Speakers

Steve Ackerman is Managing Director and board member of award-winning content design and creation company, Somethin’ Else. After starting his career in radio – from local to BBC stations and then on the commercial side with USP Radio Projects – Steve joined Somethin’ Else in 2000.

Jamie is a Partner at Sparkler. He is responsible for driving forward Sparkler’s digital offers and thinking – as well as leading bespoke strategic qual and quant projects.

Mark Bell is Commissioning Editor, Arts for BBC Vision and is also Arts Co-ordinator of the BBC. A member of the BBC Knowledge Commissioning team, Mark commissions Arts programmes for TV and multiplatform content.

Helen Boaden took up her role as Director, BBC News, in September 2004. In April 2011 she became the Director of BBC News Group, taking on additional responsibility for the Global News division, and joined the BBC's Executive Board.

She oversees UK-wide network news and the BBC's global news division. She also has responsibility for the BBC's 12 English Regions.

Carla Buzasi is Editor-in-Chief of The Huffington Post UK, the UK version of the biggest news website in the US. 

James Burstall is the CEO of Argonon, the brand new indie group with an ambition to become the first fully convergent media company bringing together TV, film, brands, mobile, social media and gaming, in May 2011. The first two groups to join the group are James’ own production company Leopard Films, and music and youth specialists Remedy Productions. James is the majority shareholder in the new group and has ambitions to grow the company by creating a centre of excellence in the UK and US.

Editora Abril is one of the largest and most influential communications groups in Brazil. He joined Abril in 2002 and is responsible for managing the multi-platform strategy for CAPRICHO, the biggest teen brand in the country.

Grant Bremner is a veteran of the digital media industry having worked for the past 14 years exclusively with TV production companies and broadcasters including CNBC, SKY, Fremantle Media, Endemol, BBC, ITV, NBC, and FOX.

John has overseen the 3D Channel since its launch in October 2010. In that time it has broadcast more than 150 leading sports events including the Ryder Cup and UEFA Champions League final; won a BAFTA for Sir David Attenborough’s Flying Monsters; and partnered with Discovery, Disney, Nat Geo, MTV and History on 3D programming.

Jon Corner was appointed to the role of Director of MediaCityUK for the University of Salford in July 2010. As one of the UK's leading media professionals, Jon spearheads the development of the University's iconic presence at MediaCityUK.