CEO of leading public relations firm to discuss Austin’s impact on the national media landscape

AUSTIN, TX (PRWEB) MAY 12, 2016

Capital Factory’s CF Studios has invited Crosswind Media & Public Relations CEO Thomas Graham to speak at the second event in its “Intro to the Austin Media Scene” series this evening from 7 to 9 p.m. The local startup incubator launched the monthly event to explore the national reach of Austin’s media.

Graham, along with other media professionals in the series – including filmmakers, journalists, game designers, communications executives, IP lawyers and more – will share his knowledge about the city’s growing media infrastructure and ways to get involved.

“Austin is putting Texas on the map. Not only have we gained the attention of national media with our thriving industries in tech, music and film, our city has also become a media hub in its own right,” said Graham. “We’re at the center of a media revolution. From digital media leaders like The Texas Tribune and the return to community journalism as shown by Community Impact Newspaper, the world cares what Austin has to say.”

Last month’s discussion featured media leaders Burnie Burns, founder of production company Rooster Teeth, and Mirasol Enriquez, director of community media for Austin Film Society (started by Oscar-nominated director Richard Linklater), among others.

“We’re excited to grow this scene and help Austin create the next big media ‘thing’ – whatever that may be,” said Ashley Jennings, senior producer of CF Studios. “From VR to gaming to new ways of delivering content, we’re on the forefront of huge innovation in this space, and it’s going to happen here.”

Additional speakers at tonight’s event include:

Hugh Forrest
Director of SXSW Interactive Festival

Hugh Forrest serves as the Director of the SXSW Interactive Festival, the five-day gathering of digital creatives that occurs in Austin every March. Over the last few years, SXSW Interactive has emerged as one of the world’s most influential events for the new media industry. Forrest graduated from Austin High School in 1980, then majored in English at Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio. He held several jobs in the newspaper industry before surrendering to the digital revolution.

Johannes Larcher
Founder of Pikum, Former SVP of Hulu

Johannes Larcher is an entrepreneur and company builder whose career has spanned a wide spectrum of industries, company sizes, business models, and geographies. He was part of the team that invented paid search at GoTo.com (later: Overture Services, now: Yahoo! Search), where he grew the international business from business plan to more than $300 million in ad sales; served as CEO of Academy123, an online education company acquired by Discovery Communications; and co-founded a social gaming company called Pikum!. Most recently, Johannes served as SVP, International at Hulu, the online video leader owned by Disney, Fox, and NBC.

Michelle Martel
Entertainment/Media Lawyer
Branding and PR Martell Media House

Media, brand and technology attorney; Integrated marketing and communications/PR for B2C and B2B ventures; Entrepreneur & co-founder of digital theatrical distribution business, The Bigger Picture/KidtoonFilms; Co-creator UT Austin’s 3D/VR program, University of Texas Moody College of Communication; Advisory Council, Denius Sams Gaming Academy, UT; Board of Directors, Forklift Danceworks.

Troy Campbell
Founder, The House of Songs

Troy Campbell is an Austin-based artist, entrepreneur and strategic consultant in the music and film industry. His skill set includes business development, tour management, brand promotion, music supervising, and clearance right procurement. As founder of The House of Songs, LLC and Collection Agency Films, LLC Troy has helped grow a range of brands and artists during his 25+ years in the entertainment industry.

Josh Rubin
Director of CF Studios
Director of Video at The Daily Dot

Josh is an award-winning journalist, editor, and executive with more than 15 years of experience in national media. He is currently the Director of CF Studios and Managing Director of Video at The Daily Dot, one of the fastest growing media companies in America. Before joining The Daily Dot, Josh spent more than a decade with CNN traveling the country and covering everything from breaking news to presidential elections.

For more information or to register for the event, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/intro-to-the-austin-media-scene-tickets-25177304997

Members of the media interested in speaking with Thomas Graham, please contact Angela Dejene at adejene(at)crosswindpr(dot)com

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About Crosswind Media & PR
Crosswind Media & PR is one of the leading firms in the U.S., ranking in the top 100 nationally. Headquartered in Austin, TX, the agency has offices in Washington D.C., Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas and New York. While Crosswind’s roots are in Texas, it has a global reach, serving corporate clients, public agencies and national governments across five continents. It specializes in brand management, crisis communication, thought leadership and event planning and serves clients in the infrastructure, oil & gas, entertainment, education, cyber security, banking & finance, healthcare sectors and everything in between. For more information, go to https://crosswindmedia.wpengine.com, or email info(at)crosswindpr(dot)com.

Originally published by PRWeb