Brian Allers
SVP, Business Development, TVB
Currently the SVP of Business Development for TVB, Brian’s background includes over 20 years in marketing and advertising. In his role with TVB, Brian works with local broadcast stations and ownership groups by traveling the country and presenting to advertisers on how to grow their business through the right allocation of media dollars. Brian also spearheads TVB’s successful AE Training program and AE Dashboard – TVB’s dedicated online sales resource. Brian handles the Midwest and West Coast Divisions for TVB. Previously, Brian had successful stints as a senior local sales account executive at a number of local TV stations owned by leading broadcast organizations including Meredith and Scripps.
Gregory Aston
Chief Research Officer, Media Intelligence, Kantar
Gregory Aston is the Chief Research Officer for Kantar’s Media division, where he is responsible for developing and advancing the foundational frameworks and methodologies for Kantar’s industry-leading advertising platforms. Prior to joining Kantar, Gregory held leadership roles on the agency side, leading a multi-disciplinary team delivering strategic and tactical insight to a broad spectrum of agency and client teams across research, buying, planning, strategy, new business, and digital analytics departments.
Catherine Badalamente
VP & Chief Innovation Officer, Graham Media Group
Catherine Badalamente is the VP & Chief Innovation Officer for Graham Media Group. Badalamente oversees digital sales, content, and technology for GMG. She has been at the forefront of the changing television landscape and transition to new media throughout her career. Previously, she served as VP, Digital Media helping to create successful multi-platform convergent campaigns for clients and stations and was successful at driving growth in both audience and revenue for the group. Badalamente is the current chairperson for the NAB Digital Officer Committee. She also serves on the Executive Board of the Local Media Association and was the recipient of the 2017 NAB Digital Leadership Award.
Craig Broitman
EVP, COO, Katz Television Group
As EVP, Chief Operating Officer of Katz Television Group, the nation’s leading television advertising sales organization, Craig oversees the day-to-day operations across all divisions to drive growth for advertisers, agencies, and all of Katz’s more than 800 television station partners and digital properties. Craig leads ad sales operations, agency and broadcaster connectivity, sales training, and heads the development of the company’s digital capabilities. A 30-year veteran of the media business, Craig started his media career at WCBS-TV as a sales promotion manager and research analyst. He is a board member of the TVB, as well as Chair to its National Sales Advisory Committee and member of the Executive Board.
Lorne Brown
Chief Executive Officer, Operative
Lorne Brown is CEO of Operative, the world’s leading TV advertising management technology company, where he leads the company’s global product and marketing functions. Lorne is focused on providing media companies with profitable advertising capabilities that scale across TV, digital, and more. At Operative, Lorne Brown built the leading software company for digital media companies. His expertise in media sales and ad operations grew Operative from an outsourced ad ops provider to a global company whose solutions traffic over $6 billion in digital advertising. Previously, he worked as VP of Sales and Operations at several financial services and technology companies, including BCJ Systems and Royal Blue Technologies.
David Buonfiglio
VP, Digital, TVB
David Buonfiglio began his work in digital sales for TV broadcasters in 2000 at Hearst-owned WCVB-TV in Boston, MA. He’s been driving digital revenue for the broadcast television industry ever since. As both a vendor and a broadcast corporate leader, he has structured and trained digital sales teams with a focus on profitability and client success. David is in his second year as VP of Digital for TVB and is the first to hold this newly created position.
Tom Buono
CEO & Founder, BIA Advisory Services
Tom Buono has overseen the growth of BIA Financial Network into a diversified network of firms focused on delivering a valuable portfolio of services to the media industry. He has been involved in the creation and management of BIA Capital Strategies, LLC, a communications industry investment bank; BIA Digital Partners LP, a $300 million mezzanine investment fund; and, BIA Advisory Services, a data analytics, consulting, and valuation services firm focused on the local media and advertising sector. Tom is viewed as one of the leading authorities on communications industry business values, investments and strategies.
Ed Busby
Senior Vice President, Strategy, TEGNA
Edmond (Ed) Busby is the SVP of Strategy for TEGNA. He joined the company in December 2015 to drive strategic initiatives and identify new growth opportunities. Among his accomplishments, he helped found Premion (TEGNA’s $150M+ OTT sales division) and drove the creation of TEGNA’s attribution solution. He also serves on both the Pearl and TIP industry boards. Prior to TEGNA, Ed was a Partner in The Boston Consulting Group’s Media Practice where he served a broad array of media companies and private equity firms. He was also an Adjunct Professor of Mobile Marketing at Columbia Business School.
Tim Busch
Former President, Nexstar Media
Timothy C. Busch was appointed President of Nexstar Media Inc. in January 2017 and up until his retirement from Nexstar on June 1, 2021 oversaw its broadcasting operations. Busch started at Nexstar in 2000 as its VP and GM, and he has been intimately involved in the company’s growth through his expanding leadership roles. He has been an active defender for local broadcasting, and has spent many years lobbying on behalf of broadcasters through his company and board organizations with key lawmakers and the FCC. Since departing Nexstar, Busch formed TCB Advisory LLC and is working with multiple companies, in an investor and/or advisory role centered around marketing, sales development, and growth strategies.
Christiana Cacciapuoti
Senior Vice President, Marketing & Innovation, MadHive
Christiana Cacciapuoti is SVP of Marketing and Innovation at MadHive, an enterprise software platform that powers modern media. Christiana also serves as Executive Director of AdLedger, the nonprofit consortium building open-source technical standards that leverage blockchain and cryptography to promote transparency, efficiency, and accountability in media.
Marshall Cohen
Political Director, DGA
Marshall Cohen is the Political Director at the Democratic Governors Association. A veteran of campaigns across the country at the local, federal, and state level – Marshall has been involved in more than 30 gubernatorial races. A proud native of New Jersey, Marshall got his bachelor’s and master’s degree at The George Washington University.
