Los Angeles, Calif. (September 18, 2013) – TheGrill is pleased to announce that Bill Maher, the comedian and political commentator, joins TheWrap’s fourth annual media leadership conference as a spotlight interview and keynote speaker on opening night.
Julie Bowen, Emmy-winning star of ABC’s “Modern Family,” also joins TheGrill as a spotlight interview on Tuesday, September 24.
Maher and Bowen are joined on stage at the two-day conference by industry leaders such as ESPN President John Skipper; Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos; FX CEO John Landgraf; Indiegogo cofounder Danae Ringelman; producers Stacey Sher and Michael Shamberg; USA Today President and Publisher Larry Kramer and many others.
TheGrill 2013 will take place September 23rd & 24th at the prestigious Montage hotel in Beverly Hills.
Now in its 4th year, TheGrill brings together the most innovative thinkers and commanding voices at the intersection of entertainment, media, and technology. The conference and its intuitive and thought-provoking set of speakers will examine the future of the entertainment industry and content as the digital age continues to transform the way content is created, distributed and consumed.
Maher, the host and creator of “Real Time With Bill Maher” on HBO, is one of the nation’s most fearless, funny voices, challenging conventional wisdom and pushing the boundaries of political discourse. He has done so on issues from war-mongering to pot-smoking to gun control for 20 years starting on “Politically Incorrect” on Comedy Central and for the last nine years on “Real Time,” garnering 32 Emmy nominations in the process.
Maher’s anti-theology docuementary “Religulous,” has gone on to become the 8th highest grossing documentary ever. Maher has written five bestsellers including “New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer,” and most recently, “The New New Rules: A Funny Look at How Everybody But Me Has Their Head Up Their Ass.”
Julie Bowen currently stars in the critically acclaimed hit ABC comedy, Modern Family as “Claire Dunphy.” Her performance as the hilarious, sexy mother of three has earned her two consecutive Emmy® wins in 2011 and 2012, and a Best Supporting Actress nomination in 2013. The busy actress has been gracing the big and small screen since the 1990s, Bowen’s other credits include Horrible Bosses, Happy Gilmore, ABC’s Boston Legal and NBC’s Ed.
“We are thrilled to have Bill Maher and Julie Bowen join us for this year’s conference,” said Sharon Waxman, Editor-in-Chief of TheWrap. “Maher’s hot button attitude and fearless commentary over the years have made him a monumental force in the media industry. We could not be more excited to have him be a part of the conversation at TheGrill. Julie Bowen is one of the most effortlessly graceful comedians ever to appear on the small screen, and we look forward to the chance to grill her about it!”
They join an incredible line-up at this year’s Grill conference, the content industry’s premier conversation about the challenges and opportunities presented by technology, organized by TheWrap.com.
For the full schedule and more information on TheGrill, please visit http://thegrill.thewrap.com/.
Media Contacts:
Brittany Hershkowitz // Eva Ross
DKC Public Relations
310-280-2011 //212-981-5218
