Nat brings to his role as head of distribution at Breakthrough Entertainment more than 19 years of experience in the acquisition and distribution of television programming.  

In addition to his 11 years at Nielsen Media Research Canada, as Group Sales and Marketing Manager, Nat also served as Vice President with...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing

Greg Alkalay is the CEO and Co-Founder of batteryPOP, the online and mobile video network exclusively for 6-11 year olds, where kids are in charge of what “POPS.” Recently featured in Tech Crunch and named among Café Mom’s Top 10 Mom-Approved Sites, the network features and distributes over 50 web...show more

Featured in: The New Age of VOD

Rhiannon Apple currently serves as a VP, Brand Partnerships for Fullscreen, a global youth media company that develops online creators and produces multi-platform entertainment experiences.

With over 12 years of experience in executing client campaigns for Cartoon Network, AT&T, Walmart, L’Oreal, Verizon Wireless, AARP and Disney Parks, Rhiannon champions innovative marketing...show more

Featured in: Hunting for YouTube Talent

Justine is an independent children’s media consultant with 20 years experience in the industry notably at 20th Century Fox, Lagardère, Disney Channels France, TV Loonland, Mediatoon and PGS Entertainment.  Her very broad skillset spans distribution, acquisitions, co-productions, production, post-production, marketing, brand and community management.

As Head of International Distribution, Justine developed...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

Alexander began his career in 1994, creating, writing and designing three successful cartoon strips which ran concurrently in specialist magazines and national newspapers for a number of years in the UK. In 1998, he joined Pepper’s Ghost Productions, a London-based CGI animation indie, where he headed up the company’s development...show more

Featured in: Hot Right Now; MENTOR CLASS - Creator 101: Putting your Best Pitch Forward

Sarah heads up the creative agency, The Creative Garden. She specialises in concept creation, coaching and development within the creative and financial industries for leading global companies though to small independents. She and her team advise international broadcasters, creatives and digital leaders on a range of issues including channel launches,...show more

Featured in: Tackling Factual: A Guide for Creatives and Animation Producers

Passionate about creating outstanding children’s content on all platforms, Daniel Bays created and series produced the ground-breaking, physically interactive, international hit preschool animated series, Tree Fu Tom (for BBC and Fremantle Media).

Daniel started his career in creative development – creating shows, brands and formats for BBC Science and Factual Entertainment – and...show more

Featured in: New Tech That Will Blow Your Mind!

Andrew Beecham is SVP of Programming for 24-hour preschool television channel Sprout, with responsibility for program strategy, original programming, scheduling and acquisitions for Sprout’s digital cable channel and video-on-demand (VOD) and online offerings.

Prior to joining the network, Andrew was an SVP at HIT Entertainment, where he developed the overall look...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Sprout; 30 Minutes with... Andrew Beecham, Sprout

Reed Berglund is co-founder and CEO of FullBottle. He began his career in media & advertising with the TV Show Moesha in 1996. Since then, Reed worked across TV, Radio, Web, and Mobile media. In 2010, Reed joined Miniclip America as head of US advertising & sales. As CEO he is responsible...show more

Featured in: Hunting for YouTube Talent

Nuno Bernardo is a two-time Kidscreen award-winner and Emmy-nominated producer, founder and manager of beActive Entertainment. In the last decade, using his unique approach to transmedia, Nuno has produced +200 hours of multiplatform content; from feature films and TV shows to mobile apps and books aimed at Kids and Teenagers....show more

Featured in: Hot Right Now

Stephanie Betts is responsible for managing, fostering and expanding the kids development slate at DHX Media. Her expertise lies in building strong, creatively driven teams, to produce series that will appeal to domestic and international broadcasters – and most importantly to kids! Stephanie has been with DHX since 2010, during...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4

Chief Executive Officer and Executive in charge of setting up international creative teams for the development and financing of animation brands in BRB Internacional and Screen 21, production companies of well-known TV Series such as David The Gnome, Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds and Around the World with Willy Fog....show more

Featured in: Shifting Gears: How the Producer's Role is Evolving

Malcolm has worked in the entertainment industry for the past 28 years. He has operated across traditional and digital media, launching three television networks and two online networks, as well as producing thousands of hours of television and Internet programming.

Prior to creating The Viddiverse, Malcolm ran a public fund culminating...show more

Featured in: The New Age of VOD

Laurence Blaevoet was appointed Director of Programming for the Canal+ Group's youth unit in 2010, after spending 10 years operating in the same role for Canal+ Channels.

Laurence is a graduate of the Paris School of Journalism, and started her career as a journalist at RTL-Télévision. In 1985, she joined TMC...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Canal+ Youth; 30 Minutes with... Laurence Blaevoet, Canal+ Youth

Carole Bonneau has been Vice-President, French-Language Programming, for the Télétoon and Télétoon Rétro channels since 2001. From September 2014, she has also held the position of Vice-President, Content Acquisition, for Corus Media’s four specialty channels: Historia, Séries+, Télétoon and Télétoon Rétro.

Since joining Télétoon in 1996 as Director of Programming, Carole...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Carole Bonneau, Corus Kids (TELETOON Canada, TELETOON Retro, Cartoon Network Canada)

Julien Borde is Executive Director of New Projects at France Télévisions Programming and Digital Department. He is reporting to Bruno Patino, France Télévisions Program and Digital Managing Director. He is in charge of the public broadcaster multichannel development on the web,...show more

Featured in: VOD: The Shape of Things to Come

Jules Borkent is Senior Vice President, Global Acquisitions and International Programming, Nickelodeon, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN).  In his role, which he assumed in 2008, Borkent is responsible for leading global acquisitions for Nickelodeon around the world, as well as programming strategies for Nickelodeon International.  Borkent works in close partnership...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Jules Borkent, Nickelodeon

Aged 33, Maud Branly holds a B.A. in Modern Literature from Sorbonne Nouvelle University and a H.N.D of Audiovisual Production from Efficom. She began her career at Patrick Spica Production where she was in charge of production scheduling. In December 2006, she became EMEA Sales Coordinatoor for Dic Entertainment/Cookie Jar....show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Caroline Cochaux, Lagardère Active

Massimo Bruno is Head of TV Channels at De Agostini Editore, where he runs DeAKids, DeAJunior and Explora (on the Sky satellite TV platform), as well as Super!, a DTT free-to-air channel in Italy. DeAKids is dedicated to kids and families with a lineup of new TV productions and acquisitions;...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 1; Speed Pitching 2

Asi Burak is an award-winning game creator, tech executive, and social entrepreneur. He is the President of Games for Change (G4C), a nonprofit with the mission to catalyze social impact through digital game. As the Executive Producer of the Half the Sky Movement games, he orchestrated partnerships with Zynga, some...show more

Featured in: Left-Field Leaders

Lori Burke has been working in the licensing field specific to the children's publishing industry for the past fifteen years. In the last decade, she has had the pleasure of working on licensed tie-in book programs and children’s publishing at DK Publishing, Scholastic, and Penguin Group.  Now, at Penguin Random...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Lori Burke, Penguin Group (US)

