Latest Interviews
Showing 631–645 of 1,205 transcripts.
Clear all filters- Milken Institute1h 1m
eSports: Will Competitive Gaming Be the Next Major Sport?
Dean Takahashi, Steven Cohen, Ann Hand, Ramon Hermann, Nate Nanzer, Kent Wakeford
The esports industry is transitioning from a grassroots activity to a structured, franchise-based model driven by a 1,125% surge in 2017 investment and the entry of traditional sports owners and entertainment corporations. Major leagues like the Overwatch League are pioneering high-salary player contracts and city-based home-and-away schedules to replicate the infrastructure of traditional professional sports while expanding the global audience to 550 million by 2021. Despite challenges regarding lower average revenue per user compared to traditional sports, the sector is securing its future through diverse revenue streams, mobile gaming expansion, and a robust collegiate pipeline that attracts STEM-focused demographics.
- Milken Institute59 min
Emerging Markets Outlook
Douglas Rediker, Teresa C. Barger, Binay Chandgothia, Binod Chaudhary, Penny Foley, Francisco N. González
The event challenges the traditional divide between developed and emerging markets by arguing that political volatility and legal opacity now characterize the global investment landscape, effectively making "all markets emerging." It details how structural shifts over the last two decades, such as improved credit quality and a 75% rise in local currency sovereign debt, have created a resilient environment where investors are positioned in the early stages of a nine-to-ten-year growth cycle. Furthermore, the discussion outlines actionable strategies for capturing value through constructive corporate governance activism in family-controlled firms and capitalizing on demographic and consumption-driven trends in Asia, all while navigating a complex geopolitical backdrop where trade flows are increasingly redirected toward markets like Mexico.
- Milken Institute59 min
The Business of Aging: Capitalizing on the Demographic Shift
Patricia (Pat) Milligan, Kirsten Axelsen, Laura Carstensen, Camilla Cavendish, Scott Frisch, Pat Milligan
Global demographics are driving a critical divergence between rising life expectancy and stagnant healthy aging, creating urgent labor supply pressures and widening socioeconomic health gaps. Contrary to prevailing myths, data indicates that older workers enhance team productivity and stability, yet systemic barriers like age bias and a lack of targeted retention strategies continue to exclude them from the workforce. Experts recommend shifting from age-based to life-stage benefits and fostering flexible, two-way conversations to integrate aging populations into a reimagined career lifecycle.
- Milken Institute56 min
The International Business of Sports
Shelley Smith, Dan Beckerman, Todd Boehly, Chris Park, Vivek Ranadivé
ESPN correspondent Shelley Smith moderated a panel featuring Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadivé, Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly, MLB executive Chris Park, and AEG CEO Dan Beckerman to discuss the technological and strategic transformation of sports franchises. The executives detailed shifts from transactional revenue models to subscription-based loyalty systems, highlighting innovations such as VR integration, real estate development, and the expansion of e-sports and international markets like India and Mexico. While participants agreed on the necessity of adapting to digital distribution and betting regulations, they diverged on the extent to which virtual reality will replace live communal experiences and the feasibility of scaling large entertainment districts in smaller cities.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
How to Build a Brand
Brian Sullivan, Dmitry Balyasny, Janet Gurwitch, Tommy Hilfiger, Jamie Salter
At the Milken Global Conference, industry leaders Tommy Hilfiger, Jamie Salter, Janet Gerwisch, and Dimitri Baliozny discussed the critical necessity of global expansion and data-driven innovation for long-term brand survival. The panel outlined successful strategies for differentiation, such as Authentic Brands Group's licensing model and Laura Mercier's focus on "white space," while warning that over-reliance on mass distribution or stagnant product cycles can irreparably damage brand equity. Participants emphasized that combining advanced analytics with human creativity and authentic influencer partnerships is now essential for navigating rapid consumer behavior shifts and securing competitive advantage.
