Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro is sending a conciliatory message to the United States, weeks after halting communication with a top American diplomat. Maduro named a new head diplomat whose job will be to increase dialogue with the U.S. in Chile, a raging forest fire destroyed dozens of homes in hills near Valparaiso. The government reported that 148 acres had been devastated by the fire as firefighters fight to contain the blaze. A quick-thinking police officer in Colombia managed to grab a man who allegedly tried to jump in front of an oncoming subway train, likely saving the man’s life. The rescue was caught by a security camera. Cuban activist group the Ladies In White finally picked up the prestigious Sakharov prize that it was awarded eight years ago for their fight for human rights. They had to wait until now to pick up the award because they weren’t allowed to leave Cuba in 2005.

Police in Nicaragua say they arrested an American on the FBI’s ten ‘Most Wanted’ list who allegedly committed child porn offenses, and turned him over to the FBI. Eric Justin Toth, a former teacher in the Washington D.C. area, was caught with a fake passport and driver’s license. Authorities in Bolivia say they are stepping up the police presence in the province of Santa Cruz after a string of homicides that appear to be connected to international drug trafficking. Nine people were killed in the province in just 17 days. Teachers at Mexico’s largest university say they are frustrated by a series of student takeovers of campus offices. Department heads and professors are demanding that the students turn over the office they seized in an effort to protest extra security and curriculum changes. And a robot has discovered three ancient chambers in the last unexplored tunnel of Mexico’s Teotihuacan archaeological site. It is the first time a robot has made such a discovery in Mexico.

Wealthy businessman Horacio Cartes won the Paraguayan presidential election this weekend. He will succeed former president Fernando Lugo, who was impeached following a land eviction that killed several farmers. Two days after being sworn in as president, Nicolas Maduro announced his new cabinet. Most members of Hugo Chavez’s top leadership will stay in place- keeping to Maduro’s vow of continuing Chavez’s hardline socialism. Pope Francis called for peace in Venezuela during his weekly Sunday prayer. The Pope’s plea to reject violence comes after deadly protests against new president Nicolas Maduro. And thousands of people in Argentina saw a suspected meteor light up the sky on Sunday. Argentine authorities believe the fireball was a meteor disintegrating in the earth’s atmosphere.

12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Innovators in the Latino Space: The Game Changers
Emiliano Calemzuk, Former CEO, Shine America
Jose Villa, President, Sensis
Ivy Esquero, Global Consumer Insights, Microsoft
Armando Azarloza, President and CEO, Axis
Ginger Zumaeta, Founder and Partner, Beehive Group

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
TV Everywhere – Content & Technology Engage the Hispanic Consumer
Doug Greiff, Chief Creative Officer, co-founder, MiTu
Erik I. Moreno, SVP, Corporate Development, Fox Networks Group, co-general manager, Mobile Content Venture, Dyle Mobile TV
Renee Plato, SVP Digital Distribution, Univision
Romina Rosado, Vice President, E! Online, E! Networks
Microsoft, speaker to be announced
Ginger Zumaeta, Founder and Partner, Beehive Group, Moderator

3:50 PM – 5:00 PM
Hispanics & Mobile: Smart Devices - From Phones & Tablets to TV
Oscar Madrid, Director, Multicultural Marketing, Verizon Wireless
Hector Galvan, Regional Multicultural Marketing Manager, Sprint
Mike Reid, Executive Director, Multicultural Sales, Pandora
James Briggs, CEO and co-founder, Briabe
Charlie Echeverry, President, Charlie Echeverry, Moderator

Wednesday, May 1st
A Day of Workshops
10:45 AM – Noon
Hispanics Advertising Agencies
John Gallegos, CEO and founder, Grupo Gallegos
Gonzalo Del Fa, Managing Director, MEC Bravo
Jose Villa, President, Sensis, Moderator
Additional speakers to be announced

12:30 AM – 1:45 PM
Hispanics & Social Media
Wally Sabria, Senior Vice President, Head of Social Media, Axis
Aaron Nava, Toyota Lead, Conill
Laura Gomez, Founder and President, Digital Playbook
Additional speakers to be announced

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Digital Trendsetters – The Innovators
Navarrow Wright, CTO, Interactive One
Geetanjali Dhillon, VP, Marketing and Digital, Sony Movie Channel, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Ivan Adaime, Vice President, Digital Media, ImpreMedia LLC
John P. Roberts, EVP Digital Strategy and Branding, Endemol USA
YAHOO!, speaker to be announced

3:50 PM – 5:00 PM
A Day in the Life of Hispanic Millennials
Pabblo Flores, Moderator
Speakers to be announced

Co-Chair:
Betty Gower, Founder and Co-Partner, Beehive Group
Ginger Zumaeta, Founder and Co-Partner, Beehive Group

Members of the Board
Adam Fogelson, Chairman, Universal Pictures
Monica Lozano, Chief Executive Officer, ImpreMedia, LLC
Emiliano Calemzuk, former CEO, Shine America
Scott Bushman, Vice President, Media Networks, Latin America, US Hispanic and Canada, Yahoo
Bryan Barber, Vice President of Global Business & Technology Strategy, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
Rita Morales Patton, Assistant General Counsel and Vice President of Business Affairs, Turner Broadcasting System,
Millie Carrasquillo, Senior Vice President of Research, Telemundo, NBC Universal
Jerry Rocha, Vice President, Digital Media, The Nielsen Company
Adam Keen, Senior Vice President, Relativity Media
Paul Presburger, CEO, Pantelion Films, Managing Director, Televisa USA
Beatriz Acevedo, President, MiTu
Oscar Madrid Director, Multicultural Marketing, Verizon Wireless
Renee Plato, Senior Vice President, Digital Distribution, Univision Communications
LaLa Castro, Social Media Director, GigaSavvy and Co-Founder, #LatinaGeeks
John Gallegos, CEO and founder, Grupo Gallegos
Armando Azarloza, President, AXIS
Monica Gadsby, Chief Executive Officer, SMG U.S. Multicultural, Latin America
Michael Schwimmer, Chief Executive Officer, NUVOtv
Jennifer Karsh, President, Axen Research
Juanjo Duran, Strategic Content Partnerships, YouTube
Gonzalo Del Fa, Managing Director, GroupM Multicultural
Ana L. Flores, Founder and CEO, Latina Bloggers Connect and Co-Founder, SpanglishBaby
Mike Reid, Executive Director, Multicultural Sales, Pandora
Andre Fernandez, President and CFO, Journal Communications
Jose Villa, President, Sensis
Skander Goucha, SVP, Digital Business, Universal Music Latin Entertainment (UMLE)
Fernando Rodriguez, CEO, Terra Networks (USA)
Charlie Echeverry, President, Charlie Echeverry
Laura Gomez, Founder and President, Digital Playbook
Evan Harrison, Executive Vice President, Content & Entertainment, Univision
Navarrow Wright, CTO, Interactive One
Rodrigo Mazon, General Manager, Hulu Latino

The Complete Agenda
Digital Hollywood Spring
The Digital Future has Arrived!
April 29th – May 2nd, 2013
The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Marina del Rey, California

Pre-Day Events
The Strategic Sessions – Let’s Get Started!
Monday, April 29th
10:00 AM – 11:15 AM
Track I: Ballroom Terrace, SmPh-TbLT, HGmz, TV-2013
TouchIt & Talk-To-It – Tablet-SmartPhone-PC-Game – Roundtable on the Immersive Consumer Experience
Jeff Demain, Research Strategy and Business Development Director – Intel Lab
Brian Marr, Director of Strategy, Smashing Ideas
Suresh Narasimha, CEO and founder, TELiBrahma Convergent Communications Pvt LTD
Craig Wiley, Senior Director of Marketing, Parade Technologies, Chairman, VESA’s Board of Directors
Myles McGovern, CEO Immersive Media
Rhonya Hamada, Creative & UX Engineering Lead, Microsoft
Mike Vorhaus, President, Magid Advisors, Frank N. Magid Associates, Moderator

Track II: Poolside Tent I, AdvUp, H2.0
Content & Monetization: Oversight & Analysis – From Advanced Microtransaction and Virtual Engines to Gamification
Mitch Davis, co-founder and chairman, Live Gamer
Perkins Miller, EVP of Digital, WWE
Additional speakers to be announced

11:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Track I: Ballroom Terrace, H2.0, TV-2013
Broadcasting without Borders: Players in the New Guard of Broadcasting, Branding and Content Networks
Eric Kuhn, Head of Social Media, UTA
Erik I. Moreno, SVP, Corporate Development, Fox Networks Group, co-general manager, Mobile Content Venture, Dyle Mobile TV
Ian Moffitt, Head of Premium Programming and GM, Machinima Prime
David Grant, President, Video, POPSUGAR
Michael Gallagher, filmmaker and YouTube sensation, “SMILEY”;
Aaron Williams, co-founder and CEO, SocialSamba
Cindy Murphy, VP Brand Activation, RadiumOne, Moderator

Track II: Poolside Tent I, DHFi, TV-2013, CROWD
Valuing and Financing Entertainment Content: Movies, Television and Online Video, From VC & Equity to Crowdfunding
Larry Gerbrandt, Managing Director, Janas Group & principal, Media Valuation Partners, Moderator
Speakers to be announced

1:00 PM – 2:15 PM
Track I: Poolside Tent I, DHFi, H2.0, BIG
The New Hollywood Equation – Content Owners, Networks, New Platforms, Agents & Commerce
Bruce Gersh, President-CEO, FishBowl WorldWide Media
Doug Deluca, co- executive producer, Jimmy Kimmel Live
Lance Sloane, Head of digital original programming and producer for Warner Bros. Digital Distribution
Darren Cross, Vice President, Business and Corporate Development, Blip
Glasgow Phillips, SVP of Creative, Maker Studios
Mike La Salle, Partner, Shamrock Capital Advisors
Mark J. Kapczynski, Chief Operating Officer, Kontrol Media, Moderator