Dan Conston
President, Congressional Leadership Fund
Dan Conston leads the outside effort to win back the U.S. House for Republicans. He has spent over a dozen years advising some of the country’s most prominent leaders, groups, and companies. Conston serves as President of Congressional Leadership Fund, the super PAC endorsed by House GOP Leadership, as well as their sister advocacy group, American Action Network. Under Conston’s leadership last cycle, CLF became the largest House super PAC in history in 2020, spending $165 million across 54 congressional races. With CLF’s help, House Republicans beat all the odds by flipping 15 seats and re-electing every single incumbent.
Toni Coonce
EVP, Sales, WideOrbit
Toni Coonce is the EVP of Sales, leading the Television division at WideOrbit. Toni joined WideOrbit in 2006, bringing over 20 years of media industry experience on both the client and vendor sides of the business. Prior to WideOrbit, Toni worked for Marketron Solutions, holding positions in support, project management, sales engineering, and sales. Before that, she was Finance Manager at a small broadcast group for two years.
Cordie DePascale
Chief Strategy Officer, PremiumMedia360
As Chief Strategy Officer, Cordie DePascale is instrumental in PremiumMedia360’s success, evangelizing their innovative technology solutions, driving customer acceptance and sales execution, and stewarding their internal strategic planning process. Cordie brings a very unique set of skills and experiences to PremiumMedia360: With 25+ years of experience in advertising and advertising technology, Cordie has a deep understanding of the market, the customers, and the products that make up this space. Cordie spent the first years of his career at J. Walter Thompson and IPG, two of the world’s best-known marketing communications brands. He then made the move to advertising technology, spending time at COREMedia and Mediaocean.
Kate Diehl
VP, Paid Media, Pinnacle Advertising
Kate Diehl is a media and advertising expert with over 10 years of experience. She is currently the Vice President of Paid Media at Pinnacle Advertising, supervising media operations, buying, and strategy across Pinnacle’s Chicago, Scottsdale, and San Francisco offices. Throughout her career she has had the pleasure of managing all types of digital and traditional media campaigns for clients like Honda, Acura, Sonic, Jimmy John’s, and Caesar’s Entertainment.
Kathy Doyle
EVP, Managing Director, Local Investment, MAGNA Global
A 20+ year veteran of IPG/MAGNA, Kathy oversees all local activity for clients such as Amazon, Rocket Mortgage, Gilead, BMW, Coca-Cola, T-Mobile and Arby’s, among others. Kathy represents the agency with involvement in several industry associations, such as the 4As, IAB, Nielsen and the TVB. She is also an active member of the Mediabrands Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council. During her career, she has managed investments for clients such as General Motors, Subaru, McDonald’s, Kohl’s and Lowe’s. Kathy received the agency’s “Truth Well Told” award for her outstanding work on General Motors. In 2015, she was named by AWNY as a Working Mother of the Year and in 2016 was added to the IRTS Mentorship Hall of Fame.
Joanna Drews
Cofounder & CEO, HyphaMetrics
Joanna Drews is the Cofounder and CEO of HyphaMetrics, an independent quality data supplier offering an all-encompassing view of what the world is watching. Drews has spent over a decade working across disciplines including marketing/branding, data analytics, media measurement and research products, and business development. She accumulated this experience through her time spent at Comscore, Axwave, GroupM, iCrossing, and Interbrand. Throughout her career, Drews witnessed the widespread frustration that arose out of the lack of true cross-platform media — which ultimately led her to the creation of HyphaMetrics. Additionally, she is the Measurement Chair for AdLedger and on the Client Advisory Board for Captify.
Bill Ekstrand
SVP, Media Management Systems, Horizon Media
Bill Ekstrand leads media operations at Horizon Media. As the SVP, Media Management Systems, Bill manages the applications, vendors, data and workflows that support all facets of media buying and planning. His early career in Satellite TV, Cable TV, Pay-Per-View, and Syndicated TV gave him the operations background necessary for success in the full-service agency world. With his roles at Omnicom and Horizon, Bill has worked on standardizing, governing, and capturing the disparate data sources needed to effectively plan, buy, measure, and optimize media. With the convergence of media types and the improvements in media technology, he is focused on bringing a new level of detail and automation to Horizon.
Kyle Eng
President, BrandLync
Kyle Eng is the President of BrandLync, a technology enhanced, data driven, agency that bridges the gap between the physical and virtual worlds through the use of connected and addressable media that helps brands link with audiences.
Missy Evenson
VP Sales, Local Media, EW Scripps Company
Missy Evenson has been the VP of Sales, Local Media for the EW Scripps Company since 2018. Previously, she held a regional corporate role for Scripps as Director of Regional Strategy. She started her career on the agency buying side of the business moving into national rep firm sales, then onto station sales. Missy worked for stations in San Antonio and Denver in various management roles before coming to Scripps corporate in 2013. She has served as the chairperson for the ABC Sales Advisory committee, and she is currently a member of the Nielsen Local Media Alliance, The Media Ad Sales Council, and a member of the TVB Board of Directors.
Frank Fantini
CEO, Fantini Research; Publisher, Fantini’s Gaming Report
Mr. Fantini is CEO of Fantini Research, a company he founded in 2002 that publishes newsletters and research reports targeted to financial industry and investor professionals and C-suite executives in the global gaming industry. The company’s flagship product is Fantini’s Gaming Report, a comprehensive daily must-read for its target audience. Fantini also co-publishes industry-leading gaming machine and games surveys and analyses with Eilers & Krejcik Gaming and the only comprehensive survey of distributed gaming with Fifth Third Bank.
