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- Gaming Fireside 8 December 5:40 - 6:10PM
Founders’ Playbook to Studio Survival and Growth
The gaming industry is navigating a reset as layoffs and studio closures continue, yet Kim Nordström, former EA DICE executive, and Robbie Daymond, famous voice actor (Sailor Moon, Critical Role), turned video game entrepreneur as CEO of Sassy Chap Games, are building new ventures anyway. In this conversation, they share what it takes to create enduring studios amid uncertainty, how to create buzz, attract talent and funding, and why tough times can be the best moment to start again.
Central Stage - Media Fireside 8 December 10:10 - 10:30AM
The Comfort Crisis in Media
Once defined by bold bets on new ideas and voices, media today has grown cautious amid consolidation, short-term metrics, and technological disruption. In this discussion, we ask how the industry can rediscover its edge, reinvigorate risk-taking, experimentation, and creative ambition. As leaders navigate shifting funding models, technological disruption, and the rise of independent creators and citizen journalists, this discussion explores what it takes to build companies, and cultures, that lead rather than follow in media.
Forum Stage - Media Fireside 10 December 2:30 - 2:50PM
A Satirist's Survival Playbook
For comedians like Ahmed Albasheer, laughter has never been just entertainment. It’s been an act of defiance. From surviving assassination attempts to building one of the Arab world’s most influential political satire shows, Albasheer has turned humor into resistance, reflection, and reform. In this intimate conversation, he unpacks the price of speaking truth through comedy, how satire can still thrive under censorship and conflict, and what the next generation of storytellers can learn about courage in an age where jokes can shake regimes.
Forum Stage - Technology Panel 8 December 11:15 - 11:45AM
A Blueprint for Building Iconic Media Brands
As legacy publishers and digital platforms expand across borders, the question is no longer just how to grow, but how to belong. For global media brands, this means pairing editorial excellence with strategic innovation, turning reputation and reach into lasting relevance. From licensing and partnerships to data-driven audience insights and regional storytelling, companies are rewriting their global playbooks to balance commercial ambition with cultural authenticity. AI now sits at the center of this transformation, powering translation, personalization, and creative experimentation while reshaping how media companies connect with audiences and partners alike. This session explores how trusted brands are blending technology, storytelling, and business strategy to scale influence across markets.
Forum StageSpeakers
- Technology Panel 10 December 11:35 - 11:55AM
Reprogramming Humanity in the Age of AI
As artificial intelligence reshapes the creative landscape, what remains uniquely human? Osama and Sarah explore the next evolution of the creator economy, where intuition, empathy, and ethics emerge as our most advanced technology. This session redefines creativity as a human operating system built to adapt alongside intelligent machines, not against them.
Academy Stage - Gaming Fireside 8 December 5:15 - 5:30PM
From Melodies to Multiplayers
As Imagine Dragons’ longtime manager, Mac Reynolds has helped build one of the world’s most successful music brands. Now, he and his brother Dan Reynolds, the band’s frontman, are channeling that same creative and business savvy into gaming with Night Street Games and recently launched the beta of Last Flag, a multiplayer game. In this chat, Mac shares how he made the leap into interactive IP and explores where the worlds of music and gaming intersect, overlap, and diverge.
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