Track II: Ballroom Terrace, AdvUp
Hypertargeting: Ad Networks, Ad Serving and Ad Targeting
Jeffrey Hochberg, Vice President of Sales, AOL’s Audience Targeting, AOL
Adam Berke, President, AdRoll
Phil Stocker, Targeting and Exchange Specialist, Microsoft Advertising
Colleen Quinn, Senior Director of Interactive Advertising and Media & Entertainment, Teradata Corporation
Chris Tolles, CEO, Topix
Michael Rubin, Executive Director Business Development, Mobile, YP
Jim Beddows, Director and Senior Vice President of Global Business Development and Strategy, 2ergo, Moderator

Track III: Poolside Tent II, AdvUp, BIG
Marketing Hollywood Content – Using Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Smartphone and Tablets – Building Audience – Building Buzz – Understanding the Metrics and Measurement of Success
Liz Jones, SVP Digital, Relativity Media
Rick Sorkin, Vice President, Talent & Strategy, WhoSay
Eric Moro, Director of Programming, Entertainment, Wikia
Scott Holmes, founder and President, United Future
Tomos Evans, Director of Social Engagement, Saatchi & Saatchi LA
Steve Hansen, CEO, SpinMedia
Lisa Joy Rosner, CMO NetBase
Noam Dromi, President, New Medici, Moderator

ThinkTank – DHFi, CROWD
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM - Directors Room
ThinkTank I:
Kickstarter Funding for Films, Web, Screenplays, Music and Tech Startups

ThinkTank II: Board Room
2nd Screen Analytics: Measuring and Evaluating Tablet & Smartphone Usage – Engagement, Data and Trends
Meghann Elrhoul, Vice President Client Services and Analytics, Trendrr

2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Track I – Poolside Tent I, TV-2013, H2.0, AdvUp
2nd Screen – Social Television – The Merger of Content, Social Interaction and the Video Platforms
Channing Dawson, Senior Advisor, Scripps Networks Interactive
Mike Freeman, Social media Specialist, Crown Media Family Networks (Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movie Channel)
Jeff Eddings, Sr. Director of Emerging Technology, Turner Broadcasting
Sean Besser, EVP of Business Development, Partnerships & Strategy, GetGlue
Rahul Aggarwal, CEO and Co-Founder, Arktan
Marc Scarpa, Producer / Director x factor digital, Grammy live, incubus hq
CBS Interactive, speaker to be announced
Ted Cohen, Managing Partner, TAG Strategic llc, Moderator

Track II – Blrm. Terrace, SmPh-TbLT, AdvUp
iPad-Tablet-SmartPhone Advertising – the Premium Advertising Platform
Grace Dolan, Head of Mobile Solutions, North America, Google
Chad Gallagher, Director of Mobile, Advertising, AOL
Harry Kargman, Founder & CEO, Kargo
Shawn Fenton, Invention Strategist, Innovations, Designkitchen, a WPP Group
Tony Siconolfi, Vice President of Sales, West Coast and Latin America, Adaptly
Sun Jen Yung, Managing Director, Head of Digital Media & Internet, Headwaters, Moderator

Track III – Tent II, H2.0, TV-2013, SmPh-TbLT
Merging Content with New Technologies – Content Reinvention with the Next Generation of Tablets, SmartPhones and Mobile Devices
Ian Sander, Executive Producer & Director, Sander/Moses Productions (“Ghost Whisperer”)
Jeff Small, Director of Creative Technology / JWT Atlanta
Alex Limberis, VP, Business Development, Next Issue Media
Brad Spahr, VP Digital, Sony Music
Todd Tarpley, General Manager, Parents Network Digital, Meredith
Alex Barkaloff, Principal/CONNECT VENTURES LTD
Microsoft, speaker to be announced
Greg Johnson, President, Digital, Trivergance, LLC, Moderator

ThinkTanks
2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
ThinkTank I: Board Room
Content Discovery Platforms: Engaging and Connecting Consumers with Targeted Content and Advertising
Jeffrey Hochberg, Vice President of Sales, AOL’s Audience Targeting, AOL

ThinkTank II – Director’s Room
Online Payment in a Mobile World – SmartPhone – Tablets
Thomas Pinter, Business Development Digital Entertainment, paysafecard
Johnny Simon, Founder & CEO, BalanceStreet
Art Chang, CEO, App Orchard
Deloitte, Moderator to be announced

3:45 PM – 5:00 PM
Track I – Poolside Tent I, H2.0, TV-2013, BIG
Cable, TV, Film and Broadband – New Content – New Networks – Streams, Platforms, Devices
Ron Lamprecht, EVP, Business Development and Sales, Digital Distribution, NBCUniversal
Edward L. Huguez, President of Affiliate Distribution, Starz
Dan Cohen, Executive Vice President, Pay Television and Digital, Disney-ABC Domestic Television
Paul Colichman, Chief Executive Officer, Here Media
Jamie Elden, Senior Vice President and Head of Entertainment, Lin Digital, div. of LIN Media
Jeffrey G. Weber, President, Content and Advertising Sales, AT&T Inc.
Mark J. Kapczynski, Chief Operating Officer, Kontrol Media, Moderator

Track II – Ballroom Terrace, AdvUp
Advertising Accountability: Metrics and Analytics around Video, Social Media, Broadband and Mobile
Tania Yuki, Founder and CEO, Shareablee
Shani Higgins, Chief Executive Officer, Technorati Media
Dean McCormick, Vice President, Advertising Solutions, BlackArrow
Frank Speiser, co-founder, SocialFlow
Christophe Collet, CEO, Sam4Mobile (French Mobile)
Cheryl Idell, Executive Vice President – Client Solutions, Nielsen
Comscore, speaker to be announced
Sam Vasisht, Chief Marketing Officer, Veveo, Moderator

Track III – Poolside Tent II, AdvUp, H2.0
Content for the New Platforms: Custom Programming and Branded Advertising – Tablet & SmartPhone, Web and TV
Jason Ziemianski, Head of Programming & Brand Development, Big Frame
Rich Sutton, Chief Revenue Officer, Daily Mail Online
Michael Kernan, Chief Executive Officer, NuMedia Studios & Management
Adam S. Wescott, Vice President of Network Development, PMC Studios
Larry Shapiro, Head of Talent, Fullscreen
Chase Norlin, CEO, AlphaBird
Mel Clements, Branded Entertainment and Experiences Team, Microsoft
Steve Bradbury, Chief Operating Officer, Zazoom, Moderator

ThinkTanks
3:45 PM – 4:45 PM
ThinkTank I: Admiralty Rm.
Incubators, Accelerators, Labs & Crowdfunding

ThinkTank II: The Board Room
Celebrity Twitter – Celebrity Facebook – Celebrity Media – Surfing the SocialGraph
Jeff Vespa, Co-Founder & Photographer, WireImage
Shira Lazar, Host and Executive Producer “What’s Trending with Shira Lazar”
Merle Ginsberg, Senior Style Writer, The Hollywood Reporter

5:00 PM – 6:15 PM Open to all attendees
End-of-Day Poolside Reception – Ritz Carlton

Tuesday, April 30th
Breakfast Session Ballroom Terrace
7:45 AM – 9:00 AM, BIG, DHFi, H2.0, TV-2013
Cross-Platform Content – Analysts and Investment: A View from the Street – From Tablets and SmartPhones to 3D TV
James Marsh, Managing Director and Senior Research Analyst, Piper Jaffray
Michael Pachter, Managing Director, Equity Research, Wedbush Securities
James C. Goss, Vice President and Senior Research Analyst, Barrington Research Associates, Inc.
Tom Adams, Principal Analyst & Director, US Media in the Electronics & Media group, IHS Screen Digest
Marty Shindler, CEO, The Shindler Perspective, Inc., Moderator

Tuesday, April 30th
The SuperSessions
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Track I: Salon I, AdvUp
Contextual Media & Advertising: Transforming and Personalizing the Relationship Between the Consumer, Commerce and Media Platforms
Kirsten Atkinson, Media Director, Team One, a division of Saatchi and Saatchi
Josh Rickel, Media, Entertainment and Sports partnerships, Mass Relevance
Peter J Wolfgang, Director of Product Strategy, Huge Los Angeles
Dave Zinman, CEO, Infolinks
Don McNeill, President and co-Founder, DIGITALKITCHEN
Microsoft, speaker to be announced
Rachelle Considine, President Future US, Moderator

Track II: Salon II, BIG, ViDeo, TV-2013, H2.0
Over the Top TV – Content and the Consumer Experience – New Technologies as Gateway to the New Hollywood
Edward Lee, VP, Content Acquisition, Roku
John Bishop, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Cisco
Nate Williams, Head of Product Marketing and Sr. Director for Converged Experiences, Motorola
Erick Opeka, VP of Digital Distribution, Cinedigm
Michael Alexander, Strategy & Growth Initiatives, IBM Global Telecommunications Industry
Jay Fehnel, Vice President, Business Development, Redbox
Brent Horowitz, VP of Business Development and Corporate Strategy, FreeWheel
Amy Friedlander Hoffman, President, Priority Digital Media, Moderator

Track III: Salon III AdvUp, TV-2013
Maximizing Content Value – From Video to Entertainment and Information – Metadata, Content Farms, Syndication, Behavioral Search & Subscription
JR Yasgur, Vice President, Aggregated Metadata Management & Operations (AMMO), Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE)
Rhodes Mason, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Internet Video Archive (IVA)
Ben Weinberger, CEO and co_founder, Digitalsmiths
Michele McGarry, VP of Business Development, ThinkAnalytics
Ian Greenblatt, Director, Content Strategy & Business Development, MOTOROLA MOBILITY
Josh Wiggins, Vice President of Business Development, Platform, T3Media
Thomas R. Wilde, CEO, RAMP, Moderator

