Speakers

Chris Allen, Vice President/Director of Video Innovation, Starcom USA

In a world where emerging technology is creating more and more opportunities to contact consumers with the sight, sound and motion impact of video, each day creates new challenges for marketers to tackle. In his role at Starcom USA, Chris Allen is at the forefront of developing new models within the video space for investing marketing dollars and reaching consumers in new ways.  Fortified by a strong background in national broadcast buying, he continues to make great strides in advancing an exceptionally progressive industry.  He is fueled by his relentless passion for learning and his drive to obtain better, smarter and faster information to enhance agency media plans.  

Allen joined Starcom in 2007 from GSD&M, where he was named VP in 2003.  His innovation talents were realized when he oversaw AT&T’s $2 billion rebranding effort after its merger with SBC Communications where he managed all national television and radio buying initiatives.  His expert knowledge and experience was called upon a second time when AT&T partnered with Cingular and Bell South, and Allen again oversaw all broadcast buying for the client, proving that he is a top-tier media thinker.

Allen also served on the agency’s Operations Committee where he was responsible for staffing and managing all operational aspects of the Chicago office. His position enabled him to shape best-practice processes for national television and radio buying. 

In 1997, Allen moved to GSD&M’s Chicago from its Austin office to strengthen the national broadcast buying group and he started as a national broadcast planner and was later promoted to associate director. His great capacity for learning and mastery of new skills allowed him to manage broadcast buying duties for virtually every GSD&M account, including AT&T, MasterCard, DreamWorks, the U.S. Air Force, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Pennzoil, United Healthcare and more.  Allen negotiated the best value for his clients and constantly sought new and innovative ways to gain effective and significant exposure. His formidable capacity to adjust to the ever-changing landscape of media buying platforms allowed him to negotiate upfront deals and manage sponsorship contracts on Fox NFL, ESPN Radio, NPR’s acclaimed multiplatform Story Corps, and more. Allen began his career at GSD&M in 1995 as a media coordinator demonstrating leadership while working on local print and broadcasting. 

When he is not negotiating to find an edge for his clients, Allen can be found at his home in Lakeview or jogging by the lakefront.  Allen graduated from the University of Texas in 1994 with a B.S. in advertising.

Bruce Anderson, General Manager, Global Electronics Industry, IBM

Bruce A. Anderson is the General Manager of the Global Electronics Industry for IBM. Bruce is responsible for over US $4 billion in products and services that IBM provides to electronics industry participants, from semiconductor and telecommunications companies to medical device and consumer electronics makers.

Bruce has spent over 25 years assisting companies in their use of information technology to solve their business problems and gain competitive advantage as a management consultant to the electronics industry. He was previously a Vice President and Partner of IBM's Global Business Services unit, where he led a supply chain practice of 850 consultants. This practice consulted on supply chain strategy, process re-engineering and systems implementation, and was the largest commercial sector practice in IBM.

Bruce has authored and contributed to many thought leadership papers and solution offerings in the electronics industry. They are available at: ibm.com/electronics. Bruce is an active member of the Consumer Electronics Supply Chain Academy Advisory Board.

Bruce, his wife Sara and their three children reside in Chicago, where he serves on the board of Junior Achievement of Chicago and Irving Park Carlson Ministries. He remains active with the College of Business Supply Chain Management program at his alma mater, the University of Illinois.

Timo Bauer, Senior Vice President & General Manager Americas, NewBay Software

Timo Bauer is Senior Vice President & General Manager Americas.

Prior to NewBay, Timo worked at Diebold/Detecon Consulting, a Business & IT Consultancy firm headquartered in Germany. At Detecon he specialised in the management of complex projects in the Telecommunications and Information Technology industries.

Timo has 5 years of consulting experience across a broad range of projects covering wireless strategy, product marketing, business development, product management and lead engineering at European and American Wireless Service Providers. He joined Detecon's US office in 2003 and was instrumental in expanding the US telecom practice. Before joining NewBay he managed multiple projects at wireless carriers and was Key Account Manager for Detecon's biggest US account.

