Our Board
Our Board
Allison Arden, Founder and CEO, Soul + Co
Allison Arden is a purpose driven entrepreneur, media executive, advisor and author. She is the
Founder and CEO of Soul + Co, helping leaders build companies and cultures fueled by
creativity, purpose, well-being, and success.
Allison spent nearly a decade as publisher of Ad Age, building new businesses and brands to support the journalism critical to an industry undergoing seismic change. She led the brand through the most volatile period in its 80-year history by creating a culture of psychological safety that helped fuel innovation amidst the economic downturn and the digital revolution.
A recognized corporate executive turned entrepreneur, Allison now advises legacy companies and start-ups working to evolve and grow existing brands and bring new products to market.
Allison's first book, The Book of Doing: Everyday Activities to Unlock Creativity and Joy, is for anyone looking to inspire curiosity, reignite passion, and find delight in all they do. She serves as Vice Chair for the John A. Reisenbach Foundation, supporting programs to make New York a safer city, is a member of the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement, and a Mentor for BeyondSKU, an accelerator for early stage startups. A three-time New York City marathoner, Allison is a Brooklyn native, now living in Manhattan with her husband, their two children, and their chocolate lab Rosie.
Gerry Byrne
Vice Chairman, PMC (Penske Media Corp)
PMC owns leading entertainment, fashion and digital media brands that include Rolling Stone, Variety, WWD, Deadline Hollywood, IndieWire, Hollywood Life, TVLine, and The Robb Report. Byrne’s decades of accomplishments as a media executive, entrepreneur and community leader are highlighted by a long run as publisher of Variety where he dramatically transformed that business into a powerful, diversified, global media brand. The start-up publisher of both Electronic Media and Crain’s New York Business, Byrne also successfully created The Quill Awards for NBC before he led a division of Nielsen that included The Hollywood Reporter, Billboard. Adweek and Backstage. Additionally, Byrne serves as Executive Chairman Washington Life Magazine.
A staunch believer in “participation”, Mr. Byrne is on the boards of numerous not-for-profits including Military Adaptive Sports Inc. (The 2016 Invictus Games), Fisher House, The Intrepid Museum, Veterans Advantage (Advisory Board), The Bob Woodruff Foundation, The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research, Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Plaza, The Creative Coalition, The Hamptons International Film Festival (Advisory Board), The IFP – Independent Filmmaker Project, The John A. Reisenbach Foundation (Chairman), The Armory Foundation and The New York City Police Museum. He is also on the U. S. Advisory Council of the IESE Business School, University of Navarra in Barcelona, the Advisory Board of the Fordham University Gabelli School and the Board of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. In November 2012, Mr. Byrne also launched, as Founder/Chairman, the first ever Veterans Week NYC, a series of events dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans and their families. And in May 2017, as Founder/Chairman, Mr. Byrne launched Veterans on Campus NYC, a veteran’s support consortium comprised of all the NYC colleges and universities where veterans attend on the GI Bill.
Mr. Byrne was awarded the “Salah M. Hassanein Humanitarian Award” at ShowEast ’96, New York’s Elaine Kaufman Cultural Center’s 2002 Distinguished Service Award and the NYPD Marine Corps Association 2002 “Semper Fi” Award for his work in the community. And in June 2009, NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented Mr. Byrne the “Made In NY” Award for his support of Gotham’s entertainment and media industries. In November 2017, General Robert Neller, Commandant of the Marine Corps, presented Mr. Byrne the Department of the Navy’s Meritorious Public Service Award.
Mr. Byrne is a member of The British Academy of Film & Television Arts and The New York Athletic Club.
A 1966 graduate of Fordham College, Mr. Byrne served as a Marine Officer in Vietnam in 1968/69 and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal with Combat V.
Steve Grubbs
President, Second Act Media
Steve Grubbs is the founder of Second Act Media consultancy. Second Act advises start-up and early stage companies on how best to market their products and services across the advertising ecosystem. Second Act also advises marketers and producers on media strategy, entertainment related projects, and sports sponsorship.
Second Act Media is currently an advisor to AmpLive, BrightLine, LLC, Global Content Partners and Prohaska Consulting
Prior to creating Second Act Media in 2010, Steve worked in a variety of C-level positions within the Omnicom Group of Companies. From 1999-2009 Steve served as CEO of OMD USA, CEO of PHD North America and CEO of Omnicom Media Group Entertainment & Sports.
Steve was a four-time winner of Mediaweek’s “Media All-Stars” Award and a two-time winner of Advertising Age’s “Media Mavens” Award. He is also on the Board of the International Radio and Television Society.
Lou Festa
Lou Festa is the Executive Vice President of Finance and Business Affairs at Zero Point Zero Production.
Cathy Frankel
Founder, Cathy Frankel Talent Management LLC
Cathy is the CEO and General Counsel of Mario Batali Enterprises LLC, Via Alta Productions LLC, and Chicharron Entertainment LLC, which provide licensing, video production and speakers bureau services. She is also the founder of Cathy Frankel Talent Management LLC, which provides career guidance and management for a wide range of talent with respect to their professional endeavors in the entertainment and related industries. Prior to 2012 she was the Chair of the Entertainment and Advertising Group at the law firm Moses & Singer LLP.
