Speakers
Brad Abramson is Vice President of Documentaries and A&E IndieFilms and a two-time Emmy® Award-winning Executive Producer.
Abramson creates, develops, and oversees series, specials, and documentaries at A&E. He is the executive in charge of the BIOGRAPHY brand relaunch, and was nominated for an Emmy® Award for the documentary LA Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later. His projects...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Brad Abramson, A&E
Jon Adler is Vice President for CNN Original Series at CNN, based in New York City. In this position, he is responsible for cultivating relationships within the creative community and developing original programming across a variety of CNN platforms. He is responsible for the development (and management/coordination thereof) of show concepts for CNN...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Jon Adler, CNN
California native Donald Albright is an entrepreneur, producer and co-founder of Atlanta-based content creation company, Tenderfoot TV.
In 2016, Albright joined friend and music video director Payne Lindsey, to launch Tenderfoot TV, a content creation company that works with fellow creators to bring stories to life through an array of entertainment...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Genre Experts
Harriet Allen is currently the Commercial Executive in the Non-Scripted Content team at All3Media International, leading on the commercial functions for their non-scripted slate.
Harriet joined A3MI in February 2021 from BBC Studios Distribution where she was part of Content Partnerships, working across all sub-genres in their unscripted slate and more...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: All3Media International, Group Nine Studios, MGM Television
Lauren Anderson is the Co-Head of Content and Programming for IMDb TV, Amazon’s free, ad-supported streaming service. In this role, Anderson oversees all programming for IMDb TV, including the development, production, licensing, research and strategy. Specifically she is responsible for leading the creative direction of and curating content for the...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Lauren Anderson & Ryan Pirozzi, IMDb TV
Harriet Armston-Clarke is Director of TVF International, the world's leading fully independent distributor of unscripted and documentary programming. In this role she oversees a core team of thirteen highly specialised sales and acquisitions executives who work with broadcasters, platforms and producers in every country around the globe. During her decade...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Meet the Distributors
Hayley Babcock is a highly respected, entrepreneurial television executive recognized for her exceptional mix of creative and business skills. Babcock has an extensive background in development, production, acquisitions, formats and management. She has built her career developing, producing and acquiring programming, building new divisions in existing organizations and overseeing multiple...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Genre Experts
As SVP, Production & Development, Love Nature, Alison Barrat provides a leading role in finding, developing and commissioning new projects for Love Nature’s growing slate and is responsible for executing programming strategies for the brand’s international channels through development and production. She also oversees all production management and post production...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Revital oversees and facilitates the creative collaboration and flow of information between KI’s head office in Tel Aviv and its production hubs and offices around the world, including Keshet Studios' offices in LA and New York, Tresor and Keshet Tresor Fiction in Germany, Keshet Productions in London, as well as Israel's...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: International Markets
Luke Bauer serves as Vice President, Development and Production for CNBC Prime. In this role he has developed and overseen a variety of original unscripted series for the network, ranging from innovative reality formats to premium documentary series. Network EP credits have included The Profit, American Greed, Listing Impossible, Empires...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: CNBC, Food Network & Cooking Channel, Game Show Network
Caroline Baumgard’s acumen for developing and producing some of the most successful unscripted programming of all time, including Deal or No Deal, Fear Factor, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Wipeout, and Steve Harvey, has earned her the distinction of being one of the most prolific television studio executives over the past two decades.
She is one of...show more
Speaking on: The talent test: Why and when you should attach talent to your show
Loren started her career as a sales executive at Indigo Film & Television, selling to multiple territories across factual, fiction and kid’s content to international broadcasters around the world. After three years, Loren moved to Off the Fence as an Acquisitions Executive and is based in their London office.
Five years...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Meet the Distributors
Christian Beetz is the CEO of the German production house gebrueder beetz film production, which specialized in
international co-productions since the very beginning.
He is an Oscar-nominated and Emmy Award-winning producer and executive producer of numerous documentary feature films and series. In 2013 the co-production Open Heart was nominated...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: International Markets
Tom Bilyeu is a writer, filmmaker, and entrepreneur who has garnered more than 350,000,000 views on his content across YouTube and other social channels with his various projects. His production company, Impact Theory Studios is a revolutionary, digital-first studio, that develops and produces wildly entertaining original content focusing on themes...show more
Speaking on: NFTs, IP & U
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: Lifetime, ID & True Crime on discovery+, Magnolia Network
Tom’s creative vision and leadership have played an integral role in helping to establish Arrow as one of the most admired factual producers in the UK.
