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Sunday, February 22
12:30pm |
Venue Tour (12:30pm - 1:00pm)Registration Desk Get a feel for the layout of our brand-new venue before the Summit officially kicks off so you don’t waste precious time trying to find sessions, events and people throughout the week. This tour departs from the Registration Desk and shows you where everything will take place. |
1:00pm |
MASTER CLASS - YouTubing For Pros: How to Monetize on the World’s Biggest Video Platform (1:00pm - 2:30pm)Sandringham You’ve got the content, you’ve got the clicks—so where’s the money? Converting all of that online attention into actual dollars can be difficult at best, which is why we’re bringing in Rebecca Frankel from Little Dot Studios to break down what monetization models that are working on the world's largest video platform. Little Dot oversees more than 180 YouTube channels on behalf of 45 indie prodcos, and Rebecca takes care of distribution and monetization for the company's kids TV clients. She will also explore the opportunities around creating affiliated niche channels, and how to leverage your audience connections to attract brands and advertising partners. PLEASE NOTE: Attendees who are keen to pack more professional learning into their Summit week can take part in this session for an additional $250. If you're interested in signing up, contact Maggie Wilkins (mwilkins@brunico.com or 416-408-2300 x539). Featuring:MENTOR CLASS - Killin' It: Writing for Tweens and Teens (1:00pm - 2:30pm)Windsor Arguably the most discerning audience to write for, it’s not impossible to win tweens and teens over. Shows like Bob’s Burgers and Pretty Little Liars have recently done a great job hitting each demo’s sweet spot. So how do you balance unique characters with intriguing narrative threads and story arcs that will keep them entertained? Join a master of the tween/teen writing craft to talk process and genres, and you’ll come away with the tools you need to polish your script ideas. PLEASE NOTE: Attendees who are keen to pack more professional learning into their Summit week can take part in this session for an additional $250. If you're interested in signing up, contact Maggie Wilkins (mwilkins@brunico.com or 416-408-2300 x539). Featuring:MENTOR CLASS - Launchpad Logic: Making the Right TV vs. Digital Decision (1:00pm - 2:30pm)Balmoral Given that the paths diverge so completely now, the decision to launch a kids IP on TV or on new media first is an important one. So we’re bringing in a brand-building guru to guide you through these choices, outline some related surprises and challenges you should prepare for, and explore how to start constructing a three-year brand plan. PLEASE NOTE: Attendees who are keen to pack more professional learning into their Summit week can take part in this session for an additional $250. If you're interested in signing up, contact Maggie Wilkins (mwilkins@brunico.com or 416-408-2300 x539). Featuring: |
2:30pm |
BREAK (2:30pm - 3:00pm)Venue Tour (2:30pm - 3:00pm)Registration Desk Get a feel for the layout of our brand-new venue before the Summit officially kicks off so you don’t waste precious time trying to find sessions, events and people throughout the week. This tour departs from the Registration Desk and shows you where everything will take place. |
3:00pm |
MASTER CLASS - Direct to Retail: Perfecting your Retail Pitch (3:00pm - 4:30pm)Sandringham You’ve got a seat at the retail table. So what’s your next move? The good news is that retailers are more open to brand and content partnerships than ever before, and their physical and digital reach has never been greater. The challenge is that metrics are murkier, and your old pitch playbook won’t work with the powerful new decision-makers and influencers who will decide your retail destiny. In this Master Class, retail positioning expert Carol Spieckerman will reveal the three principles and five action steps that will drive big-profit, multi-stakeholder retail successes in 2015 and beyond, and she’ll frame everything up with her latest retail insights. Get ready to future-proof your consumer products strategy and win high-volume opportunities! PLEASE NOTE: Attendees who are keen to pack more professional learning into their Summit week can take part in this session for an additional $250. If you're interested in signing up, contact Maggie Wilkins (mwilkins@brunico.com or 416-408-2300 x539). Featuring:MASTER CLASS - Promoting Innovation: A Guide to Empowering Creative Teams (3:00pm - 4:30pm)Windsor A top-notch creative team is always at the heart of success in the kids business. So how can a C-class leader reenergize corporate culture and management styles for maximum creativity, while maintaining the company’s mission, vision and values? We’re bringing in an expert consultant to provide clear tactics and strategies on everything from creating the right working environment to cultivate creative talent, to offering the incentives that drive C-class talent retention. PLEASE NOTE: Attendees who are keen