Frank Friedman
VP, Consumer Engagement, Local Media, EW Scripps
Frank Friedman is VP of Consumer Engagement for Scripps’ Local Media division, where he is responsible for growing Scripps’ portfolio of Local Media brands by bringing a consumer and advertiser lens to local market strategic plans and executions. Friedman has spent nearly 15 years in executive management positions at the Publicis Groupe of agencies. As president of local investment for Publicis Media in New York, he led the industry charge toward local automation. Prior to that, Friedman led Zenith’s local investment team as EVP, stewarding the adoption of comScore in all 140 diary markets. While CEO of ZenithOptimedia Canada, the agency developed the first fully transparent automated trading desk in the country.
Hadassa Gerber
EVP, Chief Research Officer, TVB
Hadassa Gerber was named Chief Research Officer of TVB in June 2014. She joined TVB from the Syndicated Network Television Association (SNTA), where she served as the Director of Research and Systems for 12 years. Prior to joining SNTA in 2002, she spent 20 years serving in several senior and executive director roles for leading advertising agencies including Y&R, Media Edge, DeWitt Media, and McCann Erickson. Known as an industry thought leader in traditional media analytics, media strategy and digital, Hadassa has worked with numerous blue-chip companies, agency executives, and brand managers to help develop innovative solutions to complex marketing challenges and maximize return on investment.
Mark Gorman
CEO, Matrix Solutions
With over 20 years of professional experience and leadership, Mark Gorman is leading Matrix Solutions, the foremost sales ecosystem for all media companies. Prior to being appointed CEO, Mark worked closely with the Matrix executive team in his role as Managing Director for Main Line Equity Partners (MLEP). In 2013, MLEP provided growth capital investment to Matrix Solutions. Since then, Matrix has increased revenue over 45% and significantly expanded their customer base into new markets. Mark possesses diverse experience in private equity and alternative asset industries, bringing with him significant transactional, analytical, and marketing practice expertise.
Dwight Green
Chief Business Officer, AdImpact LLC
Dwight Green is Chief Business Officer at AdImpact, focused on strategy, innovation and go-to-market execution. He has driven product and solution buildouts at the intersection of data, MarTech, and media ecosystems for over twenty years. CEO/GM and other executive roles have spanned Nielsen, Kantar, Sumitomo and other major to emerging enterprises. He has founded and led various entrepreneurial ventures and launched his career as a software engineer.
Chris Grove
Partner, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming
Chris Grove is a nationally recognized expert on the U.S. sports betting and online gambling sectors. A partner at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, Grove’s insights and research are regularly referenced by analysts, media outlets, publicly-traded companies, and policymakers. His work has been cited by outlets including Bloomberg, ESPN, Forbes, the New York Times, the Washington Post, and the Wall Street Journal and he has testified before lawmakers in multiple states including California, Illinois, New York, Nevada, and Washington State. He is also an early-stage investor with positions in over a dozen gaming-related startups and a Distinguished Fellow at UNLV’s International Center For Gaming Regulation.
Haley B. Hall
Esq, Camden Law LLP
After graduating cum laude from Sacred Heart University, Hall earned her J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law. Early in her career, she primarily dealt with landlord/tenant issues and evictions where she helped right straightforward injustices. Nowadays, Haley thrives on cases that allow her to give a voice to the voiceless – with the most fulfilling area of her practice being her Guardian ad litem work where she advocates for children going through stressful family changes. Haley serves on the Board of Governors for the Maine State Bar Association representing Knox and Waldo Counties, as VP of the Knox County Bar Association, and as Knox County Public Administrator.
Adam Helfgott
CEO, MadHive
Adam Helfgott is CEO of MadHive, an enterprise software platform that powers modern media. Customers include advertisers that leverage MadHive’s next-generation cryptography and AI to prevent fraud and increase margins, as well as broadcast giants that rely on the platform to power their linear reach extension offerings. Helfgott established the non-profit consortium AdLedger with IBM and TEGNA, which defines and implements technical standards and solutions for digital media and next-generation technologies, and now includes more than 90 members across the advertising landscape including Publicis, Omnicom, IPG, WPP, Hershey, Meredith and Hearst. Prior to MadHive, Helfgott built and sold marketing technology companies and has advised leading companies including IMG/WME, and Gem.
Catherine Herkovic
EVP, Managing Director Local Television, Nielsen
Catherine Herkovic is a Nielsen veteran and is currently EVP, Managing Director of Local Television Client Services. She leads the team that serves local television stations, local cable stations, and MVPDs. Other roles Catherine has held at Nielsen include: Global Quality Leader, Managing Director of National Client Services, General Manager Local Television, and SVP Sales and Marketing, NSI.
Brad Herman
SVP, Product Management, Ad Tech, Imagine Communications
Brad Herman has a 25+ year career that spans technology, media, law, and financial services. He is a senior executive with extensive strategy, business development, operations, and general management experience. His current role is at Imagine Communications, a technology company that builds software to make and monetize television content. He is also a member of the board of directors of Alma Technologies, an educational technology company focused on disrupting the SIS and LMS markets.
Eric Hession
Co-President, Caesars Sports and Online Gaming, Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
Eric Hession currently serves as Co-President for Caesars Sports and Online Gaming. Over the course of his tenure at Caesars Entertainment, he has held positions in both property operations and corporate finance. While in operations, Eric led the Planning and Analysis, Revenue Management, Distribution, and Accounting efforts for Caesars’ 12 Nevada properties. He most recently served as Chief Financial Officer where his responsibilities included the leadership of Treasury, Investor Relations, Risk Management, Procurement, and Mergers & Acquisitions. Previous to his employment with Caesars, Eric served as an engineer with Merck and Company, working in various capacities in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and at their New Jersey corporate headquarters.