His credits include returning series America In Color, which delivered one of the highest ratings of the year for Smithsonian Channel; and highly acclaimed high-end feature...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: International Markets
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: Asylum Entertainment, ITV Entertainment, Pilgrim Media Group
As Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, Sylvia Bugg oversees all non-children’s content and leads PBS’s programming strategy across its broadcast and digital platforms. She is also responsible for the acquisition and development of world-class programming for PBS and its member stations, with a particular focus on sharing important stories that reflect...show more
Speaking on: Making an impact
Jill Burkhart is the VP of Unscripted Programming for Epix where she sources and executive produces documentary series for the cable network. Recent projects include the Emmy nominated Laurel Canyon; A Place in Time, Helter Skelter: An American Myth, and the upcoming Fall River. In 1996 Jill co-founded the heralded...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Sahara Bushue joined Westbrook Studios as Senior Vice President and Head of Unscripted in November 2020. Westbrook Studios is a subsidiary of Westbrook Inc., the media company launched in 2019 by founders Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith, to empower artists to tell stories that connect with a global audience....show more
Speaking on: The talent test: Why and when you should attach talent to your show
Michelle Byars is vice president of development at ITV Entertainment, part of ITV America, overseeing all stages of development – from paper to casting, presentation and pilots – across the company’s slate of formats, series and specials for streaming, broadcast, cable and digital platforms. Current ITV Entertainment series include Love...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: Asylum Entertainment, ITV Entertainment, Pilgrim Media Group
Jamie Canniffe is Senior Vice President, U.S. alternative and syndicated programming at Sony Pictures Television (SPT). A two-time, Emmy Award nominated producer, Canniffe develops unscripted series for broadcast and cable networks, streaming platforms and for first run syndication. He also oversees the current shows in production and works closely with the company’s...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: Blue Ant Studios, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros. Intl TV Production
Jennifer Caserta is Chief Transformation and People Officer of AMC Networks, the global entertainment company known for delivering some of the world’s most widely acclaimed television series and films.
A driver of transformation across brands, businesses, and culture throughout her career, Caserta is responsible for promoting strategic people practices and...show more
Speaking on: New normal, new workplace
Founded by Jim Casey, Painless Productions has a reputation as a bold, innovative provider of hands on and filmmaker led non-fiction programming. Since launching 25 years ago, the company has produced a long list of genre-busting and award winning series across a wide variety of genres including the long running...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Genre Experts
Meghan Cassin is Vice President of Content for Magnolia Network, the media joint venture between Chip and Joanna Gaines’ home and lifestyle brand Magnolia and Discovery Inc. In this role, she oversees production and development of original series and specials in the lifestyle space.
Previously, she was responsible for...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Ryan Chanatry is the General Manager of Topic, First Look Media’s direct to consumer and video streaming service offering, where he’s responsible for programming, development, and content acquisition; business strategy and operations; as well as the P&L, sales, marketing/press, and distribution. Previously, Ryan oversaw First Look’s Audience Development efforts, including...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Ryan Chanatry, Topic
Kimberly Chessler is Vice President, Unscripted Programming, of Lifetime. Based in New York, she is responsible for developing and overseeing production of non-fiction projects for the network.
Chessler, who joined Lifetime in 2010, has been responsible for overseeing some of Lifetime’s biggest unscripted hits including all seasons of Dance Moms and...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Harjeet Chhokar is currently a Commissioning Editor in the Channel 4 Factual team, where his recent commissions have included Is Co-Vid Racist?, Hitched at Home and The Year that Changed Love.
Prior to joining the broadcaster in 2020, Harjeet worked in Factual programming for over 15 years, working his way up to series...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: Corus Entertainment, TLC, Travel Channel & Paranormal on discovery+
Based in New York, Sydney Clover is the Senior Director of Development for National Geographic. In this role, she works alongside the global production community to develop original premium content for the brand.
Prior to National Geographic, Clover served as the Director of Development at Discovery Channel in New York where...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
David Collins is a six-time Emmy award-winning producer of hundreds of hours of groundbreaking content over the last 25 years. He is the co-creator and Executive Producer of critically acclaimed series like the voguing competition show Legendary (HBO Max), pop culture phenomenon Queer Eye (Netflix), and its predecessor, Queer Eye...show more
Speaking on: Making an impact
Born and raised in Atlantic Canada, Ms. Cowie completed a BFA in Media Arts (focusing on Film, Video, and Photography) at The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. In 2000 she relocated to Toronto, where she established a photographic career. Here she had several solo photography shows and publishing...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: MSNBC, VICE TV
Maitee Cueva joined A&E networks in 2021 as Executive Producer, Development & Production.
Most notably known for being part of the original team to launch the Oprah Winfrey Network, Cueva started at OWN in 2010 as Executive Director, Programming & Development, and was quickly promoted to VP, Programming & Development. In 2015, she was...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
As Senior Director of Music Program Development at MTV International, Amanda Culkowski is responsible for developing original music and talent driven long form series and specials for MTV’s 170+ global channels.
Prior to joining MTV, Amanda was a member of the WE tv development team in New York, where she oversaw the...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: MTV International, YouTube
Franklin Cumberbatch is an Executive Producer and Showrunner in the A&E Scheduling and Programming Department. He also runs A&E’s Enhanced Content & Specials Department.
Cumberbatch is currently serving as Executive Producer on two long-running hit series on A&E, Storage Wars and Hoarders. Other credits for A&E and FYI include My Floating Home,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: A&E, CBC, Discovery Channel
Ed Davis serves as Senior Director of Unscripted Development for TBS, TNT and truTV. In this role Davis oversees development for the linear networks non-scripted slate of programming and reports directly to Corie Henson, Executive Vice President and Head of Unscripted Programming for TBS, TNT and truTV.