9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
ThinkTank I, Poolside Tent I
Silicon Beach Strategies: Accelerate, Incubate, Crowdfunding, Start-ups & Angels
Kirsten Osolind, Founder/President, RE:INVENTION
Mark J. Landay, Co Chair, Harvard Business School Angels of Southern California
John Shiple, founder, FreelanceCTO
Victoria Silchenko, Ph.D., Chair of Global LAVA, Los Angeles Venture Association, Moderator

10:45 AM – Noon
Track I: Salon I, BIG, H2.0, ViDeo, TV-2013
Hollywood and the Digital Consumer: How Technology, Content and Services Establish the Next Level of Consumer Entertainment Experience
Michele Edelman, Vice President, Direct to Consumer Marketing, Warner Bros. Studios
John Penney, EVP, Strategy & Business Development, Starz LLC
Navarrow Wright, CTO, Interactive One
Jay Samit, President, ooVoo
David Gale, President, Synchronous Media
Jason Clark, Multiscreen Product Specialist, Verizon Wireless
Ira Rubenstein, Digital Media Executive, Moderator

Track II: Salon II, BIG
The Blockbuster Strategy – Hollywood’s Billion Dollar Creative Edge – The Making of an Entertainment Franchise
Ralph Alexander, Senior Executive Vice President, International Operations & Distribution, Sony Pictures Entertainment
Phil Groves, Senior Vice President, IMAX Corp & Executive Vice President, Global Distribution, IMAX Entertainment
Robert Lenihan, President Programming, AMC Theatres
Chris Edwards, CEO & Creative Director, THE THIRD FLOOR
Marty Shindler, CEO, The Shindler Perspective, Inc., Moderator

Track III: Poolside Tent I, AdvUp, ViDeo
Video Advertising: Monetizing the Cross-Platform Package – Tablets, TVs, Smartphones, PCs and Games
Cameron Friedlander, VP/ Global, Creative Technology, Designkitchen, a WPP Group
Mark Fortner, VP of Digital Fusion, MTV Networks
Randy Smith, Sr. Product Manager, NBC News Digital Video
Amit Khanduja, EVP Global Business Head, Reliance Entertainment – Digital
Deloitte, speaker to be announced
Electronic Arts, speaker to be announced
Scott Campbell, Industry Principal, Media & Telecom, SAP America Inc., Moderator

Track IV: Poolside Tent II, BIG, H2.0, ViDeo, TV-2013
Multi-Screen Universe: TV, Tablets, Broadband, Smartphones and IPTV – Strategies for ConnectedTV Technology & Content
Jeff Demain, Research Strategy and Business Development Director – Intel Lab
Ben Huang, Director, Microsoft Mediaroom
Alex Vikati, Executive Director, Product Strategy & Innovation, TMS
Sean Murphy, Videoscape Solution Marketing, Media & Entertainment, Cisco Systems
Christopher Allen, General Manager, Digital Entertainment Services, Best Buy
Brad Kania, Head of Content Distribution, Samsung Electronics, Media Solutions Center America
Rick Herman, Senior VP, Business and Corporate Development, MobiTV
Terry S. Bienstock, CEO, Mobilactive Media, LLC., Moderator

Track V: The Ballroom Terrace - (WOMEN)
Women – The Personal Brand – Understanding Lifestyle, Authenticity, Purpose & Resolve
Madeline Di Nonno, Executive Director, Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media
Devery Holmes, President & CEO, Spark Alliance Marketing
Lisa Ryan Howard, Business Lead, Women’s Lifestyles at Yahoo!
Jennifer Romolini, Editor-in-chief/Editorial Director Yahoo! Shine and Yahoo! Lifestyles
Tamy Harms, President, POSSIBLE, a WPP Agency
Adrienne Becker, CEO/Glass Elevator Media
Dawn Chmielewski, Entertainment Reporter, Los Angeles Times, Moderator

Track VI: The Workshop, Admiralty Room – DHFi, CROWD
Investment, Funding Strategies and Deal Flow
A Primer for Content and Technology Companies
I. Understanding Funding and Strategy
Jay C. MacDonald, CEO/Managing Partner, Digital Capital Partners LLC
William J. Wynperle, Partner, Shamrock Capital Advisors
David Travers, Partner, Rustic Canyon Partners
Michael Terpin, Founder and CEO, SocialRadius
Greg Akselrud, Partner, Stubbs Alderton & Markiles, LLP
Joey Tamer, President, S.O.S. Inc., Moderator

Special New Addition
10:45 AM – Noon, Salon III
The Hispanic Entertainment and Technology Track
Hispanics in 2013 & Beyond: The State of the Hispanic Consumer Forget what you think you know about Hispanics and find out why if you’re not engaging this audience now, you’re gonna get squashed by your competitors.

12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Track I: Salon I, BIG, H2.0, ViDeo, TV-2013
Hollywood and Media – Always Connected – Always On – Traditional Media Transformed! iPads & Tablets, SmartPhones to Cable and TV
Liz White, General Manager, People Digital & EW Digital
Liz Schimel, EVP and Chief Digital Officer, Meredith National Media Group
Rich Sutton, Chief Revenue Officer, Daily Mail Online
John P. Roberts, EVP Digital Strategy and Branding, Endemol USA
Kim Moses, principal, Sander/Moses Productions (“Ghost Whisperer”)
Jeff Shultz, Senior Vice President, Business Development, CBS Interactive
Shawn Gold, Chief Marketing officer, Mahalo, Moderator

Track II: Salon II, BIG
Big Hollywood: The New Studios – Superstar Content Across Platforms

Track III: Salon II, SmPh-TbLT, AdvUp, H2.0
The 2nd Screen – Social TV Content Strategy Summit: Tablet & SmartPhone as Gateway to the SmartTV: Content, Commerce, Communications & Social Graph
Baba Uppal, Director of Digital Media, Endemol USA
Daniel Tibbets, SVP of Digital Media, Bunim/Murray Productions
Peter Szabo, Director of West Coast Sales, Shazam
Jim Eadie, Vice President of Digital Distribution, MTV Networks
Jubba Seyyid, Senior Director of Programming and Production, TV One
Carlos Lamadrid, Executive Vice President/Publisher, Penske Media Corporation (PMC), Moderator

Track IV: Poolside Tent I, DHFi, CROWD
Investment, Funding Strategies and Deal Flow
Digital Media Venture, Investment and Funding: New Business Models in Entertainment, Media and Technology – From Funds to Crowdfunding
Perry Fair, Chief Creative Officer / JWT Atlanta
Richard Yen, Director, Private Equity, Saban Capital Group
Michael Metzger, Principal, Covert & Co.
Sun Jen Yung, Managing Director, Head of Digital Media & Internet, Headwaters MB
Doug Pepper, General Partner, InterWest
David O. Higley, Managing Partner, Bond Lane Merchant Bank, Moderator

Track V: The Ballroom Terrace – (WOMEN)
Living the Life: Women Entrepreneurs, Innovators and Disrupters
Amanda Taylor, CEO, DanceOn
Paula Silver, founder, Beyond the Box (Renown Film Executive)
Karla Ballard, Senior Vice President, Ogilvy & Mather
Jennifer Wong, Founder and CEO, Alt12 Apps
Kirstin Falk, President, Red Bricks Media
Betsy Scolnik, Chief Executive Officer, Scolnik Enterprises
Melissa Jun Rowley, Content Creator for Cisco’s The Network & Founder of Incentivize, Moderator

Special New Addition
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM, Salon III
The Hispanic Entertainment and Technology Track
Hispanics and Hollywood – Movies, TV, Music & Broadband: Hispanics love Hollywood and the industry is evaluating investment in new content and marketing and outreach to the Hispanic community. The new era of Hispanics and Hollywood is underway.

1:00 – 1:45 PM
ThinkTank I: The Director’s Room- Women’s Track
In Development – The Digital Hollywood Women’s Film Festival – Developing Categories, Part I – Film, Web Series, Actors – Screening and Evaluation – - Movies – TV – Web – Mobile
ThinkTank II: Board Room, BIG
Big Hollywood Insider: From Multiplex and Primetime to Multiscreen – Extending Blockbuster Content to Every Screen – Tablets – SmartPhones – TV – PC

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Track I: Salon I, H2.0, ViDeo, TV-2013
Video Anytime Anywhere: Video Across Platforms – Television, Broadband and Mobile – Understanding the Value Proposition
Tamara Franklin, Senior Vice President, Affiliate Operations & New Media Distribution, Scripps Networks Interactive
Pam Schechter, Vice President Business Affairs Digital and Cable Entertainment, NBCUniversal
Eric Fitzgerald Reed, Vice President – Entertainment & Tech Policy, Verizon Communications
Steve Raymond, CEO, Big Frame
Chris Roach, Head of Global Development, AEG Digital Media
Jeffrey L. Thompson, Vice President, Digital Strategy & Business Development, ShoutFactory
Shahid Khan, Chairman and Chief Strategist, MediaMorph, Inc., Moderator

Track II: Salon II, BIG
Big Hollywood: Veronica Mars and Gamechanging the Future of Film – Crowdfunding the Finance Process

Track III: Poolside Tent II AdvUp
The Future of Enhanced Advertising: Addressing Brands, Message, Technology, Media and Entertainment
David Kang, Chief Digital Officer, Wenner Media
Don Norton, Director of Entertainment and Sports Partnerships, Google
Tom Flanagan, EVP, Entertainment, Leo Burnett
Mike Wiese, Director of Branded Entertainment, JWT
Xavier Kochhar, Managing Partner, Media Link, LLC
Donovan Moore, Xbox, Gaming Solution Specialist, Microsoft Corporation
David Swartz, Co-founder and President, MEDL Mobile
Bettina Sherick, SVP, Digital Strategic Marketing, 20th Century Fox International, Moderator

