ViewerCon officially made its mark on July 18 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, bringing together hundreds of fans, creators, journalists, talent, and industry leaders for a full day of entertainment, culture, and community. Founded by PopViewers CEO Chris Witherspoon, the inaugural event transformed downtown Newark into a live hub where every corner of the entertainment ecosystem had a seat at the table. With STARZ as presenting sponsor, ViewerCon delivered on its promise of being something the industry hadn’t quite seen before.
Across two stages, attendees heard from some of entertainment’s most compelling voices. On the Main Stage, Joy Reid joined Witherspoon for a fireside chat on the evolving media landscape before later returning alongside Newark Mayor Ras J. Baraka for a conversation on Newark’s rise as a creative and production hub. Taye Diggs, Karamo Brown, Bevy Smith, and rising stars KeiLyn Durrel Jones and Xavier Smalls also took the stage, each sharing lessons on career, reinvention, and purpose. Simultaneously, the Standing On Business Stage hosted sessions on breaking into Hollywood, the power of mentorship, and the new rules of influence, featuring executives from Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount, and beyond.
The day closed with a highlight fans won’t forget. The cast and executive producers of STARZ’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan held an exclusive behind-the-scenes conversation before the evening culminated in the first-ever advance fan screening of Fightland, the upcoming STARZ drama executive produced by 50 Cent. Adding to the excitement, Fightland star Howard Charles made a surprise appearance to greet attendees after the screening.
For Witherspoon, the event was deeply personal and years in the making. “ViewerCon was built on a simple idea: fans deserve a seat at the table,” he said. “After seeing the impact of our Vibes & Views events, it became clear there was an opportunity to create something even bigger, a convention that not only brings audiences closer to the talent, creators, executives, and brands shaping entertainment, but also celebrates the incredible power of fans themselves. This isn’t just a convention designed to market television shows and movies. It’s an opportunity for attendees to leave inspired, motivated, and equipped with tangible next steps to become the next generation of creators, executives, journalists, entrepreneurs, and leaders in entertainment.”
With its debut a success, ViewerCon has officially planted its flag as a destination event for the entertainment industry. PopViewers is already looking ahead to ViewerCon 2027, continuing its mission of merging the business of entertainment, the art of storytelling, and the power of fandom into one unforgettable experience. Follow @viewercon_ on Instagram and TikTok @ViewerCon and viewercon.co for updates on what’s next.
Pop Culture • Lifestyle • Entertainment 