FROM THE PRESIDENT
A New Age of Discovery
As we start to return to a new sense of normalcy, uncovering hidden opportunities and vulnerabilities is critical. “Become a free-range chicken.” – Joe Batista, Dell Technologies
across the media landscape. Mary Hildebrand, from law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP, addresses one of his advice was offered by Dell’s chief the downsides of the technological advances creatologist as part of his opening keyforced by stay-at-home orders: the increase note for MFM and BCCA’s (virtual) in cyberattacks. As Hildebrand chillingly 2021 conference. His point was that you points out, “When employees are remote cannot scratch out new opportunities behind they are alone.” Fortunately, she recomyour desk; you need to get out where things mends best practices and includes a sidebar are happening. listing what she calls “stand out” risk factors To see the possibilities, we must expose for companies with remote workers. ourselves to new ideas. That’s also one of the When employees are working remotely, themes running through this issue of TFM. they may be a little more casual about what The conference had barely begun when could become copyright issues. Louis Levy we prepared the magazine’s content. Yet, from Lerman Senter PLLC lays out the “most common copyright myths” along with potential consequences John Sanders asks: “Did the COVID content owner rights. crisis mark the newspaper business’s for violating The transformation theme also final chapter, or should this period be runs through our four regular colseen as a new beginning?” umns. “Dear Expert” authors Maxime Lefebvre and Joseph Weiss from TFM editor, Janet Stilson, and MFM/ Chubb provide advice about issues to conBCCA public relations consultant, Krista Van sider before business travelers go back on the Lewen, were able to capture its invigorating road. In “Credit Where Due,” Szabo Associspirit in part one of their conference wrap-up. ates’ Robin Szabo offers a three-step plan to In addition to Batista’s call to stretch our untangle the increasingly troublesome knots imaginations, they look at the four technolin advertising agency payment processes. ogies KTRK TV’s Tim Hinson advises we Sarah Levitt, this issue’s “Human Facembrace and explain why LSU professor Tina tor” contributor, reports on an increased Harris recommends advocate-mentors to interest in executive coaching. She provides develop the next generation of leaders. They 12 criteria to consider before hiring somealso report on the business side of the enterone. Finally, in “Last Word,” KPMG’s Dan tainment phenomenon that is video games; McGuire shares some learnings about what the U.S. games industry went from $19.6 C-suite executives expect from tax departbillion to $41.5 billion in 10 years. ment leaders and why individuals should Much of games’ growth can be consider a career in tax. His reasons include attributed to savvy online marketing, being at the center of decision-making. explains New York University adjunct proThis really is an exciting time to be fessor and video games advisor/investor Joost working in media finance and accounting. van Dreunen in a separate article, which is MFM and BCCA an excerpt from his recently released book. members have a leg up He says videos showing players in action because, as the articles help demystify complex games and extend in this issue demongame lifecycles. strate, we are commitOur media valuations feature, provided ted to providing you by Bond & Pecaro’s John Sanders, asks: with the information “Did the COVID crisis mark the newspaper and connections you business’s final chapter, or should this period need to be successful. be seen as a new beginning?” He favors the Mary Collins is president and CEO of MFM later, again offering observations that apply and BCCA; Mary.Collins@MediaFinance.org.
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4 The Financial Manager • July/August 2021
EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD SALLY BUCKMAN Member Lerman Senter PLLC DENISE DWYER Accounting Manager/Assistant Controller Morgan Murphy Media—West GREG LECHOWSKI Market Controller, Phoenix Bonneville International CAL MOSTELLA Vice President, Treasurer WarnerMedia JOHN SANDERS Principal Bond & Pecaro MEREDITH SENTER Member Lerman Senter PLLC C. ROBIN SZABO President Szabo Associates JAMIE GRANDE MFM/BCCA Staff Liaison
CONTRIBUTORS MARY J. HILDEBRAND Lowenstein, Sandler LLP MAXIME LEFEBVRE Chubb SARAH LEVITT Magnificent Leadership Executive Forum Community LOUIS J. LEVY Lerman Senter PLLC DANIEL McGUIRE KPMG LLP JOHN SANDERS Bond & Pecaro Inc. JOOST VAN DREUNEN New York University KRISTA VAN LEWEN MFM & BCCA Public Relations JOSEPH WEISS Chubb