Brenda Hetrick
CRO, Matrix Solutions
As the Chief Revenue Officer, Brenda is responsible for conceiving, developing, and overseeing the execution and success of all revenue-related operations including purposeful sales & marketing blueprints for the media industry. She believes that growing a company to greatness is fueled by organizational passion for strategic and innovative solutions that drive revenue and align with overall business goals. She is driven by advancing the values and solutions that Matrix provides while also advancing the future of the entire media ad-tech industry through forward-thinking efforts that bring together top leaders from across the media industry to collaborate and find solutions to common problems, together.
Jennifer Hungerbuhler
EVP, Head of Local Video and Audio Investment, Dentsu
As EVP, Head of Local Video and Audio Investment, Jennifer Hungerbuhler oversees the investment strategy for local video and audio channels across all screen/devices for all Dentsu clients. Jennifer is charged with reinventing the supply side of media, innovating consistent and scalable buying and investment capabilities, and developing richer media owner partnerships, locally and globally. She oversees staff in New York, LA, Detroit, and Atlanta, and is responsible for over $1.5B of media spending. Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in advertising and media buying across a variety of categories including Quick Serve Restaurants, Fine & Causal Dining, Travel and Entertainment, Retail, Automotive, CPG, Spirits/ Beer, and Tune- In.
Bob Ivins
Chief Strategy Officer, TVSquared
As Chief Strategy Officer of TVSquared, Bob works to ensure advertisers can measure the impact of TV on business outcomes and reach the right audiences at the right frequency. A three-decade industry veteran, Bob is widely recognized for pioneering data-driven advertising and promoting better transparency and collaboration throughout the TV ecosystem. Bob joined TVSquared from Ampersand, where he was Chief Data Officer, leading the development of its advanced TV and media offerings. He has held executive-level roles at Mindshare, serving as the agency’s first Chief Data Officer; Comcast, where he developed its Audience Interconnect Database; and Comscore, where he ran European operations.
Brett Jenkins
EVP, CTO, Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Brett Jenkins joined Nexstar from Media General where he was VP and Chief Technology Officer, overseeing the company’s IT and engineering functions for both broadcast and digital businesses. Early in his engineering career, Mr. Jenkins managed modulator and exciter technology and development for what was then the new digital broadcast TV standard. He was the lead US engineer in a global team responsible for the development of Digital Adaptive Pre-correction technology. Mr. Jenkins serves on the Board of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC), an international, non-profit organization that develops standards for digital television.
David Kelleher
President, David Auto Group
David purchased David Dodge in 2005, and in the year preceding the purchase, the store sold 46 cars per month. In David’s first month of ownership, they sold 126. The dealership currently has 82 full-time employees and averages 280 cars per month, selling close to 3,000 per year. Automotive News noted the dealership as a “store of the future.” David has been asked to speak at numerous national forums, most recently the Digital Dealer Conference & Expo in Orlando, FL. He has been a member of the FCA National Dealer Council since 2009, the Auto Dealers Association of Greater Philadelphia, and a board member of the Pennsylvania Automobile Association.
Phil Kurz
Contributing Editor, TV Tech
Phil Kurz is a contributing editor to TV Tech. He has written about TV and video technology for more than 30 years and served as editor of three leading industry magazines.
Jon Lafayette
Business Editor, B&C, Future plc
Jon Lafayette is business editor for Broadcasting+Cable and a senior content producer for Multichannel News. Both publications are part of Future, plc. Lafayette started his career at the New York Post and has worked at publications including Advertising Age, Electronic Media, Cable World, and TV Week.
Brett Landon
Local & Digital Sales Manager, WABI-TV5 & The CW
Experienced Local Sales Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the broadcast media industry. Skilled in Digital Strategy, Advertising, Sales, Commercials, and Sales Management. Specializing in Creative & Marketing Strategy.
Steve Lanzano
President & CEO, TVB
Steve Lanzano is President and CEO of TVB. Steve joined TVB as president on January 1, 2010. He came to the association from MPG U.S., where he was the Chief Operating Officer. Previously he was the CEO of Mediaedge:cia, responsible for overseeing the agency’s operations across the U.S. and Canada, and global media director at sister agency Mindshare, where he was responsible for the American Express business.
Ali Lapp
President, House Majority PAC
Alixandria Lapp founded House Majority PAC in April 2011 to serve as the primary outside group supporting Democratic candidates for the U.S. House. As President, Lapp guides House Majority PAC’s mission and strategy. Over its ten-year history, House Majority PAC has grown from a $32 million per election cycle to raising and spending over $200 million to win House races for Democrats in 2020. In 2006, Lapp was at the epicenter of the political storm when Democrats last seized the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving first as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s campaign director, then as deputy director of the committee’s independent expenditure.
Nancy Larkin
EVP, Managing Partner, LocalOne, Horizon Media
Nancy Larkin is EVP Managing Partner LocalOne at Horizon Media. Throughout her 28 year tenure at Horizon she has worked to ensure that local investment operation is second to none. She has guided the team in this ever-evolving multi-screen world as well as in the development of automation, advanced TV, and targeting platforms. Additionally, Larkin has led the department through numerous changes in the measurement of the medium and has been instrumental in the development of simplified and efficient communication with stations and sales representative organizations. She is a member of 4A’s local committee, NSI Local Alliance committee, and a participant in the TIP initiative.a Lapp founded House Majority PAC in April 2011 to serve as the primary outside group supporting Democratic candidates for the U.S. House. As President, Lapp guides House Majority PAC’s mission and strategy. Over its ten-year history, House Majority PAC has grown from a $32 million per election cycle to raising and spending over $200 million to win House races for Democrats in 2020. In 2006, Lapp was at the epicenter of the political storm when Democrats last seized the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving first as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s campaign director, then as deputy director of the committee’s independent expenditure.
