26 Nov 2010

PEVE Entertainment 2012: British Museum, London, 27-28 March 2012

Keynote speakers confirm their participation
Screen Digest is pleased to announce two keynote speakers for PEVE Entertainment 2011. John Calkins, Executive Vice President of Global Digital and Commercial Innovation, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Henry McGee, President of HBO home Entertainment, are both uniquely positioned to address the issues facing today's home entertainment sector.

John Calkins is responsible for the digital transactional exploitation of all content exploited by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment which includes all of Sony Pictures Entertainments feature film and television properties around the world, as well as developing and helping to implement an integrated approach to the home entertainment market across both digital and physical channels of distribution. Prior to Sony Pictures, John was President of Warren N. Lieberfarb & Associates (WNLA), and came to WNLA from Warner Bros, where he ultimately held the post of Senior Vice President of Corporate Business Development and Strategy.

Henry McGee joined HBO Home Entertainment in 1979 and was named to his current position in March 1995. Under McGee's direction the company was one of the first in the video industry to use the Internet to expand its marketing beyond traditional vehicles and in 1995 launched its first website, hbohomevideo.com. In 2006 the company was the first in the world to release television programming in the new Blu-ray high-definition format. In 2008, the company expanded into selling digital versions of its titles via the Internet and that same year began utilizing innovative manufacturing-on-demand technology to broaden its number of releases.
McGee is the recipient of numerous awards and honors and is also a member of several professional associations including the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. He is a director of the Digital Entertainment Group, the trade association of entertainment and electronics companies focused on fostering new technologies.

Programme highlights
The programme will focus on providing delegates with 'solid business advice for a complicated future'. Key aspects will include:

• Everything you ever wanted to know about 3D: the costs, the opportunities, the challenges - and why YOU should get involved
• The ongoing impact of copyright theft on the entertainment bottom line
• Home entertainment in the age of digital delivery
• What next for TV DVD? Can the box set compete with TV on demand?
• Maximising the relationship with theatrical
• UltraViolet and the Cloud: an in-depth discussion on the whole notion of content ownership

Expanding networking opportunities
The networking opportunities at this year's event will be better than ever, and we're delighted to announce two fantastic new events. For the first time ever, we'll be holding a pre-PEVE movie screening and drinks reception on the evening of Wednesday 9 March at the Apollo Cinema in Piccadilly, London.

Secondly, and in response to feedback from previous years, we will be holding a networking party at the end of the first day of the conference (Thursday 10 March) at the exclusive Oxo Tower, overlooking the River Thames. This event will build on PEVE's long standing reputation for great locations and excellent food and wine, but will move away from the more formal sit-down dinner of previous years, significantly increasing the opportunity for delegates to network with old friends and new in this exclusive venue that offers stunning scenes overlooking the skyline of London.

Register before 28 January 2011 to save €95 on the standard delegate fee.