HUNT VALLEY, Md., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Scott Sheppard, CEO and executive producer of Inside Media Networks and one of the leading technical experts in the new media field, will present two educational sessions at the Sports Media and Technology Conference, presented by C4-Sports and produced by Future Media Concepts (FMC), on July 18 and 19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Inside Media Networks specializes in developing original content for online distribution that provides technical, creative, and marketing support to a growing network of programs.

Sheppard's first session, "Advanced Podcast: Production Technologies," will examine the special format and delivery considerations necessary for professional podcast productions, and will also discuss proven techniques for producing and encoding audio and video content for mobile distribution using the latest compression tools. Topics will include how to convert existing broadcast content into a new media format that can help generate additional revenue streams, as well as various choices of distribution methods, including iTunes, live streaming, RSS, P2P, and download.

Session two, "Using Podcasts to Extend a Brand," will discuss how new media can be used to extend a product or service brand to the marketplace. Using a case study featuring Varsity Brands, Inc., the leading national supplier of cheerleading and cheer-dance uniforms and the main organization behind national cheerleading camps, competitions and safety, Sheppard will examine how his client created the Varsity Spirit Channel in iTunes to distribute message and content to their audience. This session will help attendees determine direction and plans, be it determining alternative channels of online and mobile content delivery, viral marketing and social networking, developing strategies to expand, or increasing available content via existing Web sites.

"New media formats, such as podcasting, provide the perfect platform for broadcasting sporting events. The medium creates incredible opportunities for teams, organizers, and fans to keep abreast of the key players and their latest achievements while bringing a certain level of interactivity not previously available via traditional media such as Radio and TV," said Sheppard. "My sessions will educate attendees on why podcasting is important and provide insight and a starting point to help them take their content into new, cutting-edge formats."

In addition to his role at Inside Media Networks, Sheppard is also the host of Inside Mac Radio and TV, one of the leading technology "podcasts" delivering Mac technology talk news, interviews, and tips to over 210,000 regular subscribers via Apple iTunes. Sheppard is also Editor-in-Chief of the OSXFAQ Web site and a contributing editor to Macworld UK magazine. Sheppard hosted the Inside Mac Show broadcast by CNET radio for several years, which is now available weekly in the San Francisco Bay area on 1220AM KNTS radio. His background in broadcasting, technology, and high-end audio/video production makes him one of "podcasting's" original technologists.

"Sports today is much more than terrestrial broadcasting, and as a result, content providers need to access and deliver content through a variety of different media and consider alternative, new media distribution methods, such as podcasting," said Ben Kozuch, president and co-founder of Future Media Concepts. "With more than 15 years in the industry, we are confident that Sheppard will offer attendees valuable, cutting-edge training that will further advance their sports production and distribution methods, as well as increase revenue streams."

The C4-Sports Electronic Media and Technology Show will focus on the critical components of sports technology, and the extensive FMC conference will feature cutting-edge technical sessions and panel discussions designed to allow sports media production professionals to share and learn techniques specific to the sports television production environment.

More information and online registration is available at http://www.c4-sports.com/.

About Inside Media Networks

Inside Media Networks was formed by a high-level team of broadcast and digital production professionals with the goal of providing entrepreneurial content producers an integrated platform to launch their programs. Our founding executives represent over 50 years of hands-on technical, content, distribution, sales and marketing experience in broadcast radio, television, publishing, and new media alternatives including audio and video "Podcasts" formatted specifically for online and handheld distribution technologies.

About C4-Sports

C4-Sports is the only exclusive exposition and conference dedicated to the sports content industry. Attracting athletic directors, facility managers, sports broadcasters, coaches and athletes from across the nation, it will provide exhibitors with the unique opportunity to network with these professionals. More than 5,000 sports professionals are expected to converge in Las Vegas on July 17-19 for this dynamic marketplace of sports technologies, products, services, and ideas. More information about C4-Sports is available online at http://www.c4-sports.com/.

Agency Contact: C4-Events Contact: Peggy Stalhut Gene Sanders Wall Street Communications General Manager Tel: +1 631.423.4128 Tel: +1 703.287.5974 Email: peggy@wallstreetcom.tv Email: gsanders@c4-events.com

CONTACT: Peggy Stalhut of Wall Street Communications, +1-631-423-4128,
peggy@wallstreetcom.tv; or Gene Sanders, General Manager, C4-Events,
+1-703-287-5974, gsanders@c4-events.com

Web site: http://www.c4-sports.com/