On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Chris Pfaff moderates the session ‘The Future of Brand Integration and Sponsorship in Streaming’ at Streaming Media 2025 at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica.

John Petrocelli, from Bulldog DM; Adam Gouttierre, from Hudl; Dylan Conroy, from JOURNY TV, and Scott Davis, from Global Logic, discussed brand integration in streaming, particularly live sports and entertainment.

You can watch the full session at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbn-eE-AFA8&list=PLcSb1s2U3uyCrjuw6HtDVgiW2dHvLH1Us&index=31

STREAMING MEDIA 2025

October 8, 2025

2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.

B203. The Future of Brand Integration and Sponsorship in Streaming

Brand integration today goes beyond mere product placements or commercial breaks. It’s about creating organic connections between content and brand experiences with sponsored content, co-branded shows, and interactive experiences. This session digs into the ways brands are embedding themselves in video content.

Moderator:

Chris Pfaff, CEO, Chris Pfaff Tech Media, chris@chrispafftechmedia.com

Panelists:

John Petrocelli, Founder & CEO, Bulldog DM, john@bulldogdm.com

Adam Gouttierre, VP of Media, Hudl, tate.erickson@brandedpublicrelations.com, adam.gouttierre@hudl.com

Dylan Conroy, Head of Media Sales, JOURNY TV, dylan.conroy@journy.tv, philtrina.farquharson@finnpartners.com, barney.bishop@finnpartners.com

Scott Davis, CTO, Global Logic, scott.davis@globallogic.com, natasha.haksar@globallogic.com

On Tuesday, October 7, 2025 at Streaming Media 2025 at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica, Chris Pfaff moderated a session – ‘The Creator Economy and the Future of Monetization’ – with some of the leading players in the creator space, including Jonathan Shrank, from TheSoul Publishing; David Williams, from pocket watch; Charlie Ibarra, from Creator Television, and Parker Jones, from Towerhouse.

You can watch the full session at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eCMUVXAWcw&list=PLcSb1s2U3uyCrjuw6HtDVgiW2dHvLH1Us&index=26

Tuesday, October 7
4:15 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
C104. The Creator Economy and the Future of Video Monetization
Creators are shaping the next wave of content, and that wave is rolling in fast. Join this panel to gain insight into the emerging creator economy and how to make it profitable.

Moderator:
Chris Pfaff, CEO, Chris Pfaff Tech Media, chris@chrispafftechmedia.com

Panelists:
David B. Williams, SVP & GM of Channels, pocket.watch, david@pocket.watch, autria.mashian@rcpmk.com
Jonathan Shrank, VP, Streaming & Content Partnerships, The Soul Publishing, jonathan.shrank@id.thesoul.io, eric@worldsfair.io
Charlie Ibarra, Head of Content, Creator Television, charlie@creatortelevision.com, laarni@creatortelevision.com
Parker Jones, CEO, Towerhouse, george@therightnow.co, parker@towerhouse.io

On Monday, October 6, 2025 at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica, Chris Pfaff moderated an expert debate for Streaming Media 2025 – ‘Is the Future of Streaming Free or Paid/Hybrid?’ Jonathan Shrank, from TheSoul Publishing, and John Stevens, from V10 Entertainment appeared as “Team Free” and Rebecca Avery, from Integration Therapy and Jon Giegengack, from Hub Entertainment Research appeared as “Team Paid/Hybrid.” A spirited debate and discussion period ensued over the hour, but Pfaff determined that Team Free had won the day.

You can watch the full session at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi9FG2oSbhw&list=PLcSb1s2U3uyCrjuw6HtDVgiW2dHvLH1Us&index=11

Monday, October 6 
Debate #1: Is the Future of Streaming Free or Paid/Hybrid?
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
FAST executives and SVOD leaders square off on the future of free vs. paid streaming.

Moderator: 
Chris Pfaff, Chris Pfaff Tech Media, chris@chrispfafftechmedia.com Pfaff, Chris Pfaff Tech Media, chris@chrispfafftechmedia.com

Panelists: 
Rebecca Avery, Owner and Principal, Integration Therapy, rebecca@integrationtherapy.media
Jonathan Shrank, VP of Streaming & Content Partnerships, TheSoul Publishing, jonathan.shrank@id.thesoul.io, eric@worldsfair.io
John Stevens, CEO, V10 Entertainment, jstevens@v10sg.com, george@therightnow.com
Jon Giegengack, Principal, Hub Entertainment Research, jong@hubresearchllc.com, melissa.remo@beckmedia.com

On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Chris Pfaff moderated the expert session ‘How to Create Life-Like Immersive Stories with Volumetric Video Production’ at the Long Beach Convention Center, with panelists Richard Broadbridge from 4Dviews, Lauren Michelle from Operaverse & The Chipped Nail, and Corey Rosen from Super 78.

You can watch the full session at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jM1z_MSdvs8&list=PLLri17oDqCEXMqpqT78XH7n_EvfxeBZ1a&index=14

HOW TO CREATE LIFE-LIFE IMMERSIVE STORIES WITH VOLUMETRIC VIDEO PRODUCTION

The explosion of virtual stories across platforms has seen an increase in the integration of real humans in immersive experiences. The evolution of stunningly realistic volumetric video now enables real human capture and integration in scenes that are life-like and spatially adaptive. The innovations that are now making the human more prominent in complex virtual narratives are being led by producers and toolmakers who are building a network of dynamic volumetric artisans.