Most recently, Davis helped...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: PBS, Reelzchannel, TBS/TNT/truTV
Joni Day is the Senior Vice President of Alternative Programming at Fremantle. In this role, she is responsible for development and production of reality competition, game show and other unscripted television programming. Her most recent success has been bringing the hit international format, Game of Talents, to the U.S. for FOX. ...show more
Speaking on: The talent test: Why and when you should attach talent to your show
Zoë Di Stefano currently serves as Development Manager for YouTube Originals overseeing Learning & Impact unscripted programming. Her mission is to create compelling and engaging content that celebrates education, diversity, social impact, and features authoritative voices. For 2022, this means particular focus on areas and themes of sustainability, racial justice,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: MTV International, YouTube
Dolyn Dobro is Director of Development for CNBC Primetime Alternative Programming, based in New York City. In her role at CNBC Prime group, Dolyn oversees development of original content with a business and money focus. She is responsible for finding new formats and working with independent production companies to bring...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Havva Eisenbaum is OWN’s Vice President, Development for Unscripted Programming, and reports to Robyn Lattaker-Johnson, Head of OWN Unscripted Development, Programming & Specials. Eisenbaum oversees the development of the network’s unscripted slate of African American female focused programming, including series, special programming, and TV movies.
Prior to OWN, Eisenbaum was Head...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: HGTV, WEtv, OWN: Oprah WInfrey Network; Coffee With (Group 2)
Emily Elisha, VP Acquisitions, Banijay Rights, oversees factual acquisitions for the TV rights catalogue. Emily has over 20 years’ experience in the international distribution sector. Banijay Rights represents factual independent producers and networks from across the globe and manages the international roll out of successful franchises including SAS: Who Dares...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Meet the Distributors
Nicole Emanuele is a lead development executive at YouTube Originals. Her work includes the critically acclaimed documentary films like Life in A Day 2020, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in 2021, Kedi (Critics Choice Award 2017), The Gift: The Story of Johnny Cash (IDA Nominated 2019), in addition to scripted...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Nicole Emanuele, YouTube Originals
Leo Faber is an Executive Producer in the Factual & Culture department of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) where he has worked for the past five years. Leo oversees a large and diverse slate of factual projects spanning multiple fields such as science, natural history, social issues, travel, lifestyle and...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: American Public Television/Create TV, BET, CNN; Coffee With (Group 1)
Lizzie Fox is Senior Vice President of Non-Fiction Programming for HBO Max, responsible for documentary features, docuseries and specials. Working with prestige creators and brands as well as with new voices, Fox’s unique slate is geared toward female-skewing, Gen Z and millennial audiences and covers a wide array of topics that are...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Lizzie Fox & Rebecca Quinn, HBO Max
Zara Frankel works in PBS Programming as the Director of Programming and Development. She collaborates extensively with filmmakers, production companies, and new talent to develop interesting and innovative content across genres for PBS. Prior to her current role, Zara served as the Development Manager for PBS Programming, evaluating submissions and...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: PBS, Reelzchannel, TBS/TNT/truTV
Danny Gabai is the Head of VICE Studios, U.S. which he has helped build from the ground up to encompass all of VICE’s feature film, scripted television, and premium non-scripted and documentary productions.
VICE Studios is a division of VICE Media Group, the world’s largest independent youth media company. Launched in...show more
Speaking on: Making an impact
Kitty Gambel is the Senior Vice President of Unscripted Television at MGM. In her role, she oversees the development team and serves as point on current productions, including Beat Shazam (FOX), The Big Shot with Bethenny (HBOMax), and podcasts like Going to Bed with Garcelle and Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader. Additionally, Kitty serves as the domestic...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: All3Media International, Group Nine Studios, MGM Television; The talent test: Why and when you should attach talent to your show
Danielle Gervais is executive vice president of casting and talent at ITV America, servicing current series and development across the company’s six vertical production labels – ITV Entertainment, Leftfield Pictures, Sirens Media, Thinkfactory Media, High Noon Entertainment and Good Caper Content.
A multi-Emmy Award winner – “Casting for a Reality Program”...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Genre Experts
Jennifer joined TLC in October 2014. As Vice President of Development, she creates and conceptualizes series, specials and programming initiatives for the network. Since joining TLC, Jennifer has developed a variety of new series, such as OutDaughtered, 1000 Lbs Sisters, Welcome to Plathville, sMothered and Doubling Down With The Derricos. She is based in the...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
Karen Gray is Executive Vice President, Human Resources for A+E Networks® Group, which encompasses A&E®, Lifetime®, HISTORY®, Lifetime® Movies, FYI,™ and Vice TV. She was named to the role in June 2019 and has oversight of the company’s human resource functions globally, including culture, diversity, inclusion and all people-focused initiatives.
Gray...show more
Speaking on: DIALOG presents: Finding the way forward in the workplace
Abby Greensfelder is the founder and CEO of Everywoman Studios, a full-service media company with a mission to tell female-focused, female-driven stories creating positive cultural impact.
A former network executive and production company head, Greensfelder launched Everywoman after seeing the massive gender gap in the entertainment ecosystem. She founded Everywoman Studios...show more
Speaking on: Making an impact
Kelly Greenwood is the Founder & CEO of Mind Share Partners, a nonprofit that is changing the culture of workplace mental health so that both employees and organizations can thrive. It provides workplace training and strategic advising to leading companies, hosts communities to support ERGs and professionals, and builds
Speaking on: New normal, new workplace
Cara Groom recently joined Pilgrim Media Group as Director of Development. She previously oversaw the development and production of Lionsgate’s unscripted slate across all platforms, where she’s helped champion many series, including HBO Max’s House of Ho and Netflix’s Selling Sunset.