Bob Liodice
CEO, ANA
Bob Liodice is CEO of the ANA and previously served as EVP – responsible for member relations and business development with a focus on strengthening relationships with ANA members and broadening membership base. Prior to the ANA, he was VP of Global Marketing and Sales for Grupo Televisa. Previously, Liodice worked in marketing and financial management at Kraft General Foods and as category marketing manager for the Jell-O and Bakers brands for over 15 years. He is a member of the board of directors of The Advertising Council, Advertising Research Foundation, Advertising Self-Regulatory Council, Geopath, Advertising Educational Foundation, Digital Advertising Alliance, Trustworthy Accountability Group, and World Federation of Advertisers.
Bill Livek
CEO & Executive Vice Chairman, Comscore
Comscore’s CEO and Executive Vice Chairman, Bill Livek, is a driving force for innovation in consumer and audience measurement. Prior to Comscore, Mr. Livek served as Vice Chairman & CEO at Rentrak, Co-President of Experian Research Services, Co-Chair/Co-Owner of Simmons Market Research Bureau, Co-Founder of Transactional Data Solutions (an LLC with MasterCard), VP of Sales/Marketing for Arbitron, and was a principal shareholder in Birch Research, which was later integrated into Scarborough Research, where he served as President and CEO. Mr. Livek is a member of the Board of Trustees for the Advertising Research Foundation, and a frequent speaker at advertising industry events.
Al Lustgarten
SVP, Technology & Information Services, Hearst Television
Al Lustgarten oversees Heart Television’s technology function and leads its advertising operations. He provides strategic leadership for many of the company’s new-technology initiatives, including AI, ML and analytics efforts. He has played a key role in overseeing Hearst Television’s cloud transformation and leads all aspects of its security program. Lustgarten also has operational oversight of the company’s capital spending and fleet programs. Prior to Hearst Television, he served in several finance, accounting and technology positions within Hearst. Al serves on numerous industry boards and vendor committees, representing the interests of Hearst Television’s technology, security and advertising operations.
Dan Lyons
President, SureWaves
Dan Lyons is the President of SureWaves Inc., a TV ad technology company, which owns 50 technology patents and is globally pioneering artificial intelligence and sales operations automation for TV stations worldwide. Dan is an entrepreneur, owning a media consultation company and home contracting company that services residents in the greater Washington D.C. metroplex. Dan’s media experience is broad. Most recently he served six years as SVP of Sales Strategy and Development for TEGNA, four years as Vice President of Sales for the former New York Times Broadcast Group and eleven years in various stations and sales management positions with Clear Channel Communications.
Joe Marino
Head of Client Success Organization, MadHive
Joe Marino is the Head of Client Success Organization at MadHive, an enterprise software platform that powers modern media. MadHive’s customers include advertisers and agencies that leverage MadHive’s next-generation cryptography and AI to prevent fraud and increase margins, as well as broadcast giants that rely on the platform to power their linear reach extension offerings. Joe oversees revenue generation from new as well as existing business and builds relationships with current and future clients to ensure their business needs are met. Joe has grown the business from five clients to over 30 clients, bringing on new broadcast and radio station groups, national brands, DTC brands, agencies, and other unique resellers.
Christopher Martinez
OTT Director, Sales, Hearst Television
Christopher Martinez began his TV sales career with Katz Television Group in 2014, gaining experience in the linear TV space as a sales assistant before moving into the role of Account Executive. In 2017, Christopher received the inaugural TVB Next Award for Television Sales. By 2018 Christopher was promoted to Manager, Integrated Video and was responsible for selling Hearst’s OTT platform, Hearst Anyscreen. In 2020, Christopher was promoted to Director of Sales, and in 2021 Christopher joined Hearst Television as their OTT Director of Sales, overseeing all OTT revenue for the group and their two national representation firms and working closely on product development with the Ad Products team.
Eric Mathewson
Founder & CEO, WideOrbit
Eric founded WideOrbit in 1999 after realizing that there was an opportunity to dramatically streamline and automate the buying and selling of media. Prior to founding WideOrbit, Eric worked at Montgomery Securities in San Francisco and New York, managing portfolios for wealthy technologists, as well as Kidder Peabody in Palo Alto, primarily focused on Equity Derivatives. Eric has been an active private equity technology investor since 1994 and maintains controlling ownership of WideOrbit. WideOrbit serves as the System of Record for more than 5,000 stations and cable networks worldwide processing more than $35 billion in advertising revenue annually.
Patrick McCreery
President, Meredith Local Media Group, Meredith Corporation
Patrick McCreery is President of the Meredith Local Media Group. He oversees Meredith’s 17 local television stations, which combined, produce 740 hours of local news, weather, sports, and lifestyle programming each week, and reach more than 11 percent of U.S. households. McCreery also oversees MNI Targeted Media, a targeted media strategy, planning, and buying company. Most recently he served as EVP of Operations and VP of News and Marketing from 2014 until June 2018 when he was promoted to President. McCreery currently serves as chair of the CBS Affiliate Board and is a member of the TV Board of the NAB, and the Television Operators Caucus.
Becky Meyer
SVP, National Sales, Gray Televisionporation
Becky Meyer is SVP of National Sales for Gray Television; she joined the company in September of 2015. In this role, she oversees the coordination and execution of national transactions in 100 markets and manages agency relations across the country. Prior to Gray, Becky spent 23 years working at Katz Media and in 2000, she took a break from the National business and was Local Sales Manager for WAOW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin, returning to Katz in 2003.