Liz Koman
Liz Koman is thrilled to be the new CMO at Manifest. She's from Short Hills, New Jersey, and has spent nearly 3 decades selling and marketing everything from USA Network to Martha Stewart and Wendy Williams. She is considered a branded content and revenue generation expert and created the first integration business in daytime television. She is cursed with being a longtime New York Jets fan and blessed with being the owner of the two most gigantic golden retrievers you’ve ever seen, leading her husband, daughter and son to call her the New Jersey Khaleesi (…that’s ‘mother of two golden dragons,’ of course).
Robert W.C. Lilley
Media Ventures, Inc.
Bob spent over 3 decades in the media business, starting at Ogilvy and Grey Advertising and then serving as media director at both Kenyon and Eckart and Lintas. He was a client for 10 years, running the in-house media operation for Combe Incorporated, and held senior positions at Western International Media and Optimedia.
He was a member of the 4A’s Media Policy Committee and E-Business Committee, the ANA Television Committee, the Media Directors Council and the New York Advertising Club Program Committee. He was a board member of the African Medical and Research Organization and a past Chairman of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation.
James H Rosenfield, Sr.
Rosenfield spent 20 years (1965 to 1985) at CBS. Inc. He joined CBS as a television network salesman, then: Director Daytime/Sports Sales, VP Eastern Sales, VP National Sales.) 1980: President, CBS/TV Network, 1982: Exec VP, CBS/Broadcast Group, 1984: Sr. Executive VP(COO). He Retired from CBS in 1985.
In 1987, he purchased, (with Dillon Reed), John Blair Communications. He was /chairman and CEO for 7 years, He joined Veronis, Suhler, Investments as a managing director in 1994 for 4 years, when he left to set up his own consulting business.
James H. Rosenfield is President of JHR & Associates, consultants to traditional media, interactive digital media, communications, and entertainment companies. His clients have included: STATS,Inc (Sold to News Corp.) Pathfire Communications, specialists in “Store and Forward” satellite distribution, Hotel Networks, (Sold to Liberty Media). For 15 years he was on the board of Salon Media (Salon Digital Magazine) and he was an investor and on the board of Telecorps Holdings, a holding company financed by HIG Financial,
which purchased Wexler Video and Coffee Sound.
He is currently a consultant and board member of Red Sky Entertainment, digital publishers of over 50 children’s, young adult and other genre digital books, highlighted by the Avalon Series ‘
for young-adult female readers. A television series based on the books is currently in development with a Canadian Production Company.
His earlier corporate experience includes NBC (Today, Home and Tonight) advertising sales); Polaroid Corporation: Marketing Director, and Vice President, Marketing of Airequipt, Inc, manufacturer of photographic equipment.
BOARDS: SALON MEDIA (Recently retired). PATHFIRE, Inc
PRO BONO BOARDS: INTERNEWS International; (REISENBACH Foundation, Past President of International Radio & Television Society (IRTS), Past Chairman, and currently board member, of the Advertising Council, and LIFETIME FELLOW of the International Council of the Television Academy.
Former Board member of Jr. Achievement.
US Army, Signal Corps Intelligence (ASA) (1950-1953): Army Language School: Polish
Former alumni trustee of the Roxbury Latin School ‘48, . Dartmouth College (’52)
Honorary PHD, St. Johns University. (1980)
Larry Schatz
Larry’s experience spans more than 35 years as a seasoned business development and media executive having served as Principal of the Randolph Media Group providing strategy, planning and business development services to production, media and broadcast clients. His media and content career also included senior positions at Corinthian Media and All American Television.
Larry currently is a commercial real estate broker in the states of North Carolina and New York providing transactional and advisory services to commercial property owners and buyers, landlords and tenants, and investors.
Larry is the founding Chairman of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation and currently serves in its board. He is a member of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and the Carolina Real Estate Investors Association. He has also been a mentor for the Baruch College Entrepreneurship Competition and a judge at AAF’s National Student Advertising Competition.
Larry resides in Asheville, NC with his wife, Dr. Nancy Schatz.
Beloyianis Design LLC
Brookfield Property Partners
BlackRock
Engine Group
NBC Owned TV Stations
Michelle Aragon,SVP Business Solutions, MAGNA Global
Michelle is an influential global brand marketer who brings well-rounded experience in the areas of strategic direction, business development, operations and marketing to each project she leads. Her current focus is on building the MAGNA brand and business, where her versatility has helped to increase brand value and maximize profitability. She has held executive management roles at IPG’s MRM//McCann and one of the world’s largest beverage companies, Constellation Brands. Michelle has a passion for making a difference in the industry and community, serving as She Runs It Executive Achievement Committee Co-Chair, John A. Reisenbach Foundation Board of Trustees, Friends of Mount Sinai Board of Directors, and Step Up New York Chapter Board Member.
Jim Beloyianis, Beloyianis Design LLC
Jim Beloyianis is a 40 year Broadcast Media veteran. His Media career began at Grey Advertising in 1972 as a buyer/planner. He joined Katz Television in 1973 as television sales representative. Jim was promoted to Sales Manager, General Sales Manager, division President, Executive Vice President and President of the Katz Television Group from 1994-2012. JIm is now a media consultant focusing on automated sales solutions for the local station Broadcast community.
