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Northwestern School of Communication

2025 Collaborative Conference

This one-day collaborative conference will explore the opportunities and challenges of streaming, AI, and influencer culture as industry disrupters and change agents in creative markets. Forces of Change is a partnership between the School of Communication and the Pritzker School of Law. 

Please note that attendance to this event is by invitation only.

Overview

Forces of Change: Law, Technology, and the Business of Entertainment

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

COSM Los Angeles

Co-Convenors: Emerson Tiller, Pritzker School of Law, and Rick Morris, School of Communication

Event is free; breakfast and lunch will be provided. Reception to follow.

Event Details

Explore speakers and the day's events

Speakers

Thomas Bradshaw: professor of radio/television/film, School of Communication

Aymar Jéan Christian: professor of communication studies; Margaret Walker Chair, School of Communication

Sunil Dave: head of strategy and partnerships, Camb.ai

Billy Eichner: Emmy Award-nominated actor, writer, director, comedian; School of Communication Class of 2000

Lauren Fried: partner, Loeb & Loeb

Claire Hart: chief legal officer, Groq

Jeff Jacobs: talent agent, Creative Artists Agency; School of Communication Class of 1985; Medill MSJ Class of 1987

Nicki Jaeger: VP nonfiction business and legal affairs, Netflix

E. Patrick Johnson: dean, School of Communication; Annenberg University Professor

John Kulback: partner, Loeb & Loeb

Hari Osofsky: dean, Pritzker School of Law; Myra and James Bradwell Professor of Law

David Rone: managing partner, Guggenheim Partners

Adam Rowings: technology and media executive; AI entrepreneur; School of Communication Class of 2007

Allen Shapiro: CEO and founder, Celebrands

Viren Tellis: CEO and cofounder, Uthana

Chris Thorne: chief marketing officer, Beats by Dr. Dre (Apple)

Allison Wallach: head of unscripted television, Fox Entertainment; School of Communication Class of 1990

Candisse Williamson: general counsel, HartBeat; Pritzker School of Law Class of 2007

Tracey Scott Wilson: Barbara Berlanti Professor in Writing for the Screen and Stage, School of Communication

Sponsors:

Loeb and Loeb LLP

Agenda

8:15 am-8:30 am: Registration and welcome

8:30 am-9:45 am: (Panel 1) Disrupting Traditional Media: The Rise and Reach of Streaming Platforms

  • Nicki Jaeger, Netflix
  • Sunil Dave, Camb.ai
  • Allison Wallach, Fox Entertainment
  • Aymar Jéan Christian, School of Communication
  • Moderator: Tracey Scott Wilson, School of Communication

9:45 am-10:00 am: Break

10:00 am-11:15 am: (Panel 2) AI in Entertainment: Creative Challenges and Business Opportunities

  • Claire Hart, Groq
  • Viren Tellis, Uthana
  • Adam Rowings, media executive
  • Thomas Bradshaw, School of Communication
  • Moderator: Lauren Fried, Loeb & Loeb

11:15 am-12:15 pm: Lunch

12:15 pm-12:30 pm: Break

12:30 pm-1:45 pm: (Panel 3) Celebrity Entrepreneurship and Social Media Influencers

  • Candisse Williamson, HartBeat
  • Chris Thorne, Beats by Dre
  • Allen Shapiro, Celebrands
  • Billy Eichner, actor/writer/director
  • Moderator: John Kulback, Loeb & Loeb

1:45 pm-1:55 pm: Break

1:55 pm-2:55 pm: Deans Panel

  • Deans E. Patrick Johnson and Hari Osofsky
  • Guests: Jeff Jacobs, CAA; David Rone, Guggenheim Partners

2:55 pm-3:00 pm: Closing Remarks

3:00 pm-5:00 pm: Reception at COSM

Organizers:

 

Northwestern School of Communication and Pritzker School of Law