NBCU Academy Next Level Summit: Know Your Audience

No matter the product, platform or person, KNOWING YOUR AUDIENCE is critical to success. From the newsroom to the boardroom, audience matters in every aspect of our work in journalism, entertainment, production, marketing, public relations and beyond.

Elevate your career journey by joining us virtually for NBCU Academy’s “Next Level Summit: Know Your Audience” on Thursday, October 19. Learn, grow and connect with top leaders, journalists and innovators on the best ways to identify and connect with your audience, up your content creation game, secure your next promotion and take your career to the next level!

With today’s competitive and evolving media landscape, reaching and attracting new audiences has never been more challenging.

Join top leaders from Comcast NBCUniversal and the NBCU News Group as they discuss their innovative strategies for building trust with their audiences and developing and connecting with new, diverse viewers and consumers.  

The summit began with a special message from Cesar Conde, NBCUniversal News Group Chairman. Then, “NBC News Daily” Co-Host Zinhle Essamuah welcomes participants and introduces the first panel of top NBCUniversal and Comcast leaders.

Summit Host: 

• Zinhle Essamuah, “NBC News Daily” Co-Host

Special Message: 

• Cesar Conde, NBCUniversal Newsgroup Chairman

Moderator: 

• Kristen Welker, “Meet the Press” Moderator 

Panel:  

• Rebecca Blumenstein, NBC News President, Editorial
• Rashida Jones, MSNBC President
• Beau Ferrari, Telemundo Enterprises Chairman
• Dalila Wilson-Scott, EVP & Chief Diversity Officer, Comcast Corporation & President, Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation

Veteran journalist, anchor, NBC News Chief Washington Correspondent and Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent Andrea Mitchell marks 45 years reporting for the network and 15 years as an anchor on MSNBC. During that time, she’s landed interviews with some of the biggest newsmakers on the national and world stage. Hear how Mitchell has built her brand as one of the most trusted journalists of our time.

Moderator:

• Kristen Welker, “Meet the Press” Moderator 

Special Guest:

• Andrea Mitchell, NBC News Chief Washington Correspondent, Chief Foreign Affairs Correspondent & Host of MSNBC’s “Andrea Mitchell Reports” 

Did you know the game engine behind one of the most popular videogames in the world, Fortnite, also helps power the news and entertainment world? Explore how NBCUniversal and Telemundo have leveled up movies, news, entertainment and sports by integrating video gaming technology to bring audiences more high-tech productions than ever before. Hear from the cutting-edge technical teams and artists that are modernizing the way we deliver and produce content that audiences are craving. 

Moderator: 

• Brian Cheung, NBC News Business & Data Reporter 

Panel: 

• James Matarese, NBC News Real Time Graphics Senior Managing Art Director
• Fabian Albarracin, Telemundo Real Time Graphics Director
• Benjamin Daniels, Universal Television Alternative Studios VP of Production & Production Technology
• Yorie Kumalasari, DreamWorks Animation Lead Effects Houdini Artist

How did NBCU News Group become the #1 news source for streaming and digital news? Join executives from NBC News, MSNBC and Peacock, who will share their insights and strategies in building audiences on digital platforms. Learn how NBC News NOW became the top streaming news network and find out how NBCU leaders in both entertainment and news are luring new audiences to Peacock. Lastly, go behind the scenes of how NBC News Digital leaders pivot on the fly while analyzing real time audience traffic and analytics.    

Moderator:

• Hallie Jackson, “Hallie Jackson NOW” Anchor  

Panel:  

• Janelle Rodriguez, NBC News Programming EVP
• Brian Henderson, Peacock Programming EVP
• Catherine Kim, NBC News Editorial SVP
• Rebecca Kutler, MSNBC Content Strategy SVP

As audiences shift to streaming and digital, social media continues to play a pivotal role in how people learn about, consume and share content. Understanding social media is key to attracting younger viewers. Online buzz can make the difference between a film becoming a blockbuster hit or a major flop. Think Barbenheimer. Learn how top editorial leaders and journalists are using social media to boost ratings, grow audiences and stay ahead of the game.   