Andrew Brent
Andrew Brent is Head of Communications for Brookfield Properties, one of the world’s largest real estate companies with iconic commercial properties in many of the world’s most dynamic cities. He joined Brookfield Properties in August 2016. In his role, he oversees internal and external communications, government affairs and charitable giving for Brookfield Properties’ Office portfolio in the U.S.
Andrew joined Brookfield Properties from Citi, where he served as Director of Consumer Public Affairs. There he led communications and served as chief spokesperson for Citi’s U.S. Consumer and Commercial Banking businesses and Citi FinTech, the bank’s digital banking enterprise. He also played a leading role in Citi’s sponsorship and stewardship of Citi Bike, New York City and Miami’s public bike share program. Prior to Citi, Andrew was Deputy Press Secretary to New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. There he served as spokesperson for the Mayor on issues related to the economy, economic development, housing, city planning, small business services, tourism, cultural affairs, parks, media and entertainment, the technology sector, telecommunications, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. He oversaw the handling of media inquiries by press officers at 19 City agencies and offices, and he developed and implemented comprehensive communications plans to drive key initiatives, including the Bloomberg Administration jobs plan and overall response to the economic downturn, the development of the World Trade Center site, the Cornell applied sciences campus on Roosevelt Island, the 9/11 Memorial and Museum and others. Previous roles he held in the Bloomberg Administration include Senior Advisor to Deputy Mayor Daniel L. Doctoroff and Director of Public Affairs for the New York City Economic Development Corporation.
Andrew received a BA from Johns Hopkins University and a Master of Public Administration from NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. He was born and raised in Manhattan, and now lives in Brooklyn with his wife and two children.
Lauren Busch, Global Marketing at BlackRock
Over the course of her career, Lauren has been fortunate enough to witness many of the transformations affecting the media industry first-hand. Because of her unique ability to recognize value and opportunity amidst major change, she has enjoyed success across brand-building, marketing, and media.
Upon graduating from Duke University, Lauren moved back to New York and began working at Zenith, a part of Publicis Media. This role ignited an interest in cross-channel marketing that led her to Audience Marketing at Penske Media Corporation. There, she leveraged her knowledge of integrated planning to drive subscription growth for such storied brands as WWD and Variety. She was able to navigate the challenges of managing an ever-changing business, while also spearheading strategic development initiatives and technological investments designed to directly impact the bottom line.
Lauren transitioned to the Global Marketing group at BlackRock at an opportune time, as the world’s largest asset manager is redefining how it thinks about marketing. Her extensive marketing and media background has made her uniquely qualified to contribute to that firm-wide shift.
Lauren grew up on Long Island, and New York City has always been “the city” to her. In addition to her work on the DukeNY board, she is deeply committed to the John A. Reisenbach Foundation for a better and safer New York, and co-chairs the JAR Trailblazer Council.
Frank Comerford
Chief Revenue Officer and President of Commercial Operations
NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations
Frank Comerford is the Chief Revenue Officer and President of Commercial Operations for the NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations. In this role, Comerford oversees all commercial efforts for the division's 30 NBC and Telemundo local television stations, regional news network, necn, two national multicast networks, COZI TV and TeleXitos, online properties and digital out-of-home platforms. In addition, he oversees sales efforts for the company's regional sports networks. Comerford is also responsible for developing new partnerships and business ventures that align the group’s growth with the needs of its clients.
Comerford has worked in the television industry for more than 30 years, including over 20 years with NBCUniversal. Before assuming his current role in October 2013, he was the Chief Revenue Officer of the NBC Owned Television Stations for five years. Previously, Comerford was President and General Manager of NBC's flagship station, WNBC, beginning in 2002. During his tenure, he oversaw the station's conversion to high definition, expanded its community partnerships and increased locally produced content. Comerford was also instrumental in bringing LX.TV, a lifestyle program production company, to the NBC family.
Prior to his role at WNBC, Comerford served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the NBC Owned Stations from 1999 through 2002. He joined NBCUniversal in 1994 and held various positions of increasing responsibility within the sales group, culminating with his 1996 promotion to Vice President of Sales for WNBC. Before joining NBC, Frank was with WSBK in Boston from 1986 until 1994, serving in several different sales management positions. He began his career in the television industry in 1981 with Storer Television Sales in New York City.
Comerford is very active in the community and serves on many charitable boards, including the Lutheran Medical Center, the Association for a Better New York, the Archdiocese of New York Catholic Charity, Xavier High School, the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, The John A. Reisenbach Foundation and the Diocese of Brooklyn's TVC. He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Television Advertising Bureau and is a past Chairman of that organization's Board. He has been honored by several prestigious organizations, including CAPP, Abilities School, the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Friends of AHRC Autism Program, Little Flower Children's Services and New Yorkers for Children. In 2012, Comerford was the Grand Marshall of the New York City St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Comerford holds a B.S. in business administration and finance from Georgetown University. He resides in Manhattan and Long Island with his wife, Maura, and their son, Francis.