Jennifer Burkitt is Founder & Creative Director at Log Cabin Productions Inc. (LCP) LCP is a creative hub and full service digital and linear production studio. Partners Jennifer Burkitt and Karen Fowler are passionate creators and producers creating fully immersive content experiences that respond to kids and families innate desire...show more

Featured in: Talking Tech: Storytelling with a Digital Twist

With more than 20 years’ service to children’s media, Michael has a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of how to deliver great content for children. Before joining Zodiak Media as CEO of The Foundation, Michael ran creative at HIT Entertainment, overseeing Thomas & Friends, Bob the Builder, Mike...show more

Featured in: Tackling Factual: A Guide for Creatives and Animation Producers

Heading into her 12th year at Kidscreen, Editor & Content Director Lana Castleman currently oversees all editorial planning for the magazine and the brand’s online and event content. Career highlights so far include having Oscar the Grouch wish her “a rotten day” and getting early peeks at a number of...show more

Featured in: Shaping the next generation of content: Talking preschool series development with Amazon Kids; Close-up with the Maker of Maker: Michael Ross; Meet the President: Cartoon Network's Christina Miller

Scott Chambers serves as Senior Vice President, Worldwide Media Distribution at Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street. He is responsible for supervising all aspects of the digital, traditional, and mobile media businesses worldwide, including publishing, interactive, television, home video and...show more

Featured in: Hot Right Now

Jesse Cleverly is Creative Director at Wildseed Studios.

Wildseed Studios is a next-generation media company which enables emerging talent to create fantastic new entertainment IPs’s by investing directly into the development and production of their ideas. Wildseed is investing 50 x £10k into new ideas over the next three years, with...show more

Featured in: VOD: The Shape of Things to Come; Hot Right Now

Caroline Cochaux served as Executive Director of Jamel Debouze's production company Kissman Productions, then as Executive Director of Cultural Affairs at FNAC from 2006 through 2009. In February 2011, she joined Lagardère Active group and served as Deputy Program Director of Europe 1 Radio. In February 2013, she became Programs and Broadcast Director...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Lagardère Active; 30 Minutes with... Caroline Cochaux, Lagardère Active

Dylan Collins (@MrDylanCollins) is one of the most experienced digital media executives in Europe.

He is CEO of SuperAwesome, the largest kids advertising platform in the world, reaching over 200M kids every month across US, Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia. SuperAwesome works with the biggest kids entertainment brands in the world...show more

Featured in: Tackling Factual: A Guide for Creatives and Animation Producers

Vince Commisso is the Co-founding Partner, President & CEO of 9 Story Media Group, one of the industry’s leading creators, producers and distributors of award-winning content for young audiences around the world. With responsibilities for leading the production, creative, technical and...show more

Featured in: Shifting Gears: How the Producer's Role is Evolving

As a Content Partner Manager, Alicia Coudurier helps create programming and promotional opportunities for a range of different media companies that are Hulu’s content partners. In her role, she digs deep into the metrics to determine what is working, what is not working, and devises strategies to constantly improve performance...show more

Jessi Cruickshank became a household name as the host of MTV’s smash hit,The Hills After Show, and has since used her fame to document child labour, hunger, and poverty issues. Able to speak on her career trajectory, as well as on topics surrounding her philanthropic endeavors, Jessi’s ease in front...show more

Featured in: Kidscreen and iKids Awards Ceremony and After-Party

Joe D'Ambrosia is Vice President, Original Programming, Disney Junior. He oversees production and creative development of entertainment and learning-based television properties including the Emmy-nominated Sofia the First, Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse; the #1 series across preschool-dedicated networks in target Kids 2-5 Sheriff Callie's...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Joe D'Ambrosia, Disney Junior; Girl Talk

Daphné de Beauffort currently serves as Acquisition Manager inside TF1, where she is in charge of spotting and acquiring kids properties to be developed in the licensing business, as well as for the DVD, VOD & SVOD market.

She has been working at TF1 for 8 years, as Head of Licensing...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Daphné de Beauffort, TF1 Licences

For almost 30 years, Sheila has been very happily immersed in working with ideas for broadcast on various platforms. As a producer of both TV and radio content, as well as a TV location and multi-camera director, she has spent many  years making live and pre-recorded programming across all genres,...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... RTÉ Ireland; 30 Minutes with... Sheila de Courcy, RTÉ Ireland

Tiphaine de Raguenel graduated from the Paris Institute of Political Studies and started her career at Carat/Aegis Media Group as a consultant and then Deputy Director of consultancy assignments for producers and broadcasters. In 2006, she joined the children’s and youth division of Lagardère Active as Research Director for TiJi,...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... France Télévisions; 30 Minutes with... Tiphaine De Raguenel, France Télévisions

Paul DeBenedittis is Senior Vice President, Programming Strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide.  He joined the company in 2008 after 10 years at MTV Networks in New York.

DeBenedittis leads the planning, scheduling, acquisitions and co-production teams in the U.S. and is responsible for over 300 hours of televised programming across the multiple...show more

Featured in: Audience-Building: Then vs. Now; 30 Minutes with... Paul DeBenedittis, Disney Channels Worldwide

Sebastian Debertin helped create and launch KiKA – Der Kinderkanal of ARD & ZDF in November 1996. As Head of Fiction, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, a position he has held for more than 15 years, Sebastian oversees all international acquisitions, productions and co-productions. Sebastian has won several national and international awards,...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... KiKA; The BIG Pitch!; 30 Minutes with... Sebastian Debertin, KiKA

Michael Dee is Director of Content at Coolabi Group, the UK-based Intellectual Property company. Michael is responsible for all creative content for the children’s group portfolio. This includes marketing, product, branding and creative development and input for digital and television productions. He has over twenty years of experience in developing content,...show more

Featured in: MENTOR CLASS - Launchpad Logic: Making the Right TV vs. Digital Decision

Chris is the Head of Development with JAM Media and is responsible for overseeing the company’s development slate and individual projects. Chris continues to be a brainchild of new, original and interesting concepts and projects for various broadcasting platforms.

Prior to joining JAM Media, he co-founded the children’s television company TT...show more

Featured in: Ink Slingers: Targeting the best writing talent

Featured in: Hunting for YouTube Talent

Frank Dietz, Deputy Programme Director/Head of Acquisitions and Co-Productions, joined Super RTL in 2000. The Channel has a leading role in European children’s entertainment and is jointly owned by RTL Group and Walt Disney International Television.

Frank manages the channel’s programme supply for daytime and primetime programming including content for various platforms...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Super RTL; 30 Minutes with... Frank Dietz, Super RTL

As Vice President and Executive Producer for Spin Master Entertainment, the toy company’s film and television subsidiary, Jennifer Dodge oversees the development, financing and production of all on-screen entertainment content for existing Spin Master brands and newly created intellectual properties. 