to pack more professional learning into their Summit week can take part in this session for an additional $250. If you're interested in signing up, contact Maggie Wilkins (mwilkins@brunico.com or 416-408-2300 x539). Featuring:MENTOR CLASS - Creator 101: Putting your Best Pitch Forward (3:00pm - 4:30pm)Balmoral You’ve just had a great idea for a show! (Well, you and your best friend think it’s great!) But how do you know if it will work in the market? And how do you turn your light bulb moment into a global kids brand? These are just some of the Big Questions we’ll be looking at in this lively, hands-on Mentor Class, suitable for creators of all experience levels working on concepts for all age ranges (toddlers to teens). Hosted by Mike the Knight creator Alexander Bar, Put your Best Pitch Forward will offer valuable first-hand insights to help you assess and craft your ideas into effective bibles and one-sheets, navigate the many perils of the pitching process, identify strategies to find the right partners for your project, and secure that ever-elusive greenlight! PLEASE NOTE: Attendees who are keen to pack more professional learning into their Summit week can take part in this session for an additional $250. If you're interested in signing up, contact Maggie Wilkins (mwilkins@brunico.com or 416-408-2300 x539). Featuring: |
Monday, February 23
8:00am |
BREAKFAST (served in Biscayne Ballroom & Chopin Ballroom) (8:00am - 9:00am) |
8:30am |
Venue Tour (8:30am - 9:00am)Registration Desk Get a feel for the layout of our brand-new venue before the Summit officially kicks off so you don’t waste precious time trying to find sessions, events and people throughout the week. This tour departs from the Registration Desk and shows you where everything will take place. |
9:00am |
Brainpick: Pitching & Development (9:00am - 10:00am)Merrick Join some of the industry’s most experienced creators, who will be on hand to work with you on fine-tuning your show concept and pitch materials so you’re ready for market. You can also pop in and ask any questions you may have about developing and pitching kids content. Featuring:Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing (9:00am - 10:00am)Merrick We’ve recruited a handful of leading kids content producers to advise you on your financing game plan and setting up effective co-production partnerships. Featuring: |
10:00am |
KEYNOTE: Press Play on Fun (10:00am - 10:45am)Bayfront Online and mobile video viewing rates continue to skyrocket pretty much everywhere, and YouTube has a rock-solid grip on this audience. Today, YouTube is home to millions of families across the globe who seek out content that entertains, educates and inspires their children. With parent company Google currently revamping several of its products for kids 12 and under, YouTube's Head of Family/EDU Malik Ducard will talk about new opportunities for producers to engage families like never before. Featuring: |
10:45am |
BREAK (10:45am - 11:00am) |
11:00am |
Close-up with the Maker of Maker: Michael Ross (11:00am - 11:45am)Bayfront Disney paid in excess of US$500 million earlier this year for Maker Studios, whose Family business unit is one of the largest short-form video platforms in the children’s entertainment industry. Meet Michael Ross, the man in charge of Maker Family, and find out more about the challenges and successes that have shaped his unique perspective and approach to content. Featuring:Left-Field Leaders (11:00am - 11:45am)Sevilla This group of extraordinary leaders come at what they do from left field. Inventive thinkers, natural-born risk-takers―they have pushed the boundaries of their respective industries to achieve success. Their stories will inspire kids biz leaders to step out of their comfort zones and realize it may even be possible to fail safely. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Laurence Blaevoet, Canal+ Youth (11:00am - 11:30am)Gusman A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Barry Koch, Cartoon Network Latin America (11:00am - 11:30am)Tuttle A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Paul DeBenedittis, Disney Channels Worldwide (11:00am - 11:30am)Dupont A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:Paul DeBenedittisEVP Programming & Content Strategy Acquisitions &Co Productions Disney ABC Television Group |
11:45am |
BREAK (11:45am - 12:00pm) |
12:00pm |