Timo holds a degree in Business Administration from ISM (International School of Management) in Germany which also included studies at the European Business School in the UK and UCCS (University of Colorado) in the USA.

Jean-Pierre Bienaimé, Chairman, UMTS Forum, Orange

Jean-Pierre Bienaimé has been Chairman of mobile industry association The UMTS Forum since his first election in January 2003, with a mission to promote a common vision of the development of 3G/UMTS and of its Long Term Evolution (LTE), and to ensure its worldwide commercial success. The UMTS Forum notably contributes to international organisations (ITU, EC, ETSI, 3GPP, CEPT), conducts studies and reports on key focus areas of mobile broadband communications such as markets & trends, services & applications, spectrum & regulation, impact of technologies & implementation issues, and holds a continued dialogue with decision-makers of key growth markets worldwide.

Joining France Telecom (FT) in 1979, Bienaimé’s responsibilities included financial management and planning at national and regional level, Advisor to the General Director of Moroccan Telecommunications in Rabat, Director of Marketing and Product Development for international business networks & services at FT, Director of Business Development and Subsidiaries at France Cables & Radio, Chief Executive Officer of Nexus International, and Director of International Development at France Telecom Mobiles.

After the purchase of Orange by FT (end 2000), Bienaimé was appointed Group Technical Support Director at Orange until December 2002. In this position, he provided networks and IT support to the business units and mobile affiliates of Orange and France Telecom worldwide, and contributed to Orange’s corporate programmes such as re-branding and franchising.

Jean-Pierre graduated from the ESSEC Business School – Paris (MBA), from the Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Paris, and from the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Postes & Télécommunications – Paris. He also holds an executive degree from INSEAD – Fontainebleau, and attended a senior executive programme at Kelley School of Business, Indiana University at Bloomington, USA.

Tom Carroux, Director, Sales and Market Development, Irdeto

Tom Carroux is Director, Sales and Market Development for Irdeto, bringing nearly 20 years of leadership experience with start-up and public technology companies focused specifically on the distribution and monetization of video programming. Tom plays a pivotal role in the sales and growth of Irdeto’s digital content management and protection initiatives, including Irdeto’s new DTCP-IP Media Player aimed at providing a robust and secure transmission path on the Internet for content to be distributed to all home-based digital devices, including the PC.

Prior to joining Irdeto, Tom held a variety of sales and business development roles at Dilithium Networks, BitTorrent, Macrovision and PanAmSat. Tom also served as Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Broadband & Internet Security Task Force, which drafted and promoted broadband anti-theft statutes enacted into law by state legislatures. Most recently, Tom served as a board advisor to MediaMelon, where he focused on the development of value proposition and customer evangelism for the online video distribution company.

Susan Cashen, Vice President, Control4 Energy Systems, a division of Control4

Susan Cashen runs marketing for Control4 Energy Systems, an operating division of Control4 that develops home area network solutions for utilities working to connect consumers to the smart grid. A marketing veteran with over twenty years experience with consumer and technology brands, Susan brings to Control4 Energy Systems expertise in developing compelling consumer experiences that drive product usage and engagement.

She has worked with companies large and small, from Xerox, MSNBC, and Adobe to TiVo, where as Vice President of Marketing, she was responsible for the consumer introduction of the first-ever digital video recorder. Under her leadership, Susan’s team helped make TiVo, back then an unknown entity, into a household brand name.

Prior to joining Control4, Susan was Vice President of Marketing for mobile start-up mywaves. Along with launching a global video service that won top honors at the Global Mobile Congress in its debut year, Susan negotiated content deals with such media companies as Sports Illustrated, MTV Networks, Fox, and CBS to deliver ad-supported programming to the mywaves user base.

She holds a B.A. in Russian studies from Hamilton College, Clinton, NY and lives with her husband and three children in the bay area.

