Learn how Viacom’s digital media team experimented with new ways of engaging fans

Experts from Viacom’s VH1, MTV International, and Marketing and Partner Solutions will explore how they have fearlessly experimented and found success creating new ways to engage fans using innovative tactics around social, bots, and more.

Lydia Daly (SVP, Social Media and Branded Content Strategy, Viacom Velocity), Jon Mallow (SVP of Digital, VH1 & Logo Online – Production, Viacom), and Karmelina Parouka (Vice President of Digital Production, MTV International / Viacom International Media Networks) will take the #SMWNYC stage (Stage One at The TimesCenter) for a discussion on their recent findings.

This session, “Dear Social, What Have You Done for Me Lately? How Viacom Gets Maximum Fan Impact from Innovations in Social, Bots, and Beyond,” takes place Tuesday, February 28 at 11:00am.

In addition to this session, MTV is also hosting a masterclass event this year at #SMWNYC titled, “musical.ly and MTV: A Master Class in Mobilizing Musers,” which will explain the power of musical.ly, a growing music video social network, and its influential group of “musers.”

Social Media Week returns to New York this February 28 at The TimesCenter. Register to attend here before passes sell out, and view more events on our official schedule here.

Millennials, LOLs, and Snapchat: Hear from Viacom’s Leaders at #SMWNYC

Viacom and its many global media brands specialize in television programming, motion pictures and other entertainment content. It’s one of the world’s largest media companies reaching audiences in 180 countries. Like everyone else, they face the many challenges of an evolving digital and media landscape, with new audiences and consumers using technology in new and entirely different ways.

How does Viacom ensure that they’re engaging fans, viewers, customers, advertisers, and future generations as effectively as they’ve done year after year?

At SMW New York, leaders from Viacom, Comedy Central, and MTV will participate in a variety of sessions and conversations, ranging from the future generation after Millennials, to the best brands on Snapchat. Here are the four sessions featuring Viacom executives:

1. The Best Brands On Snapchat

Tuesday, February 23rd • 12:30pm • TimesCenter
Snapchat is the new battleground for the most innovative brands, and attendees will meet the marketers behind the ghost that are already crushing it on this emerging platform. Sarah Epler (Senior Director, Social Media & Fan Engagement, MTV) will participate in this session alongside leaders from VaynerMedia, Nasdaq, American Airlines, and The Wall Street Journal.

2. Keynote with Comedy Central’s Chief Marketing Officer, Walter Levitt

Wednesday, February 24th • 1:30pm • TimesCenter
Comedy Central’s CMO will give an overview of the brand’s social media and on-the-ground tactics and strategy. Attendees will learn key insights into what makes Comedy Central successful at engaging fans and driving conversations.

Walter will help answer the question, “What are the steps to get your own audience and fan-base to actively talk about your brand?” with examples from Comedy Central’s roster of award-winning franchises and multi-platform programming.

3. How marketers can be successful with Facebook and Instagram coexisting

Thursday, February 25th • 1:00pm • SVA Theatre
Facebook is a highly effective channel for driving advertising performance at scale, and Instagram is a creatively inspiring platform, great at generating engagement – especially among Millennials. Hear from Kristin Rolla Mirek (VP, Multi-Platform Development & Marketing, TV Land at Viacom) during this session, as she and other media industry leaders will share how advertisers can complement the strengths of each platform to achieve unprecedented levels of success.

4. Hello “Founders” – Meet the Generation after Millennials, presented by MTV

Friday, February 26th • 2:30pm • The TimesCenter
When MTV first began researching post-Millennials, none of the generational names currently in play seemed to sum up the essence of the kids themselves. So they asked, “why not go straight to the source?” The MTV Insights spoke to 13-14-year-olds in-person and via virtual focus groups, and discovered the name most of them wanted for their generation. The result?… “The Founders”. Yes, seriously, The Founders.

Along with this new name came instructive insights into what drives this generation on-the-rise and the responsibility they feel to build upon the societal blocks that Millennials are famous for disrupting.

Hear from Tom Fishman (SVP of Audience Growth and Engagement, MTV), Jane Gould (SVP of Consumer Insights and Research, MTV), Alison Hillhouse (VP of MTV Insights) and Taylor Trudon (Voices Editor, MTV News) for a discussion on what sets The Founders apart from Millennials, and what principles brands will need to consider for future marketing efforts.

Hear from Tom Fishman (SVP of Audience Growth and Engagement, MTV), Jane Gould (SVP of Consumer Insights and Research, MTV), and Taylor Trudon (Voices Editor, MTV News) for a discussion on what sets The Founders apart from Millennials, and what principles brands will need to consider for future marketing efforts.