Games & Mobile @ LA Games Conference 2008

In case you missed it, here is the press release from last week announcing our new partnership with the Consumer Electronics Association for LA Games Conference. This gives us a significant step up as we increase our profile and position as one of the leading publishers and event producers covering the $17.9 billion game industry (2007 sales figures, according to NPD Group). More...

Digital Media Wire to Bring NY Games Conference to DigitalLife

Los Angeles, CA, May 21, 2008 -- Digital Media Wire, the leading digital entertainment publisher and events company, today announced that it will produce the first annual NY Games Conference, an executive media conference focused on the future of gaming, at DigitalLife, Ziff Davis Media’s leading lifestyle technology event. The two-day conference will be held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on September 25-26, 2008. The two-day NY Games Conference will be modeled on Digital Media Wire’s highly-acclaimed annual LA Games Conference and will bring together the leading video game publishers and developers, carriers, portals, technology companies, advertising execs, venture capitalists, lawyers and analysts to discuss the future of video games and social media. NY Games Conference builds on Digital Media Wire’s successful media conference franchises and DigitalLife’s solid position as a key industry venue for launching new products and attracting key press coverage heading into the holidays, to bring together a unique mix of influential decision-makers in the games industry to network, do deals, and share ideas about the future of console, PC, online and mobile games. More...

2008 CONFIRMED PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE LEADING EXECUTIVES FROM:
EA, YouTube, Microsoft, Sony, Disney, Qualcomm, Paramount, Vivendi Games, Glu Mobile, DirecTV, Playfirst, Endemol,Turbine, Sulake, MTV, Hollywood Reporter, G4, Liberty Media, Spike TV, NBC Universal, PaymentOne, Smashing Ideas, Nokia and many more...

NEW ADDITION! Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel Joins Speaker List
Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel is the most accomplished, professional PC Gamer in history and the breakthrough name and face of the sport. No one has come close to the earnings, titles and media coverage of Fatal1ty. He presently reigns as the holder of 10 major championships, winning titles in 5 different games, a feat never before accomplished. In December 2006, Johnathan joined forces with Championship Gaming Series (CGS) as exclusive on-air analyst, global spokesperson and gaming ambassador to help establish competitive video gaming as a 21st century sport. Fatal1ty will be interviewed by the always entertaining Ken Rutkowski and will discuss his thoughts on the future of gaming.

2008 Agenda
Games & Mobile Forum:
The Future of Connected Entertainment

May 21, 2008 - Day 1

11:00AM – 1:00PM
Exhibitor Set-up

1:00PM – 1:30PM
Registration & Networking

1:30PM – 1:35PM
Welcome from the Conference Chair
Ned Sherman, CEO & Publisher, Digital Media Wire

1:35pm – 1:45pm
Opening Remarks
John Welch, Co-Founder & CEO, Playfirst

1:45PM – 2:40PM
PANEL 1:
BATTLE FOR THE DIGITAL HOME
Is the Console Entertainment Hub of the Future or Fighting to Stay Alive?
There is a debate over the future of the console and what role it will play in the digital home with some arguing that the console with its powerful operating system is destined to be the entertainment hub of the digital home, interfacing with the PC, the TV, the set-top box and mobile devices, and others arguing that the console's death is imminent. This panel will discuss the battle to control the digital home with a focus on the role of the console, the PC, set-top boxes and mobile devices. Who will be the winners and losers in a fully connected world? This panel of visionaries will discuss the future of connected entertainment and give their thoughts on the innovations and developments that will have the greatest impact.

Panelists
Erin Turner, Sr. Director, Web Services & Publishing, Trion World Network
Steven Roberts, VP & GM, Games & Strategic Initiatives, DIRECTV
Mike Yuen, Senior Director, Gaming Group, QUALCOMM Internet Services
Josh Krane, SVP, Interactive & New Media, G4
Moderator: Ted Cohen, TAG Strategic/Chairman, Mobile Entertainment Forum Americas

2:40PM – 2:55PM
RESEARCH PRESENTATION

Emmi Kuusikko, Director, User & Market Insight, Sulake Corporation / Habbo Hotel
Habbo's Director of User & Market Insight presents results from The 2008 Global Habbo Youth Survey, which examines the interests, values, attitudes and online habits of its global audience. The survey reveals teens' current media usage, consumption behavior and brand preferences in order to better understand what compels youth around the world. For the study, 58,486 Habbo users between the ages 11 and 18 from 31 countries were surveyed. This is rare look under the hood of one of the world's largest youth online communities.