Steve Cashman, Chief Strategy Officer, Exceptional Innovation

As the CSO of Exceptional Innovation (EI), Steve Cashman is responsible for defining EI’s vertical market strategy, and the associated sales, marketing, training and product requirements. Steve has worked diligently to get EI’s software applications well positioned within the residential, commercial, hospitality, healthcare, and energy marketplaces. During his tenure at EI, he has worked closely with internal resources as well as many partner companies and industry groups including Tyco, Lutron Electronics, Direct Energy, and Cerner Medical.

Steve has spent over 15 years in creating, managing, and selling high-tech products and services. Steve’s diverse background and ability to master tough challenges has produced a lengthy record of successes in direct and retail sales, plus new business development and product direction initiatives. Steve’s passion for electronics and business helped him found SecuriCom, a residential and business systems integration company in Colorado with a customer list that included INTEL, State Farm, Verizon, and Siemens. Steve joined Colorado vNet in 2002, working with its engineering and management teams to create the vNet lighting system, vibe audio system, and the popular vNet Builder software. In 2005, Steve met Exceptional Innovation CEO Seale Moorer and was brought on board as Vice President of Sales, where he established EI’s nationwide sales force that supports the hundreds of integrators who install the products today.

A self-described “lover of new ideas,” Steve’s intensity, energy and uncanny sense for market opportunities have helped to position Exceptional Innovation advantageously in every industry the company has targeted.

Brian Chamberlin, Manager, Interactive Projects, NDS

Brian Chamberlin heads the Interactive Projects Group at NDS’ Southern California Office. This role leverages Brian’s 10 years of experience in software development and his hands-on experience on a variety of platforms including MediaHighway, OCAP, OpenTV and PowerTV to help customers create the best iTV experience possible on the given platform.

In addition, Brian works closes with NDS’ marketing department serving as an advocate for iTV to the creative community. Brian is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Interactive Peer Group and served as a mentor to the American Film Institute’s (AFI) Enhanced TV Workshop for 5 years.

Joe Dada, CEO, SmartLabs, Inc

Dada, INSTEON and SmartLabs have won numerous awards from AEA, Electronic House, CEPRO, Deloitte & Touche, Builder Magazine and Constructech.

Dada is active in YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), a worldwide forum of over 10,000 Presidents and CEOs exchanging ideas sharing strategies to achieve personal and professional growth.

Dada holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in engineering and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Champaign/Urbana. As an expert in home automation, Dada is a member of the University of California, Irvine Extensions’ “Sustainable Buildings: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy” advisory board, has been a member of the CEA’s CE Advisory Panel and is a popular speaker at conferences such as CES (Consumer Electronic Show), Wireless Sensing Solutions, Electric West, National Hardware Show, International Wireless Symposium, Connections, Electronic House Expo, Antenna Systems and Short-Range Wireless and The Networked Home.

Chris Deutschen, Senior Manager, Innovation and Business Development, Direct Energy

As Senior Manager of Business and Product Development, Chris Deutschen is responsible for developing and executing the strategy to deliver energy efficient products and services to Direct Energy’s Mass Markets customers across North America. This includes a specific focus on home energy management, smart grid, and disruptive technologies. Chris has more than 10 years of experience in the areas of retail power and deregulated energy markets, including previous positions in strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, operational improvement, and strategic sourcing.

In April Chris and Direct Energy’s Vice President of Business and Product Development David Dollihite unveiled a new energy management dashboard solution for consumers and service providers with the focus on reducing energy consumption and lowering energy costs. The solution, developed in partnership with Exceptional Innovation, was showcased as part of the Connected Suburban Home within the Broadband Nation Exhibit at The Cable Show '09 and runs as an application on the cable industry's tru2way™ common platform.

Prior to joining Direct Energy, Chris was with Alvarez & Marsal Business Consulting as Manager of Strategy and Corporate Solutions, where he worked with executives and senior staff of Fortune 500 companies to develop and execute strategies that identify market opportunities and process improvements designed to increase revenue and reduce costs. Prior to that, he was at Reliant Energy for five years as an MBA associate, and later as Manager of Strategy and Sourcing.

