Lars Bastholm,
Chief Digital Creative Officer,
Ogilvy & Mather

Lars Bastholm has been working in the interactive marketing industry for over 14 years. After starting up Grey Interactive in Scandinavia, he joined Framfab in Copenhagen as Creative Director. There, he worked on some of the world’s most recognized brands, including Nike, LEGO, Coca-Cola and Carlsberg.

In 2004, Lars was hired to open up an AKQA office in New York where he landed global AOR relationships with clients such as Coca-Cola, Smirnoff and Motorola.

Lars joined Ogilvy North America in the newly created role of Chief Digital Creative Officer in March 2009. In this role he is overseeing the creative aspects of digital across the region and works on clients like American Express and UPS amongst others.

One of the most awarded creatives in the digital marketing industry, Lars has won a multitude of international awards, including three Cyber Lions Grand Prix.

This summer, Lars had the honor of chairing the Cannes Cyber Lions jury, and he is a frequent speaker at industry events. He was named a creative leader by The Wall Street Journal and has contributed to two books about the digital industry published by Taschen. Lars is on the Ad Council’s Campaign Review Committee to ensure the integrity and creativity their public service advertising.

Lars enjoys karaoke a little too much and is a card-carrying geek who likes science fiction, bad movies, technology and extreme cooking.

Mark Bennett,
Group Manager, Media Production,
Target

Mark Bennett is the Group Manager of Media Production, part of Target’s Marketing department, located in the company’s Minneapolis, MN headquarters. Mark drives strategy and creative execution for traditional and emerging media vehicles, ranging from the smallest portable devices to the nation’s most advanced, large-scale urban screens.  He leads the team of broadcast and content producers, editors, and rich media specialists responsible for delivering branded communication to Target's internal, in-store, online, broadcast and out-of-home audiences.

Prior to his tenure at Target, Mark worked in Minneapolis and Los Angeles for thirteen years producing award-winning television commercials for national and international clients that included Target, MTV, P&G, Kimberly Clark, and Coors Brewing. As vice president of production and executive producer for Kick Media, a premier Los Angeles web publisher, Mark managed the day-to-day operations and fiscal health of sixteen online magazines.

Mark races cars, shifter karts, and motorcycles in his spare time. He lives with his wife, Krista, and their two sons just outside of Minneapolis.

Sean Cunningham,
VP Associate Creative Director,
Hill Holliday

Sean’s an art director, but “loves the science of one to one, response marketing and engagement". People find it odd that, as an art director by trade, one of my favorite aspects of what I do is getting deeper into the psychology of the target, and figuring out what I can do creatively to heighten the consumers’ response behaviors.” Sean has been working with both business-to-business and business-to-consumer accounts in the media, financial, pharma and automotive fields. “My most recent B2B was in high tech, and my most recent B2C was with General Motors. I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved as a team player with many successes over the years.”

CLIENTS: General Motors, Wachovia Bank, Massachusetts Office of Tourism, Nextel, Lendingtree.com, XM Satellite Radio, Coca-Cola, DreamWorks SKG, Oxygen Network, 3-Com, Novartis, Bank of America, Merrill Lynch

Randy Dearborn,
Vice President of Multimedia,
MGM MIRAGE

Randy Dearborn is Vice President of Multimedia for MGM MIRAGE, one of the world’s leading hotel and gaming companies headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Mr. Dearborn has been with the company for 16 years and has played an instrumental role in the development of digital media technology, including content, hardware and software.

Mr. Dearborn’s previous work experience includes Disney, Four Seasons and Marriott Hotels.

Mr. Dearborn is currently Chairperson for CCSD/CSN Joint Technical Skills Committee, as well as Program Advisory Board for The Art Institute of Las Vegas.

Paul Flanigan,
Partner,
The Preset Group

Paul manages the in-store video network for Best Buy’s U.S. chain and coordinates with internal partners on the Best Buy stores in Canada, Puerto Rico, and China. He oversees the business model, creative, execution, and research associated with the network.

Prior to Best Buy, Paul worked in professional sports in various marketing and customer experience capacities.

Paul graduated from the University of Wisconsin and resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Vern Freedlander,
Vice President, Production Services,
X2O Media, Inc.

