Architect of Global Content Operations & Studio Infrastructure
In this talk, we’ll examine the dramatic evolution of human attention and storytelling, tracing the arc from the communal spectacles of ancient amphitheaters and early theatrical productions to today’s always-on, hyper-fragmented media environment. Drawing on more than three decades of leadership in media and entertainment, we’ll analyze how shifts in distribution, devices, and audience behavior have compressed adoption cycles — expediting transitions that once took decades, like the shift to color television, into the rapid emergence of today’s billion-dollar, mobile-first content ecosystems. We’ll explore how ubiquitous smartphones and democratized creation and distribution tools have redefined engagement, challenging traditional production models and reshaping notions of quality, scale, and cultural impact. Looking ahead, we’ll consider how emerging modalities, from robotics to drone-based narratives, can lead us toward increased digital fatigue or a more intentional, intelligent presence. Ultimately, the session reframes innovation not as a hardware problem, but as a human-centered opportunity to redesign how, where, and why stories meet us where we are.

Joel Savitt unifies creative production, technology, and operations for global media leaders. For nearly three decades, he has served as a key architect at media and tech giants, including Google, YouTube, and NBCUniversal, translating ambitious creative goals into efficient, scalable global realities. As the director of Google Developer Studio, Savitt led a global in-house content studio responsible for over 2,600 videos per year. He oversaw 60 of Google’s O&O social channels (engaging 20M+ followers) alongside multi-disciplinary efforts across design, events, web production, intel, and localization. Previously, as Global Head of Production for YouTube Originals, Savitt managed a nine-figure annual global content budget and oversaw the end-to-end design and build of a multimillion-dollar sound stage facility. Savitt’s leadership extends beyond spreadsheets; he is a builder of teams and culture. From establishing the head of production role at Ashton Kutcher’s Katalyst Media to initiating the VP of production function at the Oxygen Network (for NBCUniversal), he has a track record of defining infrastructure from the ground up. His work has supported content that has won five Emmys, 19 Streamys, and three Webbys. Originally from Raleigh, NC, but now a three-decade Angeleno, Savitt is a member of the Television Academy and the Producers Guild of America.

Wed, May 6, 2026 12:00 – 2:00 PM

Display Industry Awards Lunch is held on Wed, May 6th at noon. Lunch tickets are available for purchase with conference registration. Register here.