Chris holds an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt University and a BSBA in Management and Marketing from Georgetown University.

Jaime Fink, CTO, 2Wire

As chief technology officer, Jaime Fink is responsible for guiding the 2Wire technical vision, including overseeing the identification and pursuit of strategic technology opportunities, and representing 2Wire in industry standards development and implementation. Jaime has an exceptionally strong background in broadband networking and Internet technologies, having specified and managed the creation of numerous video telephony, voice telephony, and broadband Internet products and services over the past 14 years. Previously, as vice president of technology and strategy for 2Wire, Jaime defined the corporate product strategy for wireless home networking, voice over IP, and DSL markets. Prior to 2Wire, Jaime was head of product management at Zhone Technologies, and senior product manager at Polycom, Inc. Jaime holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from the University of California at Irvine.

Hope Fulgham, CEO/CMO, Piazza Advertising

Hope Fulgham, CEO and founder of Piazza Advertising is a veteran with over 20 years experience, with such major agencies and companies as D’Arcy Masuisus Benton & Bowels, Ogilvy & Mather, Leo Burnett and Anheuser Busch. Throughout her career, Ms. Fulgham has received national recognition for her creative work, garnering Addy Awards, Webby, Peabody, Emmy, Davey and Clio’s. Piazza’s clients include: Bacardi, Nike, Anheuser Busch, Victoria’s Secret, Showtime and Disney.

Ms. Fulgham is a senior executive with international experience who is recognized for building and leading corporations through fast track growth and prudent market expansion. She has extensive knowledge and experience with Fortune 500 companies, entertainment, interactive/rich media, game development and the mobile industry. She has proven her abilities to identify and capitalize upon marketing opportunities and e-commerce solutions to drive revenue growth, expand market penetration and win dominant market shares. She is also a pioneer in strategic alliances, business partnerships and global distribution networks.

Ms. Fulgham’s strength lies in branding to acquire and maintain a profitable and loyal customer base. To do this she leverages and extends a company’s unique identity, not just through advertising, but by utilizing all their marketing vehicles in an integrated and consistent effort.

Peter J. Ludé, Senior Vice President, B2B of America, Sony Electronics Inc.

Pete Ludé is a 25-year veteran of the media technology industry, and is currently leading engineering and business development efforts as senior vice president of Sony Electronics’ solutions engineering, where the team is working on stereoscopic image technology, digital cinema systems, and post-production workflow solutions.

From 2000 to 2003, Ludé was the CTO and executive vice president of iBlast, Inc., a datacasting pioneer based in Los Angeles. Prior to joining iBlast, Ludé was senior vice president of the Sony Broadcast group, responsible for systems integration, software development and system product marketing.

In 1982, he founded a 30 person independent San Francisco-based consulting firm – Ludé Broadcasting Engineering – which designed and built complex television studio and post-production facilities world wide, including the Christian Science Monitor broadcast and news facilities in Boston and London. In 1990, Ludé Broadcast Engineering was acquired by Sony to form the nucleus of their system integration business.

Ludé started his career at several television stations, including two years as a cameraman and soundman for PBS affiliate KQED, where he worked on such programs as Great Chefs of San Francisco and Great Performances.

Ludé is a Fellow of SMPTE (Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers), and is an active member of SID, SBE, Digital Cinema Society and IEEE. He currently serves as Executive Vice President for the SMPTE, and sits on the boards of 3D@Home Consortium, and Independent Television Service (ITVS). He lives in San Francisco with his wife Lani, children Helen and Kevin, and dog Remy. In his occasional spare time, Pete enjoys mycology, making home-brew Pinot Noir and playing bluegrass music.

