PALEY INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL SUMMIT

Monday, October 19, 2026

6:00 – 8:00 pm

Chairman's Opening Night Reception

Tuesday, October 20, 2026

8:00 – 9:00 am

Breakfast, Registration, and Networking

9:00 – 9:15 am

Welcome Remarks

• Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman & Former CEO, Hearst; Chairman, The Paley Center for Media
• Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO, The Paley Center for Media

9:15 – 9:55 am

The Henry A. Kissinger Annual Keynote Address Made Possible by the William S. Paley Foundation: Navigating the Global Outlook in an Uncertain World

• Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman & Former CEO, Hearst; Chairman, The Paley Center for Media
• Additional speakers to be announced

As geopolitical tensions continue to reshape the international landscape, understanding the forces driving global affairs has never been more important. In this high-level keynote conversation, Frank A. Bennack, Jr. joins leading experts for a timely conversation on the challenges confronting today's leaders. The discussion will examine the issues defining the current geopolitical moment while offering perspective on how they could shape the months ahead.

10:00 – 10:30 am

Gaming, Culture, and the Future of Entertainment

• Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO, Sony Group Corporation
• Strauss Zelnick, Founder and Managing Partner, ZMC; Chairman and CEO, Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.

With billions of players and hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue, gaming is now one of the largest and most dynamic entertainment industries in the world. Hiroki Totoki of Sony Group and Strauss Zelnick of Take-Two Interactive will discuss the forces shaping the industry's future, exploring the evolving relationship between platforms and publishers, the convergence of gaming and entertainment, the opportunities created by AI and emerging technologies, and how the medium continues to redefine the global media business.

10:35 – 11:05 am

Global Franchises and the Evolution of Hollywood 

• Kristin Dolan, Chief Executive Officer, AMC Global Media  
• Ynon Kreiz, Chairman and CEO, Mattel
• Kevin Mayer, Founding Partner and Executive Chairman, Smash Capital; Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Candle Media 

In an increasingly competitive marketplace, the world's most enduring brands are defined not only by what they sell, but by the stories they tell and the communities they inspire. AMC Global Media CEO Kristin Dolan, Mattel Chairman and CEO Ynon Kreiz, and Candle Media Co-Founder and Co-CEO Kevin Mayer will discuss how iconic intellectual property can evolve across generations, platforms, and cultures. Together, they'll explore the growing value of brand franchises, the intersection of consumer products and entertainment, and the strategies that transform beloved characters and brands into international businesses built for long-term growth. 

11:05 – 11:30 am

Networking Break

11:35 am – 12:05 pm

Taking the Lead: Building the Business and Culture of Women's Sports

• Alexis Ohanian, Founder & General Partner, Seven Seven Six; Co-Founder & Former Executive Chairman, Reddit
• Dystany Spurlock, Professional Race Car Driver and Motorcycle Drag Racer
• Emily Tisch Sussman, Host, She Pivots the Podcast; Co-Owner, Gotham FC and NY Giants
• Moderator: Crystal McCrary, Co-Founder/CEO, GameUp and Get To Yes Productions

Women's sports are creating new opportunities for companies, athletes, and media entrepreneurs alike. Alexis Ohanian, Dystany Spurlock, and Emily Tisch Sussman represent the three pillars of this business model with their accomplishments in investment, racing, and storytelling. They will join moderator Crystal McCrary for a conversation about the momentum behind this transformation, and the growing role of media and culture in positioning professional women athletes at the heart of the movement. Together, they'll explore how rising fan engagement is reshaping the industry's economics and what it will take to build enduring franchises and unlock the next era of growth.

