Program Agenda
DAY ONE Wednesday, March 17
7:30
Registration hosted by
Breakfast hosted by
Exhibits Open
Breakfast hosted by
Exhibits Open
8:30
Welcome and Opening Remarks
Richard Weiss, Publisher, SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily
8:45
Rapid-Fire Roundtable: Industry Leaders Weigh in on the Headlines of the Day
From the big-ticket deals, to the global growth of sports, to the trends in sports media, the headlines never stop. But how often do you have the opportunity to hear first-hand opinions from those who are making those headlines? In one of the most popular sessions at World Congress, hear from a cross-section of senior industry executives and personalities as they debate the top news items of the day. Roundtable participants include Tim Brosnan, Executive Vice President, Business, MLB; Dave Checketts, Chairman, SCP Worldwide, Owner, St. Louis Blues and Real Salt Lake; Ed Goren, President, Fox Sports; George Pyne, President, IMG Sports & Entertainment; Ed Roski, Chairman and CEO, Majestic Realty, and Co-owner, Los Angeles Kings and Los Angeles Lakers; and John Skipper, Executive VP, Content, ESPN.
10:00
Networking Break hosted by
10:30
Keynote Address: Carol Bartz, CEO, Yahoo!
11:15
Brand-Leader Panel: Marketing Strategies that Engage Consumers and Build Relationships with the Brand
There is day-to-day pressure on today’s top brand leaders to actively engage consumers and sports remain one of the most effective platforms. But the economic downturn has had a dramatic impact on consumer behavior and spending, so it is imperative for marketing leaders to assess these shifts and put initiatives in place to connect with consumers and strengthen the brand relationship. In this session, you will hear from top marketers about how they use sports to enhance their marketing and brand messaging. Panelists include Mike Belcher, VP, Brand Communications Marketing, T-Mobile; Glenn Chin, Vice President, Global Brand Management, EA Sports; John Collins, COO, NHL; Mike Kelly, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Phillips-Van Heusen; and Mark Waller, CMO, NFL.
12:15
Champions Luncheon: Pioneers and Innovators in Sports Business
Hosted by
2:00
Track 1
Track 1
Sports Marketing Roundtable: Value, Partnerships and Returns
The relationship between brand marketers and sports properties has never been more important. Unprecedented demands have been placed on sports marketers to deliver greater returns on sponsorship investments, while properties are being asked to be more creative and flexible than ever before. Find out how both sides have shifted their approach to sponsorships, inventory, pricing and collaboration, and what opportunities make the most sense in today’s environment. You will hear from Tom Fox, Chief Commercial Officer, Arsenal FC; Chris Mater, Head of Sports Marketing, Red Bull; Donna Orender, President, WNBA; Nick Raffaele, Vice President, Sports Marketing, Callaway; and Jackie Woodward, Vice President, Marketing Services, MillerCoors.
Track 2
Making the Live Game Experience Meaningful and Relevant through Technology and Innovation
Today’s innovative technology allows fans to stay home and feel as if they’re part of the action. That’s a major challenge for today’s teams and properties – how to use technological advancements to encourage fans to leave their homes for the live, invenue experience. This session will examine how savvy organizations have been utilizing technology to improve the fan experience at the venue, while also creating better platforms for corporate partners. You will hear perspectives from business leaders, as well as the top technology executives who are implementing the changes. Panelists include Peter Brickman, CTO, New Meadowlands Stadium Company; Tony Coba, Executive Vice President & CIO, Miami Heat; Greg Jamison, President & CEO, San Jose Sharks/Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment; Larry Miller, President, Portland Trail Blazers; and Bill Schlough, Senior Vice President & CIO, San Francisco Giants.
3:00
Track 1
Track 1
Campaigns in the Spotlight: From Ad Spots to Programming to Social Media
This session will look inside the objectives, creativity and execution of a high profile marketing campaigns, including Visa’s Olympics-themed effort around the Vancouver Games. In addition to viewing ad spots and programming around the campaigns, the social media elements, Web-based strategies and creative execution at the local level will be examined. You will hear agency and clientside perspectives from: Carisa Bianchi, President, TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles; Michael Lynch, Head of Global Sponsorship Management, Visa; and Rob Schwartz, Chief Creative Officer, TBWA/ Chiat/Day Los Angeles.
Track 2
Track 2
Optimizing the In-Game Experience: The Miami Dolphins and Sun Life Stadium
In addition to Miami Dolphins football, Sun Life Stadium hosts Florida Marlins baseball, University of Miami football, the FedEx Orange Bowl game and a wide range of entertainment acts, and -- for the first time ever -- played host to both the NFL Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl on consecutive Sundays. In an effort to provide fans with an immersive game-day experience, the Dolphins have implemented a full spectrum of fan-facing technologies ranging from wireless platforms to state-of-the-art mobile TV. In this case study, Tery Howard, Senior Vice President & CTO, Miami Dolphins and Jim Rushton, Senior Vice President, Corporate Sales & Integrated Media, Miami Dolphins, will discuss the successes and challenges they have faced in implementing new technologies and the impact these innovations have had on fan engagement, sponsor promotions and other key business areas.