2:55PM – 3:50PM
PANEL 2:
HOW TO WIN THE SOCIAL GAME
Harnessing the Power of Online Communities & Social Networks
If the key to reaching the youth generation of today is to go to where they are, then online communities and social networks are sure to become central to marketing strategies, brand-building and media and entertainment experiences in the 21st century. What are the opportunities for social networks to intersect with the next generation of games and interactive entertainment? How can games and interactive entertainment incorporate features such as user-generated content, sharing, rewards and referral programs? How are social networks incorporating game play? What's happening with virtual worlds? This panel of executives from social networks, technology and games companies will tackle these questions and more.

Panelists
Craig Alexander, Vice President, Product Development, Turbine
Ranah Edelin, Vice President, Electronic Arts
Mike Goslin, Vice President, Disney Online Studios
Craig Sherman, CEO, Gaia Online
Gabe Zichermann, CEO, rmbr.com
Moderator: Eric Goldberg, Managing Director, Crossover Technologies

3:50PM – 4:15PM
NETWORKING & REFRESHMENT BREAK

4:15PM – 5:10PM
PANEL 3:
CASUAL GAMES
What's Next Now that Everyone's Involved?
Casual games are growing in popularity due in part to their availability on multiple platforms - mobile, Internet, handhelds, PCs and consoles - and new market entrants who are making a big push in the space. This panel will discuss the opportunity in casual gaming with a focus on innovation, pricing and distribution models. What has changed in the last year? What changes can we expect in the coming year? What innovations will fuel growth? How are new consumers being targeted? What business models are working? Who are the new market entrants? What is the outlook for product placement, in-game advertising, and advergaming? What is the future for online casual games?

Panelists
Peter Blacklow, Pres., WorldWinner (Liberty Media subsidiary), EVP, Digital, GSN
Kate Connally, Vice President, AddictingGames, MTV Networks
Eric Lavanchy, Director of Gaming, Endemol USA
Matt Turetzky, VP, Non-PC Games, RealNetworks, Inc.
Dave Madden, EVP, Sales, Marketing & Bus. Development, WildTangent
Moderator: Mike Vorhaus, Managing Director, Frank N. Magid Associates

5:15PM – 5:45PM
KEYNOTE
Chris Early, General Manager, Windows Gaming, Microsoft
(Microsoft's Windows Gaming includes Games for Windows – LIVE, MSN Games, and Windows Live Messenger Games)
Early will challenge conventional thought on what is “connected entertainment”. While most people think that connected entertainment is multiplayer, cross-platform gaming, Early will identify some of the emerging trends in communities, social networks, asynchronous play, user-generated content, companion gaming, physical/digital convergence, multi-device licensing and virtual worlds, that can all happen across multiple platforms, connecting people to their “entertainment” whenever they want and with whatever device they have.

5:45PM - 6:45PM
COCKTAIL RECEPTION

9:00AM - 9:15AM
Reflections & Remarks
John Welch, Co-Founder & CEO, Playfirst

9:15AM - 9:45AM
KEYNOTE
Cindy Cook, Chief Strategy & Marketing Officer, Vivendi Games
Interviewed by: Geoff Keighley, Host, Spike TV's GTTV

9:45AM - 10:45AM
PANEL 1:
KILLER GAMES
What Does it Take to Make a Successful Game?
What does it take to make a successful game? This panel of industry experts will discuss the qualities of a successful game on any platform - mobile, online or console. The discussion will focus on game innovation and creativity, licensed versus original titles, and consumer experience as well as the importance of having a business model that works. What are the challenges particular to the online and mobile game space? What innovations are driving the future of games?

Panelists
Matthew Bellows, VP, Consumer Strategy, Vivox
Catherine Herdlick, Dir., Game Production, GameLab/Co-Founder, Come Out & Play
Spencer Hunt, VP, Game Production & Digital Dev., Sony Pictures Television Int’l
Ariella Lehrer, President/CEO, Legacy Interactive
Chris Petrovic, VP, Digital Media, Playboy Media Group
Moderator: Scott Steinberg, Managing Director, Embassy Multimedia Consultants

10:45AM - 11:15AM
REFRESHMENT/NETWORKING BREAK

11:15AM -12:15PM
PANEL 2:
CONNECTED!
Innovations Driving the Future of Connected Games & Entertainment
For years, people have been talking about a future where games can be played and entertainment can be consumed anywhere, anytime, with anyone, on any device. What needs to happen for this to become a reality? Who is making the greatest strides? What are the biggest obstacles? What are the opportunities for content owners and games publishers? Who will be the winners and losers in a fully connected world? This panel of visionaries will discuss the future of connected entertainment and give their thoughts on the innovations and developments that will have the greatest impact.