Track IV: Poolside Tent I, AdvUp, SmPh-TbLT
SmartPhones & Tablets: Entertainer, Communicator, Commerce Engine – Social Experiential Networks and Devices
Jay Jaffin, Vice President, Marketing & Sales Operations, Verizon Wireless
Eric Mauskopf, Business Development Manager, YouTube Mobile and TV Partnerships
Tyler Slocum, Director, Mobile Product, National Football League
Geoff Cook, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, MeetMe, Inc.
Ian Greenblatt, Director, Content Strategy & Business Development, MOTOROLA MOBILITY
Lucy Hood, Executive Director, Institute for Communications, Technology Management, USC Marshall School of Business, Moderator
Additional speakers to be announced

Track V: The Ballroom Terrace - (WOMEN)
Women in Advertising – Women in Advertising – Innovation in Digital Technologies: From Agencies to Social Media Start-up: The Business of Monetization
Karin Tracy, Publisher, Entertainment Weekly
Lisa Marino, Chief Executive Officer , RockYou
Patricia Korth-McDonnell, Partner & Managing Director, Huge Los Angeles
Andrea Redniss, Chief Activation Officer, Media Storm
Debbie Luft, US Sales Strategy Lead, Skype, Microsoft
Sharalyn Hartwell, Executive Director, Magid Generational Strategies™, Moderator

Track VI: Workshop, The Admiralty Room
Social, Tablet & SmartPhone Gaming – The Explosive Obsession!
Marco DeMiroz, CEO, PlayFirst
Andy Kleinman, Chief Business Officer, Scopely
Josh Yguado, President, SGN
James Hursthouse, CEO, Roadhouse
Alan Seiffert, former EVP, Syfy NBCUniversal, New Ventures
Sam Glassenberg, CEO, Funtactix
David Traub, President, unityfor, Moderator

Special New Addition
2:15 PM – 3:30 PM – Salon III
The Hispanic Entertainment and Technology Track
Hispanics and Technology: All Platforms – All Screens
SmartPhones, Tablets, TVs and PCs: All the research says that Hispanics over-index with tech usage, but which Hispanics and which types of tech?

The ThinkTanks
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
ThinkTank I: The Board Room, BIG
Big Hollywood Insider: The VFX Challenge – From Features to Advertising – Imagination to Implementation

3:50 PM – 5:00 PM
Track I: Salon I, TV-2013, BIG
The Expansion of UltraViolet – Advancing Digital Home Entertainment
Justin Herz, Senior Vice President, Direct-to-Consumer, Warner Bros., Digital Distribution and General Manager, Warner Bros. Advanced Digital Services
Richard Berger, Senior Vice President of Global Digital Strategy and Operations, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Mark Turner, Content Relations Dolby Laboratories
Brad Hunt, President, Digital Media Directions, LLC
Todd Baker, Director, Technical Content Services, DTS
Tim Dodd, Vice President and General, Manager, Neustar, Moderator

Track II: Salon II, BIG, TV-2013
Original Video Programming – The Cross Platform Video Explosion
David Beebe, Vice President and General Manager, Digital Studios, Fishbowl Worldwide Media
Michael Davis, Chief of Video Strategy, PMC Studios and ENTV
Damon Berger, CEO, What’s Trending?
Sean Atkins, Senior Vice President of Digital Media, Discovery Communications
Larry Laboe, co-founder, SXM
Ted Dhanik, CEO, engage:BDR
Bruce Eisen, founder and president, Digital Advisors, Moderator

Track III: Salon III, HGmz, AdvUp, H2.0
Leveraging Content and Celebrity For Cross-Platform Success: Brands and Entertainers Collaborate
Carol Goll, SVP, Head of Global Branded Entertainment, ICM Partners
Walter Delph, CEO, AdLy
Chris Robichaud, CEO, PMK*BNC
Kevin Chernett, Executive Vice President of Strategic Alliances, Live Nation Network
Kevin Townsend, CEO and founder, Science & Fiction
Ken Hertz, principal, memBrain, Moderator

Track IV: Poolside Tent I, H2.0, TV-2013
The Hollywood Producer – The Real Deal: Reinventing the Strategy, the Platforms and the Revenue Streams
Scott Ehrlich, CEO Agility Studios
Peter Isacksen, Executive Producer, Content & Company
Craig Parks, Senior Vice President, Digital & Live Programming, Participant Media
Allison Kingsley, Comedy Central Digital Studio
Susan Jackson, CEO, Freestyle Releasing and Freestyle Digital Media
David Tochterman, Head of Digital Media, Innovative Artists, Moderator

Track V: The Ballroom Terrace - (WOMEN)
Huff Post Live (A case study) Women in Leadership: Finding Their Place in the Digital Broadcasting Space
Allison Girvin, Exec. Producer, HuffPost Live (Los Angeles Studio)
Nancy Redd, Host; Huff Post Live (LA)
Vanessa Smith, Producer, Huff Post Live (LA)
Sandy Abrams, Featured Blogger Huff Post Small Biz, Moderator

Special New Addition
3:50 PM – 5:00 PM, Salon III
The Hispanic Entertainment and Technology Track
Hispanic Media and Advertising: Strategies in an Expanding Marketplace – TV, Mobile – PC Strategies in reaching Hispanics the way they want to be reached

The ThinkTanks
4:00 PM – 4:45 PM
ThinkTank I: The Director’s Room
Video on the Smartphone and Tablet – Programming, Content Relationships, Dealmaking and Commerce
Session Leaders:
Eric Mauskopf, Business Development Manager, YouTube Mobile and TV Partnerships
Frank Chindamo, President & Chief Creative Officer, Fun Little Movies

ThinkTank II: The Board Room- Women’s Track
In Development – The Digital Hollywood Women’s Film Festival – Developing Categories, Part II – Screenings & Evaluation – Nominees – It Starts Here – Movies – TV – Web – Mobile

Tuesday, April 30th
5:00 PM – 6:15 PM, Open to All Attendees
End-of Day Poolside Reception – Ritz Carlton

6:15 PM – 8:30 PM- Open to All Attendees – Marina Vista
The Hispanic Entertainment and Technology Track
Hispanic Talent in the New Entertainment Economy - The New Working Partnerships – Producer – Musician – Actor – Writer – Director and the Entertainment Economy

Digital Hollywood – Day Three
Wednesday, May 1st
9:00 AM – 10:15 AM
Track I: Ballroom Terrace, AdvUp
Video Advertising: Monetizing the Cross-Platform Package – Tablets, TVs, Smartphones, PCs and Games
Jeremy Helfand, VP of Video Monetization, Adobe
Kevin Lenane, CEO, Veenome
Andrea Redniss, Chief Activation Officer, Media Storm
Kevin Gentzel, Chief Revenue Officer, NDN
Jessica Chaset, SVP, Mobile Solutions, Burst Media
Elizabeth Kiehner, Principal, Thornberg and Forrester, Moderator

Track II: Salon II, ViDeo, TV-2013
The NexGen Entertainment Home Experience – From the Smart & Connected TV to the Tablet, PVR, SmartPhone & PC Experience
Danny Kaplan, SVP Group Managing Director, Universal McCann
John Gildred, Founder and CTO, SyncTV
Thomas K. Arnold, Publisher and Editorial Director, Home Media Magazine
Brian Miller, Director of Business Development for Branded Products, Western Digital
Geir R. Skaaden, SVP, Products and Platforms at DTS, Inc.
David McElhatten, SVP Studio & Services, ActiveVideo
Paul Erickson, Senior Analyst, IHS Electronics & Media, Moderator

Track III: Salon III, H2.0, ViDeo, TV-2013
Video Innovation – Content for the New Hollywood – Cross Platform – Web – Phone – Tablet – TV
David Yates, Director of Service Provider Video Marketing, Cisco
Serena Ehrlich, Director of Marketing, Mogreet
Reid Genauer, Chief Marketing Officer, Magisto
Townsend Zeigler, Charge of Business Development, Pandoodle
David Larkin, founder and CEO, GoWatchit
Tyler Malin, CO-FOUNDER and CHEIF MARKETING AND REVENUE OFFICER, GRAVIDI
Martin Heller, Chairman, Tubifi
Lauren Cole, President, Cole Media, Moderator

Track IV: Salon I, TV-2013, SmPh-TbLT
Big Data’s Big Deal in Entertainment and Media: Why it Matters and How it will Shape the Future of Content Creation, Marketing and Digital Distribution
Speakers to be announced
Hosted by:
The Center for Management of Enterprise of Media, Entertainment and Sports [MEMES] at the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA

10:45 AM – Noon
Track II: Salon II, ViDeo, TV-2013
Inventing TV 2.0 – Defining the Set Top, Connected TV, Tablet & Smartphone Downloadable Consumer Experience
Albhy Galuten, VP of Media Technology Strategy, Sony Network Entertainment
Jim Monroe, co-founder and SVP of Programming, Net2TV
Winston Chen, Vice President of the Smart Home Business Unit, Marvell Semiconductor, Marvell
Brian Jaquet, Digital Media Consultant, Sling Media
David Adams, Vice President, Corporate Development, Accedo Broadband
Deepak Das, Senior Director of Marketing, VisualOn, Inc.
Bob Shallow, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Service Providers and Portals, Rovi Corporation
Rick Doherty, co-founder and Director, The Envisioneering Group, Moderator

Track III: Salon III, H2.0, AdvUp,
Media, Entertainment and Brand Ubiquity – Understanding the Marketing and Commerce Equation
Andrew Solmssen, West Coast Managing Director, POSSIBLE, a WPP Agency
Stuart McLean, founder and CEO, Content & Co
Gregg Colvin, SVP, Director of Digital Communications, UM, Universal McCann
Joe McCambley, co-founder, creative director, The Wonderfactory
Meridith Valiando, Co-Founder and Producer, DigiTour Media
David Leibowitz, Managing Partner, CH Potomac, Moderator

