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Summit Speakers
Be inspired and learn from the insight provided by experienced and knowledgeable senior level speakers including:
Robin Agranoff
Vice President, Programming, Disney Channels, Disney Channel
Robin Agranoff is Executive Director, Program Planning, Scheduling & Acquisitions, Disney Channel, Playhouse Disney & ABC Kids. She joined Disney ABC Cable Networks Group in January 2005 and is responsible for managing program planning and scheduling for basic cable ratings leader Disney Channel and its learning-focused programming block for preschoolers, Playhouse Disney, as well as its top-rated broadcast TV programming block, ABC Kids, seen Saturday mornings on the ABC Television Network. In addition, she is responsible for program acquisitions for Playhouse Disney and Disney Channel. Agranoff reports to Scott Garner, Senior Vice President, Programming, Disney Channel.
Speaking at (10:00 - 10:30) 30 Mins With...Robin Agranoff, Disney Channel
Natalie Altmann
CEO, M6 - Métropole Télévision
Natalie Altmann joined M6 in 1997 where she heads the children’s programs department (M6 Kid). Amongst other responsibilities, she overseas co-productions and acquisitions of animated series, as well as the production of the in-house programs broadcast within the children’s slots. Since May 2003, she is also the executive in charge of M6 Studio, a M6 subsidiary production company, specialized in animated feature films. As such she produced the animated feature film Asterix and the Vikings, released in France in 2006.
Speaking at Speed Pitching I (11:00 - 12:00), (12:00 - 12:30) 30 Mins With...Natalie Altmann, M6
Finn Arnesen
Former SVP, MD of Original Series, Turner Broadcasting System International
Finn Arnesen is Senior Vice President and General Manager for Original Series in Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EMEA) and Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS) International Development.
Speaking at Get Savvy About the Summit I (9:00 - 9:30), Are You Smarter Than a Kids Buyer?, Get Savvy About the Summit II (2:00 - 2:30), (2:45 - 3:15) 30 Mins With...Finn Arnesen, Cartoon Network
Jay Bastian
Senior Director of Original Series, Cartoon Network
Jay Bastian has spent the last decade working in the Original Series department at Cartoon Network. He is the Executive in Charge of Production of such long-running series as Ed, Edd n Eddy, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Justice League, The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy, and, most recently, Chowder. Bastian and the Original Series department act as a "first audience" for CN's original animated and live-action shows, overseeing development and day-to-day production once a series is greenlit. Before coming to Cartoon Network he was the Manager of Development and Acquisitions for Lightyear Entertainment in New York City. Among other projects at Lightyear he served as Production Manager and Sound Designer for the Emmy-nominated PEOPLE, a one-hour animated musical special produced in association with The Disney Channel and featuring the voices of Hume Cronyn and James Earl Jones. While in New York he also performed Ink and Paint for six years for independent animators Faith Hubley at The Hubley Studio, and Emily Hubley at Hubbub, Inc. He graduated from Hofstra University with a BA in Communication specializing in Film.
Speaking at A Little Learning Never Hurts: Instructional Designs That Enhance the Creative
Marie-Claude Beauchamp
Executive Producer/Producer, Carpediem Film & TV
Marie-Claude has been active in the film and television industry for the past 24 years. She has financed and produced more than 250 hours of international co-productions such as Galidor, What’s with Andy, Pig City, Back to Sherwood, Chicken Minutes, Big Garage and the 3D animation feature Pinocchio P3K. In 2004 she founded CarpeDiem Film & TV Inc, which specializes in television and feature films in animation and live-action with children as its core business. More recently she coproduced Grand Star ( 26 half hours), a live-CGI teen sci-fi series airing presently on France 2 and Chum Television. She is presently producing a 26 half hours animated series in co-production with France, and financing a 3D animation family feature film.
Speaking at CASH WORKSHOP: Tried-and-True Financing Models
Andrew Beecham
SVP Programming, PBS KIDS Sprout
Speaking at (9:00 - 9:30) 30 Mins With...Andrew Beecham, PBS KIDS Sprout
Kay Benbow
Controller CBeebies, BBC Children's
Kay Benbow is Head of CBeebies Production, Animation and Acquisitions for BBC Children’s department. Her role covers all aspects of animation and acquisitions for CBeebies as well as leading the in-house CBeebies Production team, including CBeebies radio.
Speaking at Speed Pitching I (11:00 - 12:00), Speed Pitching II (1:45 - 2:45)
Jon Berrett
Executive Producer, Yo Gabba Gabba!
Jon was raised in Glendora, California in the Greater Los Angeles area and attended Glendora High School. He studied psychology at Brigham Young University with a minor in business.
Speaking at Brand-Building Beyond TV
Carlos Biern
Executive VP Coproductions & Worldwide Distribution, B.R.B. Internacional, S.A.
Carlos Biern has been involved in animation since he was born, in Madrid (Spain) in 1973. His father Claudio Biern Boyd was among those leading the European production and distribution of commercial animation, creating BRB Internacional back in 1972.
Speaking at MULTIPLATFORM MANIA: The New Contract
Julien Borde
General Secretary of Programming, France 3
Born in 1974, Julien Borde obtained diplomas from the IEP (Institute of Political Studies) in Bordeaux and the Ecole Supérieure de Commerce in Paris (Masters in Media), and began his career as Programming Assistant at the channel Canal J. He then joined Disney as Programming Coordinator in 1997, when Disney Channel France was launched. In 1999, he was named Assistant to the Programme Director, as well as Channel and Programming Coordinator, and in 2000, Disney Channel Director of Programmes. In November 2002, he also became the Director of Programmes at Playhouse Disney and Toon Disney.