Kasha Cacy
Global CEO, Engine Group
Kasha has more than 25 years of experience spanning media, data and analytics, performance marketing, content and consulting. She currently serves as the Global CEO of Engine Group where she oversees the company’s 17 offices across North America, the UK, Europe and Asia Pacific. Powered by technology, driven by insight and fueled by imagination, Engine Group is a market services and technology company built to meet today’s unique needs of marketers, agencies and publishers.
Kasha joined Engine from IPG’s UM, where she served as U.S. CEO. Prior to UM, she held positions at McCann Erickson, Ogilvy, Cheil Communications, Wunderman and Accenture. She is particularly passionate about how science drives art and how data fuels content, creative and business strategy. Her industry accolades include: Adweek Media All-Star, Adweek 50’s “most indispensable executives”, AdAge’s Women to Watch, and She Runs It’s Impact and Working Mother of the Year Awards. In addition to serving on the board of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation, she also serves on the Executive Board of the Ad Council and is a representative on the District 4 Community Education in New York City.
On the weekends, you can find Kasha relaxing at her beach house with her kids.
Ed Erhardt
CEO and Founder, Edhardt Media Advisors
Ed is past President of ESPN Global Sales & Marketing. He served this position from May 2015 - December 2018. In his Presidency, having overseen the multimedia sales team for the company since 1999, he added oversight of consumer marketing, research and advertising sales business operations. He was responsible for developing an insights-driven marketing and data organization supporting one of the company’s most important revenue streams: advertising sales.
Erhardt led a sales and marketing team that provided advertisers and marketers access to the premier media and marketing platforms under the ESPN umbrella which includes ESPN’s domestic networks, ESPN on ABC, ESPN.com, ESPN3, ESPN The Magazine, ESPN Radio, ESPN International, WatchESPN and ESPN Mobile.
He broke new ground in the media and advertising sales industry by creating the first unified sales organization that represents The Walt Disney Company sports assets across all media platforms. Organized by team and focused on customer needs and media agnostic, it has been widely hailed by competitors and customers as the prototype for the future of media marketing and selling.
Erhardt was responsible for ESPN’s marketing efforts which include the development, direction and implementation of all branding, creative services and marketing for ESPN’s growing media businesses, encompassing television, mobile, print, radio, the Internet, consumer products and all outdoor advertising. This includes the oversight of the company’s award-winning “This is SportsCenter” marketing campaign.
He also oversaw ESPN’s research and analytics group, which serves as a vital link between the company’s strategic planning of new products and services and constantly shifting marketplace dynamics as well as the company’s special event marketing department.
Rebecca Foy
Head of Scaled Excellence, Facebook
Rebecca Foy is the Head of Scaled Excellence within Facebook’s Global Sales Organization where she is responsible for defining and scaling programs that drive growth, productivity and community for 2,000+ people across 30+ markets.
Becca has been working at Facebook for nearly ten years and prior to her current role, she was the Business Lead to Facebook's VP of Global Marketing Solutions Team where she focused on building a thriving global advertising business, elevating customer relationships and leading strategic internal crossfunctional initiatives. This was a natural role for Becca after working directly with some of Facebook’s top clients within the US financial services industry. As an Industry Manager, she managed a sales team responsible for delivering strategic long-term business solutions and exceptional customer service to both advertiser and agency partners. Prior to this role, Becca was instrumental in building some of Facebook's earliest global partnerships within the consumer packaged goods vertical. Prior to joining Facebook, Becca spent a year and half at Yahoo! working in
Account Management.
Within the industry, Becca is an active member of W.O.M.E.N. In America, a leadership organization designed to develop professional women across all industries. Ms. Foy is also a member of the Advertising Women of New York and is working to expand women's leadership initiatives inside and outside of Facebook.
In her spare time, Becca is an avid equestrian and an active volunteer for My SHINE Program, a therapeutic horsemanship program for riders with special needs. She holds a B.S in Business Administration (with a Marketing concentration) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and currently resides in Manhattan with her husband, Scott.
Edhardt Media Advisors
BET
Dentsu Aegis Network
Horizon Media Inc.
Raymond Goulbourne
EVP Broadcast Media Sales, BET Networks
Alex Josephson
Twitter Next
Alex Josephson leads Twitter Next - a global team of strategists, technologists and designers - focused on advising Fortune 500 advertisers on brand strategy and marketing techniques. His team's work has been recognized over the years from Cannes Lions to The Clios and has been covered by Forbes, Fast Company, The New York Times, and more. Prior to joining Twitter in 2012, Alex has held various positions in marketing and communications at Viacom, Vevo, the NBA, and the American Red Cross. Alex was born in Manhattan, where his parents originally met while working as journalists. New York and media have always been a part of his DNA (his father spent the majority of his career working in Radio and PR for non-profits and his wife, Rebecca, has been at HBO since 2010). Alex currently resides in Montclair, NJ with Rebecca and their two children, Reese and Riley.
Jacki Kelley
President and Chief Client Officer; U.S., Dentsu Aegis Network
Jacki Kelley is the President and Chief Client Officer for Dentsu Aegis Network, U.S., and has been a recognized and lauded leader in the advertising and media industries for over 25 years. Kelley is responsible for architecting integrated marketing strategies for clients across all capabilities including creative, media, performance, consumer experience, commerce, CRM and loyalty. Kelley sits on the US Exec and on the Global Senior Leadership Forum at Dentsu.