Audience-Building: Then vs. Now (12:00pm - 12:45pm)Bayfront Eyeballs, eyeballs, eyeballs—attracting a sizable audience is still our ultimate end goal, but how does content develop a following now compared to just five years ago? Who's leading the charge? How have marketing roles changed, and how do things like COPPA regulations come into play with nonlinear series? Our expert panel of producers, broadcast marketers and researchers will discuss what it was like then, and how to get it done now. Featuring:Paul DeBenedittisEVP Programming & Content Strategy Acquisitions &Co Productions Disney ABC Television Group Shifting Gears: How the Producer's Role is Evolving (12:00pm - 12:45pm)Sevilla In each phase of a production, there is always a dedicated producer making sure the train stays on the track. But as the kids entertainment landscape diversifies, the role of a producer is evolving dramatically alongside it. Join our panel of international producers as they compare and contrast past experiences with current experiments, and glean insight into how this all-important position will continue to change as platforms and distribution channels proliferate and shift shape. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Migdalis Silva, Nickelodeon Latin America (12:00pm - 12:30pm)Gusman A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Carole Bonneau, Corus Kids (TELETOON Canada, TELETOON Retro, Cartoon Network Canada) (12:00pm - 12:30pm)Tuttle A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:Carole BonneauVP, Content Acquisition & French Language Programming, Télétoon & La Chaîne Disney Corus Media 30 Minutes with... Sebastian Debertin, KiKA (12:00pm - 12:30pm)Dupont A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:Sebastian DebertinHead of International Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions KiKA - Der Kinderkanal of ARD & ZDF |
12:45pm |
LUNCH (served in Biscayne Ballroom & Chopin Ballroom) (12:45pm - 2:00pm)Lunching with... Lori Burke, Penguin Group (US) (12:45pm - 1:45pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Lunching with... Jeffrey Korchek, Mattel (12:45pm - 1:45pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Lunching with... Michael Polis, Atomic Toybox Entertainment (12:45pm - 1:45pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Lunching with... Julia Posen, Walker Books (12:45pm - 1:45pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Julia PosenEVP and Commercial Director, Group Rights & Development Walker Books Ltd and Walker Productions Lunching with... Bill Graham, Jazwares (12:45pm - 1:45pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring: |
2:00pm |
Meet the President: Cartoon Network's Christina Miller (2:00pm - 2:45pm)Bayfront Christina Miller is now leading the charge at one of the world’s biggest children’s broadcasters, having taken the reins at Turner for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang. Balancing business and creative strategies as she carves a new path for the network is no easy thing, but Miller is definitely up for the challenge. In this one-on-one session, she’ll discuss the experiences that have influenced the way she tackles content management and commercial enterprise, as well as providing a first peek at what's on deck at Cartoon Network, and where she sees the future of kids TV heading. Featuring:Twisted Pitchers (2:00pm - 2:45pm)Sevilla Put down that Mojito, and try something stronger—with a twist! This popular creative simulation game is back at Kidscreen Summit, and we hope you’re in the mood to play at the end of the day. Small groups will be challenged to develop an idea and pitch it in just 10 minutes. Some elements are the same for all, and some are unique to each group—the idea is to find out how much a single twist can alter a concept. Come as a team, or meet up with new friends, but get ready to try and hit our creative curveballs out of the park. Moderating:30 Minutes with... Tiphaine De Raguenel, France Télévisions (2:00pm - 2:30pm)Gusman A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Kim Wilson, Kids' CBC (2:00pm - 2:30pm)Tuttle A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Hitoshi Furukawa, NHK (2:00pm - 2:30pm)Dupont A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring: |
2:45pm |
BREAK (2:45pm - 3:00pm) |
3:00pm |
Shaping the next generation of content: Talking preschool series development with Amazon Kids (3:00pm - 3:45pm)Bayfront With an increasing emphasis being placed on curriculum in preschool programming, Amazon Studios is blazing a new trail with its pilot program and commissioning strategy. Head of Kids Programming Tara Sorensen, noted curriculum expert Dr. Alice Wilder, and several thought leaders in child development will come together at the Summit to discuss how Amazon Kids is shaping curriculum for early childhood learning and looking at play, art and creativity for the youngest demo. Featuring:Scot OsterweilCreative Consultant, The Education Arcade & Research Scientist MIT Comparative Media Studies |
3:45pm |
BREAK (3:45pm - 4:00pm) |
4:00pm |
Hot Right Now (4:00pm - 4:45pm)Bayfront To cap off our first day, we're bringing together six media pros who live on the bleeding edge of innovation to talk us through the things they're currently most excited about, and what it all means for our industry in the near future. Each speaker has 20 slides that automatically advance every 16 seconds, guaranteeing that this can't-miss session will be informative, inspiring, and a lot of fun! Featuring:Cocktails with... Corus Kids (4:00pm - 5:00pm)Palm/Star Isle Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Cocktails with... France Télévisions (4:00pm - 5:00pm)Hibiscus Isle Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Cocktails with... Turner Broadcasting EMEA (4:00pm - 5:00pm)Gusman Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Cocktails with... RTÉ Ireland (4:00pm - 5:00pm)Tuttle Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Sheila de CourcyRTE Group Head of Childrens and Controller Rtéjr Radio Telefis Eireann- RTE Ireland Cocktails with... BBC Children's (4:00pm - 5:00pm)Dupont Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring: |