Ted May, SVP, Strategy & Business Affairs, Synacor

Theodore May currently holds the position of Senior VP of Strategy and Business Affairs, and previously served as VP of Content for Synacor since July 2005. Previously, May held various positions, including VP of Broadband at America Online, Inc. He served as Director of Strategic Planning and VP of New Media at Cablevision Systems Corp., and as a VP in the Controller’s Division at Drexel Burnham Lambert, Inc. May also was the Associate Director of Business Planning and Development at CBS Broadcasting, Inc. He holds an M.B.A., New York University and a B.F.A., The Julliard School.

Howard Postley, CTO & COO, 3ality Digital Systems

Howard Postley, CTO & COO, 3ality Digital Systems, is a member of 3ality Digital’s lead team, whose responsibilities include facilitating 3D live broadcasts to theaters and homes. He is also responsible for managing the development of the only complete stereoscopic post production tool set in the industry. Mr. Postley also designed and launched the first all digital 3D online post facility at 3ality Digital. Previously the CTO of Synapse Technologies (founded by Robert Abel), Mr. Postley’s varied background includes writing for industry publications and being a member of the SMPTE 3D Standards Committee. He has an installation of the most complex consumer multimedia product developed to date on display at the Library of Congress. 

Mr. Postley frequently teaches and lectures on topics related to media and technology at universities. At UCLA, he majored in Computer Science and Graphic Arts. He also completed the entrepreneur’s program at the California Institute of Technology (CALTECH) and has completed relevant coursework at the Harvard Business School.

Arlo Rose, Senior Director, Product Design, Connected TV, Yahoo!

Arlo Rose is the Product and Design Architect for Yahoo!'s ConnectedTV group. He came to Yahoo! as the result of the acquisition of his company Pixoria, Inc. where he was product visionary behind Konfabulator, the first desktop widget platform (introduced in 2002).

Konfabulator is now the engine that drives the TV Widget platform, with Arlo leading the design effort. Prior to Pixoria and Yahoo!, Arlo spent time creating an updated user experience for the Mac OS at Apple, redefining Linux usability at Eazel, making web-based server administration easy to use at Sun and PGP, and creating a genre of computer and consumer electronic device customization where he was called "The grandfather of consumer customization" by Newsweek.

Scott Rosenberg, VP of Advanced Advertising, Rovi Corporation

Scott Rosenberg is VP of Advanced Advertising at Rovi Corporation. Scott oversees the Digital Entertainment Advertising group which includes interactive program guide (IPG) advertising sales and distribution. Rovi’s IPG advertising technology reaches 25 million homes in North American through affiliated cable and consumer electronics partners.

Prior to Rovi Corporation, Scott was Director of Product at BlackArrow, a venture-backed startup supplying video ad management technologies. Previously, at DVR pioneer ReplayTV, Scott led the launch of the industry’s first DVR advertising. Scott has also held engineering and product management roles at Intel and Analog Devices, where he developed digital TV, set-top and mobile media products.

Scott holds BS and MS degrees in Computer Science from Princeton and MIT, and an MBA from the Sloan School of Business at MIT.

David Sandford, Vice President, Marketing & Product Management, TiVo

David leads marketing and product management across TiVo's interactive advertising and service provider DVR solutions, where he is responsible for defining the product roadmap and marketing solutions for TiVo's business partners in the cable, satellite, and media industries.

David joined TiVo in 2002. Previously David was director of business development for TiVo's technology licensing business, where he formed strategic partnerships with some of the world's leading consumer electronics and set-top box companies to integrate the TiVo service into a range of consumer products.

David has over 10 years of experience in business development and marketing in the consumer electronics, broadband and networking industries. Before joining TiVo, David was director of product management at Jetstream Communications, where he was responsible for building a family of broadband voice solutions and developing the company's partner and licensing programs. Prior to that, David led 3Com's home networking initiative and drove the technology and product strategy for the company's first home networking product line in partnership with Microsoft.

He holds a BA from Williams College and an MBA from UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business.