Since her appointment in 2009, Dodge has overseen the content strategy...show more

Featured in: Shifting Gears: How the Producer's Role is Evolving

Dale Dougherty is the Founder and Executive Chairman of Maker Media, Inc. which launched Make: magazine in 2005, and Maker Faire, and held its first event in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2006. Dougherty’s vision and mission continue to be the guiding force for the family of brands. The Maker Movement has...show more

Featured in: Shaping the next generation of content: Talking preschool series development with Amazon Kids

Anastasia worked as Production Coordinator and Social Media Manager for the Barely Political YouTube channel for 4 happy years. Anastasia's time with Barely Political started back in 2009 when she was asked to provide vocals for some of the faux celebrities in The Key of Awesome series, such as Kesha, Lorde and Adele....show more

Featured in: Best of the Web

Since arriving in New York to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Mark has been an actor, songwriter, stand-up comic, sketch comedian, and has played a “Woggle” on 30 Rock. In 2009 Mark created The Key of Awesome, a musical comedy show featured on the Barely Political channel. The Key of Awesome...show more

Featured in: Best of the Web

Malik Ducard is the Global Head of Family and Learning at YouTube, overseeing business development efforts for the platform’s family entertainment and educational content.

Previously Ducard served as Head of West Coast Partnerships, managing film, TV and original content partners.

Prior to joining YouTube, he served as senior vice president of digital...show more

Featured in: KEYNOTE: Press Play on Fun

Hugues Dufour is Production Executive, Original Programming for TELETOON Canada Inc. Hugues oversees the production of an assigned slate of original programming for TELETOON and TELETOON at Night in English and French, collaborating with producers from premise to sound mix.  He is also involved in the development of upcoming series.

Hugues...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 4

As Managing Director of eOne Family and eOne Licensing, Olivier Dumont oversees all commercial and creative activities of eOne’s combined kids, family and licensing operations, including development, production, sales, licensing and merchandising. He is responsible for developing properties into global TV, home entertainment, new media and consumer product brands, and...show more

Featured in: Can a Series be Everything to Everyone?

As Vice President, Creative Affairs, Natalie Dumoulin is responsible for overseeing all creative aspects of 9 Story properties from inception to delivery. This includes sourcing and developing animated and live-action properties for kids of all ages, collaborating...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 2; Brainpick: Pitching & Development

Jackie is Executive Producer, Animation and Acquisitions for CBeebies – the UK’s foremost dedicated pre-school television channel. Prior to joining CBeebies in October 2008, Jackie worked as an animation producer and consultant working on many prestigious and award-winning animated series and specials in the Independent sector, from BAFTA, RTS, Prix Jeunesse and Prix...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 1; Girl Talk; Speed Pitching 2

Anthony Esparza has spent his career creating fun by orchestrating all aspects of a great guest experience. His expertise and award-winning creative teams have touched virtually every demographic, helping companies such as Nickelodeon, Paramount Pictures, Harlem Globetrotters, Coca-Cola, Sanrio, and Mattel Toys cement relationships with a new generation of customers....show more

Featured in: Left-Field Leaders

Ken Faier joined DHX Content as Senior VP and General Manager, Kids & Family, when DHX Media acquired Nerd Corps Entertainment in 2014. As President of Nerd Corps for over 10 years, Faier was instrumental in building the company into a world-renowned studio with each of its original properties sold...show more

Featured in: Shifting Gears: How the Producer's Role is Evolving

With over 300 episodes of animated television to his credit, Asaph “Ace” Fipke has established himself as one of North America’s top producers of animation. As Chief Content Officer for Kids & Family, Fipke brings to DHX Content a rare blend of expertise in the creation, development, production and business...show more

Featured in: Turning the Page: Making the Leap From Book to Screen Effectively

Simon has over 28 years’ experience operating entertainment companies at an executive level in the UK, Europe and North America on behalf of shareholders, investors and content owners. 

He has an extensive knowledge of financing structures, commissioning content and distribution platforms. 

Simon and Bob Benton met through their work together in rescuing...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing

White is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, record producer, musician, technologist and entrepreneur, credited with 70 million album sales worldwide and several chart-topping hit records. He developed the musical identity market strategies for many well-known pop, rock and R&B musical artists including Britney Spears, Whitney Houston, Gloria Estefan, Jessica Simpson, Julio Iglesias...show more

Featured in: VOD: The Shape of Things to Come

Rebecca Frankel works at Little Dot Studios, a next generation production company and the leading distributor of television content on YouTube. Little Dot Studios runs 180 television program YouTube channels on behalf of 45 independent TV production companies and several leading broadcasters such as ITV and Sky. Rebecca oversees content...show more

Featured in: MASTER CLASS - YouTubing For Pros: How to Monetize on the World’s Biggest Video Platform

Amy Friedman serves as Senior Advisor to MTV Scratch, Viacom’s creative S.W.A.T team. With a focus on millennial culture, the unit’s partners include Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, General Motors, The Guggenheim Museum and others. 

Amy is also President and Founder of Redhead Consulting, a brand creation and content development...show more

Featured in: Best of the Web

Donna Friedman Meir is the principal and founder of Lemonade Creative Consulting, a strategic consulting firm focused on building cross-media experiences for kids and families. She is also the Executive Producer of Sonic Boom, currently airing on Cartoon Network in the US, and founder of GlobeO, a touring attraction designed...show more

Featured in: Left-Field Leaders

Since Hitoshi entered NHK in 1990, he has been a program director and producer. He was involved in a wide variety programs mainly for young adults and children such as PythagoraSwitch which won a Prix Jeunesse award in the up-to-6, non-fiction category, and Found One, which won a Japan Prize...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Hitoshi Furukawa, NHK

As head of television development for DreamWorks Animation, Peter oversees the creative development of a rapidly growing slate of original television projects, including the content for DreamWorks Animation’s ground-breaking multi-year deal with Netflix. As part the studio’s television initiatives, Gal and his creative team are tasked with developing more than...show more

Featured in: The BIG Pitch!; 30 Minutes with... Peter Gal, DreamWorks Animation

Ellen Galinsky, President and Co-Founder of Families and Work Institute (FWI) is a founder of the work-family life field. Her more than 100 books and reports include the best-selling Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs, Ask The Children, and the now classic The Six Stages of Parenthood....show more

Featured in: Shaping the next generation of content: Talking preschool series development with Amazon Kids

A former college professor, Eddie Gamarra is a literary manager/producer at The Gotham Group, a multi-faceted management and production company representing some of the most creative and successful screenwriters, directors, animators, authors, illustrators, publishers, and animation studios around the world.  With a primary focus on children’s & family entertainment, Dr. Gamarra's extensive client roster...show more

Featured in: Turning the Page: Making the Leap From Book to Screen Effectively

As Director of Content, Athena oversees content development, acquisitions and production for TELETOON's English and French brands including TELETOON, TÉLÉTOON, TELETOON Retro, TÉLÉTOON Rétro, TELETOON at Night, TÉLÉTOON la Nuit and Cartoon Network along with their respective multiplatform services.

For the past 17 years, Athena has been an integral member of the TELETOON team.  In her...show more

Featured in: Ink Slingers: Targeting the best writing talent; Speed Pitching 3; 30 Minutes with... Carole Bonneau, Corus Kids (TELETOON Canada, TELETOON Retro, Cartoon Network Canada)

Rick Glankler is FremantleMedia’s EVP/General Manager of Kids & Family Entertainment. Based in New York he is responsible for all areas of FremantleMedia’s KFE business: production, consumer products, TV sales and brand management. He oversees all creative and commercial aspects of the business with the overall responsibility of continuing to...show more

Featured in: Shopping Around: What's Driving Consumer Products Sales Now?

