Moderator: Marcie Jastrow
Panelists: Amanda Solosky, Jen Denis and Aurelien Simon.
How to build a brands' DNA with the use of social media platforms and new immersive technologies?
The question is no longer if and when brands should embrace digital opportunities and immersive experiences, but how they should do so, considering that by 2019, global consumer Internet traffic will account for 80% of all Internet traffic.
Marcie Jastrow, SVP of Immersive Media, Head of Technicolor Experience Center
Marcie Jastrow is an industry veteran with over 20 years in the Entertainment business. Currently the SVP of Immersive Media at Technicolor, as well as the Head of the Technicolor Experience Center (TEC), Marcie is dedicated to bringing artists, technologists, and partners together to build the future of immersive media. Since the opening of the TEC in July, 2016, Marcie has consulted on many immersive projects and has provided her insights in dozens of interviews, published articles, and speaking engagements. Focused on igniting VR, AR, and beyond, Marcie sits on several boards including the Interactive Emmys, Periscope, and BAFTA. In 2018, she was honored with the Advanced Imaging Society’s ‘Distinguished Leadership Award’, which recognizes creative, productive and forward-thinking efforts in visual technology and emerging content. Prior to her current role, Marcie was responsible for growing Technicolor’s post production sales pipeline as SVP of Sales. Before joining Technicolor, she served as EVP of Sales at Laser Pacific, which Technicolor acquired in 2011, as well as SVP of Sales at Modern Video Film for over eight years.
Amanda Solosky, CPO and Co-Founder of Rival Theory
After studying Architecture and Engineering, Amanda received her MBA in Marketing at the University of New Mexico in 2010. Immediately thereafter, she co-founded Rival Theory.
Together with her co-founder Bill Klein, Amanda has made Rival Theory the leading AI company creating interactive virtual life.
Their first product, RAIN, quickly became the #1 Artificial Intelligence platform for the Unity3D game engine, and has been utilized by over 100,000 developers worldwide to create interactive characters in video games, Hollywood productions, and AR/VR. In 2015, Amanda produced the first deep conversational AI experience in VR;
Amanda leads the strategy and product development of human-like AI entities that replicate the personality, behavior, and knowledge of real people. We call these entities “AI personas.”
Jen Denis, Executive Producer
Jen Dennis is the former Head of RSA VR, RSA Films’ immersive media division. She recently executive produced ALIEN: COVENANT In Utero for Scott’s new sci-fi blockbuster, Alien: Covenant. In Utero, directed by David Karlak, is a 360-degree virtual reality journey into a living nightmare that offers a terrifyingly close and personal encounter as an alien Neomorph at the time of its birth and she also executive produced Into the Now the underwater VR documentary that premiered to great acclaim at The Tribeca Film Festival. This comes on the heels of the groundbreaking The Martian VR Experience, which Jen also executive produced with Scott. Winner of a Cannes Silver Lion and an AICP honor in VR, The Martian VR Experience is an unprecedented 25-minute immersive entertainment experience directed by Robert Stromberg that enables viewers to navigate the 360-degree landscape of Mars in the very capable spacesuit of stranded astronaut Mark Watney.
Aurelien Simon, Executive Producer, Emerging Technology
Aurelien Simon is the Executive Producer of Emerging Technology at The Mill where he spearheads the production of the department’s award-winning immersive, interactive projects in Los Angeles. With a background in business strategy, entertainment and technology in the context of immersive media and beyond, Aurelien brings 10 years of experience to The Mill. His previous endeavors led him to UNIT9 as Head of VR where he delivered projects for social, gaming, VFX and experiential for the likes of Samsung, Google and Sony Pictures. He later joined Digital Catapult as Head of Immersive, developing strategies to support the acceleration of VR and AR in the UK. Aurelien’s expertise in blending technology and moving image make him a leader in the immersive storytelling space. His work has been recognized with over 50 awards.