Speaking at Pitch It!, (10:00 - 10:30) 30 Mins With...Julien Borde, France 3
Jules Borkent
SVP, Global Acquisitions & Programming, Nickelodeon Europe
Jules Borkent is Vice President, Programming, Nickelodeon International, based in London. Borkent is responsible for Nickelodeon’s global programming and acquisitions strategy, with a particular emphasis on working with local programming heads to coordinate and develop pan-regional deals for Nickelodeon’s localised channels across Europe. In addition to acquisitions, Borkent also manages programming activities for Nickelodeon’s international channels and identifies potential opportunities, across multiple lines of business, for key properties such as Nickelodeon’s Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Speaking at (1:45 - 2:15) 30 Mins With...Jules Borkent, Nickelodeon International
Judi Boylan
SVP, Consumer Products, Sony Pictures Consumer Products
Juli Boylan, Senior Vice President of Sony Pictures Consumer Products (SPCP) oversees the worldwide licensing efforts including sales, product development, and retail for some of the most recognized properties in film and television. Based in Los Angeles, SPCP is the consumer products arm of Columbia TriStar Consumer Marketing, a newly created division of Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Speaking at CONSUMER PRODUCTS FORUM: Retail Intel
Deirdre Brennan
Director of Programming, Nickelodeon Australia
Deirdre Brennan joined Nickelodeon Australia as Director of Programming in February 2007 and is responsible for content development, programming, acquisitions and the delivery of compelling entertainment for Australian kids. Nickelodeon, now in its 12th year in Australia, broadcasts Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels 24 hours a day every day, and is seen in over 1.8 million households via Austar, Foxtel, and Optus. From 2001-2007, Deirdre Brennan was ABC Kids Programmer for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. She became one of Australia's first female television announcers when she joined ABC TV in 1986 whilst studying Economics/Law at Sydney University. She extended her on-air experience with radio broadcasting, as well as becoming a director, stage manager and choreographer. With a television career that spans 22 years, Deirdre has a proven track record including three years as ABC TV Marketing Planner.
Speaking at (4:00 - 4:30) 30 Mins With...Deirdre Brennan, Nickelodeon, Thinking Outside the Spot: New On-air Branding and Promo Models
Leigh Anne Brodsky
President, Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products
Leigh Anne oversees the $5.3 billion Nickelodeon & Viacom Consumer Products business, which includes the licensing and merchandising for Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Neopets, MTV Networks International, Comedy Central, and Spike TV. The department represents such properties as Dora the Explorer, SpongeBob SquarePants, and South Park.
Speaking at CONSUMER PRODUCTS FORUM: Situation Room - The Industry's Top Brass Explore the Issues
Tim Brooke-Hunt
Controller Children's, ABC - Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Tim Brooke-Hunt, one of Australia’s leading producers of children’s television content, was appointed to ABC TV’s newly created position of Executive Head of Children’s in September 2007.
Speaking at Charting a New Co-Production Roadmap, (1:45 - 2:15) 30 Mins With...Tim Brooke-Hunt, ABC Kids
Alexis Brunner
VP Creative Director, Animal Planet, Animal Planet
Speaking at Thinking Outside the Spot: New On-air Branding and Promo Models
Helen Brunsdon
Broadcast Manager, Aardman Animations Ltd
Speaking at Are You Smarter Than a Kids Buyer?
Warren Buckleitner
Editor, Children's Technology Review
Warren Buckleitner's expertise is the relationship between children (aged 0-to 15-years) and interactive media; a topic he's studied since 1984. He is Editor of Children's Technology Review, the publication sponsors the annual Dust or Magic Institute on the Design of Children’s Interactive Media. He is a former teacher (preschool, 2nd, 4th and 6th grades) and he teaches part time at Rutgers, MSU and NYU. His work with software began in 1984 at the High/Scope Educational Research Foundation. Currently he is an advisor to Consumer Reports WebWatch and provides reviews for various media outlets including the New York Times. He holds a BS in Elementary Education (cum laude) from Central Michigan University, an MS in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College and a doctorate in educational psychology (Learning, Technology & Culture) from Michigan State University. He is the proud father of two daughters.
Speaking at CONSUMER PRODUCTS FORUM: KidScreen Q&A with Dr. Warren Buckleitner, PhD.
Marc Buhaj
SVP Original Programming, Jetix Europe
Marc Buhaj was appointed Senior Vice President of Programming, Jetix Europe, in April 2007. In this capacity, he oversees all aspects of Jetix Europe’s content, including production, development, acquisitions, scheduling, on-air promotions, multi-media programming and administration. He reports to Jetix Europe’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Taylor.
Speaking at Are You Smarter Than a Kids Buyer?, (12:00 - 12:30) 30 Mins With...Marc Buhaj, Jetix Europe
Alice Cahn
VP, Social Responsibility, Cartoon Network
Alice Cahn is Cartoon Network’s VP of for Social Responsibility, directing content and the implementation of outreach and pro-social initiatives across all of the Cartoon Network divisions. Prior to joining Cartoon Network, Cahn served as Managing Director of the Markle Foundation’s Interactive Media for Children Program. Cahn came to Markle from Sesame Workshop where she served as President of the Television, Film and Video group. Prior, Cahn was head of children's programming for US Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
Speaking at A Little Learning Never Hurts: Instructional Designs That Enhance the Creative