Top creator & content studio founder Dhar Mann and Bell Media’s Sean Cohan to headline NATPE Global and Realscreen Summit 2026.
Visionary content creator Dhar Mann and Bell Media President Sean Cohan have been announced as keynote speakers for the highly anticipated 2026 editions of NATPE Global and Realscreen Summit, returning to Miami from February 2–6, 2026 at the InterContinental Miami.
Under the lens of Convergence, NATPE Global and Realscreen Summit will dive into the business impact of the industry’s shifting power dynamics as traditional media players focus on broadening their footprint, partnering with erstwhile competitors to expand reach and optimize content, and studying social playbooks.
As the social platform-first and traditional media worlds collide, Cohan and Mann, represent two poles of an industry in transformation. Their appearances will anchor a week centered on confluence and collaboration — where traditional media reinvents itself to meet audiences’ evolving needs across their platforms of choice, and YouTube creators are producing network series and becoming studios:
Dhar Mann, founder of Dhar Mann Studios, leads one of the world’s most-watched digital storytelling platforms, with billions of views across YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Known for his cinematic, purpose-driven narratives centered on empathy, resilience, and social themes, Mann has cultivated a loyal global audience. His vertically integrated studio model combines high-volume production with real-time analytics, exemplifying how creators are building scalable media operations outside traditional gatekeeping structures. As the creator economy surpasses $250 billion globally, Mann stands at the forefront of a movement where creators’ industry influence is on the rise. He will be joined in the conversation by Dhar Mann Studios CEO and former MTV president Sean Atkins.
Sean Cohan, President of Bell Media, leads one of North America’s largest media and entertainment companies. At the forefront of innovation, Cohan is guiding Bell through a strategic reinvention, blending premium legacy brands with forward-looking digital expansion and partnerships, with the likes of Prime Video, to optimize content and increase reach. His remit spans the leading Canadian streamer Crave, top broadcast network CTV, French service Noovo, sports networks TSN and RDS, audio streamer iHeart Radio, and specialty channels. In the face of global competition, Cohan has leaned into nationally relevant content and unlocked synergies across Bell Media’s platforms to expand the company’s footprint both nationally and globally, while navigating the headwinds currently impacting the industry.
“This year’s keynotes speak to the confluence of what was once seen as two viewing solitudes – social platforms and mainstream media,” said Mary Maddever, Executive Content Director of NATPE and EVP of Realscreen. “In tandem with the broadcast business model’s migration towards streaming, what happens on different platforms is less distinct, so whether you’re a creator scaling a global brand or a traditional media leader adapting to new market realities, there’s an upside in collaboration, crossing streams and learning from successes.”
“The response to our 2025 edition was phenomenal — record-breaking attendance and unprecedented buyer engagement,” said Claire Macdonald, SVP and Executive Director, NATPE Global. “In 2026, we’re raising the bar again, driven by visionaries like Dhar and Sean who are reshaping what this industry looks like. In addition to the bringing the Creator economy into the NATPE fold, we’re putting a spotlight on the Scripted side of the market with a new dedicated track and expanding our focus on bringing brands into the conversation.”
Key programming highlights include:
A newly launched Scripted Content strand at NATPE Global, expanding its reach across genres and formats.
Enhanced Creator & Brand programming, bringing creators, agencies, and media companies into direct dialogue.
The return of NATPE Honors, celebrating trailblazing industry leaders pushing boundaries.
Now in its second year as a co-located event, Realscreen Summit (Feb. 2–4) and NATPE Global (Feb. 4–6) offer attendees distinct programming and unparalleled crossover opportunities. A mid-week Convergence Day will once again unite scripted and unscripted communities in one collaborative marketplace.