Jed Meyer
SVP, Media Domain Leader North America, Kantar
As the lead for the NA Media Domain Product team, Jed works across Kantar to transform their approach to achieving media domain sales and profitability objectives. Jed partners with the global media domain, marketplace, analytics and marketing teams to ensure that client needs are being met as related to offer innovation, offer delivery, and product marketing. Previous industry experience includes leading Ebiquity’s North American business, creating a brand measurement practice at Google that brought together first and third party data, EVP of Corporate Research for Univision Communications, Global Director of Research and Analytics at Annalect, and nearly 20 years at Nielsen.
Zach Montellaro
State Politics Reporter, POLITICO
Zach Montellaro is a state politics reporter at POLITICO. He covers gubernatorial, legislative, and other state-based elections, along with voting rights and election administration on the state and federal level. Previously, he was the author of Morning Score, POLITICO’s flagship elections newsletter, for the 2018 and 2020 cycle.
Ralph Oakley
Former President & CEO, Quincy Media, Inc.
Beginning in 2009, Ralph M. Oakley was President and CEO of Quincy Media, Inc., a family-owned business that operated television stations in 16 markets, two daily newspapers, and two radio stations. He joined the company in 1977 and held various operations and management positions at WGEM (Quincy, IL), WSJV (South Bend, IN) and WVVA (Bluefield, WV). He became VP and GM of WGEM in 1988 and moved to the Quincy corporate staff and joined its Board of Directors in 1993. Oakley has been a member of NAB, on the NAB Board of Directors & its Executive Committee, Co-Chair of the NAB Political Action Committee Board of Trustees, and member of the NAB Leadership Foundation Board of Directors. He served on the TVB Board of Directors. He has also served as President/Chairman of the NBC Affiliate Board, ABC Affiliate Board of Governors and served as Chairman of the Illinois Broadcasters Association.
Debra OConnell
President of Networks, Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution; Chair, Board of Directors, TVB
Debra OConnell is President of Networks for Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution and Chair, Board of Directors, TVB. Debra oversees operational leadership including P&L oversight of all of the company’s linear TV channels, as well as business planning, network/channel commercial marketing, and audience strategy for the ABC broadcast network and eight ABC Owned stations, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN Networks, FX Networks, Freeform and National Geographic Networks. She also oversees content requirements and programming budgets for each of the channels, working closely with the company’s creative content teams while also leading acquisition strategy for second-run and library content across Disney’s portfolio of channels in partnership with the company’s streaming services.
Will Offeman
Chief Product Officer
Will Offeman is the Chief Product officer at WideOrbit, where he leads strategy, design, and development for all products, including WO Traffic and solutions for analytics, demand aggregation, digital proposals, order management, digital ad serving, and payments and collections. As the media landscape continues to shift, Will is focused on evolving WideOrbit’s media operations platform to advance the unification of digital and linear advertising.
Michael Page
SVP, Digital Sales, Fox Television Stations
Before becoming SVP, Page served as the VP of Digital Sales for FOX Television Stations since 2019. Prior to joining FTS, Page served as VP of Digital Sales for Tribune Media, increasing the group’s revenue by 45%. Previously, he led TEGNA Digital in the $2.5 billion acquisition of Cars.com as VP of Digital Automotive. Prior to that, Page was the Head of Product Marketing for Amazon Media Group. For over a decade, he held various sales roles at Cars.com, and earlier in his career, Page held positions at All-Advantage.com, Congressional Quarterly Magazine, Claritas/Nielsen, Prospects of Wealth and Resources (POW&R), Prognosis Weekly, Legal Time/American Lawyer, and Times Journal Company.
Steve Passwaiter
VP, Growth & Strategy, Media Intelligence, Kantar/CMAG
Steve Passwaiter is Vice President, Growth and Strategy and General Manager for CMAG, Kantar’s political advertising intelligence unit located in Washington, DC. Steve joined Kantar/CMAG in 2015 and has experience in broadcast sales management, consulting, and media research. Prior to joining Kantar, Steve was a Board Advisor to Sportsdigita, a digital sports marketing firm, and VP, Business Development for BIA/Kelsey. Steve’s media career includes newspaper, radio, and TV experience – including leading the local sales staffs at WDCA-TV and WUAB-TV.
Jeanine Poggi
Assistant Managing Editor, Ad Ageth & Strategy, Media Intelligence, Kantar/CMAG
Jeanine Poggi oversees Ad Age’s technology and media coverage, as well as the publication’s strategy for new editorial products. She also hosts Ad Age’s Remotely video series and leads Super Bowl coverage. Jeanine joined Ad Age in 2012 as a TV reporter, following stints covering the retail and media worlds for WWD, Forbes, and TheStreet.
Dave Price
Political Director, Managing Editor, Sunday Evening Anchor, WHO 13
Dave Price is the political director, managing editor and producer/host of a weekly political show for WHO 13 in Des Moines, where he has worked for the past 20 years. Dave has also written two books on the Iowa Caucuses and has likely spent more time with political candidates throughout his time in the state than any local television journalist. His work has earned him national Edward R. Murrow and Emmy awards, along with dozens of other state and regional honors.treet.
Karthik Rao
Chief Operating Officer, Nielsen
Karthik is Nielsen’s Chief Operating Officer for Nielsen Global Media, where he is responsible for driving a global product-driven technology transformation. He has held a variety of leadership roles at Nielsen and most recently was the Chief Product & Technology Officer for Nielsen Global Media where he led the International Media product and technology teams. Previously Karthik was the President of Nielsen Portfolio, where he led the Nielsen Entertainment, Nielsen Gracenote, Nielsen Brandbank and Nielsen Telecom businesses across all global markets. Karthik has a passion for talent development and serves as Nielsen’s co-Executive Sponsor for the Asian Affinity Link (AAL) internal employee resource group.
