Digital Content NewFront
The Digital Content NewFront is an annual event that takes place during Internet Week New York. Hosted by Digitas and its brand content entity, The Third Act, the event brings together content creators, distributors, talent, and brands to harness creative media opportunities made possible in the age of digital marketing. 2009's event was broadcast via public webcast.
History
The Third Act held the first ever Digital Content NewFront in 2008 to explore and help evolve the brand content and distribution landscape. The event showcased online video content companies like 60 Frames,MySpaceTV, MTV New Media, Generate, Next New Networks, and Vuguru. Some of the featured speakers and panelists included Michael Eisner, CEO of Tornate and Vuguru, former Disney CEO and Dmitry Shapiro, the founder of Veoh Networks.
Digital Content NewFront 2008 Speakers & Panels
Dmitry Shapiro (VEOH Networks) interviewed Michael Eisner (Vuguru).
Stephanie Sarofian, SVP and Managing Director of the Third Act, led a panel on content creation with Brent Weinstein, CEO, 60 Frames; Jordan Levin, Founding Partner & CEO, Generate; David Gale, Executive Vice President, News Media, MTV; and Kevin Townsend, Founder Managing Partner, CEO, Science + Fiction.
Mark Beeching, Digitas Worldwide Creative Officer.
Digital Content NewFront 2009 Speakers & Panels
Al Gore, Former Vice President and co-founder of Current TV.
Tom Green, Actor and comedian, led a live version of his popular digital talk show, Tom Green Live. Guests included: Craig Brewer, Director, $5 Cover; Paula Deen, Paula Deen Enterprises and star of "Get Cookin' with Paula Deen"; Milo Ventimiglia, Actor, Producer, and Founder of Divide Pictures; Faith Ford, Actress and Host of MSN's original web series, Mind Body Balance; and Kevin Nalty, Vlogger and YouTube Star.
Jake Hurwitz and Amir Blumenfeld, creators and stars of College Humor's popular online show Jake and Amir.
Jeff Berman, President of Sales and Marketing, MySpace, led a marketers' roundtable with guests Andy England, CMO, Miller-Coors; Tony Pace, CMO, Subway; Mark Stewart, VP, Global Media, Kraft; and Deidre Bigley, VP, Brand, IBM.
Daisy Whitney, Multimedia reporter (ABCNews.com and KNTV) and host of her own show New Media Minute, led a panel on measuring brand content programs with guests Alex Levy, Director of Brand Entertainment, Google; Dave Balter, Founder & CEO, BzzAgent; Tim Shey, Co-founder and Head of Entertainment, Next New Networks; Dina Kaplan, blip.tv and Amanda Richman, SVP, Direct of Digital, MediaVest.
Further reading
Kelly Samardak, “Just An Online Minute...You're Either Newfront Or You're Oldbehind and "Just An Online Minute... Green Beer And Faith Butter At The Newfronts"– MediaPost, June 4 & 5, 2009
Gillian Reagan, “The Observer’s Guide to Geekery at Internet Week New York” – The New York Observer, May 29, 2009
Gian Lombardi, “Digitas’ NewFront Event in NYC” – Take 2 Video Blog, June 9, 2008
Mike Shields,” 'Digital Newfront' Weighs Web Video Gains, Goals” – Mediaweek, June 5, 2008