Moderator: 

• Savannah Sellers, “Morning News NOW” Anchor 

Panel:

• Devan Joseph, NBC News Original Social Video Executive Producer
• Travis Miller, NBC Sports Social Media Director
• Emily Quinn, Peacock Partnerships & Business Development Manager
• Lauren Begasse, MSNBC Brand Marketing Director

How do you best connect with underserved and underestimated communities when it comes to storytelling, outreach, entrepreneurship or philanthropy? Our panel of experts will share their experiences and best practices for identifying and targeting the critical needs of a community in order to best serve them and have real impact.

Moderator:

• Trymaine Lee, MSNBC & NBC News Correspondent & “Into America” Podcast Host 

Panel: 

• Gwyneth Gaul, Comcast Associate VP of Strategic Partnerships & Community Impact
• Brandon Nicholson, The Hidden Genius Project Chief Executive Officer
• Jessica Santana, America on Tech Chief Executive Officer
• Joy Y. Wang, NBC News Senior Editorial Director

No other morning news program has captured a loyal and engaged audience quite like TODAY. The show has been informing and inspiring viewers for more than 70 years! From TODAY All Day to Read with Jenna to Shop TODAY, this juggernaut has been able to diversify its brand across multiple platforms – growing its audience with a whole new generation of fans. Hear from Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer from TODAY’s superstar team about what’s behind their chemistry, how they connect with viewers and why audiences just can’t get enough.

The panel began with a special message from Craig Robinson, NBCUniversal Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer.

Moderator:

• Zinhle Essamuah, NBC News Daily Co-Host

Panel: 

• Craig Melvin, “TODAY” News Anchor and 3rd Hour of TODAY Co-Host
• Sheinelle Jones, 3rd Hour of TODAY Co-Host
• Dylan Dreyer, 3rd Hour of TODAY Co-Host and NBC News Meteorologist

Want to get an edge in your job search? Join members of NBCU’s Talent Acquisition team who hire for iconic Late Night and scripted entertainment shows, the legendary TODAY Show and the Olympics. They share must-hear advice for how to zone in on your audience when looking for a job — from researching your interviewer to understanding the ethos of the company, show, or team you want to join.

Moderator:

• Ali Stelzer, NBC News Group Talent Acquisition Recruiter

Panel:

• Ed Asuncion, NBC Sports Principal Recruiter
• Megan Horan, NBCUniversal Entertainment Principal Recruiter

From network news to streaming to entertainment and beyond, audience research is critical to understanding what viewers and readers want to watch, read and listen to. What does it take to conduct audience research for a major broadcast, digital or streaming network? Hear from top leaders tasked with unlocking audience trends for NBC News, CNBC, MSNBC, Telemundo Enterprises and Peacock and learn how you can find your career path in this industry.

Moderator:

• Frank Holland, CNBC’s “Worldwide Exchange” Anchor 

Panel: 

• Will Gonzalez, NBCUniversal EVP & Chief Data Officer of Research
• Peter Schwartzstein, MSNBC & CNBC Research and Insights VP
• Judy Temkin, NBC News Digital Analytics VP
• Marco Noto, NBC News Program Research VP 

Why does the public gravitate towards certain on-air reporters, anchors and commentators? What makes them resonate with the audience and come off as relatable? Hear from some of NBCUniversal’s on-air stars about how they connect and cultivate relationships with the viewers they serve while remaining true to their authentic selves. Learn their best advice for building your brand — on the air, across multiple platforms and across diverse communities.

Moderator:

• Blayne Alexander, NBC News Correspondent

Panel:

• Alex Witt, “Alex Witt Reports” Anchor
• Evrod Cassimy, NBC5 Chicago Anchor & Reporter
• Jessica Kurdali, NBC News Talent Development Vice President

NBCU Academy thanks:

• Our Next Level Summit panelists, moderators, producers, technical production, studio support, editors, communications and public relations, archives team, photo production and security.
• Our Next Level Summit support teams from NBCU News Group, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBCUniversal Local & Telemundo, Comcast, Dreamworks Animation, Universal Pictures and Universal Television and NBCU News Group Interns.
• NBC News Washington, DC Bureau.
• NBCU Academy and Affiliated Partner Schools.