Rick Schwartz, Senior Product Manager, PacketVideo

Rick Schwartz is the product manager for PacketVideo's (PV’s) DLNA software for the connected home – TwonkyMedia manager (Winner of CES 2009 Innovations Award). Prior to joining PV in late 2008, Schwartz logged a rich history in the innovative delivery of digital media. Six years before Apple sold its first song online, Schwartz was product manager of a team at Liquid Audio that created the first secure online music distribution system with content from several major labels. Following his tenure at Liquid Audio, Schwartz joined Gateway where he was in charge of product marketing for Desktop PCs and launched hundreds of unique products and services including Media Center PCs, the Gateway/Napster Music Service, Gateway MP3 Jukebox, Gateway Rhapsody Music Service and Gateway Music Vault – an industry-first program that preloaded thousands of songs on millions of PCs. Schwartz works from PV's headquarters in San Diego.

Mitch Singer, President, Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem; CTO, Sony Pictures Entertainment

Mitch Singer is the Chief Technology Officer for Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. and Executive Vice President of New Media and Technology for the studio.

Mr. Singer is responsible for coordinating digital policy across all Sony Pictures’ businesses. He focuses on emerging and disruptive technologies and evaluates and develops adaptive business and models to stay ahead of the technological curve. Mr. Singer is responsible for developing new digital usage models that enable full consumer flexibility regarding how consumers use content, including advanced models that enable copying of premium content on PCs and potable devices, and enabling remote access.

In addition to developing new consumer uses, Mr. Singer is responsible for coordinating Sony Pictures World-wide anti-piracy activities. Managing these tools effectively will enable Sony Pictures to smoothly navigate the transition from analog to digital distribution. He is also responsible for Sony Picture’s involvement in world-wide standard setting activities including, CableLabs, Coral, AACS, DVD CCA and others. These activities form the basis of standardizing the delivery of protected content so that consumers have a wide choice of usage models from which to choose.

Mr. Singer has been involved in digital rights management from the launch of DVD and has been the lead negotiator for Sony Pictures in content protection technology licensing such as Digital Transmission Copy Protection (5C), Copy Protection for Pre-Recorded and Recordable Media (4C), High Definition Content Protection (HDCP), Blu-Ray Recordable and many others.

In June, 2008, Mr. Singer was made President of the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem (DECE) LLC, an international and cross-industry consortium of more than 20 leading companies. The DECE will define and build a new digital media framework using industry standards, and will enable consumers to acquire and play content across a wide range of services and devices.

Peter Smyth, Founder & CEO, RedMere

Peter Smyth is Founder & CEO of RedMere, the active cable specialists. RedMere has pioneered smart cabling for consumer applications, enabling 10Gbps video delivery over ‘self-powered’ active copper cables as thin as 2mm. The company’s chip technology has been adopted in ultra-thin cable solutions for Home Theater and Camera applications worldwide. Prior to forming RedMere, Peter was VP Business Development for Ceva’s Wireline Communications Division (Nasdaq: CEVA), with worldwide responsibility for revenues and product marketing for all of Ceva's high-speed Wireline interface technologies. Prior to that, at Parthus Inc. (acquired by Ceva), Peter held the positions of VP Product Marketing and VP Sales. Over a 25 year career he has lived and worked in Ireland, the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany in various Product Marketing, Sales and Business Development roles. Peter has a Bachelor of Electronic Engineering from Dublin City University, 1985.

Scott Smyers serves as the chairman of the Board of Directors of the Digital Living Network Alliance and as President of DLNA Corporation.

Smyers is also Vice President of the Network and Systems Architecture Division of the Platform Technology Center of America at Sony Electronics. Smyers’ particular area of focus is system architecture, system I/O and interfaces and he is actively involved in the industry.

Through his leadership as chairman of the 1394 Trade Association's AV Working Group over the course of seven years, Smyers has served a pivotal role in bringing about a suite of standards that define consumer device discovery and control.

Smyers serves as the Chairman of the CE Linux Forum Steering Committee, and has in the past served as CTO and member of the Board of Directors of the 1394 Trade Association and on the UPnP Steering Committee. Smyers holds a B.A. in Physics and Philosophy from Cornell University.

Lauren Thorpe, Senior Director, Developer Relations, Qualcomm Incorporated

Lauren Thorpe is senior director of developer relations for Qualcomm. Thorpe is responsible for growing and sustaining the robust community of developers and publishers working with Qualcomm products and services, including Brew, the Plaza suite and Qualcomm Software Platforms.

Prior to this role, Thorpe was the vice president of operations for THQ Wireless, where she managed product development for wireless games and personalization product lines. In her 13+ years in wireless and mobile entertainment, Thorpe has held a variety of positions from production management, to marketing and product development at companies such as Helio, Hands on Mobile and Alcatel.

Thorpe holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Simon Tidnam, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, HDlogix

Simon has extensive experience marketing digital media and video communications technology. He has led deals with a range of entertainment companies, from programmers such as The YES Network to operators like Comcast Cable. As Vice President of sales & Marketing, Simon is tasked with turning HDlogix into a household name. He is responsible for defining the company's product strategy and building partnerships with television programmers and studios.

Previously, Simon was Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Clique Communications, where he worked with major service providers on the introduction of live IP video communications. Prior to joining Clique Communications, Simon ran marketing for broadband video distributor Wavexpress, where he worked with broadcasters, programmers and cable operators on the secure delivery of digital media.

Paul Woidke, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Advanced Advertising

Paul joined OpenTV in May 2008 as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Advanced Advertising. Paul is tasked with evolving OpenTV’s advanced advertising business both in the US and internationally. Paul was most recently with Comcast Spotlight and brings with him more than 30 years of cable and broadcast experience. During his six-year tenure at Comcast Spotlight, Paul was charged with creating technology standards and best practices across the company's footprint of more than 90 markets.

Prior to Comcast Spotlight, Paul was Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer for Adlink, the nation's leading digital cable interconnect. He has served on various industry committees including those of the Cable Advertising Bureau and CableLabs. Presently, he chairs the SCTE Digital Video Subcommittee's "Working Group Five (DPI)" which has played a leading role in the development of international digital program and advertising insertion standards. Paul is the recipient of the 2006 SCTE Excellence in Standards Award and is also a frequent industry speaker.

Parks Associates Analysts / Moderators

Bill Ablondi, Director, Home Systems Research, Parks Associates

Bill Ablondi is an information technology market analyst with 25 years experience advising computer and related peripheral manufacturers, software publishers, communication service, and Internet providers. He has directed syndicated advisory services and related custom consulting activities for several leading research firms in addition to Parks Associates.

Bill began his information technology career as an engineer and business development manager at Texas Instruments. He holds a BS in chemical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and an MBA from Columbia University with a concentration in management science, emphasizing operations research and finance.

Industry Expertise: Home Systems, Home Controls, Energy Management and Smart Grid, Home Security, Entertainment Systems, Home Systems Integration Channel, Home Builders

Jayant Dasari, Research Analyst, Parks Associates

Jayant Dasari joined Parks Associates following a career in telecommunications with both service providers and equipment manufacturers. In his role as a Research Analyst, Jayant primarily covers access services with specific focus on residential television and broadband segments on a worldwide basis. Jayant’s research interests also include mobile services and fixed-mobile convergence within the digital home.

He earned his B.Tech in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Nagarjuna University and his MS in Telecommunications from University of Louisiana. He also has an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Industry Expertise: Broadband and television infrastructure and services

Kurt Scherf, Vice President, Principal Analyst, Parks Associates

Kurt Scherf studies developments in home networks, residential gateways, digital entertainment, technology development in the housing market, and residential and building management and controls. Kurt is the sole author or contributing author/analyst to more than 60 research reports and studies produced by Parks Associates since 1998.