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: Asylum Entertainment, ITV Entertainment, Pilgrim Media Group
Carolyn Gross is Director of Programming & Development, charged with developing new formats and talent, and overseeing the production of series, pilots and specials for Food Network, Cooking Channel and discovery+. Throughout her tenure at Food Network, Carolyn has led hit series and holiday tentpoles including Chopped, Holiday Baking Championship,...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
As SVP of development and production at National Geographic, Janet Han Vissering oversees the natural history slate and animal content across the channel, Nat Geo WILD and Disney+. She is responsible for more than 200 hours of programming commissioned each year.
In this role, Vissering manages the development teams, working with...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2); Making an impact
Kirsty Hanson is a Commissioning Editor at UKTV, home of channels including Dave, W, Gold and Yesterday. Since joining the multi-channel broadcaster in 2018, Kirsty has commissioned My Famous Babysitter and The Wedding Fixer for W, and Stream Train Britain for Yesterday. She has also recently taken over responsibility for Yesterday’s hugely popular series Bangers and Cash and The Architecture...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Jennifer Harkness’ key focus is developing, selling and producing unscripted series for Blue Ant Studios within the US and international markets. Previously, Harkness served as SVP of Sales & Development USA for Cream Productions, most recently as Executive Producer on The Story of Late Night for CNN. In her role, she focused...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: Blue Ant Studios, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros. Intl TV Production
Kate Harrison Karman is President of Cream Productions.
Based in Toronto, Cream develops, finances and produces distinctive and award-winning content across a wide range of TV and digital platforms in North America and internationally.
Among the company’s many credits include Age of Samurai: Battle for Japan (Netflix), The Story of Late Night (CNN), History of Sitcom (CNN), Fear Thy Neighbor (ID), BTK: A Killer Among Us (ID), Wild...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: International Markets
Sara Helman joined TLC in October 2015 as the Vice President of Program Development, helping to oversee development strategy and programming initiatives for the network. Helman is currently working on the 90 Day Fiancé spinoff series, Darcey & Stacey and has previously worked on shows including 90 Day Fiancé: 90 Days the Other Way, Smothered,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: Corus Entertainment, TLC, Travel Channel & Paranormal on discovery+
Connie joined the newly merged Beyond Rights in October 2020. She was previously VP of global content for Fox Networks Group Content Distribution (FNGCD), managing incoming scripted and unscripted content from global commissioning teams and producers within the National Geographic and Fox channels’ international networks, ahead of devising and implementing...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Meet the Distributors
Lilla is a coproduction specialist, with extensive experience in her field and an unparalleled contacts network across Europe, Australia and North America. Before co-founding Drive with Ben Barrett, she ran Lillavision, helping indies to secure co-production and deficit finance. Previously Lilla was Head of Co-Production for factual and scripted projects...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Meet the Distributors
Aneka Hylton-Donelson serves as a Director of Development for National Geographic Channel, where she does internal and external development of talent, authentic adventure-driven stories, concepts and formats for National Geographic Channel and Disney+. Most recently she served as the Executive Producer of The March on Washington: Keepers of the Dream...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: HBO Max, Motor Trend Network, National Geographic
Bio Coming Soon...
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: History, Nickelodeon, Science Channel; Coffee With (Group 1)
Katie Isaacson is Senior Manager of Development for CNN Original Series based in New York City. She is responsible for cultivating relationships within the creative community and developing original programming across a variety of CNN platforms.
She was the coordinating producer for CNN Original Series The Windsors and served as coordinating producer for HLN...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: American Public Television/Create TV, BET, CNN
Kim Izzo is an award-winning screenwriter, author and journalist. In 2019 her original feature film, A Sweet Christmas Romance, aired on Lifetime Television Network. In 2016, Izzo was a winner of the prestigious Humanitas Prize: New Voices Award and was subsequently mentored by Emmy-Award winning showrunner David Shore. That same...show more
Speaking on: Trendwatch: Unscripted’s Family-friendly Face
Dane Joseph is a Vice President of Development at ViacomCBS where he develops specials, pilots and series for the Entertainment & Youth Group brands. Prior to joining the ViacomCBS family, he worked in production at Hot Snakes Media, rising his way up from a Casting & Development Producer to eventually...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
Marc Kamler
Partner, Alternative Programming, Digital Media, Licensing and Branding
A3 Artists Agency
Marc Kamler serves as Partner in the Alternative Programming, Digital Media, Licensing and Branding Division at A3 Artists Agency, one of the world’s largest diversified talent agencies with offices in Los Angeles, New York, and London.