David Rexrode
Executive Director, RGA
Dave Rexrode has served as the Executive Director of the Republican Governors Association since December of 2018. Previously, he was the organization’s Political Director from 2015-2018, where he managed a $230 million political and independent expenditure budget and oversaw the day-to-day efforts to elect Republican governors in all 50 states. Before joining the RGA, Dave spent nearly two decades working to elect Republican candidates at all levels of government. He has worked on three presidential campaigns, multiple gubernatorial campaigns, managed two congressional campaigns, served as the National Coalitions Director for the RNC, and as the Executive Director of the Republican Party of Virginia.
William “Bill” Sally
EVP, Sales, Nexstar
Sally joined the company in September 2013 as a SVP and Regional Manager. Currently, Mr. Sally oversees the expansion of Nexstar Media Inc.’s sales and marketing initiatives on a regional and national basis across 198 owned or serviced television stations in 116 markets. He is responsible for developing revenue-generating strategies aimed at maximizing the value of the stations’ on-air and digital platforms. In addition, he and his team collaborate with other Nexstar-owned media properties, to create leading, cross platform marketing opportunities for a wide range of advertising partners. Mr. Sally has been active with many professional organizations including sales advisory boards at ABC, FOX and currently at TVB.
Brad Seitter
EVP, Business Development, TVB
As EVP of TVB’s local and national business development, Brad oversees TVB’s business development efforts across all 210 DMAs. Brad travels the country presenting directly to advertisers at the invitation of TVB member stations in group and one-on-one sessions. Using research, media strategy, and truth serum, TVB’s business development team has successfully moved millions of dollars in ad spend from other mediums to broadcast TV. Brad’s background includes over 25 years in broadcast TV, including time with Scripps and FOX O&O stations.opportunities for a wide range of advertising partners. Mr. Sally has been active with many professional organizations including sales advisory boards at ABC, FOX and currently at TVB.
Lisa Sherman
President & CEO, Ad Council
As president and CEO of the Ad Council, Lisa Sherman works at the intersection of media, marketing, technology, entertainment and advertising – convening the world’s best marketers to create public engagement campaigns. Sherman is a thought leader, frequent public speaker, and an active participant on advisory boards for several industry and public service organizations, including the World Economic Forum’s Information and Entertainment Stewardship Board. She is an Advisor to Guild Education – a female founded EdTech Unicorn, and a member of the Board of Trustees at Dickinson College. Sherman received the prestigious 2019 Matrix award from New York Women in Communications.
Bernie Shimkus
VP, Director of Research and Consumer Insights, Harmelin Media
Bernie Shimkus serves as VP, Director of Research and Consumer Insights of Harmelin Media. He joined Harmelin in 1997. In his current role, Bernie is responsible for the strategic application of the company’s numerous research databases and media analysis tools on behalf of Harmelin’s clients. Bernie uses his research expertise to uncover insights that help Harmelin’s account teams develop creative and effective media recommendations, driving measurable business results for clients. He has more than 30 years of experience buying, planning, researching, and even selling media.
Jen Soch
Executive Director, Specialty Channels, GroupM
Jen Soch is the Executive Director, Specialty Channels (Audio & Local Video, DR, Publishing and AdvancedTV) at GroupM. She was most recently the Integrated Global Investment Lead at Mindshare overseeing the Facebook Business. In this role, she led all investment channels including Video, Audio, Programmatic, Image, Search, Social, and Digital. Jen was accountable for the Investment strategy, oversight, delivery, operations, and total buying. In this position, she was essential to the delivery of cohesive campaigns and ensured fluidity across all channels and tactics. Jen spent over 10 years in the Advanced TV Space where she helped to define the Addressable and Digital Marketplaces (including OTT, VOD and Mobile).
James Southern
President, Frontrow Advisory; TIP Consultant
James is an experienced media business executive, specializing in the convergence, distribution and monetization of TV/Video. He brings a valuable Strategy & Development skill set that spans product strategy, general management, business development & partnerships. He currently leads the TIP Initiative on behalf of broadcasters.
Valari Dobson Staab
President, NBCUniversal Local
Valari Dobson Staab is President of NBCUniversal Local, a division of NBCUniversal that is home to 43 NBC/Telemundo Stations, seven regional sports networks, multicast networks COZI TV, NBCLX and TeleXitos. A broadcast veteran with more than 35 years of experience, Staab is leading the only network-owned local media division and ushering in a new era of innovation in storytelling to reach the next generation of local news and sports audiences.
Doug Stacye
Co-CEO and General Manager, Gutter Cover Kansas City
For the past 20 years, Kansas City local Doug Stacye has been the Co-CEO and General Manager of Gutter Cover Kansas City. Gutter Cover KC specializes in diagnosing and solving guttering and rain-water issues. Their specialty product, Advantage Gutter Guard®, was invented and patented by Doug Stacye. Advantage Gutter Guard® is a permanent solution that prevents gutters from clogging. He also has a patent pending for Silent Spout®, a product that reduces downspout noise. Both products are manufactured locally. All marketing decisions have been managed by Doug and his wife Pam Stacye since the inception of the company. Staab is leading the only network-owned local media division and ushering in a new era of innovation in storytelling to reach the next generation of local news and sports audiences.
Jason Stein
CEO, Flat Six Media
Jason Stein, a media and business professional with 25 years of journalism experience, is a leading personality in the global automotive space. Mr. Stein is the CEO of Flat Six Media, a global media services and broadcasting platform, and serves as President and Corporate Development Officer at motormindz, Inc., a global automotive venture consultancy. As the CEO of Flat Six Media, Mr. Stein is also the host of SiriusXM’s new radio show, “Cars & Culture with Jason Stein.” Previously, Mr. Stein directed the editorial and commercial operations for Automotive News and lead three international Automotive News properties, including Europe, Canada and China.
