Chinese Government Officials and Global Media Executives Gather for Unprecedented Meeting on Future of Media and Entertainment in China

Chinese Government Officials and Global Media Executives Gather for Unprecedented Meeting on Future of Media and Entertainment in China

May 16 Asia Society Southern California Conference to Focus on "Building Bridges Through Media and Entertainment"

LOS ANGELES, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Asia Society Southern California Conference, "Building Bridges Through Media and Entertainment," will bring together an unprecedented group of senior Chinese government officials and business executives with global media executives to explore the future of entertainment and media in China.

The Conference, to be held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on May 16 from 2:00-5:30 p.m., will attract leaders from government, business, entertainment, and policy circles with a particular interest in the growth and evolution of the media and entertainment industry in China.

Topics to be addressed include:
-- Modifying traditional and new media strategies/business models for the
Chinese market;
-- Role of the Chinese government in matters such as controlling piracy
and permitting open access to content;
-- Trends that distinguish the Chinese media market, including consumer
behavior, emerging technology, local culture, and government influence;
-- Mistakes international media companies make when approaching the
Chinese market.

Donald Tang, Chairman of Asia Society Southern California, said, "The entertainment and media industries have the power to bring people together around common interests. These are the universal languages that unite all humanity at a grassroots level. We are thrilled to be able to bring together leaders from both China and America to explore the communications transformations that are reshaping our world. And it is so fitting that this Conference takes place in Los Angeles, which is both America's gateway to China as well as the cultural capital of the world."

IBM Executive to Lead Panel Sessions on Future of Chinese Media

The Conference will consist of two sessions, with the first session focused on Traditional Media and the second concentrating on the role and impact of New Media. Steven Abraham, Global Leader, Media & Entertainment, IBM Global Business Services, who has worldwide responsibility for IBM's consulting services in the media and entertainment industries, will lead both sessions.

"The opportunity for both traditional and new media is vast in China, as the region represents one of the world's fastest growing markets that is forecast to grow at double digit compound growth rates for years to come," said Steven Abraham, Global Leader, Media & Entertainment, IBM Global Business Services. "Yet the media marketplace in China is still in the very early stages of development. Over the next ten years, foreign media companies that partner well with both Chinese government and business and integrate China

into their core operations can reap significant benefits as China becomes a major global media player."

The distinguished panelists include:

Steve Chen Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer, YouTube, Inc.
Maren Christensen Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Universal
Studios
Yong Huang Vice Chief Editor, China's State Administration of
Radio, Film and Television
Jianguo Jiang Head-Publicity Department, CPC Hunan Provincial
Committee, and President, Hunan Association for
International Culture Exchange
Yifei Li Managing Director, MTV Greater China
Lihua Liang Deputy Director-General, China's Internet Media
Research Center
Changle Liu Chairman and CEO, Phoenix Satellite Television Holding
Limited
Shawn Wang Chief Financial Officer, Baidu.com, Inc.

About Asia Society

Asia Society is the leading global organization working to strengthen relationships and promote understanding among the people, leaders, institutions of Asia and the United. States. Asia Society seeks to enhance dialogue, encourage creative expression, and generate new ideas across the fields of policy, business, education, arts and culture. Asia Society Southern California was established in 1985 as in independently funded regional office that creates its own programs and conferences.

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Source: The Asia Society Southern California Conference

CONTACT: Deborah Jordan of Asia Society Southern California,
+1-213-613-9934, ext. 11, djordan@asiasociety.org

Web site:

http://www.asiasocietysocal.org/

NOTE TO EDITORS: Press Information - To obtain press credentials and for more information about covering this event, contact Deb Jordan at Asia Society Southern California at 213-613-9934 x 11. For more information on the event, please visit - http://www.AsiaSocietySoCal.org . PRESS RESERVATIONS - We will NOT be able to serve meals to the media. Non- meal seating will be available for reporters. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED FOR ALL MEMBERS OF THE PRESS - Please RSVP by calling 213-613-9934.

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