AMA Atlanta: Media & Entertainment Panel: How COVID Changed the Need for Digital Engagement

When COVID-19 hit the U.S. in March of 2020, the media and entertainment industry was among the most adversely affected. Organizations reacted to the crisis by closing in-person venues…stadiums, theaters, theme parks, etc., and pivoted toward direct-to-consumer platforms. Relationships with advertisers also weakened as budgets tightened.

But, these changes also opened up new opportunities. With increased digital engagement, companies can better gauge consumer preferences. And by potentially creating hybrid, multichannel broadcasts, it’s possible that live venues will continue to expand audiences by offering ongoing remote access. While we’re still in the midst of responding to and recovering from the pandemic, businesses can consider adopting lasting practices and technology for a more flexible, efficient future.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

• How media and entertainment first responded to COVID and its repercussions
• Examples of new approaches to legacy in-house creativity employed to reinvent productions and events
• Current limitations and precautions that venues and studios are following, and how they may persist or evolve in the future
• Technology that can ultimately enhance post-pandemic offerings for more accessible, personalized direct-to-consumer experiences

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

• College intern to CEO-level staff in media and entertainment
• Marketing and advertising employers who partner with the industry
• Consumers interested in how products and services may change

Join AMA Atlanta and our sister chapters in New York, LA and Puget Sound in Seattle for a discussion on what media and entertainment companies have learned from this crisis and how they can lay a foundation to “future-proof” the industry.

Speakers

PRESTON KEVIN LEWIS – Moderator
Senior Vice President, Latin America
Warner Bros. Consumer Products

Preston directs all operations of the Latin America licensing business, leveraging iconic evergreen, theatrical and television brands such as DC Superheroes (Aquaman, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc.), Fantastic Beasts, Harry Potter, Arrow, Flash, Big Bang Theory, Looney Tunes and Scooby Doo. Preston assumed this role in February of 2019.

Prior to his current role with WBCP, Preston served as Senior Vice President of US Sales & Retail Business Development. In this capacity, he oversaw all aspects of WBCP’s U.S. brick-and-mortar and online retail activity.