CONTACT US
Home > Browse by topic > Media

Media Expert Witnesses

Litigation involving media typically arises in commercial disputes between content creators, publishers, broadcasters, and advertisers over the rights, accuracy, and economics of published or broadcast content. Disputes commonly involve defamation and libel claims tied to news reporting or broadcast content, intellectual property and license negotiation disputes over media content and distribution rights, and advertising law disputes over the accuracy and effectiveness of marketing and promotional claims. Media companies also face antitrust and market concentration disputes tied to media ownership, as well as disputes over new media platforms, interactive media, and content licensing in digital distribution. The central issue in these matters is typically whether media content, licensing terms, or advertising claims met the legal and professional standards governing the relevant media platform.

Media experts help attorneys evaluate these disputes by applying industry-specific standards in media law, journalism ethics, and communications research to the content, licensing terms, or advertising claims at issue. Their analysis can determine whether reported content met accepted journalistic standards relevant to a defamation claim, whether a media licensing or distribution agreement's terms were properly interpreted and applied, and whether advertising or promotional claims met accepted standards for accuracy and effectiveness. This work supports liability and damages positions in defamation, licensing, and advertising law disputes, and it can substantiate or rebut claims involving media economics and market concentration.

Because media disputes span journalism, media economics, and advertising and licensing law, matching an expert's specific background to the dispute is essential. Round Table Group's media network includes scholars and industry professionals with backgrounds in media law, journalism, media economics, and advertising effectiveness, several of whom have direct experience in television, publishing, and digital media industries. Round Table Group has completed more than 75,000 expert searches for litigators, and we apply that experience to connect counsel with media experts whose industry and legal background fits the specific dispute. Let us help you find the right media expert for your case by calling us at (202) 908-4500.

Kinds of Cases We Work On

Round Table Group helps our clients find a wide variety of Media expert witnesses for cases like:

01

The Completion Bond Took Over.

An independent film producer sued its completion bond guarantor after the guarantor took over production following a budget overrun, alleging the guarantor's takeover decision was premature and caused the loss of a key location and a substantial share of the shooting schedule. We identified experts with experience in film production budgeting and cost-to-complete analysis, completion guarantee industry practices, and production schedule risk assessment. The expert's review of the guarantor's cost-to-complete projections found they had relied on an outdated budget snapshot that overstated the overrun's severity, supporting the producer's claim in a substantial settlement.
02

The Streaming Exclusive Wasn't Exclusive.

A content studio sued a streaming platform after discovering the platform had licensed a substantial share of the same catalog titles it had sold under an exclusivity agreement to a competing platform in the same territory, breaching the exclusivity window central to the original licensing deal's pricing. We identified experts with experience in media licensing agreement structuring, content distribution windowing analysis, and streaming rights compliance auditing. The expert's review of the platform's own content management records found the competing licenses had been executed well before the exclusivity window expired, supporting the studio's claim in a substantial settlement.
03

The Profit Participation Never Added Up.

A co-financing partner in a major theatrical release sued the lead studio over its calculation of net profit participation, alleging the studio's distribution fee and marketing cost allocations had been calculated using methodology inconsistent with the co-financing agreement's defined terms. We identified experts with experience in film industry profit participation accounting, distribution fee and cost allocation methodology, and entertainment industry contract auditing. The expert's recalculation using the agreement's defined terms found the co-financing partner's participation had been understated by a significant margin, supporting the claim in a substantial settlement.
04

The Streaming Royalties Didn't Reconcile.

A record label sued a major music streaming service alleging the service's per-stream royalty calculations for the label's catalog had been applying an outdated subscriber-tier weighting formula that understated payouts across a large share of the label's most-streamed tracks. We identified experts with experience in digital music royalty accounting, streaming platform payout methodology, and music industry rights administration auditing. The expert's reconciliation of the platform's payout reports against its own published royalty formula confirmed a systematic underpayment pattern, supporting the label's claim in a substantial settlement.
05

The Ad Impressions Were Never Real.