Steve Sturm
Executive Automotive Consultant, TVB
Steve Sturm is the Executive Automotive Consultant for TVB. Over the past five years, Steve has provided his unique perspective on current sales, market, brand and marketing reviews to the industry. He published an Auto Industry Playbook that provides a comprehensive review of the industry and key selling techniques. Steve and the Business Development team provide one-on-one sales calls to member stations for their key auto accounts to help grow or gain new revenue. Prior to consulting with TVB, Steve was a senior automotive marketing and media executive. He was a valued member of the top management teams in chief marketing roles with Toyota Motor North America and Toyota Motor Sales, USA. In addition, following his Toyota career, Steve led the automotive category at the Category Office for AOL and its automotive sites and marketing platforms.
Tim Swift
President & COO, WideOrbit
Tim Swift joined WideOrbit in 2018 and leads client-facing operations for WideOrbit’s enterprise solutions, including WO Traffic, WO Network, WO Streaming, WO Automation for Radio, WO Media Sales, and WO Payments. Before becoming COO & President, Tim was WideOrbit’s VP, Integrations, where he led initiatives to integrate the company’s software with other business systems critical to the media industry. Prior to WideOrbit, Tim held positions as Financial Controller and Director of Business Systems & Analytics at Bonneville International, and CFO at early-stage startup Montclair Technology. He was also an Owner and Company Director of a financial advisory firm, serving high-value clients in his native Australia, before moving to the US.
John Vilade
VP & Head of Sales, Premion, TEGNA
John leads Premion’s national and regional sales organization and is responsible for driving revenue growth, go-to-market development, and execution. A seasoned media executive, John has a track record of success in leading large national and local sales teams and helping advertising agencies reach desired audiences via digital video, linear television, and digital display channels. Prior to Premion, John served as Chief Revenue Officer of TRUSTX, where he led national sales, strategy and development in partnership with leading broadcasters and publishers. John successfully led advertising, digital video, programmatic and television sales revenue, and strategy at world-class organizations including NBCUniversal, Hulu, CBS, and Discovery Networks.
Steve Walsh
EVP, Local Markets, Comscore
In his role as EVP, Local Markets for Comscore, Steve Walsh works closely with management, sales, research, and digital teams across the full local television landscape – from TV stations at the local level, to station groups, to industry associations – to demonstrate how Comscore helps clients drive revenue and market share across all video platforms. Steve brings more than 25 years of proven strategic sales and management experience to Comscore, which he joined after launching and growing the local television business at Rentrak to a client roster of approximately 1,000 television stations. Steve is a member of TVB, the Advertising Research Foundation and the Radio & Television Research Council.
Robert D. Weisbord
President of Broadcast and Chief Advertising Revenue Officer, Sinclair Broadcast Group
Weisbord has served as President of Broadcast since January 2020, responsible for all revenue, programming, promotions and operations of the legacy TV group, including the multicast network channels, Ring of Honor, STIRR, and digital groups – a position he has held since December 2019. Additionally, Mr. Weisbord oversees all revenue initiatives for Tennis Channel and the Sports division (RSNs) and also serves as the Chief Advertising Revenue Officer. Previously, he served as CRO for two years, COO of Sinclair Digital Group from 2014 to 2017, and served as VP, New Media from June 2010 to January 2014. From 2008 to June 2010, he served as Director of Digital Interactive Marketing for Sinclair.
Brian Wexler
SVP, Business Development, TVB
In his TVB role, Brian is responsible for working with member stations to help support their efforts communicating local broadcast television as the leading medium for advertisers and agencies. Using decades of experience and solid market research, Brian is able to provide member stations and their clients a unique perspective on the advertising choices and marketing trends business owners face today. Brian represents the East Coast region, educating them on the power of effective and efficient advertising. He also works closely with station sales providing resources and support such as training, webinars, industry presentations and in-person meetings.
Jennifer Witte
VP, Video Investment, Horizon Next
A media professional with more than 15 years of experience, Jennifer works with a multitude of buying tactics, including Local, National, and OTT. She manages media in both the general market and direct response marketplaces and enjoys capitalizing on both to ensure her clients are getting the most aggressive pricing and value. Before joining Horizon in 2017, Jennifer spent more than 11 years at GroupM working with a variety of clients including AT&T, Aetna, Kaplan, and ring.com. Jennifer currently oversees investment for a range of clients at Horizon, including FanDuel, Carvana, and Squarespace.
Doug Zarkin
VP & Chief Marketing Officer, Pearle Vision
Recognized as a global strategic retail and brand marketing expert, Doug Zarkin has led the transformation of Pearle Vision’s (A division of Luxottica) global strategic marketing, digital platform, visual merchandising, product promotion, and retail footprint. Doug has earned an impressive array of honors for his marketing and brand building work including: ANA Genius Award, Brandweek’s Constellation Award, a Silver Clio Award, and multiple Effie Awards. He’s previously been named “Marketer of the Next Generation” by Brandweek and appeared on several Top 50 Marketers Lists.
Angela Zepeda
Chief Marketing Officer, Hyundai Motor America
Angela Zepeda is the CMO for Hyundai Motor America and is responsible for all of Hyundai’s marketing and advertising activities, including strategic direction, brand development, national and regional advertising, experiential marketing, digital and social media, brand partnerships, and lead generation. Angela was most recently at Hyundai’s agency of record INNOCEAN USA, as senior VP and managing director, handling creative, planning, and media operations. Previously, Angela was CEO of Quigley-Simpson and before that she was CMO of Campbell Ewald-Los Angeles. Angela is an expert in marketing to women, with a keen understanding of the emotional triggers involved in women’s retail habits and has spoken on the topic at various conferences.