With over twenty years of broadcast television experience as a producer, director and executive, Vern oversees all of X2O Media’s content initiatives. By forging strategic partnerships with a variety of content providers and by developing in-house content products and services, Vern has positioned X2O Media as a content leader, providing the digital signage industry with a wide breadth of content options.

Vern has spoken about digital signage content at NAB and is the author of the white paper, “Content 360: How Great Content Reinvents Digital Signage Networks”. The white paper focuses on how lessons learned in the broadcasting industry can be applied to digital signage. Vern has also written about the importance of branding within digital signage and how viewers, advertisers and network operators all benefit from strong, content focused networks.  

Josiah Hobson,
Creative Director,
Schematic Touch

As Creative Director of Schematic Touch, Josiah is responsible for providing platform-specific thought leadership as well as overseeing all client work for interactive installations outside the home--retail environments, trade shows, museums, and other similar public spaces.

 Josiah has 15 years of experience in devising, designing, architecting and implementing a broad variety of interactive, creative, and technical projects; before arriving at Schematic he was co-founder of Operand, an NYC-based out-of-home agency. He has a diverse range of design and technology skills spanning graphic design, creative direction, media production, interaction design, and application development.

At Schematic Touch, Josiah concentrates on developing compelling interactive experiences, directing the efforts of Schematic’s world-class creative, technical, and user interface teams. He is passionate about interactivity, design, and usability and evangelizes those values through every project at Schematic.

Josiah is a graduate of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York City.

Keith Kelsen,
Chairman & CEO,
5th Screen

Keith Kelsen, As a leading expert, and speaker, Mr. Kelsen is soughtafter for digital signage industry events, and plays an active industry role in evangelizing, educating and enhancing the global market for digital signage solutions and networks.

He is Chair of the Content Best Practices Committee for the international Digital Signage
[Trade] Association, and directs an accomplished team representing industry-leading companies to improve the understanding and use of this powerful and influential medium. He is the author
for the book titled “Unleashing the Power of Digital Signage”, the first book on content for the digital signage industry published by Focal Press. In 2009 he was named “Digital Signage Man of the Year” by his peers for work he has done in the industry. Recently he was name as one of the
“Top 5 Executives to Watch in 2010” by Digital Signage Today. He is also a member of the
Advisory Board for the Digital Signage Association.

As Chairman and CEO of 5th Screen Mr. Kelsen’s vision is that this project will deliver a substantial uplift to deployments by concentrating on the critical elements for success. As Founder of MediaTile he built a world-class company that delivers and supports awardwinning digital signage products and services in over 20 countries. Prior to founding MediaTile, Mr. Kelsen co-founded the Enterprise Broadcasting Company, an in-mall and retail info-tainment company. He began his career in film and television, and for over 25 years has produced and directed commercials, documentaries, internal communications, and television programs from several production studios he has founded, including Liquid Light Television and KCAT TV.

Author
“Unleashing the Power of Digital Signage; Content Strategies for the 5th Screen” Release date January 2010. The author, Keith Kelsen, is a pioneer of the medium and an expert on its effective use. His point of view: It is content – specifically, how that content is created and presented that will make this medium so effective and powerful.

Area of Expertise
Business, Digital Signage/DOOH; Content, Technology, Software, Business, Advertising Networks and Television Production, Media Production.

Speaking Experience
Over the years Keith Kelsen has been a requested speaker at many premier events including NAB, NAPTE, Digital Signage Expo and Kiosk Com in US, Europe, Africa and Australia.

Recent Engagements
2009 Building Digital Signage Summit - Chair
2009 Digital Signage Association “Content Webinar” 900 registered viewers
2009 Digital Signage Expo
Digital Signage Certified Expert Program -Guest Speaker “Content”
Basic Content Strategy Process and Design - Moderator
2009 On Hold Music Association - “Digital Signage”- Guest Speaker
2009 Global Shop
“Content Best Practices for Retail Digital Signage Networks”-Speaker
“Digital Signage Delivery: The Best Choice for Your Network”-Speaker
2009 Koisk Com Self Service Expo Digital Signage Show
“Employee Communications” - Chair
“Designing & Developing Content on a Limited Budget” Speaker
2009 Digital Signage Content Strategies Summit-Chair the Event
2009 Webinar
“Digital Signage Content for Point of Sale Networks” Moderator/Speaker

