Digital Media Panel
Judi Allen
Associate at Quantum Media
Most recently Judi was Vice President of Video Strategy and Business Development in the Video and Content Group at Time Warner Cable, responsible for digital media, authenticated online content, streaming video to consumer electronics devices, video-on-demand, interactive television, and new video services for residential and commercial customers. She has over twenty years of experience as an executive and consultant for a wide variety of companies in the media, financial and information services sectors. Her approach is flexible, hands-on and collaborative. Recent accomplishments include leading the team that created first-ever iPad app with live TV channels inside subscribers’ homes, managing negotiations and product development for the live streaming of ESPN channels over the internet to authenticated video subscribers, and launching a ground-breaking new video product offering fewer channels than usually packaged together yet including popular, widely-distributed TV channels traditionally only available in large, more expensive packages. Judi formerly served as Senior Vice President, Video for MediaOne, leading all aspects of video product management, including content acquisition and negotiations, customer acquisition and retention, branding and product development. Before MediaOne, she served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and Programming for Century Communications Corporation and Vice President, National Accounts, Affiliate Relations at USA Networks. She served for five years as Compensation Committee Chair on the Board of Directors of Rentrak Corporation, a digital media management firm. She is a former Board member of the Cable Television Association for Marketing (CTAM), and has been a frequent speaker for Women in Cable and Telecommunications (WICT). Allen holds degrees from Harvard Business School and Brown University.
Tom Newman
President at Interactive One
Tom Newman joined Interactive One as President in May 2007, where he is responsible for leading and managing the company’s businesses, including the suite of online brands targeting the African American market. Prior to Interactive One, Mr. Newman spent close to 7 years at Time Warner serving in various capacities. Prior to departing Time Warner, he served as the Senior Vice President of Network Development, focusing on strategy and corporate development for AOL. He reported to the President of Media Networks, AOL’s advertising and e-commerce division. He worked on a variety of initiatives including the acquisition and integration of Advertising.com, the development of new advertising products and businesses, and key transactions including the multi-billion dollar Google strategic relationship. His previous role was in Time Warner’s Mergers and Acquisitions group, where he worked on a variety of domestic and cross-border media transactions. Mr. Newman graduated from Harvard College magna cum laude with a degree in classics and earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School. He is involved in several not-for-profit organizations, including serving as a Board Member and Treasurer for Asphalt Green, one of the largest community and sports centers in New York, providing services to thousands of inner city children each year.
Jeff Dallesandro
VP Digital Domestic Network Distribution at HBO
Jeff Dallesandro is vice president, Digital Domestic Network Distribution, for Home Box Office. He is responsible for directing HBO’s overall digital distribution strategy through affiliate partnerships and authenticated digital platforms, including mobile phones, tablets, connected TV’s and gaming consoles. He also manages the Digital Distribution team which identifies new business and digital packaging opportunities, providing strategic recommendations and point of view analysis for future digital distribution of HBO GO® and MAX GO®, HBO’s authenticated online video destinations. Dallesandro was named to this position in November 2010. Under his supervision, the digital distribution team secured carriage for the HBO and MAX GO mobile applications on multiple devices including Apple’s iPad®, iPhone® and iPod Touch® as well as numerous smartphones using Google’s Android™ operating system. Distribution agreements were also secured for HBO GO on the Roku streaming platform, Samsung Smart TV™ and Smart Blu-Ray players and Xbox gaming consoles. Since joining, HBO in 1998, Dallesandro has served in a variety of roles throughout the company, ranging from Affiliate Marketing to Consumer Marketing. He holds a BS in Communications from Ithaca College.
Laura Lee
Director Content Partnerships at YouTube
Laura Lee joined YouTube in October 2007 and is based out of New York. She leads YouTube’s East Coast and Canadian TV and film team focusing on broadcasters, cable networks, film studios, and digital media partnerships. While at YouTube, she has cultivated numerous premium partnerships including NBCUniversal, Discovery Networks, Lionsgate, Sony Pictures and CBS and lead the launch of YouTube’s Rentals product. Prior to joining YouTube, Laura was Vice President and Head of Business Development and Operations for MTV Networks’ Music Group. During her four year tenure at MTVN, Laura helped lead the acquisition of Harmonix and launch several vertical broadband businesses. She also served in various production and development roles at VH1 and Spike TV. Before that, Laura worked at Time Warner in Special Projects in several capacities, including Interim Controller at Africana.com. A diehard Brooklynite, Laura is a graduate of Brown University and Harvard Business School and the proud mother of two rambunctious children.
Himesh Bhise (Moderator)
Managing Director at Activate
Himesh Bhise is a Managing Director at ACTIVATE, developing company strategy and building businesses with strong consumer propositions for media, communications, and technology clients. He specializes in product development, marketing, and partnering strategies that jumpstart growth. Previously, Himesh led the $1.4B Internet business, as part of the turnaround team, at Charter Communications. He outperformed the industry in revenue growth, built the fastest growing ISP web portal, developed multi-platform video services, drove targeted advertising, and launched a rapidly adopted wireless networking service. Prior, Himesh was the VP/GM of AOL Mobile and created a leader in messaging, search, and entertainment products working with carriers and OEM’s around the world. He also led marketing and business development for 80M uniques across Netscape, MapQuest, AIM, ICQ, Tegic and Personals. Himesh was a leader in the Telecom, M&A, and Marketing practices of McKinsey & Company. He received his MBA from the Wharton School.