5:00pm |
Kidscreen's Kick-Off Cocktail (Join us on the Pool Terrace) (5:00pm - 6:30pm)Registration Desk, Bayfront, Sevilla, Brickell, Merrick, Palm/Star Isle, Hibiscus Isle, Gusman, Tuttle, Dupont Mix and mingle poolside with other delegates at the Summit’s biggest social event. This bash caps off the first day and attracts hundreds of kids entertainment execs looking to meet partners, chat about business and soak up the Miami sunset. |
Tuesday, February 24
8:00am |
BREAKFAST (served in Biscayne Ballroom & Chopin Ballroom) (8:00am - 10:00am) |
10:15am |
KEYNOTE: Tech, Content and the Next Generation: A one-on-one with Randi Zuckerberg (10:15am - 11:00am)Bayfront From creativity to coding, technology opens countless doors for children to learn new skills and explore their passions. It levels the playing field for girls to compete in STEM fields, lets kids dive deeper into areas of interest, and gives unparalleled access to those with disabilities. But have you ever tried to have a conversation with a teenager whose head is buried in text messages? Or explain to a toddler that no, they can't have the tablet RIGHT NOW! In this fun, fresh and insightful fireside chat, Randi Zuckerberg, an expert in how consumers—especially parents and children—live and interact with technology, will share her take on family dynamics in the digital age. Featuring: |
11:00am |
BREAK (11:00am - 11:30am) |
11:30am |
Can a Series be Everything to Everyone? (11:30am - 12:30pm)Bayfront The benchmarks for successful return on investment in kids entertainment today are exposure in 100+ territories and product on shelf at every retailer from Sydney to Reykjavik. But broadcasters still want shows that relates to the unique experiences of kids in their respective countries. So what are the ingredients required to whip up a series that is both a local hit and a global success? And what is a producer to do with a show that is a huge hit in one country, but has trouble gaining traction elsewhere? Featuring:Shopping Around: What's Driving Consumer Products Sales Now? (11:30am - 12:30pm)Sevilla Mass-market retailers are arguably even more powerful than traditional broadcasters when it comes to transforming kids shows into hits. But it's a shifting market right now. How are upstart platforms like Netflix and YouTube channels, and online retailers, affecting an IP owner's ability to get products on shelves and into consumers' hands? Join our expert panel as they cover everything licensors need to know to navigate this less-traveled landscape and flourish. Featuring:Hot Research: Creating Essential Digital Media for Today’s Fast-Moving Kids (11:30am - 12:30pm)Brickell Renowned research firm Insight Kids will present the results of their groundbreaking and hot-off-the-presses study into the digital lives of kids―what they’re doing as they stream, game, communicate and shop online, and the benefits they get out of each activity. Insight’s analysis will correlate kids’ attitudes and behaviors with cognitive, socio-emotional and physical development milestones, helping attendees understand how to activate kids across multiple dimensions in the exploding digital space. A must-attend! Featuring:30 Minutes with... Tara Sorensen, Amazon Studios (11:30am - 12:00pm)Gusman A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Frank Dietz, Super RTL (11:30am - 12:00pm)Tuttle A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Adina Pitt, Cartoon Network US (11:30am - 12:00pm)Dupont A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring: |
12:30pm |
LUNCH (served in Biscayne Ballroom & Chopin Ballroom) (12:30pm - 2:00pm)Lunching with... Daphné de Beauffort, TF1 Licences (12:30pm - 1:30pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Lunching with... Sean Gorman, American Greetings Properties (12:30pm - 1:30pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Lunching with... Andrew Kerr, Corus Entertainment (12:30pm - 1:30pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Lunching with... Rich Maryyanek, Big Tent Entertainment (12:30pm - 1:45pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Lunching with... Jonathan Mirsky, Spin Master (12:30pm - 1:30pm)Merrick Spend some quality time getting closer to top-gun consumer products partners who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of 10 of the industry’s most influential kids merchandise licensees. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring: |
2:00pm |