Jim Lucas,
EVP/Director of Shopper Marketing,
Draftfcb

As director of Shopper Marketing at Draftfcb, Jim Lucas helps retailers, manufacturers, and service providers to motivate shoppers through value-added experiences.  The acknowledged founder of the science of retail ecology, he is internationally recognized as an experienced marketer and leading retail expert. Jim brings more than two decades of experience to today’s changing retail landscape. He is one of the industry’s foremost practitioners and known as a leading authority on the science of understanding how consumers interact with brands and how they behave in retail environments.

During his more than 20 years in the marketing industry, Jim has served as director of strategic planning and research at Draft Chicago, director of planning and research at Frankel in Chicago, and director of analytics and modeling at Krumm & Associates LLC.  His clients have included, among others, Burger King, DelMonte, Kellogg, Kmart, Kraft, Kroger, McDonald’s, Mervyns, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble, Quaker Oats, SC Johnson, Sears, Target, USPS, and Walgreens.

Lucas has served as an adjunct faculty member at the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management and University of Chicago.  He received his PhD in sociology from the University of Chicago and his MA from Loyola University in Chicago.  He is a frequent speaker at leading industry forums including the Cannes Int’l Advertising Festival, Cosmeceuticals Conferences, In-Store Marketing Institute and POPAI.

Frank Pedersen,
Director, Executive Committee Member,
Jyske Bank (Denmark)

Frank Pedersen has been a key driver in many of the change processes Jyske Bank has implemented in recent years. Before this he worked as an adviser on IPO's and mergers and acquisitions and international trouble shooter. Jyske Bank has 4000 employees and is the 3rd largest Danish bank.

Bob Martin,
Chief Marketing Officer,
RMG Networks

Bob Martin recently joined RMG Networks as Chief Marketing Officer.

Bob is responsible for all aspects of marketing strategy, tactics and execution. Prior to RMG, Bob was CEO at LevelVision LLC and operated a college-focused video network. He was also a founding partner of Bob Martin Media Consulting, and earlier was an award-winning media director at Universal McCann, where he spent 12 years in their NY and SF offices developing a nationally-recognized expertise within the high-impact, video, and ambient media fields. Bob is an alumnus of the SI Newhouse School at Syracuse University.

Steen Mertz,
CTO, Communications Technology,
Jyske Bank (Denmark)

Since 1988, Steen Mertz has worked for several Danish broadcast and AV systems integrators as a project manager and a department manager.
At Jyske Bank’s Communications department, Steen has, since 2004, headed the planning of the bank’s development, design, strategy and implementation of its use of all forms of broadcast and audio-visual communications technology.

Over the past three years, Jyske Bank, the 2nd largest Danish bank, implemented the – beyond comparison - most comprehensive broadcast, AV and digital signage integration in Scandinavia.
More than 900 digital signage displays as well as about 250 digital signage audio players have been installed at the bank’s 120 branches. In addition, more than 600 conference rooms throughout the bank’s branch network have been fitted with interactive plasma screens.
Moreover, Jyske Bank operates the world’s only financial web TV station. Up to 25 live and VOD broadcasts are produced daily by the two studios at Jyske Bank’s headquarters in Silkeborg, Denmark.  Right now the broadcasts target primarily Danish customers at www.jyskebank.tv but as of 1 August 2009, broadcasts has also been available to the rest of the world in English-language versions at www.en.jyskebank.tv.  Moreover, the station supplies financial news to Danish broadcasters on a daily basis.

Today Jyske Bank has a unique technological platform for marketing, communication and branding - and this platform has proven most efficient. As a natural consequence of this development, Jyske Bank established on 1 June 2009 an independent department responsible for its communications technology.

Mark Renshaw,
EVP, Digital Strategy Lead,
Leo Burnett and Arc Worldwide

For over 20 years, Mark has focused on how to use technology to engage with people and drive business transactions. He has spent most of his time integrating new digitally-driven possibilities into clients’ communication plans and overall businesses.