Panelists
Andy Reif, Commissioner & CEO, Championship Gaming Series
Robert Norton, VP, Business Development, King.com
Rob Uhrich, Senior Director, Digital Markets, PaymentOne
Brent Hurley, Strategic Partner Developments, YouTube
Jason Rubinstein, Senior Director, Entertainment, Mobile Devices, Motorola
Moderator: Jay Moore, Head of Special Ops, The Strategery Group

12:15PM - 1:10PM
LUNCH

1:10PM – 1:30PM
FEATURED INTERVIEW
Johnathan “Fatal1ty” Wendel
Interviewed by Ken Rutkowski, Host, Ken Radio

1:30PM – 2:00PM
KEYNOTE
Greg Ballard, CEO & President, Glu Mobile

2:00PM - 3:00PM
PANEL 3:
MOBILE GAMES
Challenges & Opportunities to Create a Mass Market Phenomenon
By some estimates, mobile games is a $3.3 billion industry and forecasted to increase to $10 billion by 2009, yet there are challenges that need to be collectively overcome for the industry to progress to a mass market phenomenon. This panel of decision-makers in the mobile games value chain will discuss the state of the industry with a focus on innovation, pricing, new devices, marketing and distribution models for mobile games. What has changed in the last year? What changes can we expect in the coming year? What factors are driving and hindering the industry? How is the mobile games market working with successful online games and brands to grow the mobile games market? Is a licensed game or branded title needed to succeed in the current mobile games market? When can we expect to see a more reasonable ecosystem for developers and publishers to bring games to market?

Panelists
Scott Scherer, VP Product Management, Hands-on Mobile
Jill Braff, SVP, Global Publishing, Glu Mobile
Stephen Jackson, CEO, Smashing Ideas
Kay Gruenwoldt, Head of Industry Marketing, Nokia
Erica Chriss, VP of Strategy & Business Development, Greystripe
Moderator: Mark Donovan, CMO & Senior Analyst, M:Metrics

3:00PM - 3:30PM
REFRESHMENT/NETWORKING BREAK

3:30PM - 4:15PM
PANEL 4:
ADVERTISING, BRANDS & GAMES
The Challenges & Opportunities for Brands & Games
This panel of advertising, brand and games executives will discuss opportunities for advertisers and brands to reach consumers through the games, virtual worlds and social networks. How are brand marketers and their agencies navigating this space? What advertising campaigns work in games and online communities? How are consumers reacting to ads in games? How are advertising executives working with game developers? What are the opportunities and challenges in incorporating advertising and brands into games and online communities? On the other side of the coin, how can game companies generate revenue and free mass advertising by incorporating digital game content into brand advertising?

Panelists
Teemu Huuhtanen, President, N.A., Sulake Inc. (Habbo Hotel)
Barry Schaffer, President, Promotional Currency
Julie Shumaker, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Double Fusion
Keith Kane, Co-Founder, SVP, Sales & Marketing, Giant Realm
Mark Friedler, Internet Advertising, Media, Games Entrepreneur/Founder, GameDaily
Moderator: Chris Lang, SVP, Research Strategies, SmithGeiger, LLC

4:15PM - 5:00PM
PANEL 5:
HOLLYWOOD & GAMES
Is Hollywood Killing the Game Industry?
By most accounts the relationship between Hollywood content owners and the game industry is a rocky one. The high license fees coming out of Hollywood have caused game development budgets to skyrocket, making it more difficult for the game industry to create profitable games. On the other, licensed known brands from Hollywood are more important than ever in a competitive games market. In the mobile space, for example, licensed titles, while not always the best games, tend to get higher placement on the carrier decks. How is the relationship between these two industries evolving? What needs to happen to ensure that all participants - licensors, developers, publishers and distributors - get a fair return on their investments? What is the future of Hollywood and the game industry?

Panelists
Keith Boesky, Principal, Boesky & Company
Bill Kispert, VP, Interactive, NBC Interactive
Sandi Isaacs, SVP, Interactive & Mobile, Paramount Digital Entertainment
Daniel Offner, Partner, Nixon Peabody LLP
Mike Breslin, VP, Global Marketing, I-play
Moderator: Andrew Wallenstein, Deputy Editor, The Hollywood Reporter

CEA and DMW Announce Partnership for LA Games Conference

2008 Agenda
Games & Mobile Forum:
The Future of Connected Entertainment

May 21, 2008 - Day 1

CEA and DMW Announce Partnership for LA Games Conference

2008 Agenda Games & Mobile Forum: The Future of Connected Entertainment May 21, 2008 - Day 1

2008 Agenda
Games & Mobile Forum:
The Future of Connected Entertainment

May 21, 2008 - Day 1