Michael is Director, Original Programming for DHX Television, managing Family Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD. In this role, he oversees the slate of original shows and movies for the networks while continuing to develop television productions to air across all platforms.

DHX Television’s current slate of original programming is a...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Michael Goldsmith, DHX Television; Audience-Building: Then vs. Now; Cocktails with... DHX Television

A multiple Emmy Award winner, Sharon Gomes Thomas oversees production, distribution, licensing and business development at Little Airplane Productions. And to date, she has produced programming for channels such as Disney-ABC Television, MTV, VH1, PBS, Nickelodeon and Disney.

Earlier in her career, Sharon was a News Anchor for the launch of...show more

Featured in: Winning Strategies For Doing Business In China

Gwen Gordon, MA is an Emmy award winning writer and creative director who began a life of play building Muppets for Sesame Street. She left the “Street” to join an Apple research group at the MIT Media Lab where she built playstations for children. Gwen has been an artist-in-residence in settings...show more

Featured in: The Multiplatform Playground

Sean Gorman is President of American Greetings Properties (AGP), the entertainment and licensing division of the world’s largest social expressions company.  

AGP is focused on the creation, development, production, distribution and licensing of leading children’s properties on a worldwide scale in all media and retail platforms. Some of AGP’s brands include...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Sean Gorman, American Greetings Properties

Bill Graham is Vice President of Business Development for Jazwares, LLC. In this capacity, Graham leads brand evaluation and activation for the company.

Graham joined Jazwares, LLC in 2012, and helped lead the brand teams behind the development of Minecraft, NBA Heroes, Flick-to-Stick Bungees, Terraria and Adventure Time toy lines.

Before joining...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Bill Graham, Jazwares; Shopping Around: What's Driving Consumer Products Sales Now?

Jeffrey Grant is senior vice president of research for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.’s (TBS, Inc.) Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang.  In this capacity, Grant is responsible for all aspects of research for the basic cable networks and their digital extensions and consumer products, including organizing, analyzing and reporting on...show more

Featured in: Audience-Building: Then vs. Now

Benjamin Grubbs is the Asia Pacific Head of Family Entertainment & Learning at YouTube. In this role, Benjamin oversees the regional strategy and development of partners producing & distributing content on the platform. Benjamin joined YouTube in Aug 2012 as the Head of Partner Marketing in Asia Pacific, and developed a...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Benjamin Grubbs, YouTube

James Chen GU is the general manager of animation studio in UYoung Media & Entertainment Group, China. With his cross-over knowledge and experience, James has deep understanding to the trend of kids business worldwide as well as inside of China. As a young man keeps flying among Beijing, Shanghai and...show more

Featured in: Winning Strategies For Doing Business In China

As a Production Executive for Family Channel, Disney XD Canada and Disney Junior Canada, Sarah Haasz oversees the creative aspects of development and production for all networks, including series and movies such as The Next Step, Bunks, Wingin' It, Really Me, Vacation With Derek, Stella and Sam and Justin Time. Sarah...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Michael Goldsmith, DHX Television

Melanie has over 15 years’ editorial and creative experience within scripted development and production, spanning preschool and kids to teens and adults.  She spent six years as an Executive Producer for CBBC Drama, Animation and Acquisitions where she developed and produced scripted live-action and animation projects both with in-house BBC teams and with independent producers...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development; Ink Slingers: Targeting the best writing talent

As Vice President, Programming and Original Production of Corus Kids, Jocelyn Hamilton oversees Corus Entertainment’s Kids programming, acquisitions and original productions. An award-winning producer and broadcasting executive for the past 25 years, Jocelyn is responsible for content strategies across all branded platforms for YTV, TELETOON, TELETOON Retro, Treehouse, Nickelodeon Canada...show more

Featured in: Girl Talk

Lisa Henson is chief executive officer of The Jim Henson Company, where she oversees all television and feature film production from early development through post-production. Henson serves as executive producer on the Emmy®- nominated preschool series Sid the Science Kid, and Dinosaur Train, both of which are currently airing daily...show more

Featured in: Girl Talk

Patricia Hidalgo is Senior Vice President, Chief Content & Creative Officer Kids for Turner Broadcasting EMEA. In this role, she acts as Turner’s editorial head for its strong portfolio of kids content and channel brands across EMEA including Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Cartoonito. 

Hidalgo oversees all centrally-funded programming (acquisitions, co-productions and...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Turner Broadcasting EMEA

A long time champion of children’s programming, Bob Higgins is EVP of Children’s & Family Entertainment at FremantleMedia Enterprises. He oversees the creative direction for FME’s kids business, as well as managing content, including acquisitions, development and sales of TV and digital programming. Current programming includes Kate & Mim-Mim, Danger...show more

Featured in: Can a Series be Everything to Everyone?

For the past 10+ years, Mike has helped develop and launch innovative and interactive kid experiences for LeapFrog, Ridemakerz, and now ToyTalk, including award-winning games, stories, and toys.  As Head of Enterprise at ToyTalk, Mike interfaces with leading entertainment and toy brands, via ToyTalk’s proprietary technology that uses speech recognition...show more

Featured in: New Tech That Will Blow Your Mind!

Jon Howard is the Executive Product Manager for Digital Creativity at the BBC. In this role he has been developing innovative interactive experiences that allow kids to create exciting digital products at close to the speed of thought. The BBC’s Make It Digital season runs throughout 2015 and aims to...show more

Featured in: New Tech That Will Blow Your Mind!

Henry Hsiao is the Senior Director, Marketing and Digital Media, for Fisher-Price’s HIT Entertainment division, a subsidiary of Mattel, Inc.  In his current role, he is responsible for emerging products and partnerships for the company’s portfolio of brands. His responsibilities also include identifying new opportunities that leverage new technologies and...show more

Featured in: New Tech That Will Blow Your Mind!

Dr. Jennie Ito is a play and toy consultant. She has a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from Queen's University in Ontario, Canada, with a specialization in children’s play and cognitive development.

Dr. Ito began her career with a fellowship in Museum Evaluation and Museum Education at the Smithsonian Institution in...show more

Featured in: The Multiplatform Playground

Jarrett J. Krosoczka began his professional career by illustrating educational readers for a national publisher while still an undergraduate at Rhode Island School of Design. Then, just six months after graduation, Jarrett received his first contract for a trade book that he authored. Knopf Books for Young Readers published Good Night,...show more

Featured in: Shaping the next generation of content: Talking preschool series development with Amazon Kids

J.J. Johnson is a founding partner and the creative force behind Sinking Ship Entertainment. Since the company's inception in 2004, he has created 12 series including international hits Annedroids, Emmy nominated Dino Dan and This is Daniel Cook. J.J. has directed over 150 hours of children's programming and filmed in...show more

Featured in: Ink Slingers: Targeting the best writing talent

Ron Johnson is Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products (NVCP) for Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN).  In his role, which he assumed in April 2013, Johnson oversees all of Viacom’s consumer products business outside the United States across retail, operations, creative development, licensing, recreations, promotions and marketing.  He...show more

Featured in: Shopping Around: What's Driving Consumer Products Sales Now?

