to All Our Sponsors
SILVER SPONSORS
TV Festival, please click here
BY MANSHA DASWANI
Getting Connected
The streaming wars are over, but the battle for dominance in the connected TV living room is still in full swing. TV has surpassed mobile as the primary device for YouTube viewing in the U.S., and the rapid take-up of CTV devices across the globe means that broadcast networks, SVOD platforms and AVOD services are all fighting for a share of “TV” viewing—regardless of how that TV may be delivered.
In crafting the agenda for our inaugural Connected TV Festival, running online from April 29 to May 1, we wanted to spotlight how different sectors of the content business are navigating the CTV era, from the tech companies helping broadcasters make the streaming transition to the commissioners getting savvier about branded entertainment, the AVOD platforms taking advantage of subscriber fatigue and the IP owners looking for new ways to monetize their slates. There are lots of reasons to seek out a direct relationship with the consumer; according to Omdia, growth in online consumer spending is expected to outpace that of the media and entertainment sector. “Retail media and shoppable TV are driving a transformation in how content, commerce and advertising intersect, creating new avenues for businesses to capitalize on,” Omdia said in a recent report.
If you haven’t registered yet for the CTV Festival, there’s still time to do so here. Only those registered will receive access to our Exclusive White Paper on CTV trends, featuring key intel from the event in a compact, easy-to-digest format. Enjoy the show!
TUESDAY, APRIL 29
9 a.m. EDT Bedrock Streaming’s Jonas Engwall
Jonas Engwall, the CEO of Bedrock, will showcase how the company’s streaming solutions are helping broadcasters drive online engagement and revenues.
10 a.m. EDT Samsung Ads’ Bérangère Degni-Rezé
As Samsung’s global FAST platform scales its content lineup and user base, we hear from Bérangère Degni-Rezé , the head of TV Plus at Samsung Ads, about the expanding CTV advertising opportunity in Europe.
Bérangère Degni-Rezé
11 a.m. EDT ZDF Studios’ Linette Zaulich
On the heels of her appointment to lead ZDF Studios’ B2C department, Linette Zaulich will weigh in on AVOD licensing opportunities, YouTube engagement and FAST channel rollouts.
12 p.m. EDT Roku Brand Studio’s Brian Toombs
Brian Toombs, the head of Roku Brand Studio, a division of the connected devices giant, will off er up insights on how the company is working with advertisers on content opportunities.
Brian Toombs
Linette Zaulich
Jonas Engwall
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30
9 a.m. EDT Tubi’s Ross Appleton
Ross Appleton , VP and general manager for the U.K. at Tubi, will dis cuss what’s driving usage and advertiser gains for the AVOD platform as it nears its first anniversary in the competitive British landscape.
10 a.m. EDT ProSiebenSat.1’s Henrik Pabst
Off ering a unique perspective on how “traditional” media giants are adapting to consumption shifts, Henrik Pabst, chief content officer at ProSiebenSat.1 Media, will share his views on acquiring for linear and on-demand audiences.
11 a.m. EDT Channel 4’s Branded Entertainment Bet
Rupinder Downie , Channel 4’s content solutions leader, and Joe Churchill , digital commissioning editor, will discuss successful advertiser-funded content initiatives at the public-service broadcaster.
Henrik Pabst
Ross Appleton
Joe Churchill
Rupinder Downie
THURSDAY, MAY 1
9 a.m. EDT Omdia’s Maria Rua Aguete
Maria Rua Aguete , leader of the media and entertainment team at research firm Omdia, will deliver a data-packed presentation on CTV advertising projections and the shoppable TV opportunity.
10 a.m. EDT Channel Surfing
To explore successful YouTube channel and app curation opportunities, we’re enlisting the expertise of VA Media’s Mark Ashbridge, pocket.watch’s Brian C. Janes and Future Today’s Soma Sengupta
11 a.m. EDT Going Digital-First
Batyr Aidarkhan will give CTV Festival viewers expert insights on how Kedoo Entertainment is producing digital-native content for AVOD platforms and leveraging data analytics.
Batyr Aidarkhan
Maria Rua Aguete
Soma Sengupta
Brian C. Janes
Mark Ashbridge
Batyr Aidarkhan Director, Business Development
Kedoo
Entertainment
Batyr Aidarkhan is a business development executive with over seven years of experience at Kedoo Entertainment, a digital-first entertainment company specializing in kids’ and general entertainment content. Throughout his tenure, he has held progressively senior roles in international content distribution, leveraging datadriven insights to develop and implement go-tomarket strategies.