Mark’s experience comes from integrating digital into brand marketing, promotion, direct marketing, and CRM working on global solutions that cover and connect many markets.
He has helped to navigate the digital space for many brands and create world first innovative programs such as the McDonald’s Global Kids Community Platform, Diageo’s thebar.com, SingTel’s Mobile Blogging Platform and Reality Online Show (back before most people even knew what blogging was), the P&G SK-II CRM program and some of Kellogg’s first major digital initiatives integrating retail and digital.

While working for Leo Burnett and Arc in the USA, Asia and Australia, Mark has worked across many industries including technology, beverages, fast food, airlines, automobiles, petcare, household products, telecom, tourism and durable goods.

Originally from Australia, Mark holds a Bachelor's of Commerce degree in Marketing from University of Western Sydney and a diploma in market research from the Market Research Society of Australia. 

Stephen Randall,
Founder & CEO,
LocaModa

Stephen Randall has been a leading mobile computing entrepreneur for over 15 years. He is founder and chief executive of Boston based LocaModa Inc., a place-based social media company. Prior to LocaModa, he was a founder of Symbian, the world’s leading mobile operating system provider with over 200 million units shipped across approximately 250 different phone models. Stephen served on Symbian’s Operational Board from 1998 to 2002. Prior to Symbian, Stephen was the architect of Psion PLC’s licensing strategy where he restructured the company to form Psion Software, which as Joint President, he helped build into the global licensing business that was spun out to form Symbian. During that period, he also served as the Chairman of The Ambient Computing Working Group, advising the European Parliament on roadmaps for pervasive computing. He was also a founder of pen-based computing company, Eden Group, which was acquired by Geoworks. Before venturing into mobile computing, Stephen had a career in music technology, developing the world’s first digital guitar, for which he received a British Design Award from HRH Prince Phillip.

Bob Stowe,
Director, Marketing Services,
Wendy’s International

Bob Stowe is a 26 year veteran of the QSR Industry (Fast Food Restaurants), during which time he has honed his skills and knowledge in Brand Marketing, New Products, Field Marketing and Marketing Services, and served as Chief of Staff to the CMO.  He has had extensive dealings with Franchisees serving as a key Marketing Advisor to this entrepreneurial backbone of the QSR Industry.  His current position puts him in direct leadership of those outside merchandising companies from whom Wendy's purchases, both printer houses and electronic providers alike.  He strongly believes the DOOH experience must be the result of a cross-functional effort within the Corporate Structure.

Peter R. Viento,
Executive Creative Director,
Saatchi & Saatchi X

With more than 22 years of experience in the Advertising business and over 15 in shopper marketing, Peter is the lead creative at Saatchi X NY.

Peter has worked tirelessly to develop brand experiences that run cross category, ranging from technology, packaged goods to beauty brands. This passion, energy and commitment has led him to win multiple industry awards for brands such as KRAFT, Kodak, Quaker and Tropicana.

Al Wittemen,
Managing Director - Brands to Retail,
TracyLocke

Al Wittemen is Managing Director of TracyLocke, an Omnicom business unit focused on the retail specific needs. Working with iconic brands and industry leaders, Al develops shopper marketing plans that identify and match specific, innovative solutions with ideal shopper experiences that both build the client’s brand and drive the retailer’s category growth.

Prior to joining TracyLocke in Dallas, Al was a sales and retail executive at Ryan Partnership and Diam POP Worldwide; a co-founder of a shopper conversion, marketing company, Retail Performance Group; and a sales and marketing executive on the client side of the business at companies such as H.J. Heinz, Weight Watchers, Swift Independent, and Guinness. In 2005 Al brought shopper-marking capabilities to the TracyLocke Connecticut office.

A 38-year veteran of sales, marketing and management, Al has seen the focus of his work change dramatically. From the simplicity of stocking shelves with brand promotions to the complexity of targeting ideal shoppers at the point of experience, Al’s career has been defined by a mastery of selling, branding, and launching profitable new programs and products for clients such as Unilever, Michelin, Master Foods, Foster Grant, Pepsi, Frito Lay, Hasbro, 7-11, Xerox, Timberland, ConAgra, Weight Watchers, AT&T, ADT, Disney, Nokia and P&G.

Al received an MBA from Babson College and has addressed numerous conferences on the thought leadership principles of co-marketing and shopper marketing.