2 sides of the online media coin

Many executives waver between schmoozing with the media and playing coy. Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin was all smiles at the front desk while asking for an alarm clock to be put into his room but waved off questions about how the conference might play out. Sony's Stringer said questions about Michael Jackson's record sales were "ghoulish," although what will happen to the company's music publishing partnership with Jackson is on his mind but ultimately is "up to the lawyers."

Krikorian, the Slingbox founder who was happy to riff on free Internet content, quieted down when asked about his own future. He is rumored to be a candidate to take Chase Carey's job running DirecTV. Krikorian was one of the more visible executives Tuesday in his tan shorts, blue shirt and cool shades, cruising the grounds with his wife on a bike. He wouldn't comment on any talks with the satellite broadcaster but joked that he wasn't too keen on trying to replicate Carey's legendary mustache if he were to follow him.

Viacom Chief Executive Philippe Dauman also looked too cool for the room with his shades and tight pants. Meg Whitman, the former EBay chief executive who has been flirting with a run for governor, declined to comment on that race and later went for a jog along the grounds.

Former super agent Michael Ovitz is also here, and he joked that "things must be slow if you're waiting to talk to me." He did share that he does not think the merger of William Morris Agency and Endeavor will be the last marriage between Hollywood agencies.

Spouses are also here. Elizabeth Wiatt, wife of William Morris Chairman Jim Wiatt, was busy putting her daughter on a bike for a midafternoon ride.

The media are here in full force as well. Reporters gather outside, mostly trying to figure out who's who, and have already dubbed themselves the "bizzerazzi."

Most are grateful they weren't at Staples Center. Allen & Co. security is ever present, keeping an invisible line between the photographers and reporters and the attendees.

If one is thirsty, there is plenty of Coca-Cola around. Allen & Co. has long ties to the soft drink king, and there are trucks and coolers all over the place here. Good luck finding a Pepsi.

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joe.flint@latimes.com