Keynote Speakers: DEMAN Weekend 2019
Robb Chavis, ABC's black-ish
Robb Chavis (T '98) is a comedy writer, working on broadcast shows across several major networks including BLACK-ISH on ABC, SUPERIOR DONUTS on CBS, and the NBC shows TRUTH BE TOLD and BAD JUDGE. Robb is a graduate of Duke University (’98) and Harvard Law School and began his legal career as an intellectual property attorney at King & Spalding in his hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. He left the law firm and moved to Detroit, Michigan to become Vice Chairman of Legal Counsel and Operations of an advertising agency. Robb currently lives in Los Angeles.
Lori Conkling, YouTube TV
Lori Conkling (MBA '99) was named Global Head of Partnerships for YouTube TV and Google Fiber in March 2019. She oversees programming, packaging and business development for these services, including negotiating all content deals in the pay-TV ecosystem inclusive of broadcasters, cable networks, regional sports networks and affiliates. She is also a lead representative for YouTube TV to industry organizations, influencers, advertisers, distribution partners and YouTube creators. Prior to joining YouTube, Conkling was Executive Vice President, Strategy and Business Development of NBCUniversal. As such, she was responsible for developing progressive business strategies for NBCU’s new and existing digital businesses, driving innovation and monetizing cross-platform content. She oversaw NBCU's digital investments, in addition to executing commercial deals that expanded NBCU's reach across the multi-platform ecosystem. Conkling previously held Distribution roles at The Walt Disney Company, Lifetime Networks and A+E Networks. While at Disney, Conkling was instrumental in the successful launch of ESPNU, ESPN's college sports network. Among her achievements, Conkling was named by Multichannel News as one of the industry’s “Women to Watch” and honored as one of cable’s top “40 Under 40” executives by the same publication. For the past eight years, she has been named one of CableFAX’s Most Powerful Women in Cable and was inducted into Multichannel News’ Wonder Women Class of 2011. She currently sits on the Fuqua School of Business Alumni Council and is on the Board of the Cherry Lane Theater in New York City. Conkling received a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Southern California and an MBA from Duke University.
Erica Henry, CNN
Erica Henry (T '94) is the southeast region newsgathering director for CNN/U.S. In this role, she oversees the day-to-day operations for CNN’s Atlanta and Miami bureaus, and she coordinates CNN’s correspondents, reporters and producers break news and find distinctive, compelling stories. She has contributed to the network’s coverage on stories ranging from Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria to the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL. Henry has an extensive background in newsgathering and programming. She has served as an assignment editor, assignment manager and managing editor for CNN across the Atlanta and Los Angeles bureaus. Before joining CNN, she worked at NBC and MSNBC having started at the network as an NBC Page. Henry currently serves as part of the executive committee for Black Professionals at Turner. She also serves as a member of the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s African-American Partmership Cabinet. Henry earned her Bachelor of Arts in History from Duke University. A devoted mother of three, Henry enjoys traveling, culinary arts and listensing to her old-school playlist on Spotify.
Dave Karger, NBC TODAY & Turner Classic Movies
Dave Karger (T '95) is an award-winning host, interviewer, and entertainment commentator. He’s a host on Turner Classic Movies and serves as Special Correspondent for IMDb. He has also made over 200 appearances on NBC’s Today show. In 2015 Dave received the Publicists Guild Press Award honoring the year’s outstanding entertainment journalist. In 2014 he was named one of OUT Magazine’s “OUT 100,” acknowledging the most influential people in the LGBT community. From 2012 to 2016 Dave served as Chief Correspondent at Fandango, where he created and hosted the original video series “The Frontrunners,” which received a Webby Award nomination for Best Variety Series. Before that, Dave spent 17 years as a senior writer at Entertainment Weekly, where he wrote over 50 cover stories, on subjects including George Clooney, Angelina Jolie, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Johnny Depp, Denzel Washington, and Carrie Underwood.
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Sean McManus, CBS Sports
Sean McManus (T '77) was named Chairman, CBS Sports, in February 2011 overseeing all sports properties across all CBS Sports operations. He also serves as Executive Producer of THE NFL ON CBS. McManus served concurrently as President, CBS News and Sports for more than five years prior to being named Chairman. He was named President, CBS Sports, in November 1996 and President, CBS News, in October 2005 and is only the second person to hold both Division titles simultaneously. During McManus' more than 22 years as Chairman and President of the Division, CBS Sports has become the year-round leader in network sports television. McManus began his career in 1977 at ABC Sports as a production assistant and associate producer. In 2010, he was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. McManus is the son of the late legendary sports broadcaster Jim McKay. He was graduated cum laude from Duke University in 1977 with a degree in English and History.