Track IV: Poolside Tent I, ViDeo, TV-2013
Over the Top Platforms – TV, iPad – Tablet – SmartPhone – PC – Connecting into the Future
Kim Hurwitz, SVP, Programming, FilmOn Networks, Inc.
Randa E. Minkarah, Senior Vice President Revenue & Business Development, Fisher Communications
Robin Wilson, VP of Business Development, Nagra
Chris Wagner, Executive Vice President and Co-Founder, NeuLion
Hugo Swart, Director of Product Management, Qualcomm
Martin T. Focazio, Sr Strategist, Media & Entertainment Practice, Empathy Lab
James M. Burger, Partner, Thompson Coburn LLP, Moderator

Track V: Poolside Tent II - DiRghts, DHFi
New Media Wheeling and Dealing – Gaining the Strategic Advantage - Drafting, Negotiating and Closing your New Media Deal using business savvy, leverage and smarts
Jeff Zack, Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, Vuguru LLC
Fredric I. Bernstein, Partner, Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP
Michelle Parker, Senior Counsel, Microsoft
Tanya Haider, Head of Brand Licensing and Merchandising, ZeptoLab UK LTD (Cut the Rope)
Dan Rozansky, Partner, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
Joleen Winther Hughes, Founder and Principal, HUGHES MEDIA LAW GROUP, Moderator

Track VI: The Ballroom Terrace – (WOMEN)
Branding for Women Entrepreneurs – Breaking Through the Glass Ceiling
Heather Meeker, Partner, MeekerQuinn
Bant Breen, Founder and CEO, Qnary
Sandy Thompson, Global Planning Director, Y&R
Erin Kapczynski, Head of Marketing, US, Bestofmedia Group, Moderator
Additional speakers to be announced

Track VII: The Admiralty Room, The Hispanic Track
Hispanics Advertising Agencies – Do We Need Them Anymore? As the general market becomes increasingly multicultural, should brands use ethnic-focused ad agencies or should they expect this expertise from their general market agencies?

The ThinkTanks
12 Noon – 12:45 PM
ThinkTank A: The Director’s Room, Big Hollywood
CE Devices: The Brains Behind the SmartDevice-SmartTV-SmartAudio Experience
Brian Henrichs, Chief Business Development Officer, Actiontec

ThinkTank B: The Board Room – CROWD
Crowdfunding for FilmMakers – From Webisodes to Features

12:30 PM – 1:45 PM
Track II: Salon II, AdvUp
Branded Media Marketing – Across Platforms – TV, Film, Broadband, Tablets and SmartPhones – Reinventing the Commerce & Media Model
Liz Coughlin, Head of West Coast operations, MATTER, Inc.
Robert (Leo) Rodgers, MBA, Sr. VP & Label Liaison, Bungalo Records/UMGD
Scott Carlis, Vice President, Digital and Social, AEG Worldwide
Christina Martin, CEO, Backstage Artist Lounge
Mikhail LaPushner, CEO, OneBeat
Adam Graves, EVP, Threshold Interactive
Jeffrey Binder, General Partner, Genovation Capital, Moderator

Track III: Salon III, H2.0, TV-2013, SmPh-TbLT
The Social TV Ecosystem: Smart TVs, Guides, OTT Content, Tablets-Smartphones and Apps
Jeremy Toeman, CEO, Dijit Media
Rebecca Baldwin, VP/GM, Zap2it
Nash Parker, Director, Emerging Technology Commercialization for Alcatel-Lucent
Tracy Evans, co-founder and CCO Theatrics
Marc Scarpa, Producer / Director x factor digital, Grammy live, incubus hq
Benjamin Chen, Chairman, Viggle Inc.
Mark Ghuneim, CEO, Trendrr, Moderator

Track IV: Poolside Tent I, DiRghts, H2.0, TV-2013
Digital Deals – Networks, Studios and Producers – Monetizing Content Across Platforms
Russell Schwartz, Senior Vice President, Business & Legal Affairs, Starz
Grant Michaelson, Vice President, Business Affairs and New Media, ABC Entertainment
Elizabeth Stephen, founder, Gables Media
Cleveland O’Neal, Executive Producer, Connection III Entertainment Corp.
Lisa Black, SVP, Business Development and Enterprises, Fishbowl Worldwide Media and Vin Di Bona Productions
Kenneth Campo, SVP, DVD & Digital, Questar Entertainment
Mike Sid, CEO, MediaMorph, Moderator

Track V: The Palace Room TV-2013,
Cloud Media & the Connected TV-Mobile-PC Universe: The New Face of the Digital Consumer
Gregory T. Willis, Executive Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Neulion
Mike Folgner, founder and CEO, SnappyTV
Pete Mastin, Vice President of Performance IP and Content Delivery Services, Internap
Russell Foy, VP Sales, Americas, Xstream A/S
Steve Poehlein, Director, Media & Entertainment Solutions, Hewlett-Packard
David Woodman, Managing Director of the Americas, Motive Television
Steve Ehrlich, President & CEO, SEE Media, Moderator

Track VI: Poolside Tent II, TV-2013,
Music Branding and Commerce: from Apps to Live Events
Brad Gelfond, Principal, Strike up the Brand
Jack Isquith, SVP of Strategic Development, Slacker
Jim Cannella, Director, Marketing & Strategic Alliances, The Recording Academy (The GRAMMYs)
Brent Wilkins, Vice President Global Business Development, Skullcandy
Les Borsai, founder, Gridmob
KamranV, Founder, POP-AUT
Kelli Richards, President, The All Access Group, Moderator

Track VII: The Ballroom Terrace - (WOMEN)
The iJustine Phenomenon: Women Stars on YouTube
Sarah Penna, Co-Founder – Head of Talent, Big Frame
Taryn Southern, Comedian and Host
Jeannie Mai, host, The Style Network, Red Carpet Host, Golden Globes for NBC
Lisa Kraynak, Founding partner, Propelle partners, former SVP, Demand Media
Dana Ward, Host and Executive Producer, ClevverTV/Alloy Digital
Marcia Zellers, Director Digital Marketing, FIDM; Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Tootzypop, Moderator

Track VIII: The Admiralty Room, The Hispanic Track
A Day in the Life of the Latina Mom: Get to know the person holding the key to unlocking the Hispanic purse strings with a live focus group where you get to ask the questions

The ThinkTanks
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM
ThinkTank A: The Director’s Room Big Hollywood
Hollywood’s Private Internet: Big Movies – Big TV – Big Advertising – Managing Content Everywhere – The Power of Digital Asset Management (Technology, Distribution, Security, Post Production, Marketing)

The ThinkTanks
2:00 PM – 2:45 PM
ThinkTank A: The Director’s Room
Copyright, Content & Congress
Maura Kawai, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Dept of Commerce
Rob Aft, Co-Founder, Compliance Consulting, and board member, Independent Film & Television Alliance
P.J. Kuyper, President and CEO, Motion Picture Licensing Corporation
Christopher Kenneally, Director of Author Relations, Copyright Clearance Center, Moderator

ThinkTank B: The Board Room – BIG Hollywood
Music Apps for SmartPhones, Tablets & Social Media – Reaching Millions – Monetization
Dannie Lau, General Manager, Phorus

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
Track II: Salon II, AdvUp, ViDeo, TV-2013
Internet Video, Advertising & Marketing: The Next Generation of Consumer Reach
Danny Shea, Vice President, Business Development and Digital Media, E!
Dr. Raymond Pettit, Global Chief Research Officer, iTVX
Bob Holmes, CEO, Sudden Industries
Logan Mulvey, C.E.O. & co-founder, GoDigital
Tal Chalozin, CTO and Co-Founder, Innovid
Scott Chan, Founder and Creative Director, Whirled
Arlene Zeichner, Principal, Selavy Associates, Moderator

Track III: Salon III, DHFi, CROWD
Venture Funding, Investment & Mergers – Leadership in the Entertainment & Technology Space: Broadband, Social, Mobile
Monica Dodi, Managing Director and Co Founder, The Women’s Venture Capital Fund
Steven Masur, Senior Partner, Cowan DeBaets Abrahams & Sheppard LLP
Mike McGlade, Chief Revenue Officer, FastPay
Jennifer Post, Principal, Post Law Group, PC
Dave Samuel, co-founder, Freestyle Capital
David Albert Pierce, Founder and Managing Member, Pierce Law Group LLP
Joey Tamer, President, S.O.S. Inc., Moderator

Track IV: Poolside Tent II, SmPh-TbLT
The Social Experience: Personalized Communication, Personalized TV, Personalized Apps, Personalized Commerce
Danny Kastner, CEO, Social Edison
Neil Goldberg, CEO, Handmade Mobile
Sarah Reilly, VP of Sales, Blueye Creative
Cody Simms, VP of Product, StumbleUpon
Max Gottlieb – Founder, Lovvvit
Deloitte, speaker to be announced
Milyoni, speaker to be announced
David Bloom, Principal, Words & Deeds, Moderator

Track V: Poolside Tent I, H2.0, TV-2013
Hybrid TV – Delivering the Ultimate TV Experience: Broadcast, Cable, Premium & OTT Content
Kelly Egan, VP of Business Development, Fanhattan
Nick Colsey, Vice President, Television Division, Sony Corporation
Sachin Sathaye, Senior Marketing Manager for Video Solutions, Service Provider Group, Cisco
Tim Sale, Director, Technical Sales, thePlatform
Sam Vasisht, Chief Marketing Officer, Veveo
Steve McKay, CEO, Entone, Inc.
Mark Donnigan, General Manager, Dune HD, Americas. Partner, The OAC Group, Moderator

Track VI: Special Workshop – The Palace Room
Branded Advertising Strategies – Content and Platform Integration
Brad Davis, Executive Vice President of Sales, Photobucket
Ryan Iwanoff, Director of West Coast Sales, Velti Media
John Montgomery, CEO and Chief Innovation Officer, Threshold Interactive
Moe Motamedi, CTO, Phizzle
Gil Margulis, Co-Founder and CEO, Quikbreak
Matthew Stoudt, Co-Founder and CEO, Outcast Media
Robert Gonsalves, Consultant in Online Operations, Moderator

Track VII: The Ballroom Terrace - (WOMEN)
Bringing More Women into Tech: Breaking Down the Barriers to Entry
Melinda Moore, Senior Vice President, Entertainment Media Ventures
Sandy Motley, COO, Wireless Division, Alcatel-Lucent
Shira Lazar, Host and Executive Producer “What’s Trending with Shira Lazar,”
Chia-Lin Simmons, Vice President, Marketing & Content, Harman International
Maryse Thomas, Chief Executive Officer, Pokeware
Deborah Moroz, JD, CEO, HROIC
Kati Haberstock, Executive Producer, Framestore LA
Elisa Camahort Page, co-founder & COO, BlogHer, Moderator

Track VIII: The Admiralty Room, The Hispanic Track
Hispanics & Social Media: How can a general market brand speak to Hispanics in social media in two languages and not screw everything up?