A national advertiser sued its media buying agency alleging a substantial share of the digital video impressions the agency had purchased on the advertiser's behalf over a multi-quarter campaign originated from non-human bot traffic rather than genuine viewers. We identified experts with experience in digital advertising fraud detection, media buying verification methodology, and ad impression traffic analysis. The expert's traffic-pattern analysis identified impression volumes consistent with automated bot activity across a large share of the campaign's inventory, supporting the advertiser's claim in a substantial settlement.
06

The Ratings Data Undercounted Viewers.

A broadcast network sued the audience measurement firm whose ratings data it relied on to set advertising rates after an independent audit found the firm's panel methodology had systematically undercounted viewership for a category of streaming-connected television households, costing the network significant ad revenue during rate negotiations. We identified experts with experience in television audience measurement methodology, panel sampling representativeness analysis, and media ratings industry standards. The expert's review of the firm's panel composition found streaming-connected households were underrepresented relative to their actual market share, resulting in a favorable arbitration award for the network.
07

The Translation Rights Went Too Far.

A publisher sued its foreign licensing partner after discovering the partner had distributed translated editions of a bestselling title in several territories beyond the scope granted under their translation rights agreement, displacing sales the publisher had licensed separately to other regional partners. We identified experts with experience in publishing rights licensing scope analysis, territorial distribution tracking, and international publishing contract compliance. The expert's review of the partner's distribution and sales records confirmed shipments into territories outside the licensed scope, supporting the publisher's claim in a substantial settlement.
08

The Podcast Downloads Were Inflated.

An acquirer of a podcast network sued the sellers after post-closing analysis found the network's reported download and listener retention metrics presented during diligence had been calculated using a methodology that counted partial downloads and automated feed refreshes as completed listens, materially overstating the network's audience scale. We identified experts with experience in podcast audience measurement methodology, digital media analytics verification, and media M&A due diligence review. The expert's recalculation using industry-standard measurement definitions found actual completed listens were meaningfully lower than represented, anchoring a substantial post-closing damages recovery.
09

The Shutdown Wasn't a Covered Loss.

A film production company sued its production insurer after the insurer denied a claim for a costly shutdown caused by a key cast member's medical emergency, arguing the pre-existing condition exclusion in the cast insurance policy applied, while the production company disputed that the condition had been disclosed or was actually the cause of the shutdown. We identified experts with experience in production insurance underwriting practices, cast and crew medical risk assessment, and entertainment industry claims adjustment standards. The expert's review of the medical timeline found the triggering event was unrelated to any pre-existing condition on file, resulting in a favorable verdict for the production company at trial.
10

The Packaging Fees Weren't Disclosed.

A television studio sued a talent agency alleging the agency's packaging fee arrangement on a long-running series had never been fully disclosed to the studio's participating financiers, and that the fee structure had inflated the show's reported production costs used to calculate profit participation payouts. We identified experts with experience in talent agency packaging fee practices, television production cost accounting, and entertainment industry financial disclosure standards. The expert's review of the agency's fee records against the studio's cost reports found the packaging fee had been embedded in above-the-line costs without separate disclosure, supporting the studio's claim in a substantial settlement.

Here are a few of our favorite Media Expert Witnesses:

California Media, Television, Research Expert #4332

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of communication strategy with specific knowledge in the areas of entertainment, education, media research and mediastrategy. I have published on such topics as media strategy.

 

Fire, Accident, Media, Film Expert #12190

I have 50 years of experience, and specialize in the field of insurance with specific knowledge in the areas of non marine, insurance and reinsurance. I have testified 26 times on topics such as fire accident, contingency and insurance.

 

California Advertising Effectiveness, Media Expert #12288

I have 25 years of experience in the field of advertising, with specific knowledge in the areas of strategy, marketing and creative advertising effectiveness. I have published on such topics as marketing, agency performance, integrated marketing, employee recruitment, employee management and global marketing.

 

Florida Branding, Messaging, Media Expert #12651

I have 16 years of experience and specialize in the field of marketing, with specific knowledge of e-commerce, search engines and branding. I have published on such topics as marketing.

 

California Literature, Journalism, Media Expert #15721

I have 30 years of experience, and specialize in the field of publishing with specific knowledge in the areas of magazines, books and new media publishing. I understand the business of magazine and book publishing, and how it is being affected by the Internet and related technologies.