12:10 – 12:40 pm

The New Brand Imperative 

• Morgan Flatley, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Marketing Officer and New Business Ventures, McDonald’s
• Jill Kramer, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, Mastercard
• Lin-Hua Wu, Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, General Motors
• Moderator: Jonathan Miller, CEO, Integrated Media Company

The relationship between companies and consumers is evolving at a remarkable pace, requiring brands to rethink how they earn attention and build lasting loyalty. Chief marketing officers from some of America's most recognizable companies—McDonald's, Mastercard, and General Motors—come together for a conversation on the changing role of marketing in a rapidly shifting marketplace. They'll discuss how leading brands are responding to evolving consumer expectations and earning trust in an increasingly complex environment, and where they see the greatest opportunities to deepen brand loyalty and drive growth.

12:45 – 2:00 pm

Opening Day Delegate Luncheon

2:05 – 2:30 pm

The Next Frontier 

• Andreas Dracopoulos, Co-President, Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF)
• Brian Greene, Professor of Physics and Mathematics, Columbia University 
• Mike Massimino, Former NASA Astronaut; Columbia University Professor of Engineering; Best-selling Author

From space exploration to artificial intelligence, humanity is entering a new era of discovery. But the greatest breakthroughs begin not with technology—they begin with curiosity, imagination, and the courage to explore the unknown. Join Andreas Dracopoulos, Brian Greene, and Mike Massimino for a conversation on how science, storytelling, and philanthropy inspire innovation, strengthen institutions, and expand human potential. Together, they'll explore why the next frontier is not only technological, but profoundly human.

3:05 – 3:30 pm

Leading Through Global Transformation

• Mohamed Kande, Global Chairman, PwC
• Mark Lazarus, Chief Executive Officer, Versant
• Arnaud de Puyfontaine, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, Vivendi; Chair of the Board, Havas 
• Moderator: Sara Eisen, Co-Anchor, Squawk on the Street and Money Movers  

Business leaders today are navigating an environment defined by economic uncertainty and technological disruption. Mohamed Kande of PwC, Mark Lazarus of Versant, and Arnaud de Puyfontaine of Vivendi will discuss leading global organizations through periods of profound change. Together, they'll explore how executives can adapt to evolving markets and make strategic decisions that position their organizations for long-term success in an increasingly interconnected world.

3:30 – 4:05 pm

Networking Break

4:10 – 4:35 pm

The New Media Playbook

• Michael Kassan, Founder & CEO, 3C Ventures
• Philippe Krakowsky, Co-President and Co-COO, Omnicom
• Moderator: Jenny Rooney, Chief Brand and Community Officer, Adweek

The media business is being reshaped by changing consumer behavior and new forms of distribution, forcing companies to rethink how they grow and compete. 3C Ventures Founder and CEO Michael Kassan and Omnicom Co-President and Co-COO Philippe Krakowsky will explore the evolving relationship between content, advertising, and technology. They'll discuss the industry’s direction today, how successful companies are adapting to shifting market dynamics, and what will define the new business model for media.

4:40 – 5:05 pm

Beyond the Campaign: Who Shapes Policy After the Headlines?

• Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations 
• Edward Skyler, Head of Enterprise Services & Public Affairs, Citi

With the midterm elections just weeks away, attention will soon shift from campaigning to governing. But amid a rapidly evolving media landscape, what really moves policy conversations forward? Michael Froman of the Council on Foreign Relations and Ed Skyler of Citi explore how business leaders, financial innovators, and the media can help build public understanding, shape consensus, and advance practical solutions—from affordability and economic opportunity to the next generation of financial infrastructure.

5:10 – 5:40 pm

The State of Innovation: What’s Driving Global Growth? 

• David Solomon, Chairman and CEO, Goldman Sachs
• Moderator: Rich Kleiman, Co-Founder and CEO, Boardroom 

Artificial intelligence is changing the pace of innovation and prompting companies to rethink where they invest for the future. Boardroom Co-Founder and CEO Rich Kleiman leads a conversation with Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon about how this moment is reshaping the outlook for business and investment. Together, they’ll examine the forces behind this new innovation cycle and what it means for companies navigating a rapidly shifting economy.