- Milken Institute57 min
The Business Case for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Cheryl Strauss Einhorn, Matthew Fust, Matthew Harrington, Tony Prophet, Lesley Slaton Brown, Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri, Matt Harrington, Gina Diaz Barroso, Mamta Patel
CEOs and institutional investors are increasingly mandating board diversity and societal engagement, with major firms like BlackRock voting against non-diverse slates and companies such as HP and Goldman Sachs implementing structural changes like dual mentorship and ally coaching. These organizations are shifting from abstract commitments to data-driven strategies, evidenced by HP's 50% diverse board representation and Salesforce's elimination of pay gaps, while simultaneously addressing global challenges through policy advocacy and pipeline development. Despite significant progress in retention and leadership metrics, the dialogue continues to focus on closing transparency gaps and balancing universal corporate values with diverse local legal environments.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Trends in Venture Capital
Cameron Lester, María Ariza, Ron Cao, Jalak Jobanputra, Ela Madej, Ella Amadei
Venture capitalists Ella Amadei, Jalil Jobin, Maria Arisa, and Ron Cao convened to analyze divergent global capital trends, from late-stage liquidity gluts in the U.S. to Mexico's structural IPO gaps and China's emerging pre-IPO surge. The panelists identified critical sector-specific opportunities in synthetic biology, blockchain infrastructure, and fintech while warning that regulatory uncertainty and "people risk" remain the primary impediments to scaling deep-tech solutions. Despite these challenges, the group expressed heightened optimism for a more inclusive innovation wave driven by the convergence of mission-aligned investing and digital asset digitization.
- Milken Institute58 min
Gaming Breaks Into the Mainstream
Dean Takahashi, Kathee Chimowitz, Emily Greer, Peter Levin, Frank Soqui
Industry leaders and investors convened to analyze the global video game market's projected growth to $180 billion, highlighting mobile gaming's dominance in emerging markets and the strategic shift toward long-term "Games as a Service" models. Key figures from Intel, Lionsgate, and Epic Games discussed the transformative potential of VR and AR technologies while addressing critical challenges regarding accessibility, online toxicity, and the complex dynamics between industry centralization and democratization. The event concluded with a consensus that gaming is evolving into a universal cultural force extending into education and healthcare, driven by advancements in mobile infrastructure and inclusive design initiatives.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
Speed Bumps Ahead: China's Belt and Road Initiative
Sheryl WuDunn, Lincoln Leong, Kevin Lu, Winston Ma, Dominic Ng, Perry Wong
The Belt and Road Initiative represents a trillion-dollar, 68-nation infrastructure strategy by China designed to export industrial overcapacity, secure energy routes, and achieve geopolitical dominance by 2049. While the project faces significant sovereign debt risks and regulatory hurdles in emerging markets, it has attracted Western corporate participation and positioned Hong Kong as a key financing hub despite US strategic hesitancy. Experts anticipate a transition from state-led funding to private market dominance over the next decade, driven by the commercial viability of interconnected digital and physical networks.
- Milken Institute59 min
Hacked and Back: Cybersecurity Lessons From the C-suite
Dmitri Alperovitch, Sanford (Sandy) Climan, Christopher Krebs, Thomas Pritzker, Tom Pritzker, Sandy Kleiman, David Batts, Jr., Jeffrey Brown, David Brooks, Eric Schmidt, Alan Seales, Tom Ginsburg, Chris Collins, John McWhorter
This event analyzes the evolution of cyber threats from state-sponsored espionage to disruptive attacks like the 2017 NotPetya incident, highlighting the strategic responses of Hyatt and the Department of Homeland Security. Hyatt integrated cybersecurity into its core governance by allocating six percent of its IT budget and empowering its CISO to share threat intelligence with federal agencies within minutes of detection. The presentation further outlines critical lessons for the entertainment industry, emphasizing the need for robust data protection, cross-sector collaboration, and a culture that treats security as a continuous strategic imperative rather than a temporary IT function.