 

Your Case Deserves The Best Media Expert Witnesses

Registered icon

The right expert witnesses and consulting experts can make your case. That’s why we have spent so many hours over the past quarter century making sure our clients have just the right expert team — whether one expert or many, early-stage advice or expert reports and testimony. Across over 50,000 expert search assignments, we have honed a unique, customized approach to identifying, analyzing and connecting with expert talent so you can focus on winning your case.

LET US HELP YOU

Washington D.C. Media, Journalism, War Expert #15970

I have 10 years of experience and specialize in the field of political communication, with specific knowledge of media coverage of war and public diplomacy, media coverage of elections and public opinion. I have published on such topics as coverage of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, coverage of American elections and policy issues such as crime, and public opinion about war and trust in government.

 

Massachusetts Media, Disasters, Terrorism Expert #17465

I have 11 years of experience in the field of communication science, with specific knowledge of media psychology, emergency management, and crisis communication. I have published on such topics as effective crisis communication design, audience diversity, responses to emergency messages, and the effects of media violence on viewer aggression.

 

Nevada Mental Health, Media, Terrorism Expert #17892

I have 25 years of experience and specialize in the field of sociology, with specific knowledge of sociology of mental illness, deviance and terrorism. I have published on such topics as terrorism, mass media and mental illness. I have testified on Israeli society.

 

California Media, Race, Popular Culture Expert #17952

I have 15 years of experienc and specialize in the field of sociology, with specific knowledge of race relations, popular culture and media diversity. I have published on such topics as media, race and popular culture.

 

Massachusetts Public Relations, Media Expert #18034

I have 10 years of experience and specialize in the field of media and communication, with specific knowledge of Chinese education, Chinese economic development, and social and cultural changes. I have published on such topics as educational reform, international business and labor market.

 

North Dakota Knowledge Management, Media Expert #18142

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of management with specific knowledge in the areas of knowledge management, organizational storytelling and online social media. I have published on such topics as building organizational memories, enterprise dementia and managing your organization’s knowledge for future leaders.

 

Ohio Media, Rhetoric, Museums Expert #18643

I have 8 years of experience, and specialize in the field of communication studies with specific knowledge in the areas of media communication, rhetorical communication and audience analysis. I have published on such topics as museum audience interpretations, black popular culture and media representations.

 

Alabama Women, Media, Radio, Magazine Expert #19604

I have 20 years of experience and specialize in the field of education, and arts and equal rights, with specific knowledge of media, size acceptance, diversity in academia and performance arts. I have published on such topics as women and men of color in academia, body acceptance and self-esteem, equal rights, racism and sexism.

 

New York Media Expert #21649

I have 30 years of experience in the field of communication and media with specific knowledge of China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and other East Asian countries. I have published on such topics as the policies and regulations of communication, the media industry, and the Internet and information technology.

 

New York Digital, Media, Copyright Expert #19680

I have 9 years of experience, and specialize in the field of music with specific knowledge in the areas of composition/songwriting, technology and copyright. I have published on such topics as electronic music, technology in teaching and learning and interdisciplinary education. My interests are in a diverse range of interconnected fields. In the last few years I have given talks on topics in electronic music, popular music, technology, higher education, and physics. I have also led faculty development seminars on many topics, including audio, music notation, video editing, 2D animation, and others.

 

California Religion, Race, Media, Drugs Expert #22733

I have 5 years of experience, and specialize in the field of cultural and religious sensitivity training with specific knowledge in the areas of Middle Eastern issues, terrorism and gender. I have published on such topics as The O.J Simpson case, Arab Americans in the U.S. and crime and the media.

 

California Media, Asian-American Expert #23156

I have 20 years of experience in the field of media and disabilities, with specific knowledge of disabilities in media, portrayal of the disabled in media and education. I have published on such topics as disabilities in literature and general media. My multi-disciplinary fields of media, education, ADA in civic enhancements and disabilities give me a wide-ranging ability to see inter-connections in many directions. These include how the disabled are portrayed in media, city and school compliance with ADA, pan-Asian media and more.

 

California Media, Popular Culture Expert #24426

I have 16 years of experience and specialize in the field of sociology, with specific knowledge of American celebrity culture, lesbian and gay politics, and media. I have published on such topics as celebrity culture, diversity in media and television talk shows.