Prior to Dentsu, Kelley spent five years at Bloomberg, first joining as COO of Bloomberg Media in 2014 and then moving to Bloomberg LP in 2017 after being appointed Deputy Chief Operating Officer. During her time at Blomberg LP, she worked across critical functions including HR, Technology Operations, Workplace Operations, and Philanthropy. Before joining Bloomberg, Kelley was the CEO, North America, and President of Global Clients for IPG Mediabrands as well as Global CEO, Universal McCann. She was also a Vice President, Worldwide Strategy & Solutions, at Yahoo! and worked with USA Today for 18 years, leaving the company as a Senior Vice President.
Jacki serves on the boards of FreshPet and Comic Relief USA and has been honored with the United Way of New York City’s Power of Women to Make a Difference Award. She was named a Matrix Award Honoree by New York Women in Communications; Advertising Woman of the Year by the Advertising Women of New York; a New York Women in Film & Television Muse Award Honoree; and was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement. She has been honored as one of Crain’s New York Business’s 50 Most Powerful Women in New York and Advertising Age’s 100 Most Influential Women in Advertising, as well as number one on Business Insider’s 30 Most Powerful Women in Advertising list.
Bill Koenigsberg
President, CEO, Founder
Horizon Media
Bill Koenigsberg founded Horizon Media in 1989, with strategic leadership and client service as its central tenets, and a firm belief that business is personal. Today, with $8 billion in client investments and more than 2,000 employees, Horizon is the largest privately-held media agency in the world, representing GEICO, Sprint, Capital One, Burger King, A+E Networks, Constellation Brands, STX Entertainment, Turner and LG Electronics to name a few.
Under Koenigsberg’s leadership, Horizon has evolved into world class data-driven marketing organization. Over the past 28 years, Horizon has received numerous honors for creativity, innovation and marketing effectiveness and has been named Media Agency of the Year by Advertising Age, Adweek, Mediaweek and Brandweek. The agency was named Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost and was named one of the world’s most innovative advertising and marketing firms by Fast Company. As testament to Horizon’s commitment to its people and its culture, the agency has appeared on multiple lists as one of the Best places to work across publications such as Advertising Age, Adweek, Los Angeles Business Journal and Crain New York Business. Of particular note, FORTUNE recently named Horizon as one of the best places for women to work in 2016.
Koenigsberg has received numerous industry accolades for his vision and leadership. He was honored on Adweek’s prestigious Power List, named to the 4A’s Advertising 100 list, honored as one of the Giants of Broadcasting and Electronic Arts by the IRTS Foundation, and recognized by Cynopsis as a Luminary, with its “Champion Award” in 2017. He was named to Variety’s Gotham 60: Influential New Yorkers in Entertainment and Media list in 2015. The esteemed list profiles Variety Magazine’s pick of New Yorkers who have made an impact in the past year on the city’s entertainment and media scene. In 2014, he was inducted to the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame, which honors pioneers and innovators of the electronic arts. In 2014, Koenigsberg was the first media executive to be named board chair of the 4A’s and is the only person to receive the prestigious Advertising Age Media Maven Award twice. He has also been honored as Media Executive of the Year by Mediaweek and featured as one of its top 50 most influential executives in the industry.
Bill served as the Chairman of the 4A’s Board of Directors from 2014 to 2017, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the 4A’s Board of Directors. He is on the board of the International Radio and Television Society and serves as Chairman of the Media Exposure Committee. The IRTS Foundation named honored him with the “Hall of Mentorship Award,” and The National Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) and The Power of Urban Radio Alliance honored Koenigsberg for his strong leadership on the industry’s adoption of the 4As Non Discrimination Policy and Complaint Review Process.
Philanthropy plays an important part of his life. He has been awarded the Reisenbach Foundation’s “Distinguished Citizen Award” for his contributions to the organization’s goal of creating a safer New York. He was also honored with The National Kidney Foundation’s “Visionary Leader Award,” and City Harvest’s “the Star of the City Award” for this longstanding commitment and support.
In addition to leading Horizon Media, Koenigsberg is also Chairman of the Board for Local Planet, the largest global network of independent media agencies, of which Horizon was a founding member.
Scott Kushner is the CEO/Executive Producer of MediaPlace, which he founded in 1993.
Prior to starting MediaPlace, Scott was part of the initial development and management team of Point-of-Purchase (POP Radio), rising to Vice President/General Manager. He began his professional life developing long form radio content for syndicators DIR Broadcasting, LBS Communications and The ABC Radio Network.
In addition to overseeing MediaPlace core branded content and location based marketing boutique, Scott manages a content development department that specializes in scripted and unscripted multi-platform television formats, as well as the careers of several professional musical recording artists. Scott holds a BA degree from George Washington University and resides in New York City with his wife Susan and son Max.
Lew Leone
Fox 5/My 9
Lew Leone is the vice president and general manager of WNYW-FOX 5 and WWOR-My9, FOX Television Stations' New York duopoly. Leone has extensive experience in the nation's number one television market. Prior to joining FOX 5 and My9, Leone spent three years at WCBS-TV as the president and general manager and three years as the vice president of sales at WNBC-TV. In 1998 he served as NBC Network's vice president of sports and Olympics sales. In this role he was responsible for sports sales efforts, including new business development and marketing strategies. He was promoted to this position after serving as WNBC's local sales manager for two years.
Leone also served as an account executive for ABC Sports Sales from 1993 to 1996, where he was responsible for sales of the network's sports properties. His professional background includes working as sales manager for Capital Cities/ABC National Television Sales in St. Louis and account executive for both ABC National Sales in Chicago and WABC-TV in New York.
Leone is an active participant in the television industry as well as the local community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Broadcasters Association, the John Reisenbach Foundation, the Broadway Association, PENCIL, the New York City Police Museum and the Westchester Chapter of the National Football Foundation. He serves as a corporate advisory board member for the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families and is a member of the Business Committee for the Metropolitan Museum as well as a member of the Ad Council New York Leadership Committee. Leone is also an advisory board member for the New York chapter of the League of Women Voters, and a member of the Steering Committee for the Association for a Better New York (ABNY). Most recently Leone has begun delivering editorials for Fox 5 focusing on public education. Leone is a graduate of Princeton University with a bachelor's degree in economics.
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MediaPlace
Fox 5/My 9
UM Worldwide
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MyersBizNet/MediaVillage
CBS
Lynn Lewis
President, East Coast Region & Global Chief Marketing Officer, UM
As East Coast President, Lewis is charged with building the culture and capabilities of UM’s East Coast offices. She also serves as the head of UM’s Coke Connection Studio, running the iconic brand’s account from the agency’s global headquarters in New York City. The architect of J3, UM's dedicated media unit servicing Johnson & Johnson, she will focus on bringing the J3 model of integrated planning, cross-media investment, the BAE and UM Studios across all accounts.
Lynn also serves as UM's Global Chief Marketing Officer, the driving force behind UM’s brand positioning, helping to build the agency’s vision, and evolve the brand internally and externally. As such, she oversees UM’s strategic branding and awards initiatives globally as well as UM’s corporate philanthropy programs, ensuring the agency’s brand is communicated effectively across all channels and award-worthy client work is recognized within the media industry.
Prior to her current role, Lynn spent several years as the Global Managing Partner of J3, UM’s dedicated Johnson & Johnson media unit. Her leadership at J3 has become an agency and industry model of how integrated communications planning leads to a new level of creativity and effectiveness. She has championed incorporating digital innovations, custom content, rapid fire analytics and retail activation across all Johnson & Johnson brands. Over the years Lynn has led J3 through a significant evolution which has resulted in ground-breaking and creatively-charged media executions including Clean & Clear’s “See the Real Me,” JOHNSON’S BABY “Treasure Everyday Joy” and Rogaine “Grow Your Game.”
Before taking the reins at J3, Lynn served as the Global Managing Partner on Sony at UM. Having spent her first 10 years in the industry at McCann Erickson as Account Director, she worked on such marquee accounts as Coca-Cola, L'Oréal, Gillette, Waterman, Nabisco, Vaseline and Bacardi. Her work has been singled out numerous times, having received many industry awards and recognitions.
Highly regarded throughout the industry, Lynn was named AWNY’s Working Mother of the Year in 2012. In 2013, she was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Achievement. She was also honored with the Jack Avrett Volunteer Spirit Award for her mentoring work, inspirational leadership and commitment to her community. A 2016 Internationalist Agency Innovator, Lynn was most recently named to the 2017 list of Adweek Media All-Stars. Lynn also serves on multiple boards including New York Women In Communications and Makers.
Jon Mandel
In over 30 years at Grey Advertising, Jon not only built MediaCom into one of the largest media agencies (with over 85% of its billings from clients outside of the Grey holding company) but also was instrumental in the creation and development of many now common facets of the media landscape. Creativity and the need to find new and effective marketing avenues for advertisers led the drive to these developments from the first online-only media agency in the early ‘90’s to a broad variety of now everyday opportunities in television, radio, print, and out of home. In recognition of this, Jon has been a three time Ad Age Media Maven and multiple Adweek Media All Star.
Two years after the merger of Grey/MediaCom and WPP, Jon joined the Nielsen Company as CEO of NielsenConnect. This new division was created to develop new products to fit client needs by combining data across Nielsen products.
With this experience in hand, he was the CEO of PrecisionDemand that was a startup enterprise in Seattle that targeted television with the accuracy of online targeting. The success of the methodology drove client’s sales remarkably, from plus 10% to over 70% increases. In May 2014, PrecisionDemand was acquired by AOL to be a part of its attempt at programmatic video.
Jon has long been a participant in industry matters ranging from being the first media agency person to be on the Board of the 4A’s and the first agency person to be Chair of the National Association of Television Programming Executives to frequent testimony and ex parte meetings at the Federal Communications Commission and the US Senate Commerce Committee.
He has, and continues to serve on various company Boards ranging from publicly traded to venture backed media and advertising technology companies.