Aidarkhan leads the global expansion initiatives for Kedoo’s factual and kids’ programming across digital platforms, including YouTube and Prime Video, FAST services like Samsung TV Plus, as well as global and regional TV broadcasters. He plays a key role in shaping the company’s growth to reach global audiences through localized content strategies, regional partnerships and data-centric moneti zation approaches. Aidarkhan’s background com bines expertise in digital content and innovative technologies.
SESSION
Thursday, May 1: 11 a.m. EDT Going Digital-First
Tubi is America’s most-watched free TV and movie streaming service. Based in London, Ross Appleton is responsible for leading the commercial and content strategy as well as managing day-to-day operations for Tubi’s growing presence in the U.K.
Appleton joined Tubi following a 12-year career at ITV, the U.K.’s largest commercial broadcaster. At ITV, Appleton held various leadership roles, including managing director of SDN, ITV’s multiplex business. In 2021, he became a member of ITV’s executive leadership team as launch director for ITVX, where he led the successful launch of the company’s new streaming service. Most recently, Appleton served as director of operations for streaming, overseeing all aspects of ITV’s streaming business. Prior to his time at ITV, Appleton was a strategy consultant at Accenture and began his career in telecoms with BT.
SESSION Wednesday, April 30: 9 a.m. EDT Keynote
Ross Appleton VP & General Manager, U.K. Tubi
Mark Ashbridge CEO
VA Media
VA Media is a global company based in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, and Los Angeles, California, that builds and monetizes entertainment brands across YouTube, AVOD, Snap and other social video platforms.
Under Mark Ashbridge’s stewardship, VA Media has become a leader in this market with over 50 owned-and-operated plus managed channels. It is now one of the largest video entertainment partners for movies and TV for YouTube in Australia and the U.S., boasting one of the biggest independent movie networks on the platform. With over 20 million subscribers and 80 million views every month, studios, films and distributors from around the world reach their tailored international audiences.
VA also provides a broad range of digital services to global broadcast and content companies, such as Warner Bros. Discovery, Sony Pictures, NRL, STUDIOCANAL and more, developing strategies to increase audience engagement and revenue growth.
Throughout his career, Ashbridge has worked across multiple industries to successfully launch and grow new and innovative digital revenue streams for companies including Warner Music, Murdoch Books and the RedHill Education Group.
SESSION
Thursday, May 1: 10 a.m. EDT Channel Surfing
Joe Churchill joined Channel 4 in 2021, commissioning across the social branded entertainment slate. Churchill has a particular interest in social-first content and unscripted formats.
Sinc e joining Channel 4, Churchill has been responsible for dozens of shows, including Second Hand Style-Up (with Vinted), The Secret Life of 5 Year Olds (with EON Next), Kojey’s Block Party (with Brooklyn Brewery) and You Do You (Insta gram) and has won Webby, Lovie, Campaign and Drum awards for his work at Channel 4.
Prior to his time at Channel 4, Churchill worked in development and production at various production companies and broadcasters, including the BBC and Sony Pictures, before co-founding Studio Weekend, a production company specializing in commercial content and branded entertainment.
SESSION
Wednesday, April 30: 11 a.m. EDT Channel 4’s
Branded Entertainment Bet
Bérangère Degni-Rezé
Head, TV Plus, Europe
Samsung Ads
Bérangère Degni-Rezé joined the Samsung Ads team in July 2024. Degni-Rezé has a strong background in sales strategy and monetization on connected TV and mobile, having worked at Google, Shazam and, most recently, Rakuten. She is passionate about advertising, media and the latest technologies, bringing enthusiasm and a forward-thinking approach to her work in the ever-evolving media and digital landscape.
SESSION
Tuesday, April 29: 10 a.m. EDT Keynote
Rupinder Downie has significant experience working in the industry, liaising with clients across branded content, sponsorship, commercial partnerships, licensing, talent and product placement, bringing together multiple stakeholders to deliver best-in-class work.
Prior to this role, Downie worked at ITV before moving to Channel 4 as a sponsorship partnerships controller. She has since worked her way up to her current role, leading a team that delivers innovative, multiplatform broadcast and digital solutions, including award-winning projects such as Bangers: Mad for Cars and Second Hand StyleUp for eBay and Vinted, respectively.
Downie was also listed in the inaugural Top 50 Women Gamechangers in TV for The Media Leader in 2023. She is a huge advocate for supporting underrepresented groups through the work Channel 4 creates.
SESSION
Wednesday, April 30: 11 a.m. EDT Channel 4’s
Branded Entertainment Bet
Rupinder Downie Content Solutions Leader Channel 4
Jonas Engwall CEO Bedrock Streaming
With more than 20 years of experience in the media and technology industry and a professional career spanning almost a dozen countries, Jonas Engwall brings extensive expertise and a proven track record for leading business growth and international expansion. He joined RTL Group in 2007 and served in various strategy and business development positions. From 2013, he led the launch of RTL Group’s channels in India and was appointed CEO of RTL CBS Asia, which was launched across 19 territories. Beginning in 2017, he served for two years as the head of iflix Asia, which rolled out in 13 countries. Prior to joining Bedrock Streaming, he rejoined RTL Group in 2019 as senior VP of global operations management for VOD. As CEO of Bedrock Streaming, he leads the company’s mission to build and power world-class streaming platforms for leading media companies to compete with global streaming giants.