 

Rhode Island Media, Culture, International Expert #24463

I have 18 years of experience and specialize in the field of communication and general social science, with specific knowledge of international communication, intercultural communication and media studies. I have published on such topics as media representations of marginalized groups, Korean popular culture, and other philosophical and theoretical issues.

 

Virginia International, Media, Policy Expert #25404

I have 28 years of experience and specialize in the field of international communication, Middle East-Iran and media studies, with specific knowledge of international communications, the Middle East, Iran and news media. I have published on such topics as news media and foreign policy, Iran and the Middle East.

 

Illinois Internet, Media, Learning Expert #27913

I have 15 years of experience and specialize in the field of eLearning, with specific knowledge of learning and performance, interactive technologies and multimedia communications. I have published on such topics as multimedia, eLearning and rapid prototyping.

 

Florida Hispanic, Latino, Media Expert #27918

I have 30 years of experience and specialize in the field of Hispanic marketing and research, with specific knowledge of Hispanic consumer behavior, Hispanic culture and Hispanic marketing strategy. I have published on such topics as Hispanic marketing, multicultural marketing and cultural insights.

 

Consulting, Media, Violence Expert #29599

I have 20 years of experience, and specialize in the field of prison research with specific knowledge in the areas of prisoner labor and correctional industries, European prisons and United States, Canadian, Indian prisons and their conditions. I have published on such topics as prison labor, media law, fear of crime, crime and punishment and euthanasia and mercy killing. I specialize in prison photography and have exhibited on a number of occasions. I speak 5 languages: German, English, French, Spanish, and conversational Italian.

 

Texas Writing, Media, Literature Expert #30097

I have 20 years of experience, and specialize in the field of journalism with specific knowledge in the areas of broadcast news, online journalism, and new media such as blogs. I have published on such topics as online journalism, new media, and blogging.

 

California Management, Litigation, Media Expert #30141

I have 25 years of experience and specialize in the field of crisis management, with specific knowledge of crisis response, crisis preparedness and public relations. I have published on such topics as media relations during crises, internal communications and litigation-related communications.

 

Texas Journalism, Media, Crime Expert #30511

I have 18 years of experience, and specialize in the field of journalism with specific knowledge in the areas of crime, law, and border issues. I have published on such topics as daily court proceedings, crime stories, and issues impacting the border and Hispanics.

 

Illinois Marketing Communications, Media Expert #31423

I have 40 years of experience in the field of marketing communication, with specific knowledge of methodology, media and sales promotion. I have published on such topics as marketing mix models, media and market research methodology. I have testified 10 times on topics such as brand confusion, advertising and promotion effectiveness and market research methodology.

 

Montana Media Expert #31588

I have 45 years of experience, and specialize in the field of media with specific knowledge in the areas of journalism, television, and sports. I have published on such topics as media history, First Amendment rights, and Middle Eastern media. I have testified on shield laws. I had two careers, one as a television news executive producer, reporter and executive, and one as a professor in what of the most respected schools of journalism in the U.S. I also served two assignments in the Middle East which gave me some understanding of Arab media.

 

Arizona Editor, Writer, Media Expert #31975

I have 23 years of experience, and specialize in the field of communications with specific knowledge in the areas of writing and editing, media consultation and issues management. I have published on such topics as musical commentary. I have built two public relations offices from the ground up and written speeches and talking points for cultural and political executives. I am an expert writer, editor and annotator and have served as consultant for several organizations.

 

New Jersey Antitrust, Regulation, Media Expert #32072

I have 10 years of experience in the field of economics, with specific knowledge of antitrust, intellectual property and advertising. I have published on such topics as ownership concentration in newspaper markets, the effect of the Internet on daily newspapers and the effect of television advertising on the decline of local breweries. I am an applied empirical economist whose research has centered on the economics of media markets, considering such topics as the effect of new information technology on demand for traditional media and the role of ownership concentration in generating product variety. My research also documents ways that media…

 

Washington Media, Public Affairs Expert #34110

I have 20 years of experience in the field of communications and public affairs, with specific knowledge in the areas of issue and crisis management, legal communications, and intellectual property.

 

Florida Homelessness, Media Expert #36980

I have 17 years of experience, and specialize in the field of sociology and criminology with specific knowledge in the areas of US criminal courts, homelessness and media. I have published on such topics as media, homelessness and education. I am committed to gaining and communicating a clearer understanding of complex issues while avoiding traps of simplicity and partisanship.

