Pulse Conference

2024 PULSE Conference

 
The UCLA Anderson PULSE Entertainment, Sports & Technology Conference brings together leading executives to share insights and perspectives on the current trends, opportunities and challenges impacting the entertainment, sports and technology industries. 

March 1, 2024

UCLA Carnesale Commons

Palisades Ballroom

8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Hosted by the Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, the Pulse Conference showcases influential executives and innovators in media, technology and sports.

Throughout the event, attendees can get a glimpse of what’s next in a setting that allows for candid and authentic dialogue and connection. This year, the focus will be on people – the impact of AI, the evolving tastes and habits of audiences, and how we create and lead in such a volatile environment.

The 2024 experience will include the following:

  • Unlocking the Power of Innovation: AI, Talent, and building the next billion dollar business
  • The Future of Animation: Expanding audiences and emerging business models
  • Brand Innovation: Leveraging content, partnerships, and technology to connect with consumers
  • Breakthrough Innovations in Gaming & Fandoms
2024 Game Changer
 
Ted Sarandos Pulse Game Changer

Ted Sarandos

Co-CEO of Netflix

Ted Sarandos was named co-CEO of Netflix in July 2020. He has been responsible for all content operations since 2000, and led the company's transition into original content production that began in 2013 with the launch of the series ‘House of Cards,’ ‘Arrested Development’ and ‘Orange Is the New Black’ among numerous others. Ted was named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of 2013 and received the Producers Guild of America Milestone Award in 2019. He is a Henry Crown Fellow at the Aspen Institute, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, a trustee of the American Film Institute, and on the boards of Exploring the Arts and Spotify

Agenda

 
9:00 a.m. 
Welcome
9:15 a.m.
Kickoff Panel: Bionic Business-The Impact of Innovation on Entertainment Business Models
  • Moderator: DMA, President, Planet DMA; Founder, Korgi
  • Monica Landers, Co-Founder and CEO, StoryFit
  • Nick Almond ('99), Chief Operating Officer, CreatorUp
  • Gohree Kim, Vice President, Marketing, AmazeVR
  • Shawn Grover, VP, Operational Excellence,Trigger XR
10:00 a.m.
Panel Discussion: Breakthrough Innovations in Gaming & Fandoms 
  • Moderator: Wes Morton, CEO, Creativ Strategies
  • Allan Gungormez, CSO, MOCEAN
  • Kunny Berdow, VP, Marketing, Scopely
  • Ace Patterson, CEO, Five Mics Studios 
10:50 a.m.
PULSE Community Activation 
11:00 a.m.
NETWORKING BREAK
11:20 a.m.
Case Competition Winners Announced
Presented By: Howard Hsieh
 
11:30 a.m.
Innovator Spotlight: Rebecca Mall (’10), Chief Marketing Officer, Skydance Media
  • Host: Darnell Brisco, EVP, Head of Growth, BOND
11:45 a.m.
Breakout Session: Invest in Women- Building Entrepreneurial Pathways for Women in Hollywood
  • Moderator: Amy Baer, President & Owner, Gidden Media
  • Effie Brown, Founder, Gamechanger Films
  • Alicia Jessop, Founder, Ruling Sports; Professor, Pepperdine University
  • Helen Huang, CEO, Enrich Fiscal Fitness
12:00 p.m.
Up Next: Expanding and Monetizing Fandom in Animation
  • Moderator: Sander Schwartz, Owner, Sandman Television and Film Inc.
  • Mike Waghalter, Head of Business Development, LAIKA
  • Luisa Huang, Co-Founder and COO, Toonstar 
  • Mark Davis, Supervising Director, Young Love
  • Sheila Green, VP Retention, Curation, Programming, Crunchyroll
12:45 p.m.
LUNCH
1:45 p.m.
Presented by the Television Academy: Understanding the Implications of Emerging Technologies in Entertainment
  • Christina Lee Storm, Founder & CEO, ASHER XR & PLAYBOOK; Governor of the Television Academy's Emerging Media Programming Peer Group
1:45 p.m.
BREAKOUT SESSION: Unlocking the Power of AI
  • Nick Almond ('99), Chief Operating Officer, CreatorUp
  • Dave O’Brien, SVP, Creative Solutions, CreatorUp 
2:25 p.m.
Innovator Spotlight: Ceci Kurzman, Founder and President, Nexus Management Group
  • Host: Dr. Mali Kinberg, UCLA Anderson Instructor
2:55 p.m.
Brought to You By: The Power of Brand Partnerships in Entertainment
  • Moderator: Matthew Pierce, Founder and CEO, Versus Systems
  • Fabiola Torres, SVP, CMO Energy Drinks/Hispanic Business Unit, PepsiCo
  • Kristen Rubi, Director of Client Services, Automotive, BEN Labs
  • Gwen Bethel Riley, SVP, Music & Head of Content Partnerships, Peloton Interactive 
3:35 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Driving Narrative Change through Storytelling-How Hollywood Continues to Create More Inclusive Content
  • Moderator: Jay Tucker ('09), Executive Director, Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports
  • Kamala Avila-Salmon, SVP & Head of Inclusive Content, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group
  • Evette Vargas (MFA,'12), Award-winning Writer, Director & Producer; Co-founder, Indigo Reign Films
  • Mika Pryce, Senior Vice President, Development & Production, Paramount
4:15 p.m.
Connecting Media Talent Everywhere: Career Pathways in Entertainment
4:30 p.m.
Game Changer Award and Conversation with Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix
  • Host: Harry Sloan (J.D. '71), Chairman and CEO, Eagle Equity Partners
5:15 p.m.
Event Close and Reception
Video highlights