- Milken Institute57 min
Art, Politics and Popular Culture
Julia Boorstin, Sophia Bush, Sarah Gubbins, Damon Lindelof, George Takei
Moderated by Julia Boorstin, panelists Sophia Bush, George Takei, Sarah Gubbins, and Damon Lindelof examined how contemporary art and entertainment influence political discourse while addressing persistent industry inequalities. Participants highlighted specific initiatives such as Gubbins' theater parity list, Takei's success with the musical *Allegiance*, and Lindelof's efforts to diversify writers' rooms on *Watchmen* to combat groupthink and tokenism. The group concluded that despite the fragmenting media landscape, creators retain a moral responsibility to use storytelling as a vehicle for social change, though they remain concerned that executive suites lack the diversity necessary for true cultural transformation.
- Milken Institute58 min
Fulfilling the Promise of National and Military Service
Kevin Klowden, Cutler Dawson, Susan Eisenhower, Mark Graham, Blaine Holt, Andrew Peek
Panelists addressed the widening civil-military gap and associated career transition challenges, highlighting how information asymmetry and support system loss often drive veterans into financial insecurity or unsuitable employment. To counter these issues, the discussion showcased successful recruitment models from firms like Goldman Sachs and Amazon that leverage transferable skills, while proposing structural reforms such as leader-led career planning and reciprocal civilian-military exchange pipelines. The dialogue concluded by weighing the complexities of reinstating national service against insularity concerns, urging organizations to bridge socioeconomic divides through aggressive retention strategies and community-based economic integration.
- Milken Institute1h 2m
Paying for Cures
Colleen Rye, Christiana Bardon, Louis DeGennaro, Joe La Barge, Mark Trusheim, Cynthia Verst, Cindy Virst, Mark Trusseimer, Chris Barden, Joe Medina, Eric Schmidt, Lou, Louis Kombolaini, John McWhorter, Tanisha Carino, Martha Minowski
Discussions on the evolution of curative gene therapies analyze the projected surge of over 500 pipeline candidates and the necessary shift from chronic treatment models to one-time cures that disrupt traditional pricing structures. Industry experts highlight innovative financial mechanisms, including outcomes-based rebates and installment payments, designed to navigate complex regulatory hurdles like Medicaid best price rules and FASB accounting volatility while addressing manufacturing costs. Despite significant challenges in social equity and international reimbursement disparities, the consensus suggests that historical precedents and market-driven competition will ultimately sustain a system capable of integrating these high-cost, durable medical breakthroughs.
- Milken Institute1h 1m
So You Want to Be an eSports Owner
Stephanie Snowden, Andy Miller, Shawn Sanford, Ari Segal, Barney Waters, Noah Whinston
Traditional sports executives and venture capitalists are transforming esports from a niche passion project into a scalable franchise ecosystem by leveraging existing infrastructure and adopting diverse business models tailored to specific game mechanics. Key organizations like Immortals and the LA Valiant are driving this shift through strategic brand partnerships that prioritize authentic engagement over impression counts, while simultaneously implementing robust player welfare systems to ensure long-term viability. As the industry matures, leaders anticipate a convergence where youth-centric consumption habits reshape corporate strategies, positioning esports teams as essential data points for understanding generational shifts in media and content consumption.
- Milken Institute1h 0m
Building Bridges to Developing Economies: Reports From Field Practice
Glenn Yago, Clare Akamanzi, Eli Groner, Peretz Lavie, Janet McKinley, Julie Monaco
Israel is expanding its Global Fellows Program and enacting strategic cabinet resolutions to formalize economic expansion into Africa, India, and China while addressing a global infrastructure funding gap of $90 trillion. Simultaneously, institutions like Citi and the SDIP are leveraging blended finance and innovative instruments, such as Rwanda's regulatory reforms and the Technion's high-impact health and AgTech programs, to mobilize private capital and transform stalled projects into bankable deals. These coordinated efforts aim to attract institutional investment with projected 5% to 8% returns, ultimately driving sustainable economic growth in emerging markets where traditional financing models have faltered.