SESSION
Tuesday, April 29: 9 a.m. EDT Keynote
Brian C. Janes has a demonstrated track record of excellence in operations and technical leadership. At pocket.watch, the first and largest kids’ and family creator media company, he oversees YouTube operations and has built and continues to expand the company’s OTT network infrastructure. He successfully launched SVOD services on major platforms, oversees ongoing distribution operations and implements systems and technical solutions to enhance efficiency. This includes the launch of Ryan and Friends Plus, the largest independent kids’ and family SVOD service, and the two most distributed kids’ FAST channels in the U.S.: pocket.watch and Ryan and Friends.
In his prior position at Endemol Beyond, Janes played a crucial role in guiding the implementation of its distribution strategy across multiple OTT platforms, including mobile apps and connected TV. He also led the sourcing, development, implementation and launch of Endemol Beyond’s first video platform.
SESSION
Thursday, May 1: 10 a.m. EDT Channel Surfing
Brian C. Janes VP, Distribution Operations & IT pocket.watch
Content
Since March 2020, Henrik Pabst has been responsible for ProSiebenSat.1 Media’s entire content offering on all of the group’s platforms—from Joyn to linear TV channels such as ProSieben and SAT.1. Pabst is also CEO of Seven.One Studios, where he is responsible for the production business and program purchasing. He has held various positions at ProSiebenSat.1 since 2011. At Red Arrow Studios in Munich, he was head of sales, among other roles. In November 2014, he took over responsibility for Red Arrow Studios International as managing director. In Janu ary 2019, he moved to ProSiebenSat.1 Media as chief commercial officer for entertainment and joined the management of ProSiebenSat.1 TV Deutschland. In 2020, he became a member of the management of Seven.One Entertainment Group.
SESSION
Wednesday, April 30: 10 a.m. EDT Keynote
Henrik Pabst Head,
Omdia’s research on media and tech companies is deep and extensive, leveraging long-standing relationships with operators in all of the 100-plus markets covered by the group, resulting in the most comprehensive source of television and operator market intelligence in the world.
Maria Rua Aguete has collected many accolades throughout a storied career, including being named as one of the top 100 media leaders in the U.K. She is a board member and strategic advisor for several organizations that connect culture, media, technology and commerce and foster collaboration and dialogue among different stakeholders in the fields of politics, diplomacy, finance, economics and media.
Rua Aguete is a regular speaker at events like IBC, NAB, MIPCOM and Cannes Film Festival.
SESSION
Thursday, May 1: 9 a.m. EDT Keynote
Maria Rua Aguete Leader, Media & Entertainment Team Omdia
Soma Sengupta Head, Partner Relationships
Future Today
Soma Sengupta leads partner success and strategic relationships at Future Today, a video distribution and technology company that operates 350-plus CTV apps across multiple devices and platforms.
At Future Today, Sengupta plays a pivotal role in aligning content strategy with platform growth, ensuring that partners thrive across an evolving digital ecosystem. From launching AVOD and FAST channels to driving viewer engagement through data-backed performance strategies, Sengupta’s insights are grounded in hands-on success and market foresight.
A native of the digital landscape, Sengupta has played a key role in the company’s evolution over the past 12-plus years, advancing through a range of leadership positions. She is passionate about the future of media and the democratization of content distribution while being committed to delivering innovative, scalable solutions that empower creators and connect audiences worldwide.
SESSION
Thursday, May 1: 10 a.m. EDT Channel Surfing
Linette Zaulich Head, B2C
ZDF Studios
After graduating in Egyptology from the University of Mainz and being certified as a first assistant director in film and TV by the Cologne Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Linette Zaulich started off her career as production manager for k22film and Off the Fence in Mainz, Germany. Her responsibilities were budgeting and managing film productions as well as finished program localization into German and providing sales support to the Off the Fence headquarters in Amsterdam.
In 2018, she joined ZDF Studios as Director Unscripted and is in charge of sales of nonfiction productions to worldwide online platforms (VOD/B2C/FAST). In April 2025, she also took on the role of head of B2C.
ZDF Studios is known for worldwide program distribution, international co-productions, program acquisition and the merchandising of strong program brands in its own name for German public broadcaster ZDF and international third parties.
SESSION
Tuesday, April 29: 11 a.m. EDT Keynote
