At a Glance Schedule  |  Virtual Goods Schedule  |  Game, Toy and Tech Schedule

9:00 - 10:00 am -  September 22, 1010 in Game, Toy and Tech
Keynote Interview:  Toys Games and Tech
Traditional business models are being turned inside out and industries are colliding. It is not good enough to simply follow "traditional" business and product strategies. This unique keynote interview brings together three individuals who are at the forefront of their respective industries: toys, video games and silicon valley. Please join us for a candid discussion that will span the evolution of markets in the age of the smartphones, social networks and the digital consumer.
- Carter Keithley, President, Toy Industry Association
- Joseph Olin, President, Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
- Timothy Chang, Principal, Norwest Venture Partners
- Interviewer:  Chris Kohler, Editor of Game|Life, Wired.com

Speakers

Joseph Olin
President
Academy of Interactive
Arts & Sciences

Joseph Olin brings more than 25 years of experience in video games and consumer products to his position as President of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Since taking the helm of the non-profit organization in July 2004, Olin has championed the $21 billion video game industry by raising awareness of individuals, games, companies, organizations/associations and changing issues by promoting innovation and commitment. In addition, Olin has grown the Academy membership more than six-fold from 3,000 to 20,000 since June 2004.

As President of the AIAS, he is the voice of the Academy and oversees the annual D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) Summit, the Interactive Achievements Awards (IAA) and the Into the Pixel video game art exhibit. Olin has been successful in advancing the international presence of the Academy and Into the Pixel by bringing it to New Zealand, Germany, Mexico and speaking at international video game and related industry conferences, brought the International Game Developers Association members to the IAA voting process and was instrumental in partnering with the Independent Film Channel for a multi-year deal to televise the IAA.

Olin is a highly sought out speaker and has participated at international and national industry gatherings. His appearances include: AnimFX (New Zealand), FMX Conference (Germany), VIEW Conference (Italy), Games Business Law Summit (SMU University) Games Convention Developers Conference (Germany), Nordic Games Summit and Digital Hollywood (Los Angeles), World Summit on Internet & Multimedia (China) among others.

Prior to joining the AIAS, Olin spearheaded the introduction of gaming’s most famous heroine, Lara Croft, with the launch of the blockbuster Tomb Raider franchise as vice president of marketing and business development for U.S. GOLD, INC. / EIDOS Interactive.

Olin also served as senior partner and group account director at Ogilvy & Mather where he launched Mattel’s Generation Girl Teen Dolls product and the first Barbie brand advertising campaign. Earlier in his career, Olin held senior level positions in game publishing, advertising, sales, and marketing. At Elliot Portwood Studios, Olin co-created Leonardo’s Multimedia Toolbox, an educational product, developed with Gene Portwood and Lauren Elliott (creators of Carmen Sandiego). His impressive background also includes tenure at NEC’s System Laboratory Group of Japan, Voiceweb Corporation, Kovel/Fuller, Inc., Della Femina McNamee, Panda Management Company and Microprose/Hasbro Interactive.

Olin sits on the advisory boards of FMX, AnimFX NZ, International Federation of Multimedia Associations (FIAM), GC Asia Conference and the UCLA/CRESST Games Research Center.

Olin earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Southern California.