Experts Discuss “Streaming Wars: Competition For Your Subscription,” Feb. 21

Managing partner of cg42 and CNBC Squawk Box guest Stephen Beck ’92, and Hearst SVP Bridget Williams will join faculty members in an exploration of the topic of streaming wars and their impact on consumers.

As the number of streaming services continues to grow from one month to the next, consumers are left trying to determine which providers are right for them, while also considering getting rid of their cable subscription (if they haven’t already). To examine the topic of streaming wars, Fairfield Dolan will host a panel discussion composed of subject matter experts in the field alongside Fairfield faculty members on Friday, February 21 from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. in the Dolan Event Hall.

The morning panel will be comprised of: cg42 Managing Partner and CNBC Squawk Box guest Stephen Beck ’92; SVP of strategy and operations at Hearst Newspapers Digital Media, Bridget Williams; and assistant professor of Communication Adam Rugg, PhD. The panel will be moderated by Fairfield StartUp Program Director Chris Huntley, PhD, associate professor of Information Systems and Operations Management. Together, panelists will explore the changes in consumer media consumption; evaluate the players, from streaming wars powerhouses to minor players and everyone in between; and discuss how the introduction of new streaming services is disrupting the industry, and the impact on consumers.

Learn more about the panel members:

Stephen Beck ’92, Managing Partner of cg42
Stephen Beck is the founder and managing partner of management consulting firm cg42. Beck is responsible for developing the firm’s intellectual capital and leading the firm's major client relationships. He has 20 years of management consulting experience and his specialties include growth strategy, corporate and brand strategy, brand architecture and management, channel strategy, marketing strategy, new product development, scenario planning, and digital strategy. An expert on the topic of streaming wars, Beck has appeared as a guest on CNBC Squawk Box, and his opinions and perspectives have also been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, Fox Business, and Bloomberg.

Bridget Williams, Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations at Hearst Newspapers Digital Media
Bridget Williams is SVP of strategy and operations at Hearst Newspapers Digital Media. In her role, Williams focuses on growing new revenue streams across Hearst Newspapers’ digital portfolio and digital transformation. Before joining Hearst, Williams served as the chief operating officer of Food52, a venture-backed content and commerce brand. She has also held positions at Business Insider as senior vice president for business and audience development, and as digital advertising director at The New York Times.

Adam Rugg, PhD, assistant professor of Communication
Adam Rugg is assistant professor Communication at Fairfield, currently instructing "Mass Media and Society" and "Media Theory and Criticism." His published works include a book chapter entitled “Periscope, Live-Streaming, and Mobile Video Culture” in Geoblocking and Video Culture, and “Extending the Broadcast: Streaming Culture and the Problems of Digital Geographies” in Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media. Rugg also facilitates workshops including “The Fight Against Fake News: Finding Truth in U.S. Media in the Age of Misinformation,” and “More Than a Game: Teaching the Relationship Between American Sports, Society, and Politics,” as part of Fairfield’s American Studies workshop series.

Moderator, Chris Huntley, PhD, associate professor of Information Systems and Operations Management, and program director of Fairfield StartUp
Christopher L. Huntley is associate professor of Information Systems and Operations Management at Fairfield Dolan, and director of the Fairfield StartUp program for student-founded startups. Prior to completing his PhD, Huntley worked as senior operations analyst at Conrail, a Class I railroad in Philadelphia, and as a consultant for analytics company Commonwealth Computer Research. Huntley’s research and teaching interests include organizational learning, software development processes, and system analysis and design. He has published articles in various business and engineering journals, including Academy of Management Journal and The International Journal of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, among others.

This event is free and open to the public. Register to reserve your seat today. For questions, please contact the Charles F. Dolan School of Business.

Can’t make it to the panel discussion? You will be able to watch the livestream.