5:45 – 5:55 pm

Closing Remarks

• Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman & Former CEO, Hearst; Chairman, The Paley Center for Media

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

8:00 – 9:00 am

Breakfast and Registration

9:00 – 9:10 am

Welcome Remarks

• Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman & Former CEO, Hearst; Chairman, The Paley Center for Media
• Maureen J. Reidy, President & CEO, The Paley Center for Media

9:15 – 9:50 am

The Inaugural Dr. John C. Malone Annual Keynote Address: Media and Connectivity in a Changing Landscape   

• John C. Malone, Chairman, Liberty Capital; Chairman Emeritus, Liberty Media, Liberty Global, Warner Bros. Discovery 
• Mike Fries, Chairman and CEO, Liberty Global

For decades, Dr. John C. Malone has helped shape the global media landscape, offering a distinctive perspective on the forces transforming the industry. Now, for the first time as a keynote event, Malone returns to the Paley International Council Summit with longtime collaborator Mike Fries for their annual conversation on the future of media. With decades of experience navigating change, Malone and Fries will offer their insights on where media is headed and how leaders can prepare for what comes next.

9:55 – 10:30 am

The Next Wave of Media Consolidation

• Faiza Saeed, Presiding Partner, Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP
• Additional speakers to be announced

10:35 – 11:15 am

Networking Break

11:20 – 11:50 am

The New Economics of Attention

• Jim Lanzone, CEO, Yahoo
• Dennis Mathew, Chairman and CEO, Optimum
• Rose Wang, COO and Founding Team Member, Bluesky

As AI transforms search, discovery, and digital media, the architecture of the internet is being fundamentally reshaped. Will the next era be defined by open access and broad discovery—or by closed ecosystems that control how information is found, shared, and monetized? Jim Lanzone, CEO of Yahoo; Dennis Mathew, Chairman and CEO of Optimum; and Rose Wang, COO of Bluesky, examine how AI, connectivity, and evolving consumer behavior are redefining the economics of attention, and what it will take to ensure the internet remains a dynamic engine of innovation, competition, and opportunity.

11:55 am – 12:20 pm

Technology, Power, and the Future

• Jeremy Allaire, Co-Founder, CEO & Chairman, Circle
• Fareed Zakaria, Host, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS

We are living through an era of profound technological, economic, and geopolitical transformation—one in which the rules governing business, finance, and society are being rewritten in real time. In a wide-ranging conversation, Jeremy Allaire, CEO of Circle, and Fareed Zakaria, anchor of CNN’s Fareed Zakaria GPS, will explore what this revolutionary moment means for the future, from the rise of agentic AI and its potential to reshape how companies and markets operate to the broader historical forces driving upheaval and change. Drawing on his new book, Age of Revolutions, and his deep understanding of history and geopolitics, Zakaria will bring perspective on where this moment fits in the long arc of transformative eras, while Allaire will offer a view from the technological frontier of what may be coming next.

12:25 – 12:55 pm

Beyond the Scoreboard

• Gary B. Bettman, Commissioner, National Hockey League
• Eli Manning, 2x Super Bowl-Winning Quarterback; 2x Super Bowl MVP; Founder, Ten Till Productions
• Moderator: Hannah Storm, SportsCenter Anchor and Studio Host, ESPN

As the economics of sports are being reshaped by global growth, new distribution models, and changing fan expectations, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning discuss what it takes to build enduring sports brands in a rapidly evolving marketplace. From the NHL's international expansion and the transformation of sports media beyond the regional sports network era to the rise of athlete-driven content, new forms of fan engagement, and Manning's perspective on leadership, competition, and life beyond the playing field, this conversation explores how success in sports is increasingly defined by what happens beyond the scoreboard.

12:55 – 1:05 pm

Closing Remarks

• Frank A. Bennack, Jr., Executive Vice Chairman & Former CEO, Hearst; Chairman, The Paley Center for Media