Jack Myers
Chairman & Media Ecologist: MediaVillage
Jack Myers, is a media ecologist and founder of MediaVillage, the premier thought-leadership and industry communications platform for media, marketing, advertising services, ad-tech, and entertainment companies. Jack has advised hundreds of leading corporations on media, cultural and technology trends, and is founder of AdvancingDiversity.org, WomenAdvancing.org, and 1stFive.org. Jack is author of The Future of Men: Men on Trial; Hooked Up: A New Generation’s Surprising Take on Sex, Politics and Saving the World; Virtual Worlds and Social Media: Rewiring Our Emotional DNA; and Reconnecting with Customers: Building Brands in The Relationship Age. His prescient insights and counsel have made him one of the foremost global experts on the impact of technological advances on culture, society, business, advertising, marketing and human connections. He has been honored with a George Foster Peabody Award and Academy and Emmy Award nominations for Best Documentary Feature. Jack is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the S.I. Newhouse School of Communications at Syracuse University, board chairman of the International Radio & Television Society Foundation, a trustee of She Runs It, and a board member of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation and TD Foundation. His TEDWomen Talk on The Future of Men can be viewed at www.futureofmen.com and you can follow him at www.jackmyers.com.
Amy Reisenbach
Amy Reisenbach oversees the combined department that supports current programming for both CBS Entertainment and CBS Television Studios. In her position, Reisenbach oversees creative affairs for all scripted series broadcast on CBS, and for Studio shows produced for other networks and streaming services. Previously, she worked at Warner Bros. Television in the drama development and current departments. Reisenbach graduated from the University of Arizona with a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Behavioral Sciences.
She is the sister of John A. Reisenbach.
Jo Ann Ross
President and Chief Advertising Revenue Officer, CBS Corporation
Jo Ann Ross is a broadcast network sales veteran who has served in various sales roles at CBS over the last 25 years. Ross, the first woman to serve as sales chief of a broadcast network and the longest running sales head in broadcast television,was promoted to President and Chief Advertising Revenue Officer, CBS Corporation in August 2017. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the Company’s multiplatform advertising sales effort. Ross previously served as President, Network Sales, CBS Television Network since October 2002, responsible for overseeing all sales for CBS Entertainment, Sports, Daytime, News and Late Night. In addition to her new responsibilities, Ross will continue to run the Network sales team in its many operations. She reports to Leslie Moonves, Chairman and CEO, CBS Corporation.
Before being named president of the sales division, Ross served as Executive Vice President of Sales at CBS (September 1998-2002), responsible for oversight of all sales for CBS’ primetime schedule. She also played a major role in creating new ways to sell Network programming, including reality, scripted, news and late-night genres. She joined CBS in 1992 as Vice President of Olympic Sales, in charge of Network sales for the Lillehammer Winter Olympics in 1994 and the Nagano Winter Olympics in 1998.
Prior to joining CBS, Ross was with the ABC Network for three years, where she sold daytime before being named a Prime Account Executive. Before that, Ross worked at the media buying firm Bozell, starting as an assistant buyer and working her way up to Senior Vice President, where she ran the network buying department.
She was inducted into the DTC Hall of Fame in 2015 and Broadcasting & Cable’s Hall of Fame in 2013. For many years running, Ross has been one ofThe Hollywood Reporter’s “100 Most Powerful Women in Entertainment,” and she has been selected to the “AdWeek 50” list of the most indispensable executives behind the CEO from marketing, media and tech. Additionally, she was named the Women in Sports and Entertainment “Woman of the Year” in 2005, and in September 2002 she was named one of Advertising Age’s “Media Mavens,” an annual compilation of the industry’s top media stars.
A cancer survivor, Ross has been a longtime supporter of MSKCC’s annual Cycle for Survival. She also serves on the Board of Directors of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation and The Ad Council.
Mindy Rubinstein
Communication Consultant
Mindy Rubinstein is an award-winning public relations executive with experience in both client and agency environments. Most recently, Mindy served as the Chief Communications Officer for Ketchum, a top communications consultancy, where she built a powerhouse corporate communications team for the firm.
Credited with establishing a reputation management program that secured Ketchum’s spot among the top-five global leaders in public relations, Mindy led the firm’s global brand and reputation management program, internal and external communications, awards and marketing. In addition, as a strong believer that communications should be a force for good, she also was the driving force behind, and then took on responsibility for, Ketchum’s award-winning corporate social responsibility program.
Prior to Ketchum, Mindy worked at Pfizer (Warner-Lambert) in communications and pharmaceutical sales. Passionate about healthcare, she played a key role in developing and coordinating public relations programs in support of prescription drugs and consumer brands such as Lipitor, Listerine and Sudafed. She was a key member of the transition communications team during the Warner-Lambert acquisition.
Mindy is a member of Page Up, the Public Relations Society of America and other professional associations focused on best practices in communications. She is an experienced awards juror, occasional blogger and has been a guest speaker at several universities.
In her free time, Mindy can be found exploring the latest cultural event, traveling to a new destination, hiking a trail or walking in New York City – usually with a camera in hand to capture the moment.
CBS
Communication Consultant
Horizon Media Inc.
Arnie Semsky Consulting Group
Charlie Rutman
Managing Partner
Horizon Media
With more than 3 decades of media experience, Charlie Rutman is a media veteran with exceptional skills in media planning, buying, research and client services. Rutman has tangible experience across a breadth of industries including packaged goods, automotive, soft drinks, beer, quick service restaurants, consumer electronics, pharmaceuticals and fashion.
Charlie has been recognized by Advertising Age as a Media Maven in 1998 and again in 2001. He was also named a Media All Star by Marketing & Media Decisions in 1988.
Charlie’s opinion is often sought by trade press journalists and industry associates. He is a regular speaker at industry conferences, and involved in committees including the AAAA’s Media Policy Committee, the Audit Bureau of Circulations and the Ad Council TV Committee. Rutman is also a mentor for industry leaders across marketing sectors.
Previous to his current role at Horizon, Charlie was CEO and President of two major media services organizations, MPG North America and Carat USA respectively.
Arnie Semsky
In 1999, Arnie Semsky created his own strategic marketing and media consultancy. He previously served, for twenty years, as Executive Vice-President, Worldwide Media Director and Board Member of the BBDO Worldwide unit of the Omnicom Group. Prior to that he was VP, National TV for Grey Advertising.
Mr. Semsky was a senior advisor for ESPN and the ESPN/ABC Sports Customer Marketing and Sales unit from 1999 to 2009. He also served on the Board of Directors of 24/7 Real Media from the time it went public to its sale to WPP. He was a founding member of the John A. Reisenbach Foundation for a Better and Safer New York.
Arnie joined BBDO New York in 1979 as Vice President and Associate Director of Network Programming, becoming Senior Vice President and Media Director the same year. He was elected Executive Vice President in 1982. Four years later he was promoted to Director of Media and Programming Services of BBDO Worldwide. In 1991, he was elected to the BBDO Worldwide Board of Directors.
Arnie’s passion has always been for the big idea - the strategic media solution that “has never been done before”. He is credited with such visionary moves as recommending to Pepsi that they become a charter advertiser on MTV, creating in 1981, a wave of industry involvement in the new medium of cable television. In 1986, Arnie convinced Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. to accept a Gillette TV buy that encompassed Australia’s Channel 10, the pan European Sky Channel and the upstart Fox Broadcasting Co. in the US. This was the world’s first global TV buy. In 1989, Arnie helped create The Media Partnership (TMP), the first joint venture between four competing agency networks for the purpose of media buying in Europe. His innovative plan for PentaCom, a dedicated full service media planning and buying resource for Chrysler, has since become the model for the way many major advertisers have consolidated their media efforts. He also created the BBDO Techsetter Hotline, making BBDO the first of the major ad agencies to have a website. The hotline has been used to collect information on the attitudes, opinion and purchasing habits of the early adopters of technology.
Arnie Semsky has, in addition to the big ideas he is known for, many other accomplishments that have left their mark on the advertising industry. Shortly after becoming NY Media Director, Arnie re-engineered the functionality of the media process by creating, for many clients, media generalists who had overall client media responsibility, eliminating the common split between planning and buying. Specialists in areas like program development, special markets, non-traditional media and new technologies support these generalists. This concept enables agencies to provide clients with a full range of media resources, from strategy to implementation, led by a senior media strategist who works closely with the agency’s account and creative teams.
In the early 1980’s Arnie resurrected the GE Theater, giving GE full control of two-hour blocks of primetime television in which to showcase the diversity of GE and the “We Bring Good Things to Life” campaign. For his work with Pepsi on MTV’s Rock the Vote, Arnie won the broadcasting industry’s prestigious Peabody award. In 1992, BBDO awarded him the agency’s highest honor - the Dillon Award, bestowed annually on the staff member who best exemplifies the qualities of former Chairman Tom Dillon.
Arnie Semsky is a member of numerous professional organizations and has received many industry honors. He served on the 4A’s Media Policy Council, and as the chairman of the Radio Advertising Bureau’s Media Directors Advisory Council and was on the Board of Directors of the Audit Bureau of Circulation for seven years.
Arnie currently works with UCLA’s Anderson School on a variety of projects with their MBA students and is involved with the mentor program of the Hollywood Radio and TV Society.
Tara Walpert Levy
Vice President of Agency and Media Solutions
Tara Walpert Levy leads the Americas Agency Solutions team at Google and YouTube. She is also responsible for Google's brand specialist sales teams, from Sponsorships & Upfront Deals to Creative Services to Multicultural Solutions. Before this, Tara led Google’s Global Ads Product Marketing teams for YouTube and Doubleclick.
Prior to Google, Tara was the President of Visible World (now owned by Comcast), building the company into the leading targeted TV advertising platform. She also spent five years at McKinsey & Company, where she was a leader of the Global Media & Entertainment and Sales & Marketing groups.
Tara writes and speaks frequently on the shifting advertising landscape and is the Chair of the AAF Advertising Hall of Achievement, which she was inducted into in 2013. She has been named one of Fast Company's “Most Creative People in Business”, an AdAge "Woman to Watch" and one of Crain’s “40 Under 40” in NYC.
Tara has been a Director and member of the Audit Committee of Bloomin' Brands, Inc. since 2013. She is also a member of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Ad Council and serves on the Global Advisory Board for Wharton's Future of Advertising Program.
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