Ink Slingers: Targeting the best writing talent (2:00pm - 3:00pm)Bayfront Regardless of format, genre and audience even the best concepts fall short without first-rate scripts that bring characters and stories to life. Join some of the industry’s leading development exces and learn how to find, recruit and retain valuable scriptwriters from an international talent pool. Featuring:The Multiplatform Playground (2:00pm - 3:00pm)Sevilla Whether you’ve read one of the dozens of scientific studies on play, or conducted your own personalized "nanny cam" research, we can all agree that play continues to be the primary way kids learn. That’s why it needs to be upheld as an essential ingredient in the content and products that we make for them. In a discussion with experts who create the most playful products, media and experiences for children, we will explore the similarities, differences and opportunities for play across all the platforms that exist in modern family life. Featuring:Pink, Blue or Beige? How Digital is Shaping Gender Preferences (2:00pm - 3:00pm)Brickell Are gender-neutral products and content becoming more popular as kids increasingly choose what they want to engage with and when? Kids Industries spoke to 2,000 parents and children on both sides of the Atlantic to find out what they really think about the gendering of products and experiences. It turns out that the digital world of apps, websites, social media, games, platforms and hardware is reshaping the discussion. Using primary and secondary sources, Gary Pope will explore the realities and (mis)perceptions of gender signposting in digital experiences designed for children, and then compare it to the gendered framing of content in the physical world of children’s brands and products to assess what it all might mean for the kids biz. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Andrew Beecham, Sprout (2:00pm - 2:30pm)Gusman A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes With... Sarah Muller, CBBC (2:00pm - 2:30pm)Tuttle A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Jules Borkent, Nickelodeon (2:00pm - 2:30pm)Dupont A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring: |
3:00pm |
BREAK (3:00pm - 3:15pm) |
3:15pm |
Girl Talk (3:15pm - 4:00pm)Sevilla Shows with girls in the lead, and often in non-traditional roles, have become increasingly prevalent in kids media over the last few years. So how do production, broadcast and consumer products perspectives shape how a show is created primarily for girls? In this session, our panel of seasoned kids biz pros will explore that critical question and much more. Featuring:Content from a kid's-eye-view (3:15pm - 4:00pm)Brickell Put on your kid glasses! The child development experts at Insight Kids will look at the different developmental stages of kids zero to 12 and how the values of their parents’ generation and culture shape their play and connection to stories. They’ll review kids’ timeless needs as well as timely trends. Find out how these priorities impact kids’ entertainment diets and consumption patterns, and how you can best strategize for the future. Featuring: |
4:00pm |
BREAK (4:00pm - 4:15pm) |
4:15pm |
Can They Build It? A Case Study of the New Bob the Builder (4:15pm - 5:00pm)Sevilla Join HIT Entertainment and research outfit Dubit as they present the challenges they faced in reimagining Bob the Builder for modern preschoolers in a changing media landscape. Dubit will unveil research that influenced HIT's plans for Bob V2.0, drawing on quantitative and qualitative data gleaned from interviews of more than 1,800 children in the UK and US. And HITwill offer insights into how this research influenced its relaunch strategy for Bob, and how other children's entertainment makers can do likewise. Featuring:Turning the Page: Making the Leap From Book to Screen Effectively (4:15pm - 5:00pm)Brickell Producing at the intersection of books and screens comes with unique creative challenges, but just what are the ups and downs of adapting stories from the main kidlit age categories—picture books, middle-grade and young adult—and how can a producer avoid or manage those challenges effectively? In this session, author Jeff Norton is joined by experts in this field to provide expert tips for tackling book-to-screen projects. Featuring:Cocktails with... KiKA (4:15pm - 5:15pm)Palm/Star Isle Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Sebastian DebertinHead of International Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions KiKA - Der Kinderkanal of ARD & ZDF Cocktails with... Canal+ Youth (4:15pm - 5:15pm)Hibiscus Isle Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Cocktails with... Lagardère Active (4:15pm - 5:15pm)Gusman Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Cocktails with... DHX Television (4:15pm - 5:15pm)Tuttle Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Cocktails with... PBS KIDS (4:15pm - 5:15pm)Dupont Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring: |
5:15pm |