Kamler represents the creative and business interests of award-winning production companies, producers, intellectual...show more
Speaking on: The talent test: Why and when you should attach talent to your show
Carlos King is one of the most sought after executive producers in reality television. With over ten years under his production belt, King has quickly created a niche for himself in the docu-soap arena. He has produced high-profile programs such as eight seasons of the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Season...show more
Speaking on: Making an impact
Samuel Kissous is the founder and president of Pernel Media, a creative and diverse independent TV production company listed as a “Realscreen Global 100” company in 2019 and 2020. Headquartered in Paris and with offices in London, the company produces a wide range of original factual programs as well as adaptations...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: International Markets
Bert Klasey is the Senior Director of Development for Discovery Channel, overseeing the creation and development of unscripted series. Over the course of his career, Klasey has developed and produced a number of hit shows including Diesel Brothers for Discovery and The Secret of Skinwalker Ranch for History Channel. Previously, he worked for Screaming...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: A&E, CBC, Discovery Channel
David Lee is Vice President of Content and Production for MotorTrend Group, a Discovery company. He is responsible for coordinating with all departments to ascertain and execute content needs in order to help super serve audiences and achieve business goals. Lee also oversees MotorTrend Studio projects and third-party production partnerships.
Lee...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
As Chief Content Officer, Lewinson is responsible for content strategy and acquisitions for Tubi, a division of FOX Entertainment and a free streaming service with 30,000+ titles from every major Hollywood studio. Lewinson heads up Tubi’s Los Angeles office where he oversees more than 250 content partners including Lionsgate, Paramount...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Adam Lewinson, Tubi
Todd Lichten is the Head of Specials & Strategic Content at Facebook, where he oversees tentpole programming and original content investments across Facebook Watch, Instagram, and Messenger. Since joining the streaming platform, he’s developed and overseen production of the hit franchise Red Table Talk, as well as Steve Harvey’s talk...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Todd Lichten, Facebook Watch
Richard Life spearheads acquisitions for Cineflix Rights and the expansion of the company’s catalogue of factual and scripted programming through producer partnerships, development and first-look deals, and co-productions.
Richard is one of the UK’s most experienced TV distribution executives, and previously held the roles of Head of Acquisitions and Co-productions at...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Meet the Distributors
Wendy Llinás is an Emmy-nominated Producer and Documentary Film Maker. As Director of Programming and Development at PBS, she provides editorial and strategic guidance, manages the daily production process and resources for new limited series and existing programs such as Independent Lens, Voces, American Experience and POV. Llinás is an experienced journalist, writer and producer whose...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
As Vice President of Content & Channels, Arun is responsible for all Insight TV channels, the content that goes on them and the direction of original content.
Arun joined Insight TV in Amsterdam, Netherlands when the company started in 2015. He was instrumental in the launch of the first global complete...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: International Markets
Joseph has developed, directed and produced high end, prime time documentaries for most of the major broadcasters in Britain. He started as Commissioning Editor for SBS in January 2012 and became Head of Documentaries in June 2016. His slate of shows at SBS range from returning series such as Who...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
As vice president of development for WE tv, Ashley McFarlin Buie oversees new and developing projects for the network and serves as an executive producer on the popular series Waka & Tammy: What the Flocka and Beyond the Pole.
With over twenty years in the industry, Buie has garnered a strong reputation for crafting...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
Kathleen Meek is Manager, Original Content, Scripted and Factual for Corus Entertainment. In this capacity, she is responsible for a portfolio of original scripted and factual series for Global Television, History® Canada, Showcase and W. She is Production Executive on Global’s critically acclaimed event drama Departure, History’s hit show Vikings,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: Corus Entertainment, TLC, Travel Channel & Paranormal on discovery+
Max Micallef is Vice President, Nonfiction Programming for HISTORY. In this role, Micallef spearheads the development and production of some of HISTORY’s main nonfiction programming. He joined the network in December 2018, and is based in Los Angeles.
Among the HISTORY series he is Executive Producing is Assembly Required, which reunites...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Max Micallef, HISTORY
Angela Molloy is WE tv’s vice president of development, based in the network’s Los Angeles office. She works closely with west coast based production partners and agencies to find fresh new unscripted programming for the network. She is currently an Executive Producer on the Marriage Boot Camp franchise, Bridezillas, and Mama June:...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: HGTV, WEtv, OWN: Oprah WInfrey Network
Tara Nadolny joined VICE in 2015, and after working in roles across production and post for the network, has been on the TV development team for the past three years. During her time at VICE she's worked on series like Noisey, Gaycation, Bong Appetit, Hate Thy Neighbor, While the Rest of...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
Julie is EVP, Employee Experience at Discovery Inc, the Global Leader in Real Life Entertainment whose portfolio includes Discovery Channel, TLC, Food Network, Animal Planet and HGTV and most recently the new streaming service, discovery+ which brings to market the most comprehensive collection of real-life programming available anywhere.
She is a...show more
Speaking on: DIALOG presents: Finding the way forward in the workplace
Rachel Nelson is Director, Original Content, Scripted and Factual, at Corus Entertainment. In this role, Rachel leads the strategy of the company’s scripted drama and comedy as well as factual programming in both production and development. Rachel manages a team overseeing content for several of the company’s national specialty channels...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
As the SVP of Global Content, Non-Scripted at ITV Studios, Cecilie Olsen heads up the non-scripted acquisitions team, actively seeking out new third-party co-production partners as well as overseeing the internal labels' non-scripted programming output for international distribution. Olsen looks for shows that are bold, brave, noisy returnable franchises and...show more
Speaking on: Trendwatch: Unscripted’s Family-friendly Face
Sean Olsen joined the GSN team as Vice President of Development in December 2017. Olsen hails from Conveyor Media where he served as Vice President of Production directly responsible for generating and managing the creative vision on series and pilots.