4:00
Networking Break Hosted by
4:30
Champions: Reflections and Forecasts from Pioneers and Innovators in Sports Business
“Champions: Pioneers and Innovators in Sports Business” is a new award from SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. This session will feature the award’s inaugural recipients. “Champions” are a special group of individuals selected for their outstanding achievement throughout their careers. They have made a distinct impact on the sports business and the award is a true testament to their pioneering spirit. In this session, our six honorees will reflect on their years in sports and how the industry has changed. The inaugural honorees include Jerry Colangelo, Chairman, Phoenix Suns and Chair, USA Basketball BOD; Jim Host, Founder, Host Communications; Ron Labinski, Co-Founder and former Managing Partner, HOK Sport (now Populous); Donna Lopiano, President, Sports Management Resources; Neal Pilson, President, Pilson Communications; and Tony Ponturo, CEO, Ponturo Management Group.
5:30
Networking Reception hosted by
DAY TWO Thursday, March 18
7:30
Breakfast hosted by
7:45
31st Annual Sports Emmy Awards Nomination
Press Conference
8:15
The Crystal Ball: Forecasting the Future of Sports Business
After one of the industry’s most tumultuous years, what’s next? Will the industry see a gradual return to the free-spending years when corporate dollars flowed into sports and consumers displayed an unending appetite for more, or will the many economic, labor and media rights challenges change the sports business forever? In one of the most anticipated sessions of the Congress, today’s sports leaders will forecast where they see areas for growth and opportunity. You will hear forecasts from Steve Bornstein, Executive Vice President, Media, NFL and President & CEO, NFL Network; Don Garber, Commissioner, MLS; Tim Leiweke, President & CEO, AEG; Adam Silver, Deputy Commissioner & COO, NBA; Steve Tisch, Chairman & Executive Vice President, New York Giants; and Casey Wasserman, CEO, Wasserman Media Group.
9:15
Sports Media: The New Era of New Competition
Mega-mergers will shake up the landscape; media companies are targeting both local initiatives and global expansion; retransmission agreements promise to change the revenue models; leagueowned networks are getting a more prominent position in the programming mix; and all this comes while big-ticket rights fees are on the horizon. Is sports media at a dynamic tipping point? Listen to a diverse group of top media executives debate what the competitive environment will look like over the next 12 to 24 months and in the next five to 10 years. You will hear from Derek Chang, Executive Vice President, Content Strategy & Development, DirecTV; Lenny Daniels, Executive Vice President & COO, Turner Sports; Jamie Davis, President, Versus; Randy Freer, President, FOX Sports Net; Joseph Ravitch, Founder & Partner, Raine; and Ken Solomon, Chairman & CEO, Tennis Channel.
10:10
Networking Break hosted by
10:30
Sports and Hollywood: A Stronger Connection on Many Levels
The connection between sports and the entertainment industry continues to grow, as sports leagues and broadcast partners look for ways to build audience with compelling story telling through sports and by using these films to expand their marketing reach. From ESPN’s “30 for 30” to HBO’s documentaries, sports-related entertainment continues to draw audiences. What are the benefits that sports and entertainment platforms provide each other and why do sports-related movies continue to do well at the box office? In addition to exploring the growing relationship between sports and Hollywood, this session will examine why more and more movie and TV executives have been drawn to sports and what type of sports-related story telling works best for today’s audiences. This session will be moderated by Chris Connelly, Essayist & Reporter, ESPN, and will feature insights from Ross Greenburg, President, HBO Sports; John Lee Hancock, Director/Screenwriter; Mike Tollin, Director, Mike Tollin Productions; and film writer, producer and director Ron Shelton, among others.
11:30
The Role of Philanthropy in Sports
More than ever, social responsibility has become an increasingly important element of sports, as properties, athletes, corporate partners, the media and philanthropic organizations give back and throw their support behind charitable causes. This session will examine — from multiple perspectives — the altruistic and strategic importance of philanthropic causes and the long-term benefits to athletes, corporate America and organizations across the sports spectrum. You will hear from moderator Ivan Blumberg, CEO, Athletes for Hope and panelists Wally Haas, Board Chair, Team-Up for Youth; Tony Hawk, Professional Skateboarder; Founder, Tony Hawk Foundation; President, Tony Hawk Inc.; Steve Miller, CEO, Agassi Graf Holdings and Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and Dikembe Mutombo, Global Ambassador, NBA, among others.
12:30
Luncheon
For PROGRAM information, including ATTENDANCE, please contact Jim Sullivan at
For information on SPONSORSHIP opportunities, please contact Julie Tuttle at