James Smith

Dr. James F. Smith is responsible for building and leading the revenue organization for Flixster, a mobile and web “movies discovery” brand with the most-downloaded movies app on all smartphone and tablet platforms. The Flixster community includes Rotten Tomatoes, the most recognized and popular website for aggregated movie reviews from professional critics. In May 2011, Warner Bros. Entertainment acquired Flixster.

In addition to his role at Flixster, Dr. Smith is highly regarded for his expertise in economic forecasting. He holds the position of Chief Economist at Parsec Financial Management, Inc., and is a Professor of the Practice at the Institute for the Economy and the Future at Western Carolina University. He also serves as a Senior Fellow and Director of the Center for Business Forecasting at the Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise at The University of North Carolina. His career has spanned roles in academia, consulting, government, manufacturing, real estate, and retail, including significant positions at the Federal Reserve Board and Sears, Roebuck and Co.

Dr. Smith has been named "best forecaster" by The Wall Street Journal three times, drawing on a wide range of data to support his economic forecasts. Known for an engaging and humorous speaking style, he is a regular contributor to forecasting panels for prominent publications and has appeared on different business news shows, including "Kudlow and Company." Dr. Smith’s extensive experience in sales, advertising, and economic analysis makes him a versatile professional in both the digital media and economic sectors. He holds a degree from Columbia University and maintains personal interests as an amateur drummer.