Join me and six branded entertainment luminaries at my PGA New Media Council East mega-panel during Advertising Week New York, ‘Gaming the System: Branded Entertainment for Producers’ on Wednesday, September 30th, from 7:00-9:00 pm, at The New School’s Lang Auditorium, 55 West 13th Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues), 2nd floor.

In addition to great networking, food & drink, and a gathering of the new media tribes, the following presenters will appear:

• Ian Schafer, chairman, US CEO and founder, Deep Focus
• Warren Weideman, founder, First Look Productions LLC
• Luis de la Parra, senior vice president, partner solutions, Univision
• Colas Overkott, CEO, Sync
• Will Misselbrook, head of branded entertainment, Condé Nast Entertainment
• Andy Oakes, managing director, The Drum

You can RSVP at:

http://www.producersguild.org/events/Sessions.aspx?id=688263

I hope to see you on Wednesday, September 30th during Advertising Week New York for this event.

The immersive arts and entertainment cognoscenti showed up at the School of Visual Arts Graduate Theatre in NYC on Thursday, January 22nd for ‘Immersive Theatre: Volumetric Capture Smashes the Four Walls.’ Some of the leading players in the field, including Richard Broadbridge from 4Dviews, Todd Eckert from Tin Drum, Inc., and Leigh Tanner from HTC VIVE Arts, and Chris Pfaff SXSW from Chris Pfaff Tech Media LLC gave detailed presentations on experiential theatrical and musical works that leverage how volumetric video enables human-like presence, emotional depth, and audience connection in ways that traditional stages simply cannot.

Todd Eckert, who produced ‘An Ark,’ which had premiered the previous evening at The Shed (NY), showed how the four actors, including Sir Ian McKellen, took to the volumetric recording process. Richard Broadbridge discussed his work with Eckert on ‘An Ark’ and their previous collaborations, including ‘KAGAMI’ with Ryuichi Sakamoto. Leigh Tanner discussed ‘Playing with Fire,’ the spectacular musical experience with pianist Yuja Wang, currently playing at Philharmonie in Paris.

We had a who’s who of the New York VFX/virtual production/immersive theatre crowd, from Brandon Powers to James George (who received a bravura shout-out from Todd Eckert) to Alon Grinshpoon. Many thanks to Terrence Masson and Trilby Schreiber from SVA, who made it possible.

This was a real watershed event for volumetric video in the immersive theatre space.

You can watch the entire session at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjiWe89ZvZw

Richard Broadbridge (4Dviews), Todd Eckert (Tin Drum), Leigh Tanner (HTC Vive Arts), Chris Pfaff (Chris Pfaff Tech Media)

Todd Eckert presents and discusses the making of ‘An Ark’

Close-up of Todd Eckert, Tin Drum

Richard Broadbridge, from 4Dviews, presents 4Dviews’ work in immersive theatre

Leigh Tanner, from HTC Vive Arts, discusses the making of ‘Playing with Fire’

Todd Eckert, Richard Broadbridge, and Leigh Tanner before the event

Chris Pfaff, with James George (Adobe) and Alon Grinshpoon (echo3D) after the event

Michael Gold (SVA), James George, Richard Broadbridge, and Kefei Li, from Sculpt AI after the event

In case you missed me at The Polys – Immersive Awards this past March 23rd, at the Microsoft Garage in Manhattan, or have yet to check out the amazing live production on YouTube, you can now see my live-hosting gig as the announcer for the ‘Innovator of the Year’ Award, which was won by Super Splat. 

Michael Owen, Dario Loverde, Alex Coulombe, Alvin Graylin, and Chris Pfaff, after the Polys (and Alex Coulombe’s cartoon treatment)

Chris Pfaff hosts the Innovator of the Year segment during the 5th Annual Polys, at Microsoft Garage

Chris Pfaff and Elena Piech                         Chris Pfaff and Alvin Graylin               Ori Inbar, Yu Yuan, Alvin Graylin, and Chris Pfaff

Check out my sequence at 1:35:23-1:40:32 (teed up here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX6u3ksu9o4&t=5668s), where I navigate a super-packed Teleprompter script (the amazing Ben Erwin wrote this show, and produced it).

And if you would like to hire me for live-hosting, you can send a note to chris@voiceofpfaff.com  

On Wednesday, December 3, 2025, Chris Pfaff moderated the ‘Streaming and Beyond: The Future of TV Sports’ panel at the TV of Tomorrow Show NYC at Hudson Commons in Manhattan.

The conversation ran from FAST channels for niche sports to gamification of sports on TV, and AI personalization for viewers.

The expert panel consisted of:

•    Cathy Rasenberger, President, Free Live Sports
•    Christy Tanner, Chair, Swerve TV
•    Matt Felder, VP of Ad Sales, Fubo
•    Pete Scott, Chief Strategy Officer, Play Anywhere
•    Rob Bocchicchio, President, Centriply

STREAMING AND BEYOND: THE FUTURE OF TV SPORTS

Live-streaming sports is a global market that is valued at $32.4 billion and is projected to reach more than $100 billion by 2033. As live sports shifts to direct-to-consumer platforms, engagement matters more than ever, with AI and data shaping the experience. The gamification of sports is upon us, and features ranging from alt-casts to multi-view to real-time personalization will drive greater monetization of sports content, increasing fan engagement. This panel will discuss the production of a brave new world for sports content.

On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, Chris Pfaff moderated the ‘Future of Fan Engagement with AI’ panel at the 2025 Upside U.S. Sports Tech Summit at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, FL (the home of the two-time defending Stanley Cup champs, the Florida Panthers).

The session discussed tailoring content and experiences for individual fans and AI-powered fan engagement and training tools, and featured:

* Bill Chapman, Emmy® Award-winning live director and producer, Warner Bros. Discovery
* Pawl Osterreicher, co-founder and CEO, Respo.Vision
* André Antonelli, CEO, Machina Sports
* Steven Lund, head of sales, Cerbrec
* Robert Hull, CFO, Panini America

You can watch the full session at:

https://youtu.be/UTd6RCEIw94?feature=shared

ABOUT THE 2025 UPSIDE U.S. SPORTS TECH SUMMIT

The Sports Tech Conference, produced by Upside Global, features leading sports medicine, sports science, sports training, sports engagement, and sports management professionals in an all-day event that includes leagues (NHL, NBA, NWSL, NCAA), teams (Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, New York Liberty, Florida Panthers), schools (Florida Atlantic University, FIU, University of Miami), as well as leading venture capitalists (SeventySix Capital, Courtside VC, Wildcard Ventures, Cartan Capital, Stadia Ventures, Causeway Media Partners, Relay Ventures), and leading sports tech firms (Machina Sports, Vert Sports, Kinvent, Winback).

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