Kidscreen and iKids Awards Ceremony and After-Party (5:15pm - 7:30pm)Bayfront Join us as we celebrate the year’s best kids programming, broadcasting and digital media efforts at our annual Kidscreen Awards Ceremony, hosted by a renowned television personality Jessi Cruickshank, the recent host of Canada’s Smartest Person and the host of numerous programs that have aired on MTV Canada, Style Network, CTV, E! and NBC News. Be sure to stay for the after-party and hang with the winners and judges! Featuring: |
Wednesday, February 25
8:00am |
BREAKFAST (served in Biscayne Ballroom & Chopin Ballroom) (8:00am - 10:00am) |
10:00am |
VOD: The Shape of Things to Come (10:00am - 11:00am)Bayfront The producers who best understand the capabilities of emerging media platforms will be able to optimize their content most effectively―and create the deepest engagement for the biggest audiences. While this may sound simple, deciding what this optimization looks like is anything but. For starters, some claim this generation has abandoned “consumable” narrative media in favor of “shareable” social media, while others like Netflix contend VOD will usher in a new age of totally immersive long-form epic storytelling. So which direction to choose? Our panel of kids media pros will have plenty of opinions on the shape of things to come. Featuring:Tackling Factual: A Guide for Creatives and Animation Producers (10:00am - 11:00am)Sevilla Factual entertainment for kids that’s produced in a variety of techniques has really come into its own as a hot genre in the kids space, but transitioning to this kind of content can present a number of issues for traditional animation producers. This session, produced by Justine Bannister, will take a look at the market demand for kids factual fare, associated production costs, financial models and the creative challenges involved in making reality-type programming that connects with target demos including preschool, kids and tweens/teens. Featuring:Jon RutherfordPresident, Global Rights, Franchise & Content Strategy, Boat Rocker Studios Tricon Films & Television Winning Strategies For Doing Business In China (10:00am - 11:00am)Brickell With 180 million children under the age of eight in China, its family market is already the world’s largest. But how do you crack it open or even sign your first deal? Our panel of Chinese and Western media executives will share insights to help you unlock the secrets to entering the massive Chinese kids market. They'll explore the cultural nuances of business cards and dinners that shape a successful introduction and meeting, and examine the critical role that company profiles play in doing business in China. Finally, the panel will discuss the delicate issues of carrying out contracts and payments in the world's most populous country. Featuring:James Chen GuGeneral Manager, Animation Studio UYoung (Tianjin) Animation Culture & Media Co., Ltd. Speed Pitching 1 (10:00am - 11:00am)Merrick Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective networking format will feature 8-minute meetings again this year, giving you ample time to deliver the perfect pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:30 Minutes with... Linda Simensky, PBS KIDS (10:00am - 10:30am)Gusman A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Sheila de Courcy, RTÉ Ireland (10:00am - 10:30am)Tuttle A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:Sheila de CourcyRTE Group Head of Childrens and Controller Rtéjr Radio Telefis Eireann- RTE Ireland 30 Minutes with... Michael Goldsmith, DHX Television (10:00am - 10:30am)Dupont A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring: |
11:00am |
BREAK (11:00am - 11:30am)30 Minutes with... Alison Stewart, CBeebies (11:00am - 11:30am)Gusman A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Peter Gal, DreamWorks Animation (11:00am - 11:30am)Tuttle A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... David Levine, Disney Channels EMEA (11:00am - 11:30am)Dupont A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:David LevineVice President, Kids Programming, Europe & Africa/UK & Ireland The Walt Disney Company (EMEA) |
11:30am |
Hunting for YouTube Talent (11:30am - 12:30pm)Bayfront Online talent is gaining more and more traction in kids entertainment. Just look at the traffic flocking to YouTube star channels like PewDiePie, who has 32 million subscribers and counting. While traditional prodcos are starting to scope out the space, there's a lot to learn about tracking down hot content creators and how their existing relationships with YouTube MCNs might impact their work on other platforms. Join our panel of leaders in the online and mobile landscape as they outline what the new deals with talent look like, how they evaluate credibility and starpower, and how deals might differ between live action and animation creators. Featuring:Talking Tech: Storytelling with a Digital Twist (11:30am - 12:30pm)Sevilla Staying one step ahead of the digital curve is crucial for keeping stories relevant to today’s generation of plugged-in kids. And it looks like producers and kidnets are heeding the call to make technology part of the storytelling. But the challenge, of course, is staying on the bleeding