The ThinkTanks
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
ThinkTank A: The Directors Room
Funding Entertainment and Content Start-ups: Incubators, Accelerators, Venture & Crowdfunding
Nick DeMartino, President, Nick DeMartino Consulting
Speakers to be announced

ThinkTank B: Board Room
Synchronized Metadata – The Key Enabler of Advanced Content Discovery
Alex Vikati, Executive Director, Product Strategy & Innovation, TMS

3:50 PM – 5:00 PM
Track II: Salon II, AdvUp, H2.0, TV-2013
Monetizing Entertainment Programming – Video Across Platforms
Jeff Roach, Chief Strategy Officer, Fuel Youth
Jennifer Cooper, Director, Industry Strategy, Media, Entertainment, Social & Gaming, Adobe Systems
Dean Waters, CEO, VIMBY
Amy Laslett, Partner/Head of Production, Kids at Play Media
Peter Griffith, CEO, Alchemy Networks
Seung Bak, Co-founder/co-CEO, DramaFever
Albert Sandoval, Chief Executive Officer, RadioactiveGiant
Ben Mendelson, co-founder and president, Interactive Television Alliance, Moderator

Track III: Salon III, DiRghts
Content Rights and Technology Solutions in Media and Entertainment: Implementation of Technology Strategies – Protecting the Product
Charlie Muirhead, CEO & founder, Rightster
Andy Nobbs, CMO, Civolution
Graham M Oakes, CEO, Media Science International, Chairman, Digital Watermarking Alliance
Darren Briggs, VP of Technology Innovation, BMI
Kevin Morgan, Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Engineering, Arxan
Rajan Samtani, SVP Sales and Marketing, Peer Media Technologies, Moderator

Track IV: Poolside Tent I, ViDeo, TV-2013
Video Everywhere – Technologies & Platforms – Enabling the Next Generation of Over-the-Top TV
Josette Bonte, Chief Strategy Officer, Head of Research & Industry Relations, Institute for Communications, Technology Management at USC
Brent Duncan, VP of Sales and Marketing, NTT Communications Global IP Network, NTT America
Peter Ward, Verizon, Director Product Portfolio and Strategy, Digital Media Services
Chris Wong, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Ooyala
Dave Mowrey, VP of Product Management, Clearleap
James Fox, CEO, Vivivdas
Jonathan Hurd, Director, Altman Vilandrie & Company, Moderator

Track VII: The Ballroom Terrace – (WOMEN)
The Women Entrepreneur: The Person, The Opportunity and The Challenge
Naomi Grange, CEO & Founder, GIVEvolution™;
Michelle G. Parker, Senior Attorney, IEB, Microsoft Corporation
Kerry Edelstein, founder, Research Narrative
Anna Wilding, Carpe Diem Films LLC
Bonnie Stone, CEO & Executive Producer, Butter Studios
Joleen Winther Hughes, Founder and Principal, HUGHES MEDIA LAW GROUP, Moderator

Track VIII: The Admiralty Room, The Hispanic Track
Reaching Hispanics in Hard to Reach Places: Grassroots promotional strategies to reach Hispanics in their communities and where they live.

5:00 PM – 6:15 PM – Open to All Attendees
End-of Day Poolside Reception

5:00 PM – 6:15 PM – Open to All Attendees
Reception – The Women’s Mentors Program – Mentee

Wednesday, May 1st
6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Dinner Hosted By:
Adobe and Deloitte Digital Present Your 2013 Guide to Digital Success (By Invitation, contact Jen Cooper, jcooper@adobe

Thursday, May 2nd
Drill Down Day at Digital Hollywood
Five Tracks to Choose From
ThinkTank Day – Intensive Sessions

9:30 AM – 10:45 AM
ThinkTank I: Salon I, AdvUp, HGm
Advertising and Micro-Commerce, Games and Game Networks – Mobile, Broadband and Console – Serving Individuals and Communities of Interest
Dmitri Williams, CEO, Ninja Metrics
Don Daglow, CEO and Creative Director, Daglow Entertainment LLC
Blaine Graboyes, CEO, Beyond Gaming
Jeremy Monroe, General Manager, Wargaming America
Matthew Hannus, CEO and Founder, Sleepy Giant
John Acunto, Founder and CEO, 212 Decibels
Annie Phan, Chief Operating Officer, GimmieWorld
Maura Sparks, founder, KissAppGames, Moderator

ThinkTank II: Salon II, ViDeo, TV-2013
Content Delivery – Rich Media – Managing the Three Screen Challenge: PC, TV and Mobile
Mark Jeffery, Sr. Director, Cable Video and Multi-Screen Solutions, Americas Solutions, Alcatel-Lucent
Dan Sweeney, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Solekai Systems
Eli Lubitch, President, Beamr Video
Alan Seiffert, former EVP, Syfy NBCUniversal, New Ventures
Katherine Parker, Technology Consultant, Moderator
Additional speakers to be announced

ThinkTank III: Salon III, AdvUp, SmPh-TbLT
Social Engagement – Tracking The Real-Time Social Graph – Content, Communication, Advertising
Jenn Deering Davis, Founder & Chief Customer Officer, Union Metrics
Santanu Bhattacharya, CEO and Founder, Salorix
Dilip Venkatachari, Co-founder and CEO, Compass Labs
Malcolm De Leo, Chief Evangelist NetBase
Additional speakers to be announced

11:05 AM – 12:20 PM
ThinkTank I: Salon I, AdvUp
Advertising Analytics and Contextual Media: Social Media and Virtual Economies, Mobile, Search, Video Search and HyperTargeting
Michael Benedek, CEO, Datonics
Dan Grigorovici, Founder and CEO, AdMobius
Seth Hittman, co-founder and CEO, RUN
Bryan Gernert, CEO, Resonate
Michael Iantosca, Chief Revenue Officer, Integral Ad Science
George Musi, Head of Cross-Media Analytics, DG Mediamind
Malcolm CasSelle, CEO, MediaPass, Moderator

ThinkTank II – Salon II, AdvUp, H2.0, SmPh-TbLT
Marketing Primetime Hollywood Content – Using Twitter, Facebook, Smartphone and Tablets - Building Audience – Building Buzz – Understanding the Metrics and Measurement of Success
Jonathan Tavss, President and Founder, Scarlet Strategic
Dario Meli, Co-CEO, Invoke Media
Marsha R. Levine, President, A List Entertainment
Gregg Rothberg, Managing Director, HIP Genius
Milyoni, speaker to be announced
Donald A. Jasko, Chief Executive Officer, Digital Economics, Moderator

ThinkTank III: Salon III, AdvUp, TV-2013
Video Innovation! Social Video, Personalized Video, Real-Time Video – Communication and Commerce
Jay Miletsky, CEO and Executive Creative Director, MyPod Studios
Tim Napoleon, Chief Strategist, AllDigital
Bee Ottinger, CEO, SnapCuts
Ken Zamkow, Director of Sales and Marketing, LiveU
Philip Nelson, Senior VP, Artist and Media Relations, NewTek, Inc
Michael Yuen, Founder & CEO, SHOWBUCKS
Paolo Sigismondi, MBA, Ph.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, USC, Moderator

ThinkTank IV: Ballroom Terrace, ViDeo, TV-2013, AdvUp
Content for the New Platforms: Custom Programming and Branded Advertising – Tablet & SmartPhone, Web and TV
John Petrocelli, Co-Founder, Bulldog Digital Media
Alex LeMay, CEO, The Shadow Gang
Krystol Cameron, CEO, SimplyME
Angela Abshier, CEO, Gabuduck
Allison Dollar, CEO, ITV Alliance
Cindy Villarreal, Founder, Cheer Channel, Inc.
Markus Almer, President and co-founder, Almer/Blank
Stephanie Piche’, CEO, Executive Producer, Mingle Media TV, Moderator

Noon – 1:00 PM – Poolside Tent I
Incubator and Accelerator – Spotlight
Session Host:
Howard Marks, Co-chair, Start Engine
Presentations to be announced

12:50 PM – 2:00 PM
ThinkTank I: Salon I, AdvUp, SmPh-TbLT
Twitter, Facebook & Social Media – Transforming Marketing, Transforming the World
Ash Kumra, Co-Founder, DreamItAlive
Colleen Quinn, Senior Director of Interactive Advertising and Media & Entertainment, Teradata Corporation
Jordan Glazier, CEO, Eventful
Mikaela Pollock, Social Media Strategist, Threshold Interactive
Adam Hanft, CEO, Hanft
Mike Lewis, Author of the Blog, “Social Episodes”;
Johnny Miller, Founder, Manumatix
Dr. Natalie Petouhoff, Chief Strategist, Digital Communications, Social Media, Measurement and ROI practice, Weber Shandwick, Moderator

