Upcoming Moderation (Pun Intended)

Having abandoned it over Thanksgiving, it's now time for a little moderation (I know: a really bad pun).

Puns aside, I'm on deck to moderate panels on two very different topics at two upcoming conferences -- Toronto's Next Media and Tracy Swedlow's TV of Tomorrow intensive in NYC. Ping me if you plan to attend either. 

The Role of the Modern Storyteller

(Dec 4 at NextMedia) For hundreds of thousands of years humans have sat around the campfire and told stories. These stories have been the bedrock of civilizations creating and reflecting the cultural beliefs of any given society. The 20th century saw the rise of television as the modern campfire where billions of people can sit around and absorb stories that are told. Now, at the beginning of the 21st century as we enter into a more digital, connected and globalized world, we are seeing different types of storytelling emerge. Listen as expert digital storytellers from around the world answer the following questions;

- How have digital technologies changed the fundamental nature and process of modern day storytelling?

- What are the new skills that you need to thrive and survive in the age of digital storytelling?

- Are linear and interactive storytelling compatible? How can they co-exist to complement each other from a creative and business perspective?

Nick DeMartino, Moderator

Jay Bennett, SmokeBomb Entertainment

Christopher Sandburg, Company P

Suzanne Stefanac, Story Cubed

Esther Lim, The Estuary

Media/Tech Investment Trends for 2013

(Dec. 10 @TVOT) -- Join this timely discussion with three experienced panelists from the VC and investor community as they unpack the "Who, What, Why, When, and Where" of the marketplace for start-ups in the media and technology sectors. With some of the most talked-about investments in the media space (e.g., Bluefin Labs, Aereo, OnLive, GetGlue, Visible World, Flingo and CalmSea, among others), the panelists know the market today, and are betting on where it's going in the future. What tech and investment trends for 2013 are driving the decisions they are making right now? What criteria and methodologies do they use in deciding what categories and companies will get their money? How is the investment market evolving for both start-ups seeking funding and those who are investing? How do investment trends like the emergence of AngelList, equity crowdfunding, and accelerators impact the decisions they make, and the advice they provide to companies seeking support to bring their products to market? Panelists include: 

Nick DeMartino, Principal, Nick DeMartino Consulting (moderator) 

Gary Lauder, Managing Partner, Lauder Partners 

Scott Levine, Managing Director, Time Warner Investments 

Anne-Marie Roussel, Executive-in-Residence, Illuminate Ventures