David Axelrod, Karl Rove and Matt VanDyke to Speak at TVB Alt Forward 2020 Conference

TVB’s 2020 Alt Forward Conference will be unlike any before - this year’s conference will be a fully virtual, multi-dimensional experience, taking place in TVB’s digitally rendered conference center on Thursday, October 1st. The programming will focus on local TV leading the way forward as TV stations support viewers and local businesses in the economic recovery, and what the future holds for political advertising, media measurement and ad technology as the United States continues to grapple with the pandemic.

Featured speakers include Kelly Abcarian, General Manager, Nielsen Advanced Video Advertising Group; Byron Allen, Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Entertainment Studios & Allen Media Group; David Axelrod, Former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama and Director, University of Chicago Institute of Politics; Emily Barr, President & CEO, Graham Media Group; Steven Cahall, Managing Director, Senior Analyst – Media & Advertising, Wells Fargo Securities; Kathy Doyle, EVP, Managing Director, Local Investment, IPG/MAGNA; Frank Friedman, VP Marketing, EW Scripps; Lucinda Guinn, Executive Director, Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee; Adam Helfgott, CEO, MadHive; Casey Hurbis, CMO, Rocket Mortgage; Bill Livek, CEO and Executive Vice Chairman, Comscore; Alex Lundry, Co-Founder & Chief Product Officer, Deep Root Analytics; Eric Mathewson, Founder & CEO, WideOrbit; Parker Poling, Executive Director, National Republican Congressional Committee; Robin Roberts, President, National Media Group; Julie Roy, VP, Marketing Strategy, DSW Designer Shoe Warehouse; Karl Rove, Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush; and Matt VanDyke, Director, U.S. Marketing, Ford Motor Company.

“The coronavirus has had a leveling effect in the world of advertising — broadcasters, businesses, and marketers have all had to pivot in the wake of the pandemic. Rebounding and the path forward will require unqualified trust by consumers in order to drive customers through the purchase funnel and deliver robust results,” says Steve Lanzano, President & CEO of TVB. “Local TV remains America’s most trusted source of news and drives the most viewer, consumer and voter action. No medium provides more critical information and resources amidst COVID-19.”

“With businesses and states in various stages of reopening, TVB Alt Forward will host critically important conversations among executives and experts across multiple industries who are leading the charge in economic recovery and driving business growth.”

Lanzano also cited a TVB/Dynata Coronavirus Media Usage Study which shows that among consumers 18+, 25-54 and 35+, local TV is #1 in reach and local TV news is the most trusted news source. Notably, online shoppers spend the most time with TV of all ad supported platforms.

TVB Alt Forward is not another series of Zoom-webinars, but a truly virtual experience produced by EDNY. Attendees will experience a custom rendered virtual conference center complete with a main stage theater, thought leader stages, a networking lounge and exhibit hall. The main-stage General Session will showcase leading experts who will dive into the challenges of today’s marketplace and showcase proven strategies for success. Following the General Session, participants will be able to customize their content as they select from 19 Thought Leader Forums throughout the afternoon.

As of this morning, Alt Forward’s registration has passed 2,000 registrants. Every year, TVB’s Forward Conference brings together an elite group of decision-makers to consider the economic, political, media, tech, and viewer/consumer challenges and opportunities impacting local broadcast television across every screen.

Alt Forward attendees include:

• Broadcast TV: Broadcast group and Rep firm CEOs, COOs, CROs, CTOs, CFOs, General Managers, Directors of Sales, General Sales Managers, National Sales Managers, Local Sales Managers, Account Executives
• Agency and Advertiser: CMOs, Media Directors, Investment Directors, Planning and Buying Supervisors
• NEXT: Members of the TVB NEXT Generation of Media Leadership Program and NEXT Women Program

Award presentations at Alt Forward include the B&C Broadcaster of the Year Award, TVB Excellence Awards Honoring Career Achievement and the Political Agency of the Year, and the NEXT awards, celebrating Tomorrow’s Media Leaders in advertising sales and buying. Lisa Sherman, President & CEO, Ad Council, will announce the recipient of the Ad Council Catalyst Award.

Join the conversation by tweeting with the hashtag #TVBForward20. For a full list of speakers and sneak-peeks into the virtual experience, follow @TVBTweets or visit online at https://www.tvb.org/Public/ForwardConference2020Overview.aspx.

About TVB

TVB is the not-for-profit trade association representing America’s local broadcast television industry. Its members include the U.S. television stations, television broadcast groups, advertising sales reps, syndicators, international broadcasters, and associate members. TVB actively promotes local media marketing solutions to the advertising community and works to develop advertising dollars for the medium’s multiple platforms, including on-air, online, and mobile. TVB provides a diverse variety of tools and resources, including its website, to support its members and to help advertisers make the best use of local ad dollars. For more information, visit www.tvb.org.

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