ThinkTank II: Salon II, AdvUp, H2.0
Advertising Innovation! Branded Advertising, Personalization and Hypertargeting, From Video Ads to Social Networks
Sharon Peyer, Co-founder and VP of Business Development, HitBliss
Behnam Karbassi, Founder / President / CEO, No Mimes Media
Ben Duhl, Vice President, The IdeaLists
Sarah VanHeirseele, Vice President of Digital, Blue Chip Marketing Worldwide
Matt Hunckler, VP of Product and Marketing, Social Reactor
Will Campbell, CEO and Founder, Quantasy
Marc Karzen, CEO and Executive Producer, Relish, Moderator

ThinkTank III: Ballroom Terrace, AdvUp
Social Media, Brands and Target Markets: Capturing and Transforming the User Experience – Content, Conversation and Commerce
Jordan Kretchmer, CEO, Livefyre
Angeline Vuong, Strategy Lead, Huge Los Angeles
Ross Sheingold, Director of Strategy, Laundry Service
Al Lalani, CEO and Founder, Social Annex
Damian Hagger, co-founder and Marketing Director, SixString
Jeff Mesnik, Managing Partner, ContentMX
Reggie Wideman, Digital & Social Media Strategist, Janrain, Moderator

ThinkTank IV: Salon III, AdvUp, SmPh-TbLT
The Always Connected Consumer – Apps, Devices, Networks – The Social & Entertainment Lifestyle
Daniel Dotterer, founder and CEO, Boastcards
Tobias Dengel, CEO, WillowTree Apps
Rohit Bhatia, Chief Executive Officer, Dhingana
Devin Poolman, Vice President of Product Management, AppGlu
Sean Malatesta, CEO, Marengo Knoll, Inc.
Nikao Yang, Senior Vice President, New Business Development and Marketing, AdColony
Greg Kostello, CEO, Givit
Gary Yentin, Consultant, Global Media and Entertainment, Moderator

2:15 PM – 3:30 PM
ThinkTank I: Salon I, H2.0, AdvUp, SmPh-TbLT
The Facebook Factor – A Discussion of Facebook and other Social Media Platforms as a Product and Communications Platform - Building Buzz, Building Community, Building Brand
Chris Davis, VP, Brand Sales, TrialPay
Rebecca Weeks Watson, Vice President, Business Development, RadiumOne
Tyler Tanaka, Vice President of Business Development, Cie Studios
Mary Jesse, CEO, Ivy Corp.
John Ellis, Chief Executive Officer, Tapiture
Nick Ochoa, CEO & Chief Evangelist, MingleMedia
Jay Moore, VP of Marketing, Looxcie, Moderator

ThinkTank II: Salon II, AdvUp, SmPh-TbLT
Advertising Innovation! Ad Targeting and Hypertargeting, Video Ads – Social Networks – Private Networks
Joseph Zoccali, COO, Pokeware
Ben Fox, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Strategy & Innovation, Adconion Direct
Tom Alexander, Founder & CEO, PK4 Media
Mark Douglas, President and CEO, SteelHouse
Cameron Yuill, Founder and CEO, Adgent Digital
Fuad Hawit, Co-Founder, Mixberry Media
Chas Salmore, Founder and CEO, Crowdprophet, Moderator

ThinkTank III: Salon III AdvUp
Social Media, Brands and Target Markets, Part II: Capturing and Transforming the User Experience – Content, Conversation and Commerce
Allie Siarto, co-founder and Director of Social Analytics, Loudpixel
Dinesh Moorjani, co-founder, Kleverbeast
David Reis, Founder and CEO, DEI Worldwide
John Pettitt, Founder and CEO, Repost
Darrell Miller, Chair, Entertainment Practice, Fox Rothschild
Linda Sherman, Co-Founder, The Courage Group, Moderator

ThinkTank IV: Ballroom Terrace
Intersection of Social and TV: From Social Viewing to Live Data Visualizations
Dennis Yu, CEO, BlitzMetrics
Chris Denson, Head of Creative Solutions, Machinima
Todd Steinman, CEO, m80
Darwyn Metzger, CEO, Darwyn’s Theory – Phantom Social Media
Anna Marie Piersimoni, Independent Digital Media Consultant, Moderator

Spot filmado en México para promocionar la serie El Señor de los Cielos que narra la historia del mayor narco de ese país.

Spot filmado en México para promocionar la serie El Señor de los Cielos, la historia del mayor narco de ese país.

Venezuelan opposition leader Henrique Capriles has called off a planned election protest scheduled for today, fearing it could trigger violent clashes. Seven government supporters were killed after Sunday’s protests. Officials with soccer’s world governing body said security will be stepped up for the 2014 FIFA world cup in Brazil because of the Boston bombings. Service agents, police officers, and the military will all be part of security. Lawyers for 18 Mexican nationals convicted of money laundering and organized crime in Nicaragua filed appeals. The Mexican citizens were arrested after trying to cross the border carrying more than 9 million dollars. And many Brazilians are eager to look like the Pope when he visits the country in July. A Brazilian mask maker recently began to produce latex masks based on a likeness of Pope Francis.

The doctor who is currently administering my TMS treatments called me early last week.  He asked if I would be willing to be interviewed by Telemundo (a Spanish language channel) who was doing a story on depression and TMS.  I jumped at the chance before I really had a chance to think about it.

As the week progressed, I began to think about it more.  I realized that my struggle was about to become very public.  I grew a little nervous because I knew I’d be sharing some very gory details of my life that not many people knew about.  I also worried about people treating me differently and the stigma they might attach to me.  On the flip side, few people I know watch Telemundo so it is fairly unlikely they’ll see the interview.

While nervous, I become more and more excited that I could share publically and maybe help people in the Hispanic community.  The stigma in that community is horrible and very few people get help or are even able to afford it.  You’re considered weak if you have mental illness.

The interview itself went very well on Thursday.  The reporter interviewed me for a good fifteen minutes and I was extremely candid.  She asked excellent intelligent questions and I think my responses were decent.  It was a blast and I felt like I was helping fight the stigma even if just a little bit.  Unfortunately I have no idea what channel, show, or time it will be aired.  Even if I did, I have no desire to watch my fat self in all its high definition glory.  Yuck.

I debated for a while if I should tell me friends about the interview.  I knew if I did that I would have to divulge my depression struggle.  But I eventually worked up the courage to post about the interview on Facebook.  I didn’t post much detail but said the interview was about my struggle with depression.  It was very freeing to admit to it.  People were incredibly supportive.  I guess this was a sort of “coming out of the closet” with my illness.

I don’t know what my future holds.  I really want to continue helping others who struggle as I do.  I see this opportunity as the first tangible baby step towards that goal.  Maybe it will open more doors for me to do so?  Maybe next time I can get interviewed by an English speaking station?  We’ll see…

The event, which featured appearances by Larry Hernández and the Horóscopos de Durango, included an early morning pachanga that included tacos, champagne and coffee inexplicably served in a burro-themed cup.

The real party is tonight, so I will let you know if they ended up bringing out the strongest beverages and if they were still served on burro-themed cups.

¡Ajúa!

Clashes broke out in Venezuela with hundreds protesting the election of Nicolas Maduro. Demonstrators took to the streets as the government rejected opposition demands for a vote recount. A four-year old Mexican girl was found and reunited with her family after she was kidnapped from her home and brought to El Salvador. Her kidnapper- a man allegedly part of a human trafficking ring- is in police custody. Condolences are pouring in from all over the world for the victims of yesterday’s attacks in Boston. The bombing attacks at the Boston marathon made the front-pages of newspapers all across Latin America. And music streaming service Spotify has launched in Mexico, marking its first push into the huge Latin American market. The service currently has more than 24 million active users.

Video institucional de Telemundo.

Promo filmada en Miami para la telenovela Pasión Prohibida de Telemundo.

Promo filmada en Miami para la telenovela Pasión Prohibida de Telemundo.

In Venezuela, Hugo Chavez’s hand-picked successor Nicolas Maduro won a razor-thin victory in Sunday’s presidential election. Opposition candidate Henrique Capriles said that he would only accept the results after a full recount. At least 33 people were killed in a deadly bus crash in Peru. The packed passenger bus went off a cliff. Police suspect the crash may have been caused by the bus’ condition and driver error. Chile’s former president Michelle Bachelet is ready for another go at the helm. At a massive rally in Santiago, Bachelet accepted the Socialist party’s nomination and launched her campaign. And people in Peru drummed their way to a world record. More than 1500 people turned out in Lima to break the Guinness world record for largest number of “cajon” percussion players.

In Chile,  thousands of students and their supporters peacefully marched in the streets of the capital for a free and quality education. The march was led by high school and college student groups, who have been marching since 2011. Meanwhile, Cuban state television aired video of Fidel Castro attending the opening of an elementary school earlier this week. Public appearances by the former Cuban leader have been rare since handing power over to his brother Raul in 2008. In political news, Venezuela’s two presidential candidates wrapped up their campaigns last night with huge rallies. Recent polls suggest that acting president Nicolas Maduro will win Sunday’s election. And the National Historical Museum in Rio de Janeiro is featuring a special religious exhibit ahead of Pope Francis’ visit in July. The museum is displaying more than 390 pieces including painting and sculptures.

Prompt: In a short story of no more than 650 words, tell of a character who approaches a story with minimal importance nationally with as much weight as one that did.

Thirteen Peruvian nationals are missing and feared dead after a French oil company helicopter crashed in Peru on its way to the company’s oil fields. Authorities don’t yet know what caused the helicopter to come down. In Chile, authorities began exhuming the body of famed poet Pablo Neruda today. It’s an effort to clear up four decades of suspicion about how the Nobel Laureate died in the days after Chile’s military coup. Thousands of people ran through Bogotá to protest against the manufacture and use of landmines in Colombia. People of all ages joined the run, including some who lost limbs in landmine explosions. And two U.S. lawmakers have asked the Treasury Department for the type of license Beyoncé and Jay-Z had to travel to Cuba. The U.S. trade embargo prevents most Americans from traveling to the island without a special license.

