The PromaxBDA 2017 Conference kicks off at LA Live in Los Angeles this week, as over 2,000 PromaxDBA members head to the JW Marriott from June 5-8.PromaxBDA is a global organization representing more than 10,000 companies and individuals in entertainment marketing. Membership's made of creative, marketing and design pros from major media organizations, marketing agencies, research companies, strategic and creative vendors and tech providers.This year's line-up features a lengthy roster of big names from around the industry, including  some of the individuals below, who will occupy headline speaking roles (scroll to article's conclusion for full list):

• Justin Simien, creator, Netflix's Dear White People
• Franklin Leonard, founder, The Black List
• Dylan Byers, senior reporter, CNN
• Diane Nelson, president, DC Entertainment/Warner Bros. Consumer Products
• Chris Bruss, president of digital, Funny or Die
• Adam Stotsky, president, E! & Esquire

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4ouhe8pQUU“As audiences have increasingly become content creators, even marketers for the brands and properties they are passionate about, traditional marketing practices are no longer enough to get a message heard” said Steve Kazanjian, president and CEO, PromaxBDA. “This year’s conference is all about building off the old and embracing the new -- new technology, new ideas and new ways of connecting with audiences.”Former ABC marketing executive Marla Provencio, who spent more than 35 years at ABC, will also be honored with the PromaxBDA Lifetime Achievement Award at the Conference.Along with the headline speaking spots, there are additional featured panel speaking spots for even more of digital media's most interesting and influential figures. Some of those include our own Jason Damata, TV[R]EV co-founder (and current Turner chief innovation officer) Jesse Redniss, iSpot.tv's Sean Muller, DanceOn's Amanda Taylor, Variety co-editor-in-chief Andrew Wallenstein and many more. Jason will be moderating a panel entitled "Bye Bye, Idiot Box. Hello, Smart TV" on Thursday, June 8. That conversation will include Redniss, Muller, Taylor and Fox Networks Group's SVP of Advertising Product Management Geoff Katz.Attendees will also be giving back to the community in a collaboration with Caleb and Calder Sloan's Awesome Foundation and L.A. non-profit organization #HashtagLunchBag. PromaxBDA members will create bagged lunches and add inspiring messages for people in need of meals. The initiative's goal is to make 2,000 meals, to be distributed immediately to shelters, kids, adults and families.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avBx3eoNIUwThe full headline speaker list is below:

• Brett Ratner, director/producer (Rush Hour, X-Men: The Last Stand)
• Justin Simien, creator, Netflix's Dear White People
• Franklin Leonard, founder, The Black List
• Vince Lynch, CEO, IV.AI
• Lena Waithe, writer/producer/actress (Master of None)
• Megan Callahan, writer, Saturday Night Live
• Dylan Byers, senior reporter, CNN
• Diane Nelson, president, DC Entertainment/Warner Bros. Consumer Products
• Chris Bruss, president of digital, Funny or Die
• Adam Stotsky, president, E! & Esquire
• Guy Slattery, co-president & GM, Viceland
• Alan Beard, CMO, Fullscreen media
• Peter Benedek, founding partner, UTA
• Amy Emmerich, Chief Content Officer, Refinery 29
• Kevin Demoff, EVP of Football Operations/COO, Los Angeles Rams
• James Sommerville, VP of Global Design, The Coca-Cola Company
• Larry Smith, Creator, Six-Word Memoirs(r)
• Gregory Gittrich, Chief Content Officer, Mashable
• Robyn Peterson, Chief Technology Officer, Mashable
• Dr. Stacy Smith, Founder & Director of the Media, Diversity and Social Change Initiative at USC's Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism