June 3, 2026 · Los Angeles
Owl & Co. Presents
Vertical
Media Summit
The Third Audiovisual Language
Film was the first audiovisual language. TV was the second. Vertical video is something genuinely new – a $100B+ opportunity with its own economics, aesthetics, and audience psychology. Most of it is still up for grabs.
Building on
In December 2025, Owl & Co. convened an invitation-only Short Drama Business Summit –
senior executives representing major studios and talent agencies, dedicated vertical video apps, tech platforms,
VC and content investors, and independent producers. The conversation was candid, the data was proprietary, and the room
left with a shared conviction: the format is real, and the opportunity is larger than the industry has priced in.
The Vertical Media Summit builds on that foundation – and expands the lens.
Schedule
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11:30 AM
Welcome Lunch
Informal. Curated.
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1:30 PM
Opening Keynote
The thesis that frames the afternoon.
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1:45 PM
Panels & Fireside
Four panels. One fireside. Operators, investors, builders.
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5:30 PM
Cocktail Hour
Through 6:30 PM.
Topics
- 1The business of vertical: from IAP to subscriptions, ads & the future
- 2Microdrama is just the beginning
- 3Vertical news & sports
- 4Vertical comedy, animation, games & reality
- 5Global markets & the China playbook
- 6AI, production efficiency & the cost curve
- 7Fundraising, scaling and exit
- 8Single-purpose vs. super-apps
Speakers & Moderators
Speaker
Fede Goldenberg
Global Head of TV & Film Partnerships
YouTube
Moderator
Mary Ann Halford
Founder & Managing Principal
Halford Advisory
Moderator
Natalie Jarvey
Author
Like & Subscribe / The Ankler
Fireside Chat
Joey Jia
Founder & CEO
Crazy Maple Studio / ReelShort
Speaker
Xian Li
Principal
Ideali Projects
Speaker
James Lindsay
Managing Director & Co-Head, Growth Advisory
LionTree
Keynote Speaker
Hernan Lopez
Founder & President
Owl & Co.
Speaker
Montrel McKay
President, Development & Production
Hoorae Productions
Speaker
Bogdan Nesvit
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
HOLYWATER TECH
Speaker
Derek Norton
Founder & Managing General Partner
WaterTower Ventures
Speaker
Bennett Pozil
EVP
East West Bank
Speaker
Greg Siegel
Digital Media Head of Advisory
CAA
Speaker
Fernando Szew
President & Head of Studio
Fox Entertainment
Speaker
Dawn Yang
Global Head, Entertainment Partnerships & Business Development
TikTok
Speaker
Josh Yguado
Co-Founder / Former CEO
Jam City
Coming Soon
More speakers to be announced
Ticketed Event
Where vertical video turns into enterprise value
A ticketed half-day event for senior operators, investors, and builders in entertainment, media, and technology. Structured debate. Proprietary data. Limited seats.
Available Tickets
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General Summit Pass
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VIP Summit Pass
W Hollywood · June 3, 2026 · Limited seats