SAN LUIS OBISPO — A panel of industry experts including a former Fox Television president and a social media marketer-entrepreneur will discuss why new media is vital to success in business at Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s forum Tuesday, Feb. 27, in the Performing Arts Center San Luis Obispo on campus.

The theme of CIE’s winter entrepreneurship forum, “Get Connected: Entrepreneurship in the Rise of New Media,” is how a media landscape transformed by social media, among others, presents new opportunities to connect with potential customers, as well as challenges in breaking through the noise of 24/7 online connectivity.

The forum, which is free and open to the public, features panelists Sandy Grushow and Jason Neubauer. It will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Grushow spent 24 years at Fox, many of which he served as chairman. During that time, he was involved with the launch of shows including “The Simpsons,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Family Guy,” “The X-Files,” “American Idol,” “24,” and “House.” After leaving the network in 2004, Grushow turned his focus to digital media and technology, taking on positions such as CEO of Phase Two Media and advisor to the Weather Channel. He was recently named the executive chairman of Winston House Media, a new, music-focused lifestyle brand.

Neubauer was named Social Media Campaign Millennial Engagement of 2017 by the Internet Marketing Association. He is currently the founder and CEO of the Santa Claus Affect. His initial video has been watched on Facebook more than 21 million times. He’s also proposed a TV show about the Santa Claus Affect, which seeks to “change the dialogue on social media, as well as society overall, from one that promotes self-satisfaction to one that aims at helping as many people as possible.” Neubauer is also an entrepreneur who was one of the first to recognize the power that social media influencers have on consumers. He’s a co-founder of Coolbox, a tool box for the 21st century, that was seen in an episode of ABC’s “Shark Tank.”

“Attendees of our winter forum will learn about new media’s important role in building a company, as well as how mastering it has contributed to our panelists’ successes,” said Jonathan York, CIE’s cofounder and interim executive director. “Our forums are designed to bring entrepreneurial-minded people from the Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo communities together to create a productive learning and networking experience.”

The Entrepreneurship Forum Series is presented by Sambazon. Advanced registration is required. For more details to register, visit febforum18.eventbrite.com.

About the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
The CIE opens a world of entrepreneurial opportunity to Cal Poly students, faculty and community members and promotes entrepreneurial activity and dialogue across the university and throughout San Luis Obispo. For more information, go to cie.calpoly.edu.

About the SLO HotHouse
The SLO HotHouse is a community space created through the efforts of Cal Poly and the city and county of San Luis Obispo, the business community, and the Cal Poly Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The goal of the SLO HotHouse is to support the students and community members as they work to create new innovations and start business ventures. For more information, visit https://calpolycie.wpengine.com/slo-hothouse.

Contact: Candice Conti
805-756-5171; clconti@calpoly.edu

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