Christopher Keenanis a highly accomplished creative executive, executive producer and writerwho has enjoyed over twenty five years of success in the animation, kids and family entertainment industries. 

As the VP Global Content and Executive Producer at HIT Entertainment, Keenan is responsible for IP strategy and the creative direction of HIT’s portfolio...show more

Featured in: Shifting Gears: How the Producer's Role is Evolving

As Director of Children’s Programming at PBS, Keith oversees the rollout of video content for broadcast, web and mobile platforms, creating and implementing strategies to develop and manage children's programs as they progress from proposal stage to production and exhibition. Keith is also responsible for working directly with producers, evaluating...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 2

Starting from the ground up and with more than 18 years of experience in the animation biz, Heath is a creative executive with an extensive knowledge of animation production and the dark arts of developing a project from mind vomit into your next potential hit. After escaping the island of...show more

Featured in: VOD: The Shape of Things to Come

As Co-Head of Nelvana Enterprises, Andrew oversees all aspects of the Corus Kids distribution and merchandising business and Nelvana’s brand rights in the Americas and Australasia. Andrew joined Corus in January 2012 as the Head of Consumer Products, The Americas and Australasia.

Andrew has more than 16 years of experience in...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Andrew Kerr, Corus Entertainment

Strategist, analyst, author and speaker — for a quarter-century, David Kleeman has led the children’s media industry in developing sustainable, kid-friendly solutions. Since May 2013, he has been building unique global thought leadership initiatives as Senior Vice President of Insights Programs and PlayVangelist for PlayCollective, a research, strategy and development company.

From 1988-2013, Kleeman was President...show more

Featured in: Twisted Pitchers

Tatiana started Bejuba! Entertainment 11 years ago to specialize in the executive production, financing, co-production and distribution of children’s and family entertainment across all platforms. The goal was to work with producers to get their babies off the ground. The company now has over 450 half hours of programming and...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing

Barry Koch is senior vice president and general manager of the Turner Kids and Youth Business in Latin America. In this capacity, he oversees programming, creative services, digital media, marketing, public relations, corporate responsibility, licensing and network operations for Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Tooncast in the region. Based in Atlanta,...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Tooncast Latin America; 30 Minutes with... Barry Koch, Cartoon Network Latin America

Hello. My name is Jeffrey Korchek and this is my bio.

I am currently Vice President of Licensing Acquisitions and Content Business Affairs at Mattel. In this job I am responsible for identifying and acquiring new licensed properties based on third party intellectual property for the purpose of making toys and...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Jeffrey Korchek, Mattel

David Levine is Vice President, Programming, Production and Strategic Development, Disney Channels EMEA, and General Manager, Disney Channels UK & Ireland.  In this role, he is responsible for all strategic and operational aspects of Programming across Disney Channels EMEA, including the development of the linear and multi-platform programming strategy.  In...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... David Levine, Disney Channels EMEA

Layla Lewis is Vice President of Content Acquisitions for Nickelodeon, a role she assumed in May 2013.  Lewis is responsible for negotiating, sourcing and managing content acquisitions for Nickelodeon channels globally.  She also supervises all content acquisition proposals and is integral in the greenlighting process of new Nickelodeon programming and...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 2

Mike Lowe is the President of A Parent Media Co. Inc. (“APMC”) and founder of Kidoodle.TV.  A media executive and father, Lowe founded APMC as a way to make the digital media world a safer place for kids. Through projects like the Kidoodle.TV SVOD service, Lowe and his team provide...show more

Featured in: The New Age of VOD

Ryan Lussing is a content creator and producer working on entertainment properties across multiple platforms including television (A&E, Discovery Channel, CBC, Network Ten, ABC Australia), mobile (iOS, Android) and emerging technologies (Google Glass, Oculus Rift).

Ryan co-created the internationally renowned animated children’s series Dex Hamilton: Alien Entomologist (CBC, Network Ten), served as...show more

Featured in: Hot Right Now

Pauline Macnamara is a Commissioning Executive in RTÉ’s Young People’s Programmes department, with responsibility for commissioning live-action programming from the independent sector and managing RTE’s animation slate. Before joining RTÉ, Pauline worked as a producer in the independent sector for over 15 years across entertainment, daytime and youth programming. She...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Sheila de Courcy, RTÉ Ireland

Chapman Maddox is the Director of Development for FremantleMedia’s Kids and Family Entertainment division, where he develops and oversees programming within the animation and live-action spaces. This includes such series as Grojband (Cartoon Network,Teletoon), Max Steel (Disney XD), Monsuno and Alien Dawn (Nickelodeon), and Strange Hill High and Wizards vs Aliens (BBC). He’s currently...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 1; Speed Pitching 2

Meg Marshall is a content acquisition and programming specialist for Denver based DISH Network. She received her B.A. from the University of Maryland and her J.D. from South Texas College of Law in Houston. Meg negotiates pay per view and video on demand licensing deals for DISH Network’s multiple distribution...show more

Featured in: 30 minutes With... Margaret Marshall, Sling TV

Rich has worked with leading marketing, branded consumer products, retail, and entertainment companies for over 20 years in various management positions with Unilever, Golden Books Family Entertainment and Big Tent Entertainment.  In 2002 Rich co-founded Big Tent as a boutique agency focused on the execution of marketing and licensing strategies for...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Rich Maryyanek, Big Tent Entertainment; The BIG Pitch!

Having grown up largely in the back of a VW van, Stacey’s intuitive understanding of how different people think and live was ingrained at an early age. A human developmental expert by training, Stacey’s specialty is in uncovering what motivates people to change, a skill that she has leveraged in...show more

Featured in: Content from a kid's-eye-view; Hot Research: Creating Essential Digital Media for Today’s Fast-Moving Kids

Helen McAleer joined Walker Books UK as MD in 2006 to focus on building Walker UK’s reputation as a forward looking company, geared towards acquisition and management of multiple rights, and to oversee development of the digital publishing strategy. Devising a multi-platform strategy to help deliver Walker IP to new...show more

Featured in: Girl Talk

Scot McFadyen is an award-winning director, producer and music supervisor, and the co-founder of Banger Films. Scot’s first feature documentary Metal: A Headbanger’s Journey, won a Gemini Award for Best Writing in a Documentary and was released theatrically and on DVD in over 40 countries. The success of Metal: A...show more

Featured in: Audience-Building: Then vs. Now

Tom McGillis is an Emmy® Award-winning executive producer, writer and series creator, specializing in children's and family entertainment. He is President and Co-Founder of Fresh TV, a world leader in creating television that powerfully connects to kid, tween and teen audiences around the world.

