VidCon Enlists Ex-Revision3 CEO Jim Louderback, Expands Industry Track

In 2015, VidCon is looking to offer more events catered to online video creators and industry execs. In order to meet that goal, the big online video convention has hired former Discovery Digital Networks GM Jim Louderback, who is overseeing an expansion of the event’s Industry Day.

As Variety explains, “Industry Day” will now be a misnomer, since the portion of VidCon dedicated to online video professionals will now be spread across two days. As in previous years, VidCon will begin on a Thursday, July 25th, and will run through the 27th. On the first day, the industry-related panels will begin. The next day, when fans descend upon the Anaheim Convention Center to meet their favorite YouTubers, the industry panels will move upstairs, where representatives from networks, marketing agencies, technology startups, and other YouTube-related companies will continue their presentations “above the din.”

According to Louderback’s plan, YouTube creators will have their own series of panels separate from the industry track. In previous years, YouTubers presented alongside executives during industry day, but this caused fans to show up to industry events, creating an ill-matched audience.  “It’s really hard to come up with a coherent set of content that appeals to both groups,” explained Louderback

. Therefore, a separate “creator track” will cater to fans and aspiring video makers looking for tips.

VidCon–founded by Hank and John Green in 2010–is also making some changes to the “community track” that serves as its bread and butter. Specific stages will divide YouTubers by categories like beauty, gaming, vlogging and education, and attendees will apply for passes that will ensure each fan gets to meet his or her favorite YouTubers.

Louderback took over as GM of Discovery Digital Networks after Revision3–the online video company he founded–was acquired by Discovery in 2012. Two years later, he left the company, citing a desire to spend more time with his family.

Tickets for VidCon 2015 can be purchased from the convention’s website.  If you’re interested in attending, the basic community track ticket costs $100, the creator track admission will run you $150, and the all-access industry track pass costs $450.