edge without creating programming that becomes dated as quickly as the next-gen iPhone. We've assembled an expert panel to take you through the ins and outs of navigating this tricky space. Featuring:New Tech That Will Blow Your Mind! (11:30am - 12:30pm)Brickell We know not everyone has the time to scour the web for amazing feats in new technology, so we’re bringing a few of the most outstanding innovations poised to affect the kids business to Kidscreen Summit. Make sure you’re in the room for the big reveal. Featuring:Speed Pitching 2 (11:30am - 12:30pm)Merrick Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective networking format will feature 8-minute meetings again this year, giving you ample time to deliver the perfect pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring: |
12:00pm |
30 Minutes with... Cecilia Persson, Turner Broadcasting EMEA (12:00pm - 12:30pm)Gusman A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Joe D'Ambrosia, Disney Junior (12:00pm - 12:30pm)Tuttle A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 Minutes with... Benjamin Grubbs, YouTube (12:00pm - 12:30pm)Dupont A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring: |
12:30pm |
LUNCH (served in Biscayne Ballroom & Chopin Ballroom) (12:30pm - 2:00pm) |
2:00pm |
The New Age of VOD (2:00pm - 3:00pm)Sevilla Kids are unquestionably taking their viewing online, and not just to Netflix. New ad-supported and SVOD services geared to children have been cropping up at a quick clip over the past 18 months, turning VOD from a buzzword to a bona fide business development strategy. This panel discussion will explore the main challenges facing the newest crop of VOD services, as well as gauging how business is growing in this space (if it really is), and when the VOD movement might start really paying out. Featuring:Best of the Web (2:00pm - 3:00pm)Brickell Join this fast-paced, curated romp through the most hilarious and inspired work you’ve likely never seen. Hosted by kids and millennial expert Amy Friedman, a panel of guest YouTube, Vine and YouNow makers and curators will each share their top-three picks from all over the web, with brief backstories on how the content got made, shared and used. Featuring:Speed Pitching 3 (2:00pm - 3:00pm)Merrick Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective networking format will feature 8-minute meetings again this year, giving you ample time to deliver the perfect pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:30 Minutes with... Caroline Cochaux, Lagardère Active (2:00pm - 2:30pm)Gusman A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:Maud BranlyDirector, Children's Acquisitions & International TV Channels Programming Lagardere Active 30 Minutes with... Jamie Piekarz, Corus Kids (YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon Canada) (2:00pm - 2:30pm)Tuttle A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring:30 minutes With... Margaret Marshall, Sling TV (2:00pm - 2:30pm)Dupont A returning favourite at the Summit, our 30 Minutes With…sessions give you a chance to hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, as well as participate in some Q&A and meet-and-greets. You are welcome to attend as many of these popular buyer briefing sessions as you can fit into your schedule! Space will be filled on a first-come, first-seated basis until we hit room capacity. Featuring: |
3:00pm |
BREAK (3:00pm - 3:15pm) |
3:15pm |
The BIG Pitch! (3:15pm - 4:15pm)Bayfront The Big Make-Believe Network is returning to Kidscreen Summit, and two new series will be chosen to compete for a top slot in this death-defying live development session! A pair of creator/writer teams will present their pitches live on stage and make adjustments in real time, based on notes thrown at them by a panel of broadcast, licensing and production executives. Featuring:Sebastian DebertinHead of International Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions KiKA - Der Kinderkanal of ARD & ZDF Speed Pitching 4 (3:15pm - 4:15pm)Merrick Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective networking format will feature 8-minute meetings again this year, giving you ample time to deliver the perfect pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring: |
4:15pm |
Cocktails with... Sprout (4:15pm - 5:15pm)Gusman Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Cocktails with... Super RTL (4:15pm - 5:15pm)Tuttle Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Cocktails with... Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Tooncast Latin America (4:15pm - 5:15pm)Dupont Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring:Cocktails with... Kids' CBC (4:15pm - 5:15pm)Flagler Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this brand-new format that aims to loosen up the networking vibe and help you make deeper connections at channels that buy kids programming. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up required Featuring: |
Thursday, February 26
8:00am |
Delegate Lounge is Open (8:00am - 4:00pm)Registration Desk |