Along with creative...show more

Featured in: Can a Series be Everything to Everyone?; MENTOR CLASS - Killin' It: Writing for Tweens and Teens

“People say that a true mark of a brilliant person is the ability to make connections. If that’s true then Laurie is a Modern day Einstein.” Geraldine Laybourne

Laurie Meadoff has dedicated her life to envisioning a world without barriers and prejudices while striving to build bridges through tolerance and understanding....show more

Featured in: Left-Field Leaders

Michelle Melanson Cuperus is VP Production and Development for Radical Sheep Productions and Supervising Producer on the multi award-winning hit Stella and Sam and the Disney Junior Canada production Yub Yubs. She is currently Executive Producer on the new Disney XD/DHX production Fangbone and The Bagel Show for Teletoon.  Michelle...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

Christina Miller is president and general manager for the Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. networks Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, as well as their digital brand extensions, including Cartoon Network.com and Adult Swim.com. In this capacity, Miller is responsible for leading the business in North America and working closely with...show more

Featured in: Meet the President: Cartoon Network's Christina Miller

Karen K. Miller is Vice President, Worldwide Programming Strategy, Acquisitions and Co-Productions, Disney Channels Worldwide.

Miller is responsible for directing the development of overall scheduling strategies to ensure regional and local programming plans are consistent with global priorities. She also oversees the global acquisitions process, sourcing live action and animated series...show more

Featured in: Can a Series be Everything to Everyone?; Speed Pitching 1

Susanis an entrepreneur and producer of television, film, books, products and digital content for children.  She is the founding partner of three companies, Mixed Media Group, Bolder Media and Cupcake Digital, Inc., specializing in producing and licensing world-class media properties, lifestyle and corporate brands.    

In 2007, Susan was invited...show more

Featured in: Shopping Around: What's Driving Consumer Products Sales Now?

Jonathan Mirsky is Licensing Associate at Spin Master. He works closely with Spin Master’s Marketing, Entertainment and Sales teams to comprehensively evaluate all incoming licensing opportunities.  This involves scouring the world for exciting intellectual property to license on Spin Master’s toys, and managing key relationships with studios and creators of...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Jonathan Mirsky, Spin Master

Sarah Muller is currently Head of CBBC Acquisitions and Drama Development.  Passionate about both drama and animation, commissioned projects include Strange Hill High, World’s End, Harriet’s Army, Wolfblood, Dumping Ground, Tracy Beaker Returns, Dr Who – Dreamland, Muddle Earth and Just William.

Previously, she was Managing Director of Elephant Productions– a...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... BBC Children's; 30 Minutes With... Sarah Muller, CBBC; Can a Series be Everything to Everyone?; Speed Pitching 4; Talking Tech: Storytelling with a Digital Twist

Jeff Norton is a writer-producer and the founder of Awesome, a creative incubator. He is the author of the award wining, high-tech Metawars books (Hachette), a four-book young adult saga about the battle for control over the internet.  His new book is the middle-grade Memoirs of a Neurotic Zombie (Faber),...show more

Featured in: Turning the Page: Making the Leap From Book to Screen Effectively

Lisa O’Brien has considerable experience as a writer/producer and children’s television executive. She has overseen all day parts for YTV Canada, been a Creative Director at Fox Family Channel and Disney Channel, and currently serves as VP of Original Programming for Sprout.

While at Sprout she's helped oversee the original series Noodle...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 1

A graduate of animation college, Darragh O’Connell co-founded Brown Bag Films with Cathal Gaffney in 1994.  Darragh produced the short film Give Up Yer Aul Sins, which was nominated for an Oscar® at the 74th Academy Awards® in 2002. He subsequently directed the TV series which went on to become...show more

Featured in: Turning the Page: Making the Leap From Book to Screen Effectively

Dr. Lynn Oldershaw is a developmental psychologist, and has worked at the CBC for 14 years as an Executive in Charge of Production for preschool programming. She provides child development and research expertise, specifically as it informs CBC’s mandate and objectives for children’s programming, the development and production of children’s...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 2

Scot Osterweil is Creative Director of the Education Arcade and the Game Lab in the MIT Comparative Media Studies Program. He has designed award-winning games in both academic and commercial environments, focusing on what is authentically playful in challenging academic subjects. Designs include the acclaimed Zoombinis series (math and logic), Vanished: The MIT/Smithsonian...show more

Featured in: Shaping the next generation of content: Talking preschool series development with Amazon Kids

Cecilia Persson is Vice President of Acquisitions & Co-Productions for all Turner Broadcasting’s kids’ channels across EMEA and International, including Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito and Boing. 

In this role, Persson oversees and negotiates shared acquisitions for Turner Broadcasting’s international kids business, working closely with the local heads of programming and acquisitions...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Cecilia Persson, Turner Broadcasting EMEA

As Director of Content, Jamie oversees content development, acquisitions and production for YTV, Treehouse and Nickelodeon (Canada). Jamie has played an integral role in the creation, development and production of a variety of programs including: Mike the Knight, Zoink’d, Babar and the Adventures of Badou, and My Friend Rabbit. She recently...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Corus Kids; Speed Pitching 1; 30 Minutes with... Jamie Piekarz, Corus Kids (YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon Canada)

Adina Pitt is vice president, content acquisitions and co-productions for Cartoon Network and Boomerang,  In this capacity, Pitt is responsible for identifying, negotiating and acquiring pre-produced series, specials, movies and short-form product that fit the Cartoon Network and Boomerang brands for exposure on all platforms.  She continues to oversee those...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Adina Pitt, Cartoon Network US; Audience-Building: Then vs. Now

Michael Polis is a senior level strategist and producer specializing in brands and intellectual property. With his proven expertise in marketing, licensing and product development and an ability to work in all media, he has successfully developed, managed and produced content for some of the world’s most celebrated brands. In...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Michael Polis, Atomic Toybox Entertainment

Susanna Pollack has been creating successful content partnerships for traditional and new media companies for over 15 years.  With her passion for storytelling across platforms, Susanna has been a leader in driving business development, production financing, IP ideation and brand management for companies around the world.

Susanna...show more

Featured in: The Multiplatform Playground

Gary trained as an English teacher and led a London school department before leaving the profession to join a change management agency as a facilitator and learning designer, working with Eriksson, Thomson, Reuters, BA, Diageo and Disney.