This session features leading developers of mixed reality, VR, and mobile AR that enable virtual humans – not avatars – to live and perform in immersive environments.

On Tuesday, June 10, 2025, at Augmented World Expo (AWE) U.S. at the Long Beach Convention Center, Chris Pfaff appeared on a session – ‘Reality Creator Economy: XR and AI Collide to Unlock Massive New Frontiers in Reality Commercialization’ – that was moderated by Yu Yuan from MASA, and – in addition to Pfaff – featured Ben Erwin, from the Academy of Immersive Arts and Sciences, and Julie Smithson from METAVRSE and XR Women.

You can watch the full session at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkVM0B_UtnU

As XR platforms evolve from niche experiments to mainstream destinations, creators must navigate a complex landscape of revenue models—from virtual goods and subscription tiers to brand partnerships and platform revenue shares. This session will survey today’s proven monetization strategies for XR experience and content creators, then look ahead to the transformative potential of Generative AI and Agentic AI, including automated content generation, AI-driven personalization, and autonomous digital agents that can extend creators’ reach. We’ll also explore how collaborative metaverse and virtual world ecosystems—where thousands of creators co-build immersive spaces—can implement fair, transparent reward mechanisms. Join us to understand how creators can thrive today and shape tomorrow’s XR economy.

On Thursday, May 22, 2025, Chris Pfaff moderated a virtual session for Streaming Media Connect, ‘Going, Going Gone: Can Biddable Advertising Fix CTV’s Fill Rate Slump?’

Laura Florence, with Fremantle; Tim Ware, from Future Today Marketplace; Christina Chung, from Estrella MediaCo, and Jack Perry, from Zeam Media, discussed different aspects of the CTV ad fill slump. Jack Perry also discussed his innovative Super Bowl ad with John Stamos.

You can watch the full session at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l5mLjtfdlA&list=PLcSb1s2U3uyDUGBfZ3-JMRf2QqSeflTyB&index=13

THU5. Going, Going, Gone: Can Biddable Advertising Fix CTV’s Fill Rate Slump?
Thursday, May 22: 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. (ET)/1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. (PT)

With FAST and CTV fill rates slipping throughout 2024 (except for a brief election bump), content owners and their partners are casting about for new and different ways to fill inventory. By clearing the way for advertisers to buy in just before show time rather than having to lock in their campaigns months in advance, so-called “real-time” biddable CTV opens up late-breaking, flexible opportunities to unload unclaimed inventory on an auction basis before it goes to waste. But as bidding on audiences reportedly surges for sports, is auction-based advertising really suitable for other premium content? Is it likely to change the way brands approach media-buying, or is it just another transitory trend?

Moderator: Chris Pfaff, CEO, Chris Pfaff Tech Media

Panelists:
Laura Florence, SVP, Global Channels, Fremantle
Christina Chung, VP, Business Operations, Estrella MediaCo
Tim Ware, VP, Future Today Marketplace
Jack Perry, CEO, Zeam Media

Chris Pfaff moderated the tech track session ‘Immersive Sound: How to Create Powerful Experiences’ on Thursday, March 13th from 11:30-12:30 pm in Salon K of the Hilton Austin Downtown with some of the industry’s leading next-gen audio experts, including Google’s Jani Huoponen, group product manager for immersive audio, Mirko Vogel, general manager, Canada, for Vaudeville Sound Group, and Sylvana Levy, founder of SLX Group.

Jani Huoponen detailed the development of Eclipsa, the audio format born out of the Open Media Alliance’s Immersive Audio Models & Formats (IAMF) specification for next-generation immersive audio.

Mirko Vogel detailed Vaudeville Sound Group’s approach to immersive audio for a range of media formats.

Sylvana Levy discussed producing immersive audio for experiential installations.

You can watch the entire session at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y2g1VBkO29k

SXSW 2025 PANEL

IMMERSIVE SOUND: HOW TO CREATE POWERFUL EXPERIENCES

Immersive sound enables unparalleled connections between users and enhances experiences. A new generation of immersive sound technology includes sound objects, which are multichannel sound files captured and designed with specific techniques. These 3D sound environments complement visual experiences with immersive, or spatial, audio that enhances a wide range of industry products and services, including virtual and augmented reality, auditory healing for healthcare, architecture design, automotive design, media, entertainment, and many others.

Chris Pfaff moderated an expert virtual panel for Streaming Media Connect, on February 27, 2025, ‘App, Crackle, Pop: What a Video App Really Needs,’ with Bruno Giner, NPAW; Ankit Awasthi, Amazon Prime; Deirdre Magrane, Tubi; Tom Hurlbutt, Crunchyroll, and Jason Williams, Plex.

The session discussed the product considerations and technical issues surrounding app development for video publishers. You can watch the full session at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-jpftHBl9M&list=PLcSb1s2U3uyDMnUvP0RMv0WnVwp25b6OS&index=15