Attending VidCon this year? Here are our recommendations. As we do each year, we’ve narrowed down the dozens of Industry, Creator, and Community sessions and highlighted a handful of events that caught our attention. Our suggestions are below, and a full schedule of VidCon happenings can be found on the convention’s website.
An important reminder: Certain sessions will only be open to holders of specific passes. If there’s a particular event you want to attend, make sure you have the right type of ticket, or you’re going to miss out. Without further ado:
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Wednesday, June 22nd
5th ANNUAL TUBEFILTER VIDCON PRE-PARTY – FUELED BY BIG FRAME
7 PM, K1 Speed Anaheim
Before VidCon kicks off, join us and our friends at Big Frame in Anaheim for an evening of kart racing, assorted activities, and guest appearances from top digital media stars. Tickets are available here.
Thursday, June 23rd
FIRESIDE CHAT WITH GUILLAUME DE POSCH CO-CEO RTL GROUP, LED BY JOCELYN JOHNSON, FOUNDER – VIDEOINK
9:35 AM, The Ballroom, Industry Track
European media company RTL Group has made a huge mark in the online video world by investing in multi-channel networks like BroadbandTV, StyleHaul, and Divimove. During this session, RTL Group’s co-CEO Guillaume De Posch will provide attendees with a status report of the company’s digital goings-on that will double as a look at where the MCN industry stands in 2015.
10:15 AM, The Ballroom, Industry Track
Katie Couric’s VidCon debut, which we wrote about when it was first announced, will bring the newswoman face-to-face with Ze Frank, who is leading BuzzFeed’s upcoming charge into long-form content through the BuzzFeed Motion Pictures venture. Frank isn’t just an executive; he is also one of the smartest people working in online video, and his insights are always worth listening to.
EMERGING BUSINESS MODELS FOR CREATORS
2 PM, Room 304 AB, Industry Track
By utilizing platforms like merchandise and crowdfunding, creators are now capable of pulling in profits that far exceed those generated by ads. The panelists here, a group that will include musician-turned-Patreon-founder Jack Conte and vlogger-turned-Maker-Studios-exec Shay Carl, will explain the best ways for creators to blend in alternate revenue streams. Our own Joshua Cohen will moderate.
INTERVIEW – LOUISE PENTLAND (SPRINKLE OF GLITTER)
2:30 PM, Entertainment Weekly and People Interview Stage, Community Track
Another one of our own, Drew Baldwin, will lead a conversation with Louise Pentland, who in addition to creating videos on YouTube has also become a bestselling author through her book Life with a Sprinkle of Glitter.
3:30 PM, Room 207, Creator Track
Which online video platform is right for you? In the third Tubefilter-moderate panel of the day, Joshua Cohen will talk to execs from YouTube, Vine, Vessel, Tumblr, and Vimeo, who will each discuss the merits of their respective sites.
4:45 PM, The Ballroom, Industry Track
As she did last year, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki is expected to use her VidCon keynote to discuss upcoming changes to the site that will soon be available to creators. We’ll have updates about all her announcements, but if you want to be the first person to hear the State of the YouTube Union, this is the place to be. This year, Wojcicki’s talk will be followed by a chat with Shahrzad Rafati, who as the CEO of BroadbandTV leads one of the most expansive global multi-channel networks on YouTube.
Friday, June 24th
FIRESIDE CHAT WITH JASON KILAR
10 AM, The Ballroom, Industry Track
This year’s VidCon is the first since the launch of Vessel, which is looking to cater to YouTube content creators by offering them a platform on which they can bring in massive subscription and advertising revenue. How does Vessel accomplish such a feat? Its founder, ex-Hulu CEO Jason Kilar, will explain his model to YouTube star and VidCon co-founder Hank Green.
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? – PREDICTIONS FOR THE FUTURE
11 AM, The Ballroom, Industry Track
Each year, new companies look to become the next big thing in online video. This panel, which will feature executives from forward-thinking companies like ZEFR, Frederator Studios, Victorious, and Fuisz Media, will attempt to predict where the industry will go next. Attendees must provide their own crystal balls.
FROM HOLLYWOOD FILMS TO BOOK DEALS: HOW TO STAY SMART IN CROSSOVER PROJECTS
12:30 PM, Room 304 CD, Industry Track
The rise of movies, books, and TV shows led by online video stars has been perhaps the most significant industry trend of the past year. In this panel, creators, executives, and agents who are fueling this trend will talk about what it has accomplished so far–and what’s coming up. The Fine Bros, who are working on several off-YouTube projects, will be there, as will Supergravity Pictures co-founder Marc Hustvedt.
OPTIONS FOR BRANCHING OUT FROM YOUTUBE
3:30 PM, Room 204, Creator Track
While most people within the online video industry would be wise to learn about the movie/book/TV trend I highlighted above, this panel will spin the subject to focus specifically on creators by explaining what they can do to expand their presence. Keywords Press, which is turning YouTubers into published authors, and New Form Digital, which is giving them their own filmmaking platform, will be among the companies represented here.
Saturday, June 25th
9:30 AM, Room 207, Creator Track
VidCon’s recurring “Less Than Famous” panel, which each year spotlights a handful of creators who are building audiences on YouTube without amassing millions of subscribers, is a yearly delight. It’s a fascinating look at a part of the YouTube community that often goes undiscussed, and this year’s rendition should be no different. This is a panel that curious VidCon attendees should not miss.
THE MYSTERY OF BEING A MUSICIAN ON YOUTUBE
11 AM, Room 207, Creator Track
In the last of the four sessions we’ll be moderating at VidCon, Drew Baldwin will talk to a number of musical YouTube stars–such as Madilyn Bailey and Tyler Ward–about the ways they are going beyond their respective instruments to engage their fans.
12:30 PM, The Ballroom, Creator Track
Not all collaborations happen on YouTube. This one will bring a dozen familiar faces from the video site together for a large-scale discussion about the big developments and community-wide trends that are on their respective minds. Kevin Alocca, who heads up YouTube’s Culture & Trends division, will sit on the panel as well.
CLOSING CEREMONY (HOSTED BY TYLER OAKLEY & HANNAH HART)
3:30 PM, Kia Mainstage, Community Track
Once YouTube’s creative community is done talking business, it will get to the fun. 20 creators are on the slate for this event, which, according to the VidCon website, will have a “variety show feel.” Get ready for lots of short, sweet performances, which we can only expect will be greeted by hundreds of screaming fans.
Once again, a full list of VidCon events can be found on the convention’s website. Have fun and Happy VidCon!
