Business

Newly Launched Screens Entertainment Association Aims for the Stars

With the backing of a board that boasts Hollywood insiders, the new industry group hopes to make second-screen synergy the norm, rather than a novelty.

It doesn’t matter what the screen is—just as long as you’re watching.

Such is the mantra of the Screens Entertainment Association, a new trade group that launched last month. SEA will aim to help content creators build revenue for the entertainment industry across devices—something that hasn’t always been easy, due to both the differing underlying technologies and the lack of connective tissue between a smartphone, a cable device, and whatever other screens you use to watch entertainment.

“Finally, there is one organization and one comprehensive event that is designed to actionably fuel the development of all screened entertainment content and ventures,” SEA said in an email announcing the launch.

The association claims a strong board of entertainment-industry professionals who will bring the idea to reality—including former execs at big-name Hollywood players like the William Morris Agency and Fox Broadcasting, along with Penske Media Corporation’s vice chairman, Gerry Byrne. (Penske Media is the publisher of Variety, where the news of the launch first broke last week.)

The group has bold goals, including the forthcoming launch of the Vidify Market Summit in 2015.

“What CES is to Consumer Electronics, Vidify will be to all screened entertainment-focused ventures and professionals,” SEA claims on its website.

Other member benefits will include video white papers, legal agreement advice, marketing services coaching, and guaranteed opportunities to pitch and meet with industry insiders, such as chief marketing officers and publishers.

The group is offering discounts on introductory membership—$1,295 for charter corporate members and $495 for individuals—through October 15, when prices will increase to $1,995 and $795, respectively. Membership will include free admission to the Vidify event.

(Wavebreak Media/Thinkstock)

Ernie Smith

By Ernie Smith

Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. MORE

Got an article tip for us? Contact us and let us know!


Comments