Kurt joined Parks Associates following a career in political research and multi-tenant dwelling management. He earned his BA from The University of Iowa.

Industry Expertise: Home Networks & Residential Gateways, Home Networking Media (Wi-Fi, UWB, HomePlug, HomePNA, MoCA, etc.), Media Center PCs, Set-top Boxes, Networked Consumer Electronics, Consumer Storage, Media Server Hardware and Software, Consumers and Digital Entertainment, Television Services, Broadband Video, Digital Home Customer Support Issues

Tricia Parks, Founder and CEO, Parks Associates

Tricia Parks is the founder and CEO of Parks Associates, a market analyst and research company dedicated to providing meaningful information and counsel to companies offering technology-based products aimed at improving people's lives. She presents worldwide on consumer trends, market requirements, and industry structure, with an eye to meshing visionary and progressive ideas to consumer needs and wants.

Parks Associates hosts, in partnership with CEA, CONNECTIONS™, an international conference and showcase for the digital home hosted in the U.S., and CONNECTIONS™ Europe, hosted in Europe focusing on market opportunities for digital products and services in the many nations of Europe. Tricia Parks also developed the Relevancy Theory, a forecasting model for sales across a broad range of digital electronic products and services.

Tricia has served on a variety of industry boards including CEA's Home Networking and Information Technology division, the National Research Council's Committee for a Partnership to Assess Technology for Housing (PATH), the AMD Board of Global Consumer Advocacy, and CABA. Tricia Parks has a BA from Sweet Briar College and graduate studies from the University of Texas.

Stuart Sikes, President, Parks Associates

Stuart Sikes is the president of Parks Associates and is responsible for providing Parks Associates’ clients with a business relationship that complements their strategic marketing activities.

Stuart has served technology companies for over twenty years, designing technical service, software, and hardware solutions for companies ranging from global semiconductor manufacturers to one of the nation’s largest airlines. In his positions with companies including AT&T, NCR, OpenConnect Systems, and Intelligraphics, Stuart’s roles have included sales, product marketing, marketing communications, and executive management.

Stuart and the Parks Associates’ team have worked closely with the world’s leading semiconductor, software, telecom equipment, and entertainment companies, assisting these companies with their understanding of consumer adoption of new technologies.

Stuart holds an MBA from SMU with a concentration in strategic marketing and a BA in economics from Vanderbilt University.

Harry Wang, Director, Health & Mobile Product Research, Parks Associates

Harry Wang studies the consumer electronics and entertainment service industries with a focus on portable CE hardware, software, and associated applications and services. He is also the lead analyst for Parks Associates’ digital health research program. Harry has presented his research in numerous industry events including CES, Digital Hollywood, Photo Marketing Association Annual Show, American Telemedicine Association Annual Show, World Health Congress, and at Parks Associates’ CONNECTIONS™ conferences.

Harry earned his MS degree in marketing research from the University of Texas at Arlington. He also holds an MBA degree in finance from Texas Christian University and a BA degree in international business from Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, P.R. China.

Industry Expertise: Digital Health Products and Services, Digital Media and Advertising Technologies, Connected Home Software and Hardware Requirements, Fixed and Portable Consumer Electronics, Digital Imaging Products and Services

Heather Way, Research Analyst, Parks Associates

Heather Way studies digital media advertising services and platforms as well as consumer research focusing on digital entertainment, digital media habits, and consumer purchase processes.

Prior to joining Parks Associates, Heather worked in the Dallas-Fort Worth media market for thirteen years, holding positions as Director of Advertising, media planner and buyer, national sales representative, and training coordinator. Most recently, Heather taught as an adjunct professor in the Department of Radio, Television, and Film at the University of North Texas.

Heather earned an MS degree in Radio, Television, and Film from the University of North Texas, Denton, Texas, and holds a BS in Mass Communications from East Central University, Ada, Oklahoma.

Industry Expertise: Digital Media, Emerging Advertising Technologies, and Digital Video Advertising.