Previously, Olsen made his name as a freelance Executive Producer & showrunner for...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: CNBC, Food Network & Cooking Channel, Game Show Network
Adrian is a Commissioning Editor, Factual. At Channel 5 he is responsible for commissioning peak-time factual and factual entertainment and specialist factual programming across the channel with series including Manhunt: The James Bulger Story; Police Interceptors, Trawlermen: Celebs at Sea, 5 Mistakes that Caught a Killer and the World’s Most Expensive Cruise Ship.
Adrian...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Charlie Parsons is Vice President of Development for the National Geographic Channel, responsible for developing new projects, discovering new talent and serving as one of the network’s main points of contact for the global production community. He is across programming for both the global linear network, as well as National...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Charlie Parsons, National Geographic
Caroline Perez serves as Senior Vice President, Development and Production (Factual), bringing new series and specials to Science, Discovery, Discovery+ and the international networks of Discovery, Inc. She has also held roles in production and development at TLC, Destination America and VH1. Prior to working in non-fiction cable production and...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: History, Nickelodeon, Science Channel
Named president of OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in 2019, Tina Perry oversees all operations and creative areas of the network, reporting to OWN Chairman and CEO Oprah Winfrey. Her leadership is a driving force behind the network’s ongoing evolution to become the leading destination for Black audiences. She also oversees...show more
Speaking on: Fireside Chat: Tina Perry, OWN
Ryan Pirozzi is the Co-Head of Content and Programming at IMDb TV. In this role, Pirozzi oversees all programming for IMDb TV, including development, production, licensing and strategy.
Prior to taking on this role, Pirozzi was the Head of Worldwide Television & Film Licensing, licensing television and film on a worldwide...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Lauren Anderson & Ryan Pirozzi, IMDb TV
Jacqui Pitman
CEO, Casting Director & Executive Producer
Pitman Casting Inc/ Partypit Productions Inc.
Jacqui Pitman is the CEO –PartyPit Productions Inc. and Pitman Casting Inc.
With over 30 years of television experience, Jacqui Pitman is an Executive Producer and owner of Pitman Casting Inc., a full-service reality television casting company in Los Angeles. Under her production arm, PartyPit Productions Inc., Pitman most recently created,...show more
Speaking on: The talent test: Why and when you should attach talent to your show
Rebecca Quinn is Senior Vice President, Non-fiction Original Programming for HBO Max, responsible for reality programming covering a wide array of topics and geared toward female-skewing, Gen Z and millennial audiences.
Quinn’s competition slate includes underground ballroom culture dance-off Legendary, floral design show Full Bloom, baking competition series Baketopia, The Big...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Lizzie Fox & Rebecca Quinn, HBO Max
Jenny Ramirez serves as Vice President of Unscripted Programming for TBS, TNT, and truTV, helping to oversee unscripted development and current programming for all three networks. In this role, Ramirez runs point on The Misery Index, the game show featuring Jameela Jamil and the Tenderloins, stars of truTV’s Impractical Jokers,...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Jenny Ramirez, TBS, TNT & truTV
At Distribution360, Diane oversees commercial activity for global distribution, including sales, acquisitions, partnerships and operations to bring great content to buyers around the World. Alongside marblemedia's in-house development team and third-party content partners, Diane works on projects from development through to delivery, setting up strategic partnerships, raising finance and executive...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Meet the Distributors
Manori Ravindran is International Editor of Variety, based out of London, where she manages the global team of correspondents, in addition to reporting on the international film and TV markets. She was previously Editor of Television Business International magazine, and prior to that, International Editor of U.K. trade weekly Broadcast....show more
Speaking on: NFTs, IP & U
Helen Diana (Heidi) Reavis is Managing Partner of Reavis Page Jump LLP (RPJ). Heidi’s practice areas include company operations and brand management, media and intellectual property law, employment matters and dispute resolution. She and her colleagues regularly counsel production companies and creatives on complex rights acquisition matters, employment and independent...show more
Speaking on: New normal, new workplace
Joe Rivadeneira has spent the the past 13 years specializing in unscripted development and talent packaging. He joined Group Nine Studios to shepherd their premium unscripted slate in September of 2019. Since joining, he has sold a number of original series including the primetime special Girl Talk with Michelle Obama...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: All3Media International, Group Nine Studios, MGM Television
Cat Rodriguez is Vice President, Unscripted Development and Programming, Lifetime. Based in Los Angeles, Rodriguez is responsible for developing and overseeing non-fiction programming for the network.
Rodriguez, who joined Lifetime in 2019, currently oversees the groundbreaking, award winning series Supernanny which premiered its latest season in January, Little Women: Atlanta and Marrying Millions.
A highly sought-after show-runner...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: Lifetime, ID & True Crime on discovery+, Magnolia Network
Zoe Rogovin serves as VP of Non-Fiction Programming at SHOWTIME, where she oversees the development and production of premium non-fiction storytelling, including episodic, serialized/anthology and film formats, such as the Emmy award winning news series VICE, variety comedy series ZIWE, hip hop limited series Supervillain: The Rise and Fall of...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
Loren Ruch is the Group Senior Vice President of Development and Production for HGTV where he oversees the programming team along with many of the networks’ high-profile series and pilots. He also works closely on cross-network collaborations with the other Discovery brands and sites.