It was while with Disney in 1999 that Gary realized the opportunity to create...show more

Featured in: VOD: The Shape of Things to Come; Pink, Blue or Beige? How Digital is Shaping Gender Preferences

Julia joined Walker Books in 2010 as Marketing, Brand and Licensing Director, responsible for all Walker Books UK marketing, brand and licensing strategy for authors and brands, including Anthony Horowitz, Where’s Wally, Cassandra Clare and Guess How Much I Love You. In her current role she is responsible for building...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Julia Posen, Walker Books

Sergi Reitg holds a Graduate Degree in Economics and a Postgraduate Degree in Financial Management and Business Administration. He entered the world of animation 18 years ago. After having founded his own financial consultancy and led the international expansion of a pharmaceutical company, he entered the animation sector through Cromosoma,...show more

Featured in: Talking Tech: Storytelling with a Digital Twist

A senior executive with an eye for talent and proven experience bringing original ideas to the screen, Liliana Vogt is the most recent addition to Portfolio Entertainment’s award-winning production and development team. As the new Senior Vice President, Content, Liliana oversees all of facets of content development for broadcast and...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4

Peter Robinson is head of research at kids entertainment consultancy, Dubit. With over a decade's experience in consulting for brands and IPs, Peter has witnessed the shift in how children consume and engage with their favourite characters and stories. Peter and his team are seeing an increasing demand from brand...show more

Featured in: Can They Build It? A Case Study of the New Bob the Builder

Adrian has over 26 years experience in the Toy and Baby business, starting his career in the UK as Marketing Director of Kiddicraft Preschool Toys.  He then set up European Operations for The First Years (now part of Tomy).  He moved to the USA in 1994 as VP of Marketing. ...show more

Featured in: Winning Strategies For Doing Business In China

Laura Rodriguez-Costacamps is the Project Manager & Curriculum Designer at the New York Hall of Science's SciPlay Division where she works on projects and programs that leverage kids’ play and playful activities to teach and learn science. Laura received her B.A. in Physics from Florida International University and was a...show more

Featured in: Hot Right Now

Jake Roper is the host/producer of the YouTube channel Vsauce3 where he explores the science behind fictional worlds: comics, movies, and video games.

When not making videos, Jake can be found sailing off the coast of Majorca on his sailboat crafted entirely out of the bodies of...show more

Featured in: Best of the Web

Michael Ross serves as General Manager of the Family division at Maker, overseeing programming across an array of verticals including cartoons, live-action, kids, science, education, pets, fantasy and more. Maker is the global leader short-form video bringing together a diverse community of YouTube creators and global franchises as part of...show more

Featured in: Hunting for YouTube Talent; Close-up with the Maker of Maker: Michael Ross

Orion Ross joined Disney in 2008, and is currently Vice President, Content – Animation & Digital for Disney Channels Europe, Middle East & Africa.  Based in London, he is responsible for the creative development and production of original animated series for Disney Channel and Disney XD, as well as original...show more

Featured in: The BIG Pitch!; Speed Pitching 1

Julia Rousakis has a decade of experience developing projects that bring together nature, history, science, and fun. She has consulted on diverse environments for play and learning including Eco.Experience at the Carnegie Science Center, Discover Liberty! at the Statue of Liberty, and PlayLab—a project to foster everyday science learning through...show more

Featured in: The Multiplatform Playground

on Rutherford oversees the operation of Tricon’s international distribution company, including all worldwide sales and acquisitions.  In addition to growing its catalogue to over 2,000 hours of high quality content in genres such as scripted drama & comedy, factual & lifestyle, documentary, and kids & family, he leads strategic development...show more

Featured in: Tackling Factual: A Guide for Creatives and Animation Producers

Mercy Salaz is a Principal with Strategos and has over twenty years of experience challenging companies to build innovative growth strategies by assessing core capabilities, energizing employee creativity and defining clear action plans. Mercy has been associated with Strategos since 2006, first as a client and then as a consultant.

Mercy’s...show more

Featured in: MASTER CLASS - Promoting Innovation: A Guide to Empowering Creative Teams

Frank Saperstein oversees all aspects of development, production, programming, digital and licensing opportunities in Tricon’s Kids & Family business, leveraging the company's extensive development, production and distribution expertise, while expanding the division’s strategic partnerships with creators, co-producers, broadcasters and ancillary revenue opportunities.

Frank’s experience as an Annecy Award Winning and Primetime Emmy Nominated Executive Producer,...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4

Sander Schwartz is an independent producer of animated and live-action kids’ content for traditional and new media. He also currently provides advisory and consultancy services to a variety of clients in children’s media, including television, film, gaming, mobile apps, social and other digital media. From 2009 through 2013, he was...show more

Featured in: Talking Tech: Storytelling with a Digital Twist

Claudia Balzer Scott-Hansen is an accomplished media professional with 19 years’ experience in both transmedia platform distribution and global franchise development into key markets as varied as USA, Brazil, Mexico, Germany and Italy.

Claudia is currently Group Director, Broadcast, Americas at HIT Entertainment (owned by Mattel since...show more

Featured in: Can They Build It? A Case Study of the New Bob the Builder

Fred Seibert is the founder of Frederator Networks, co-founder of Thirty Labs, and a serial media entrepreneur.

He was the first creative director of MTV and the last president of Hanna-Barbera Cartoons. Fred was the founder of Next New Networks (acquired by YouTube). He’s on the board of directors of Sawhorse...show more

Featured in: Hunting for YouTube Talent

Josh Selig is the Founder and President of Little Airplane Productions. He is the Creator and Executive producer of The Wonder Pets! (Nick Jr.), Oobi! (Noggin), 3rd & Bird! (CCTV/DisneyUS/CBeebies) and Small Potatoes (CBeebies/Disney Junior). Josh is also the writer/director of the film Meet The Small Potatoes starring Malcolm McDowell...show more

Featured in: Winning Strategies For Doing Business In China

Derek Sentner has spent over 15 years growing and building revenue across leading media publishing companies and brands including Billboard, IDG, and Ziff Davis. His experience with traditional publishers and new media start ups has lead to a deep level of expertise across all aspects of media. During his career,...show more

Featured in: The New Age of VOD

Migdalis Silva is the Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions for Nickelodeon Latin America.

In this role, Silva is responsible for overseeing the strategic positioning of all on-air content for the network and identifying new promotional opportunities, programming formats and acquisitions for the network’s four brands in the region, Nickelodeon, Nick...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Migdalis Silva, Nickelodeon Latin America

Jay Silver lives in Florida and is Founder/CEO of JoyLabz/MakeyMakey. Before that, he was a PhD student at MIT Media Lab where he won a Lemelson-MIT Award for Invention and Innovation. He was Intel's first ever Maker Research Scientist. Time named one of his inventions "Top 15 Toys for...show more

Featured in: New Tech That Will Blow Your Mind!

As Vice President of Children’s Programming at PBS, Linda Simensky collaborates with producers, co-production partners, PBS station programmers, and distributors throughout the development, production, post-production, and broadcast phases for PBS KIDS programming. Since joining PBS in 2003, Linda has worked with renowned producers to develop hit shows such as Curious...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... PBS KIDS; 30 Minutes with... Linda Simensky, PBS KIDS

Pierre Siracusa joined the French public broadcaster in 1993, starting in the fiction department of France 2 before being promoted to Deputy Programming Advisor in the same department. In 1996, he shifted to the children and youth department as Programming Advisor, and then joined France 3 in 1998.

In October 2008,...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4

Dave creates broadcast and digital content with an eye towards characters and licensing. He’s helping take the hit Chinese series Two Two’s Big Dream to a global audience as the series’ new head writer. Dave is co-author of the preschool e-book Is That A Fairy? with Vancouver’s Storypanda, and creator and producer of a new pilot...show more

Featured in: The BIG Pitch!

Fonda Snyder joined Rainmaker to oversee creative development, acquisitions, co-productions and production service opportunities for Rainmaker Entertainment, and its television division, Mainframe Entertainment. Recognized industry-wide for her achievements in children's entertainment, Fonda brings to the company her extensive knowledge of development, production and marketing.