 

Media, Film, Celebrity Expert #37171

I have 12 years of experience and specialize in the field of media psychology, with specific knowledge of media influence, celebrity and Internet communication. I have published on such topics as parasocial interaction.

 

California Advertising, Focus Groups, Media Expert #37677

I have 23 years of experience, and specialize in the field of marketing with specific knowledge in the areas of marketing research, advertising and publishing. I have published on such topics as psychographic targeting. I have testified on proper sample selection for marketing research.

 

Texas Cable Telecom, Operations, Media Expert #41194

I have 30 years of experience, and specialize in the field of cable telecom, with specific knowledge in the areas of marketing, sales and programming. I have published on such topics as competitive advantage, U-Verse and FiOS.

 

Massachusetts Investment Strategy, Media Expert #43478

I have 15 years of experience, and specialize in the field of investing in and providing strategic guidance to media, communication, business services and real estate companies with specific knowledge in the areas of private equity investing, valuing companies and financial markets. I have testified on private equity compensation structures.

 

Pennsylvania Language, Forensics, Media Expert #46858

I have 25 years of experience, and specialize in the field of linguistics with specific knowledge in the areas of educational testing, forensic linguistics and methods of reasoning and argumentation. I have published on such topics as sociolinguistics, fairness in testing and test development principles. I have testified on defamation and copyright infringement. I have a wide background of knowledge, including frequent international travel and competence in English, French, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese.

 

Texas Media, Graphics, Technology Expert #47033

I have 34 years of experience, and specialize in the field of computer graphics and image processing with specific knowledge in the areas of media and graphics processors, specialty memories and micro displays. I have published on such topics as laser projectors, media processors and graphics processors. I have 140 issued patents and involvement in filing patents I have a very good layman’s knowledge of the patent process.

 

Georgia Media, Public Relations, Therapy Expert #48109

I have 9 years of experience, and specialize in the field of respiratory therapy with specific knowledge in the areas of management, education and floor therapy.

 

Minnesota Learning, Media, International Expert #48117

I have 28 years of experience, and specialize in the field of training and performance improvement with specific knowledge in the areas of online learning, multimedia and user interface. I have published on such topics as training doe international trainees, collecting analysis data and designing and implementing instruction on the World Wide Web.

 

Colorado Legal, Media, Internet, Social Expert #48561

I have 17 years of experience, and specialize in the field of trademark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition matters with specific knowledge in the areas of Google keyword infringement, social media and trademark enforcement. I have published on such topics as the use of trademarks as Google keywords, confusion in trademark law and descriptiveness in trademark law. I am a professor with dozens of articles published on trademark and other intellectual property issues, and I have spoken regionally and nationally to business and legal audiences on trademark issues.

 

Put Our Media Expert Network to Work for You

Registered icon

Our huge network of experts – eminent university professors and practitioners who have achieved renown as thought leaders in their fields – combined with unparalleled research capabilities puts the experts you need at your disposal when and where you need them.

If you’re a litigator or general counsel, we want to put this network to work for you and your clients. Let us know how we can help by calling us at (202) 908-4500 or filling out the form on this page. We’re so confident you’ll love what we do that unless you retain an expert we present there’s no charge!

LET US HELP YOU

Questions Attorneys Ask About Media Expert Witnesses:

A media expert becomes relevant once a case turns on whether reported content, a media licensing agreement, or an advertising claim met legal and professional standards — for example, in a defamation dispute, a content licensing and distribution disagreement, or an advertising law claim over marketing accuracy.
Search again

GET STARTED FINDING THE RIGHT EXPERT WITNESS

Spend your time working with your experts, not searching for them! We're here to de-stress the process of having a great expert witness team so that it’s easy to have the right experts every time. We'll conduct a quick but thorough search and deliver a roster of top candidates for you to review. There's no charge for the custom search — you pay only the hourly rate if you retain one of our experts.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Or call 202-908-4500 or email us.

Related topics

Acting
Advertising
Cable
Communication
Digital Media
Directing
Diversity
Film
Journalism
Photography
Privacy
Public Relations
Publishing
Radio
Rhetoric
Sports
Video
Writing