La télévision des portoricains
(Das Fernsehen der Puertoricaner)
ARTE France & Point du jour
Toutes les télés du monde / Zapping International
Réalisation / Regie Guillaume Gobin
Season 1, Episode 109 : émission du 13 décembre 2008

Si vous zappez sur la télé à Puerto Rico vous avez toutes les chances de tomber sur deux femmes qui parlent de politique.

Puerto Rico est une île de quatre millions d’habitants (4,000, 000) un peu plus grand que la Corse située au sud de Saint-Domingue. C’est une ancienne colonie espagnole vendue aux États-Unis à la fin du XIXème siècle. Depuis le Puerto Rico a le statut dÉtat Libre Associé (ELA) des États-Unis. C’est à dire que les portoricains ont leur propre loi mais sous contrôle américain. Avec ce statut politique l’île n’est pas vraiment un pays. Et c’est peut être pour ça que les portoricains se passionnent autant pour la politique, car à la télévision il y a de la politique tout le temps et toute l’année. Alors, quand en plus ce sont les élections, elle devient omniprésente.
Le président de Puerto Rico c’est le président des États-Unis et le jour des élections américaines les portoricaines élisent un gouverneur. Ici tout le monde se définie par rapport aux États-Unis, et pendant la campagne, chacun vient à la télé vendre ses arguments. Il y a donc le candidat du partie qui veut que Puerto Rico devienne le 51ème état américain ; le candidat du partie qui prend le statut quo ; et le candidat du partie indépendantiste qui ne dépasse jamais le 5 % .Il y a aussi un nouveau candidat issu de la société civile et auto proclamé le Barack Obama portoricain (Rogelio FIGUEROA).

La politique à Puerto Rico c’est donc le sport national. Comme la question du statut du pays n’a pas été résolu vous comprendrez que les élections sont comme de plébiscites en faveur du candidat; ils ressemblent à la finale d’un tournoi de football.

Flavia García, productrice: “Le portoricain aime la politique“.

La télévision portoricaine c’est principalement quatre chaines: UNIVISION et TELEMUNDO -qui diffusent leurs programmes aussi aux Etats-Unis pour tous les immigrés latinos. Sur ces deux chaines, les portoricains doivent donc suivre en permanence les univers culturels d’autres pays latins, principalement le Mexique. La chaine WAPA revendique son caractère local avec des programmes produits à Porto Rico. Et enfin la dernière chaine, publique et éducative, TuTV.
Les portoricains adorent les journaux télévisés, il y en a trois et ils diffusent en moyen plus de quatre heures de news par jour (Univisión Puerto Rico / Las Noticias Univisión, Mega Noticias, CNN)

A Porto Rico et partout comme en Amérique latine, la novela (histoires passionnelles avec de titres évocateurs aussi connues sous le nom de telenovela) est une véritable institution.

Flavia García : “Avant ces séries étaient doublés en portoricain, et donc on retrouvé notre accent, notre façon de parler; aujourd’hui ce n’est plus le cas et on se retrouve en concurrence avec une langue qui est la même que la notre. Nous mexicaniser ou nous américaniser? Lequel est plus terrible ? Je ne le sais pas“.

The New American: In interviews with two Spanish-language television networks on March 27, President Obama expressed optimism that immigration reform legislation being drafted by the bipartisan “Gang of Eight” group of senators will be passed this summer.

Fox News cited the president’s statement that he is still prepared to step in with his own bill if talks among the senators break down, but he doesn’t expect that intervention to be necessary.

"If we have a bill introduced at the beginning of next month as these senators indicate it will be, then I’m confident that we can get it done certainly before the end of the summer," Obama told Hialeah, Florida-based Telemundo (the second-largest Spanish-language network in the United States).

Observers attribute Obama’s hand-off to Congress to draft an immigration reform package as being part of the White House political strategy. Fox notes that Obama “and his advisers have calculated that a bill crafted by Capitol Hill stands a better chance of winning Republican support than one overtly influenced by the president.”

ABC News quoted from Obama’s interview with Doral, Florida-based Univision (which has the largest audience of Spanish-language television viewers in the world according to Nielsen): "I’m actually optimistic that when they get back they will introduce a bill," said Obama. "My sense is that they have come close and my expectation is that we’ll actually see a bill on the floor of the Senate next month."

Obama was unwilling to commit to taking action of his own if members of Congress fail to introduce an immigration bill in April, replying, "I’m not going to presuppose that they don’t [reach an agreement].”

During the interview, Obama touched on what he and some Republicans call a “path to citizenship,” which effectively grants amnesty to some illegal immigrants. He stated that many of the 11 million “undocumented” immigrants living in the United States "have invested their lives here, many of them with American-born children." It’s essential, he added, that "they have an opportunity to earn their way — a difficult path but a certain path — toward citizenship."

During a swearing-in ceremony for 28 new citizens (including 13 members of the military) in the East Room of the White House on March 25, the president noted:

Immigration makes us stronger — it keeps us vibrant, it keeps us hungry, it keeps us prosperous.

We need to do a better job welcoming them.

We’ve known for years that our immigration system is broken…. After avoiding the problem for years, the time has come to fix it once and for all.

“Everyone pretty much knows what’s broken. Everyone knows how to fix it. We’ve just got, at this point, to work up the political courage to do what’s required to be done.

Obama did not make a distinction between legal and illegal immigrants during the ceremony, or state whether he believed that granting a “path to citizenship” to the latter also “makes us stronger.”

In an interview with the Dallas Morning News on March 24, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) responded to a question asking his views on immigration and the path to citizenship. Cruz replied, in part:

The reason I’m pessimistic [about the prospects of an immigration bill passing Congress is that President Obama’s] behavior concerning immigration leads me to believe that what he wants is a political issue rather than actually to pass a bill. What he wants is for the bill to crater, so that he can use the issue as a political wedge in 2014 and 2016. That is why I believe the president is insisting on a path to citizenship for those who are here illegally. Because by insisting on that, he ensures that any immigration reform bill will be voted down in the House.

When asked by News reporter Todd Gillman, “Would you vote against anything that has path to citizenship?” Cruz replied:

I have deep, deep concerns about a path to citizenship for those who are here illegally. I think creating a path to citizenship is No. 1 inconsistent with the rule of law. But No. 2 it is profoundly unfair to the millions of legal immigrants who have waited years and sometimes decades in line to come here legally. And as a practical matter, if you want to see common sense immigration reform pass, insisting on a path to citizenship is the surest way to kill the bill. Today I think the greatest obstacle to passing common sense immigration reform is President Barack Obama.

In response to the charges by Cruz, White House spokesman Josh Earnest asserted on Monday, “There’s no evidence to support those claims.”

A Washington Post report noted that Organizing for America, described as an offshoot of Obama’s former campaign apparatus, has joined with the AFL-CIO, in announcing immigration events to be held across the country.

The AFL-CIO has been in engaged in open debate with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in a classic “labor-management” rivalry to determine which aspects of immigration reform legislation they both can support.

An AP report in the Huffington Post noted that, following a stalemate, talks between the two groups have resumed and negotiators are "back on the right track," according to Ana Avendano, identified as a lead AFL-CIO negotiator.

Avendano said that the Chamber of Commerce had backed off on its demands for what she described as "poverty-level wages" for the immigrant engaged in a temporary-worker program.

"We’re very hopeful that we’re moving [along]," Avendano told reporters.

The Post, in a March 25 report, also quoted President Obama’s statements during the White House swearing-in ceremony, "We are making progress, but we’ve got to finish the job.” "We’ve all proposed solutions," he added. "We’ve got a lot of white papers and studies. We’ve just got, at this point, to work up the political courage to do what’s required to be done."

A study of the Immigration portal of the White House website provides a good summary of what President Obama is aiming at when he says we must “finish the job.”

The summary states that “President Obama has doubled the number of Border Patrol agents and today border security is stronger than it has ever been.”

One part of the administration’s agenda to enhance border security is sure to rub constitutional conservatives and libertarians sensitive to violations of the Bill of Rights: "For the first time, DHS unmanned aerial capabilities now cover the entire Southwest border, from California to Texas, providing critical aerial surveillance assistance to personnel on the ground.” The popular name for “unmanned aerial capabilities” is drones.

One statement that neither conservatives, liberals, nor libertarians should take issue with is “Our immigration system should reward anyone who is willing to work hard and play by the rules. For the sake of our economy and our security, legal immigration should be simple and efficient.”

Though the above rhetoric sounds good, the reality is something else. When those who do not “play by the rules” (which is another way of saying “obey the law,” since the problem of illegal immigration is hardly a game) can enjoy a “path to citizenship,” receive amnesty for their crime, and also receive the rewards that come with citizenship, the incentive to “play by the rules” is largely removed.

Under a heading labeled “Earned Citizenship,” a quote from President Obama advocates a program of amnesty for those who have violated our immigration laws:

We have to deal with the 11 million individuals who are here illegally. We all agree that these men and women should have to earn their way to citizenship. But for comprehensive immigration reform to work, it must be clear from the outset that there is a pathway to citizenship. We’ve got to lay out a path — a process that includes passing a background check, paying taxes, paying a penalty, learning English, and then going to the back of the line, behind all the folks who are trying to come here legally. That’s only fair.

One wonders if those who have been waiting patiently for years in Manila, Mexico City, or Dublin for their turn to emigrate would agree if Obama’s “path to citizenship” is fair.

Related:

Americans ‘will rise up’ against amnesty

Leno: AP Replaces ‘Illegal Immigrant’ With ‘Undocumented Democrat’

So What Do We Call ‘Illegal Aliens’?

Under new CA bill, birthplace not required on voter forms

NO Illegal Amnesty Without Border Security: Reject Any Rehash of Reagan’s Immigration Error

The one question about immigration reform no one asks

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