Keynotes
Digiday Video | November 8, 2012 | New York
2011 Keynote Speakers
Larry Tanz, President, Vuguru
As a digital entertainment veteran, Mr. Tanz brings more than 15 years of strategy and operating experience in media, entertainment and technology. Mr. Tanz also has extensive expertise in producing, developing and financing successful film, television and new media projects including documentary feature films Running the Sahara and First Descent for Universal Pictures and the Emmy-nominated TV series Project Greenlight for HBO and Bravo. In December 2009, Mr. Tanz was appointed President of Vuguru, the leading independent studio developing and financing scripted content for emerging and traditional platforms. Under Mr. Tanz's direction, Vuguru, which was founded by Michael Eisner's Tornante Company in 2006 and backed by Canada's Rogers Media in October 2009, has executed global multiplatform distribution partnerships for it's slate of over 10 projects.
Before joining Vuguru, Mr. Tanz served as president and co-founder of Agility Studios, a boutique multiplatform studio that develops and finances intellectual-property based businesses. Paramount Digital Entertainment has distributed Agility Studio's multiplatform franchise The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers globally; the show is currently in its third season.
Erin McPherson, VP & Head of Video Programming and Originals, Yahoo!
Erin McPherson leads Yahoo's Originals and Video Programming teams in the North America Audience group. McPherson oversees development, production and content partnerships for original programming and is also responsible for programming Yahoo! Video. Previously, she was VP and Head of Business Development for Yahoo! Media in North America.
Before joining Yahoo!, McPherson was an entertainment attorney, representing actors, directors, writers and producers at Stone, Meyer, Genow, Smelinkson & Binder. Previously, she was senior dirctor of business and legal affairs at LivePlanet, the integrated media company founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
She holds a J.D. from Harvard Law School and received a B.A. from Middlebury College.