Most recently, Fonda has served as Creative...show more

Featured in: Ink Slingers: Targeting the best writing talent

Tara Sorensen is Head of Kids Programming for Amazon Studios overseeing development and production of original kids programming. Sorensen joined Amazon from National Geographic, where she was VP, Kids Programming for the Emmy Award winning Toot & Puddle for Nick Jr. and Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies for PBS. Prior to that, Sorensen was VP, Kids...show more

Featured in: Shaping the next generation of content: Talking preschool series development with Amazon Kids; 30 Minutes with... Tara Sorensen, Amazon Studios; The New Age of VOD

From May 1996 to September 1999, Géraldine Soto was Acquisitions and Programming Coordinator for Disney Channel France, joining the team a year before the network’s broadcast launch (March 1997).

In September 1999, she joined TPS as Programming Manager for “TéléTOON” (the kids’ channel for 6-10 y.o.) and launched the edutaining channel...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4

Carol Spieckerman is an internationally-recognized authority on retail and brand positioning. She specializes in future-proofing her clients’ retail strategies and helping them position for high-volume success with diverse retail decision-makers and influencers.  As president and CEO of newmarketbuilders, she tracks Retail Trajectories that cut across categories, tiers, environments and borders...show more

Featured in: MASTER CLASS - Direct to Retail: Perfecting your Retail Pitch; Shopping Around: What's Driving Consumer Products Sales Now?

Julie Stall has been in the forefront of producing quality children’s television for over 25 years.  As VP Production for Portfolio Entertainment, Julie helms the Canadian production of the company’s prestigious animated series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That! featuring Dr. Seuss’ world-renowned lovable Cat.  This...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing

In her role as Executive Vice President of Children’s Entertainment for The Jim Henson Company, Halle Stanford leads the Company’s development and production of all preschool and children’s programming for television, home entertainment and digital media in animated and live-action formats.  An eight-time Emmy-nominated children’s television producer,...show more

Featured in: Talking Tech: Storytelling with a Digital Twist

Beth Stevenson, Founder and President of Brain Power Studio, is an Executive Producer specializing in Children’s and Family entertainment. Brain Power Studio produces and distributes both live action, animation and interactive content. Beth has served as Producer and Executive Producer on over 35 series and 4 movies. Many of which...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

Alison Stewart has worked in the field of children's media production for most of her career, first at the BBC and later as a freelance consultant, producer, director and scriptwriter. She returned to the BBC in 2007 and in her current role she leads a team that creates, develops and...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; 30 Minutes with... Alison Stewart, CBeebies

Rita Street is the president of Radar Cartoons, a producer’s representation firm specializing in the development and sales of original animated content. For clients, Radar has placed numerous series into development and production with major global networks. Rita’s recent executive producer credits include: Hero: 108 on Cartoon Network for client...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

Michelle Sullivan leads National Geographic’s kids and family digital initiatives including the Webby award-winning website http://www.kids.nationalgeographic.com and NG Kids TV, its multi-platform, digital video channel. She is a dynamic and creative content and product strategist with an ability to “think like a 10-year-old.” Michelle is an energetic and innovative executive...show more

Featured in: Tackling Factual: A Guide for Creatives and Animation Producers

Featured in: Speed Pitching 2

Greg Trefry has designed everything from giant dodgeball battles to hit casual video games. He co-founded the game studio Gigantic Mechanic to explore new ways to bring fun and engaging experiences to the world around us through real-world, physical and social play.  He serves as director of the Come Out...show more

Featured in: The Multiplatform Playground

Phil has extensive experience in global research; managing Insight Kids projects across four continents. A born globe-trotter, Phil started his career doing travel research for the tourism boards Visit London and Visit Britain. He honed his qualitative and quantitative expertise by managing projects everywhere from Brazil to Budapest, and across...show more

A four time Emmy nominee, Tom has worked on award winning projects such as Lizzie McGuire, PAZ and Hamilton Mattress. Since joining CAKE in 2006 he has been responsible for scouting, development and the executive production of all content at CAKE. This has lead to CAKE being involved in many...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing

David Voss is Senior Vice President of Mattel’s Playground Productions.

For the last twenty years he has been immersed in the play and entertainment business. 

Working in every aspect of kids entertainment, David has managed many of the industry's most recognized and beloved brands, including Hot Wheels, GI Joe, Batman, Cars, Toy...show more

Featured in: The Multiplatform Playground

Janine Weigold joined SUPER RTL in November 2014 as Head of Children’s Content. In this function, she is responsible for the development, co-production and acquisition of new series and magazines for the target audience 3-13 years, boys and girls equally.  

Prior to SUPER RTL, Janine worked 9 years for Nickelodeon,...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Frank Dietz, Super RTL

Currently Dr. Alice is the educational advisor responsible for developing the Amazon Originals curriculum for kids and is helping implement Amazon's unique educational point of view into the development of new series. She also serves as the Chief Content Officer for Speakaboos, a kid-centric, cross-publisher literacy platform and is the Co-Creator and Executive...show more

Featured in: Shaping the next generation of content: Talking preschool series development with Amazon Kids

Kim Wilson is the Creative Head of Children’s Content for CBC Television.

Ms. Wilson has dedicated her life to children’s programming beginning with a degree in Radio and Television Arts from Ryerson University in Toronto, coupled with her long standing passion and commitment to public broadcasting, including many roles at TVOntario...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Kids' CBC; 30 Minutes with... Kim Wilson, Kids' CBC; KEYNOTE: Tech, Content and the Next Generation: A one-on-one with Randi Zuckerberg

Marion Winter joined Super RTL in April 2011 as Senior Manager of Acquisitions and Co-Productions. Previously, she held numerous positions within the Program Acquisitions and Sales department of parent network RTL Television, and worked as Manager of Content Sourcing for RTL Interactive’s online, mobile and VOD platforms.

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4

At Amazon Studios, Melissa Wolfe manages a robust slate of animated projects from development through series. She got her start as an executive at Frederator Studios where she helped to develop 39 animated shorts for Nickelodeon's Random! Cartoons and produced over 100 episodes of the Channel Frederator podcast. She has also...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 1

As a Production Executive in Original Programming, Leah Wolfson is responsible for overseeing the creative development and production of the original programming slate for Corus Entertainment’s YTV and Treehouse networks. Working in partnership with producers, Leah has contributed to the success of several popular and award-winning YTV and Treehouse series, including Undercover...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 2

Brenda Wooding has over 20 years of experience in program development, financing, co-production, and international distribution.  She specializes in helping creators find financing and distribution for their intellectual property- broadcast and ancillary rights.  With an extensive network of contacts- from domestic and international buyers to producing partners around the world-...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing

Randi Zuckerberg believes in being a three-dimensional woman of many titles. After all, life is too short to pick just one!

She is the Founder & CEO of Zuckerberg Media, a boutique-marketing firm and production company, working with high profile organizations and Fortune 500 companies such as The Clinton Global Initiative,...show more

Featured in: KEYNOTE: Tech, Content and the Next Generation: A one-on-one with Randi Zuckerberg