Prior to this role, Loren spent the...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Loren Ruch, HGTV
Betsy Ayala currently serves as Senior Vice President of Production & Development for HGTV and discovery+ Home where she oversees the development and production team. She is credited with the success of such hit series as Rock The Block, Good Bones, Windy City Rehab, and Rehab Addict Rescue.
Ayala joined the...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
Jason Sarlanis joined TLC in 2016 as Senior Vice President, Development. He leads development on all original programming for the TLC linear network as well as love and relationship, family and lifestyle content for discovery+, the definitive, real-life subscription streaming service. In his tenure, Sarlanis has been responsible for procuring...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Jason Sarlanis, TLC
Jessica oversees development of original content and formats in the genres of factual entertainment and doc series at CBC - on both linear television and on the broadcaster's streaming service, CBC Gem. She is responsible for sourcing the best new formats from around the world, and working with the independent...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: A&E, CBC, Discovery Channel
Shari Scorca is the Senior Vice President and Head of Unscripted Content for Stage 13, the studio brand that is part of Warner Bros./Warner Bros. Television Group. She has developed and produced award-winning unscripted content for the studio that showcase diverse, innovative stories. She oversees the talent and content development,...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Genre Experts
Alec Shankman is Co-Managing Partner at A3 Artists Agency. He started his career in Hollywood at A3 (formerly known as Abrams Artists Agency) in 2003 where he personally launched the very successful Alternative Programming, Digital Media, Licensing & Branding Division. Alec is also the Chairman of the agency’s first-of-its-kind NFT...show more
Speaking on: NFTs, IP & U
MyKhanh Shelton is Senior Vice President, Enterprise Inclusion for WarnerMedia where she is responsible for leading workforce and production safety initiatives and working closely with the Human Resources team and business units to create consistent measurements, practices, and systems, as it relates to increasing the recruitment, retention and advancement of...show more
Speaking on: DIALOG presents: Finding the way forward in the workplace
Jean Shi serves as the Senior Vice President, Alternative Development & Programming for Fremantle in North America. Shi is responsible for developing and selling original unscripted series, with a focus on global formats and talent. Her current projects include overseeing development for the upcoming Tattletales series for HBO Max, which...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: Daisybeck Studios, Fremantle, Jupiter Entertainment
Nicole Silveira is a seasoned television executive who serves as the Head of Unscripted Formats at Disney Branded Television for Disney+. She was part of the launch team for Disney+ and is building an unparalleled slate of content that pushes the boundaries of unscripted storytelling.
Prior to Disney, she spent four...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Nicole Silveira, Disney+
As Commissioning Editor, Factual at ITV, Priya Singh oversees a broad mix of programmes in peak from fact ent formats, documentaries and consumer including Paul O’Grady For the Love of Dogs, How to Spend It Well, Love Your Garden, A Year on Planet Earth, The Queen Unseen, Billion Pound Cruises.
Prior...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2)
Jonathan Skogmo is Founder and CEO of Jukin Media. Under his leadership, the company has grown to more than 220 employees with offices in Los Angeles, New York, London, and New Delhi. Jukin is the world’s first media company that’s powered entirely by user-generated video content. Skogmo...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Genre Experts; NFTs, IP & U
Chris Spry is Vice President of Development for Jupiter Entertainment.
Based in the New York office, Spry is responsible for developing unscripted programming for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms.
Jupiter is currently in production across multiple projects, including hit true-crime franchises Snapped (Oxygen), In Pursuit with John Walsh (ID), ID Murder Mystery...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: Daisybeck Studios, Fremantle, Jupiter Entertainment
Julie St. Aubin is Senior Director of Non-fiction Original Programming for HBO Max, responsible for reality programming covering a wide array of topics and geared toward female-skewing, Gen Z and millennial audiences.
St. Aubin oversees such series as Selena + Chef, The Big Shot with Bethenny, Ellen’s Next Great Designer and House of Ho as well...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: HBO Max, Motor Trend Network, National Geographic
Paul Stead is the founding Managing Director of Daisybeck Studios and an EVP of eOne Unscripted TV UK, which wholly acquired Daisybeck in 2019. Paul runs the out-of-London unscripted division based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, alongside fellow EVPs Matt Pritchard and Matt Walton, all under Tara Long, President of Global...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: Daisybeck Studios, Fremantle, Jupiter Entertainment
As senior vice president of original programming and development for WE tv, David Stefanou is responsible for discovering and developing fresh, unscripted series that align with the network’s original programming slate. Stefanou has been instrumental in leading the development team in creating brand-defining hits like the Love After Lockup franchise, Growing Up Hip...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: David Stefanou, WEtv
Adam Steinman
VP, Creative, Format, Development & Sales
Warner Bros. International Television Production
Adam Steinman served as Vice President, Non-Scripted International Development & Sales from October 2010 until October 2016 and in November 2016 was promoted to Vice President, Creative, Format, Development & Sales at Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP), where scripted formats have been added to his remit.
In this position, Steinman...show more
Speaking on: Pitching Partners: Blue Ant Studios, Sony Pictures Television, Warner Bros. Intl TV Production
Mike Stiller is Vice President, Development and Programming for HISTORY.
