UK, is projected to be a $3 billion market in the United States within the next five years. Leading programmers are creating new ways for audience members to interact as essential factors in the production and selling of TV shows. Meet some of the pioneers of this new type of "interactive TV," and learn more about what is being planned for the 2007-2008 television season and beyond.
Panelists
Jeffrey R. Miller, president, Telescope, Inc. Jeff is the president of Telescope, the pioneering participation media and mobile marketing company that enabled the launch of the first mass-scale interactive TV program with all six seasons of ‘American Idol.’ Telescope delivers high-profile programs that connect traditional TV, radio, and print media with interactive mobile, landline, and Internet channels. Prior to Telescope, Jeff led AT&T’s Content & Commerce markets, providing I.T. solutions for media, entertainment, and communications clients. He delivered IPTV, digital asset management and video-on-demand services for clients in the media and entertainment industry.
Donna Campbell, Executive Director, Ericsson Mobility World North America
Donna is the founder and executive director of Ericsson’s Mobility World North America, working with media and entertainment companies to develop new mobile content services. Donna set up Ericsson’s first-ever third-party partnering program for mobile content and application development, CyberLab NY, in cooperation with the New York City Investment Fund. The CyberLab partnering program was the model for Ericsson’s global partnering network, Mobility World, now adopted by 30 centers around the world. Since its inception, Ericsson has launched 50+ mobile content services, and led innovation in mobile content merchandising, full-length download services, and mobile television.
Rick Mandler, Vice President and General Manager, Walt Disney Internet Group and ABC’s Enhanced TV
Rick Mandler is vice president for the Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) and is responsible for all business development, production, technical, and integrated sales for Enhanced TV fare produced for all Disney-owned broadcast and cable network programming. WDIG and Enhanced TV programming is delivered via an Internet-connected computer and is controlled by the user while watching the show simultaneously on television. It is neither a television experience nor an Internet computer experience, but truly both at the same time — the first step towards in-home convergence programming.
Moderator
Chris Pfaff, President, Chris Pfaff Tech/Media LLC; board delegate, PGA New Media Council A board delegate of the PGA New Media Council since 2006, and a PGA NMC member since 2004, Chris Pfaff leads a consultancy – Chris Pfaff Tech/Media LLC – that represents some of the leading service providers, audio/video technology firms, networking vendors, and media companies in the world, from PRIMEDIA and Eastman Kodak to Cantor Telecom. A veteran of the venture world, Chris helped launch more than 20 ventures from the Lucent New Ventures Group, including iBiquity Digital; Flarion; Lucent Digital Video, and GeoVideo Networks, among others. In addition, he has helped launch AT&T’s Internet strategy; the Viacom New Media division of Viacom, Inc.; Sony Electronics’ Digital Betacam format, and Sharp Electronics’ LCD product division.
