Ian Schafer

President & Co-Founder

Ensemble / HOORAE Media

About the Speaker

Ian Schafer is co-founder and President & of Ensemble, a HOORAE media company, and next-generation creator-powered entertainment studio, co-founded by Issa Rae. Ensemble that collaborates with the world's most beloved creators and brands to produce and distribute content that shapes culture, engages audiences, and sparks action. 

An inductee into the American Advertising Federation’s Hall of Achievement, Ian’s entrepreneurial path through media, advertising, and entertainment includes building and scaling companies such as the award-winning advertising agency Deep Focus, the executive learning and education platform Kindred, and NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Improbable Media. A former Disney executive, Ian has also been the winner of numerous accolades including Cannes Lions, Webbys, and Emmy Awards. An active investor and advisor, Ian has been a part of numerous companies’ journeys from founding to exit and is building a sports ownership portfolio in both the NBA and MLS ecosystems.

Matchmaking Information

Attending

The New Storytellers: How Brands are Shaping Entertainment
Fontainebleau

The New Storytellers: How Brands are Shaping Entertainment

Wednesday, Apr 29, 2026
3:20 PM - 3:50 PM | America/New_York
Fontainebleau | Sparkle Ballroom • Inspiration Hall

Speaker's Sessions (1)

Session
Fontainebleau
The New Storytellers: How Brands are Shaping Entertainment
Wednesday, Apr 29, 2026
3:20 PM - 3:50 PM | America/New_York
All Pass Types
Fontainebleau | Sparkle Ballroom • Inspiration Hall
English

The New Storytellers: How Brands are Shaping Entertainment

Issa Rae built HOORAE Media on a simple premise: the best stories come from the most authentic voices. In this conversation, Issa explores how that belief has shaped everything from HOORAE's digital slate to Ensemble's collaborations with creators -- all of which are positioning brands to be more compelling storytellers. She'll make the case for why creators are one of the most powerful co-distribution channels available today, and why the brands winning the next decade of consumer attention are the ones bold enough to platform the voices their audiences trust.

Media Innovations & Storytelling Techniques
The Rise of the Creator Economy
Speakers (3)
Issa Rae
Founder & CEO, Hoorae Media
Ian Schafer
President & Co-Founder, Ensemble / HOORAE Media