Stiller is a veteran programmer known for commissioning and developing a wide range of hits and critically acclaimed documentaries. During a long career at History Channel, he developed The Curse of Oak Island, the #1 rated nonfiction series on cable since...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Andrew is a creative content executive with extensive experience in both digital and linear programming, on the buying side, as a network executive, and the selling side, as an award-winning producer and studio department head. His work’s been recognized by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, The Lovie...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: Lifetime, ID & True Crime on discovery+, Magnolia Network
Patty Suh is Vice President, Programming and Development for Food Network, with a focus on developing new programming and talent, and working closely with the west coast production community. Previously, Suh held the title of Vice President of Development at Steve Harvey's East 112th Street Productions, where she oversaw the casting...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Patty Suh, Food Network & Cooking Channel
Igal Svet serves as Vice President of Documentaries at discovery+ where he spearheads development of the creative vision and strategy behind original documentaries. He is responsible for the ideation and creation of a wide range of projects and oversees the documentary content acquisition from filmmakers around the globe. In his...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
Rob Swartz is Sr. Vice President of Development and Production at REELZ, a leading independent cable and satellite general entertainment network that is home to factual entertainment, television events, miniseries, movies and series featuring big stories and big stars. Swartz leads creative execution of the network’s development and production slate including documentaries...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 2); Speed Pitching: PBS, Reelzchannel, TBS/TNT/truTV
Brooke Townsend is Director of Nonfiction Programming and Development for HISTORY. In this role, Townsend oversees multiple hit programs, including Pawn Stars, Lost Gold of World War II, and Swamp People: Serpent Invasion, as well as maintaining a robust development slate.
A 6-year veteran of A+E Networks, Townsend began her tenure at...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: History, Nickelodeon, Science Channel
Gabriel VanHuss is Vice President of Originals Development for MotorTrend Group, a Discovery company, where he is responsible for working across the company and Discovery to develop, produce and acquire automotive focused TV series, documentaries, movies and limited series for subscription video on demand, ad supported video on demand and...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: HBO Max, Motor Trend Network, National Geographic
Jennifer Vaux oversees content acquisition for the ad-supported component of Roku’s owned and operated channel, The Roku Channel. She is responsible for sourcing and executing innovative programming acquisition deals across a range of content and business models. She works to license content for The Roku Channel in United States, Canada...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Jennifer Vaux, Roku
As VP Global Factual Sales at Boat Rocker Studios, Natalie oversees non-scripted/factual content distribution and leads strategy on international programme sales, acquisitions and pre-sales, whilst also managing television and digital media rights sales in the Americas, UK, Spain, Italy, and France.
Prior to joining the Boat Rocker team Natalie was VP...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Meet the Distributors
Nicole Vogel is Vice President of Unscripted Programming & Development at Lifetime, part of the A&E Networks group. She is based in NYC where she works with production companies, agencies, and potential talent to find, develop, and produce new unscripted formats, docuseries, and specials. Projects she has executive produced for Lifetime include Surviving...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes With: Nicole Vogel, Lifetime
Dana Volkmer-Jones is Director of Programming and Development for Food Network based in Los Angeles, charged with developing new programming and talent, and working closely with the west coast production community. Prior to joining the Food Network team in January of 2020, he served as Senior Director of Development, West Coast...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: CNBC, Food Network & Cooking Channel, Game Show Network
Michael von Würden is Managing Director of Snowman Productions, a Red Arrow Studios company. Snowman Productions is a market leader in the development and production of entertainment formats for the Scandinavian market and worldwide, with productions including the international hit Married at First Sight.
Michael has worked in the television industry...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: International Markets
Barry Walsh is editor and content director for Realscreen, and has served as editor of the publication since 2009. With a career in entertainment media that spans two decades, prior to Realscreen, he held the associate editor post for now defunct sister publication Boards, which focused on the advertising and commercial production...show more
Speaking on: New normal, new workplace; Opportunity in unprecedented times: Where do we go from here?
A three-time Emmy Award winning producer of primetime network news and reality programming with more than 20 years’ experience, Patrick Weiland is Senior Vice President of Intuitive Content.
Based in Minneapolis and founded by four-time James Beard and Emmy Award-winning TV personality and chef Andrew Zimmern, Intuitive Content develops and produces...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Genre Experts
Marisa Weinstein joined the ViacomCBS team in early 2017. As Vice President of Development , she develops pilots, series and specials for the MTV Entertainment Group brands. Prior to ViacomCBS, she worked in development at a range of production companies including IMG, Eastern, Big Fish and DiGa where she developed...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching: MTV/VH1, Nat Geo WILD
As Head of Acquisitions at Passion Distribution, Sean Wheatley spearheads the company’s content acquisition activity, working closely with Passion Distribution’s production partners - both with independent producers and the Tinopolis group companies. Since joining the company in June 2018 Sean has acquired a range of high-quality unscripted titles from production...show more
Speaking on: Executive Insights: Meet the Distributors
Tiffany Lea Williams’ stellar career in television has spanned twenty years and has included development, production and current programming oversight. She has created and overseen multiple landmark series and specials in unscripted TV and developed domestic and international formats for the U.S. market.
She is currently EVP of Unscripted...show more
Speaking on: Coffee With (Group 1)
