Most conference moderators use the same tired format. They engage in a private conversation with panelists while the audience passively watches (like a traditional lean-back TV experience), then take a few questions and call it interactive. DS President & Head Coach Steve Bradbury has long believed such events represent a unique opportunity to generate robust, stimulating discussions where everyone, panelists and audience alike, contribute and learn through a distinctive audience-inclusive style using multiple unique formats.
Here are two articles describing the experience of such a panel: The Best Conference Format Ever and If Content Is King, Who Is The Heir? Copies of select presentation decks can be found here.
“I’ve found Steve to be a dynamic moderator. Unlike most, he has his own unique take on how to get real insights, examples and reactions out of the panelists.”
JC Cangilla, COO, New Form Digital
“I was impressed by his grasp of the subject matter and skill as a panel moderator.”
Jonathan Hurd, Director, Altman Vilandrie & Company
“Steve has been moderating sessions at the Digital Hollywood conference for well over ten years. Attendees and panelists alike regularly compliment his unique interactive formats that draw everyone into an informative, stimulating, authentic conversation. If you are looking for a differentiating factor to create positive word-of-mouth, Steve is the one you want.”
Victor Harwood, President, Digital Hollywood
“Steve is an excellent and dedicated educator and we are lucky to have him as part of our SULA adjunct faculty family.”
Robin Howard, Director Syracuse University Los Angeles Semester Program
“Steve is an exceptional facilitator and conference moderator. His dynamism turns every session into an interactive experience. At IDEAS LA, Steve created and led two distinctive formats to make the sessions more interesting. That’s a key element of his moderating: creating an environment where all participants, speakers and attendees alike, can share and discuss pertinent issues on topic. He’s one of the best facilitators we’ve engaged with, and hands down, one of the most fun to work with!”
David Dorfman, Exec Director, IDEAS Los Angeles
“Steve is both engaging and knowledgeable, a rare combination which make his sessions compelling.”
Allison Dollar, CEO, ITV Alliance
“Steve creates an authentic conversation between panelists and the audience that is both engaging and unique. The conversation and topics always flow with ease!
Larry Laboe, President of Production, SXM
“Steve is the real deal. He brings great energy, passion and know-how, not to mention a tremendous network of leading professionals.”
Don Levy, President and Cultivator at Smith Brook Farm
“Steve has moderated numerous panels that I’ve participated in over the years and he’s always brought a steady hand that’s guided some engaging, insightful discussions. Not only does Steve provide a cohesive structure and targeted questions, he also brings a wealth of his own digital media knowledge to the table.”
Anthony Layser, VP Content Partnerships & Programming, XUMO
| 2019 | CONFERENCE | FORMAT | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| November | Digital Hollywood | Moderator | Esports – Fantasy Sports – Sports Gambling – VR/AR Games - Analytic Driven Real-Time Games |
| October | Syracuse University (NY) | Guest Speaker | TRF235 - Media Principles and Practices |
| Jul-Aug | Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Communications (LA) | Adjunct Professor | Riding The Digital Wave |
| July | UCLA Extension Custom Programs | Producer/Instructor | Business of Sports @ UCLA Extension (2019) |
| May | Digital Hollywood | Moderator | Esports – Fantasy Sports - Sports Gambling – VR/AR Games |
| May | LA Games Conference | MC, Breakout Sessions | Blockchain, Mobile Innovations, China, Cloud Gaming, Machine Learning & AI |
| Jan-Mar | UCLA Extension | Instructor | The Business of Entertainment |
| 2018 | CONFERENCE | FORMAT | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | Digital Hollywood | Moderator | Esports – Fantasy Sports – Sports Gambling – VR/AR Games - Analytic Driven Real-Time Games |
| October | eSports Business Summit | Moderator | eSports Business Summit |
| July-Aug | Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Communications (LA) | Adjunct Professor | Digital Media & Innovation in Los Angeles |
| July | UCLA Extension Custom Programs | Producer/Instructor | The Business of Sports |
| May | Startupalooza | Judge | Angel investing |
| May | Digital Hollywood | Moderator | Esports – Fantasy Sports – Video Games – VR/AR Games - Analytic Driven Real-Time Games |
| February | Digital Entertainment World | Coach/Judge/Moderator | DEW Startups |
| January | USC Gould School of Law | Guest Speaker | 2018 Digital Trends |
| 2017 | CONFERENCE | FORMAT | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | Digital Hollywood | Moderator | The Power of Influencers |
| Jul-Aug | Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Communications (LA) | Adjunct Professor | Digital Media & Innovation in Los Angeles |
| June | IDEAS Immersion | Advisor | Start-Up Culture Day |
| May | Digital Hollywood | Moderator | OTT: Multiscreen Video Experience |
| May | Los Angeles Venture Association (LAVA) | Moderator | Profiting from e/Sports |
| April | ABA Video Games & Media Conference | Moderator | Sports, Music, Film, Games and Brands in Digital Media |
| March | Westside Digital Mix | Featured Guest | SXSW Recap |
| March | USC Gould School of Law | Guest Speaker | 2017 Digital Trends |
| February | DEW Start-Up Competition | Coach/Judge/Moderator | 2017 Finalists |
| January | CES | Moderator | Programming Online Video Nets |
| 2016 | CONFERENCE | FORMAT | TOPIC |
|---|---|---|---|
| October | Digital Hollywood | Moderator | Programming Online Video Nets |
| July | UCLA Anderson Center for Media, Entertainment & Sports | Guest Instructor | 360˚ Entertainment Media Marketing |
| Jul-Aug | Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Communications (LA) | Adjunct Professor | Digital Media and Innovation |
| June | Cynopsis Sports Business Summit | Moderator | Punch Your Ticket to Virtual Sports |
| June | Ideas LA | Moderator | 5 Questions? Lifestyle Entrepreneurs In Action |
| June | Ideas LA | Workshop | Content & ____ Are King |
| May | Expert Dojo Business Growth Workshop | Speaker | Company Strategy & Business Development |
| May | Digital Hollywood | Moderator | Programming The New OVNs |
| April | Boston University, Dept of Film & Television (LA) | Guest Speaker | Careers in Entertainment |
| March | USC Gould School of Law (Entertainment Law 650) | Guest Speaker | 2016 Digital Trends |
| February | Digital Entertainment World | Coach/Judge/Moderator | Startup Pitch & Competition |
| February | Syracuse University, Newhouse School of Communications (LA) | Guest Speaker | Entertainment Industry Capstone |
| Jan-Apr | Boston University, Masters in Media Ventures (LA) | Adjunct Professor | Multi-Platform Entertainment Marketing |
| January | CES | Moderator | Original Video Programming |
Hollywood & Digital @ UCLA Extension: From 2000-2008, Steve led the Hollywood & Digital program at UCLA Extension. The program posed a simple yet critical question: “How will the entertainment industry and broader media space accelerate new technologies into a more compelling consumer experience?” Digital platforms were clearly the future, but where was the money? What were the most compelling business opportunities? What was next? See a partial list of the guest speakers who graced this space.