Agenda - Kidscreen Summit 2016

Agenda

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Sunday, February 7

4:00pm

Early Registration (4:00 PM- 8:00PM)

Registration Desk, Bayfront, Sevilla, Brickell, Merrick, Palm/Star Isle, Flagler, Gusman, Tuttle, Dupont

4:30pm

Venue Tour (4:30pm - 5:00pm)

Registration Desk

Get a feel for the 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.

Monday, February 8

8:00am
8:30am

Venue Tour (8:30am - 9:00am)

Registration Desk

Get a feel for the 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:

Andrew Beecham

Consultant

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Alan Gregg

VP, Development

Snarfus Media

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Larry Schwarz

President

Larry Schwarz and His Band

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Dave Skwarczek

Writer and Producer

Eat Your Lunch

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Beth Stevenson

CEO & President

Brain Power Studio Inc

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Rita Street

President

Radar Cartoons

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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:

Justine Bannister

Founder & Creative Facilitator

Just B

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Tatiana Kober

President

Bejuba! Entertainment

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Eric S. Rollman

CEO

Rollman Entertainment

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Suzanne Ryan

CEO

SLR Productions

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Brenda Wooding

Owner

Kid Glove

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10:00am

Then, Now & Next: Pixar Storytelling (10:00am - 10:45am)

Bayfront

From its first movie, Toy Story, to this year’s Inside Out and The Good Dinosaur, storytelling needs have always driven the development of Pixar's technology. Sharing film clips and anecdotes from the groundbreaking animation studio's creative process, Head of Creative Development Mary Coleman will illuminate this relationship between narrative and technological tools.

Featuring:

Mary Coleman

Head of Creative Development

Pixar Animation Studios

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10:45am

BREAK (10:45am - 11:00am)

11:00am

Then, Now & Next: Fred Seibert, digital media innovator (11:00am - 11:45am)

Bayfront

Not only did he pioneer 1990s animated shorts incubator What a Cartoon at Hanna-Barbera—a model since replicated by content commissioners the world over—Fred Seibert has had an uncanny knack for making the right bets in digital media. He was the first investor in Tumblr, founder of Next New Networks (later acquired by Google), and founder of MCN animation giant Channel Frederator and Thirty Labs, a new tech studio focused on innovating video products for the next generation of media. At the forefront of changes in the kids entertainment business over the past 20 years, Seibert has seen it all, and he's going to share his thoughts on the past, present and future of the business.

Featuring:

Fred Seibert

CEO

Frederator Networks

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Moderating:

Jesse Cleverly

Creative Director

Wildseed Studios

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Looking Back, Looking Forward: Platforms and Practices (11:00am - 11:45am)

Sevilla

In December 2010, when Facebook mapped its users’ connections, they discovered a whole new world of communication and sharing—digital media had erased distance, borders and geographical barriers. As Kidscreen turns 20, Dubit looks at platform progression since 1996, to understand how it has changed practices in launching and distributing successful brands. And because past is prologue, we’ll also project how children and youth will discover, adopt, engage with and share media in the decade to come.

Featuring:

David Kleeman

SVP, Global Trends

Dubit

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Peter Robinson

Founder

Dubit

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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:

Laurence Blaevoet

Head of Children's Programs and Channels

Canal+

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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 DeBenedittis

EVP Programming & Content Strategy Acquisitions &Co Productions

Disney ABC Television Group

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11:45am

BREAK (11:45am - 12:00pm)

12:00pm

Then, Now & Next: Richard Barry, Global Chief Merchandising Officer, Toys“R”Us, Inc. (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Bayfront

Richard Barry has seen a lot of changes in children’s entertainment merchandising and the retail business during his three decades at Toys“R”Us, Inc., where he started as a part-timer in the UK and rose to his current post as EVP and Global Chief Merchandising Officer of Toys“R”Us, Inc. In this discussion with LIMA SVP Marty Brochstein, Richard will talk about the transformation of retailing and licensing he’s witnessed over the past 20 years, give his perspective on the state of the business today and offer his thoughts on what may lie ahead for the kids consumer products market.

Featuring:

Richard Barry

Founder and Principal

Toys"R"US, Inc.

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Moderating:

Marty Brochstein

SVP, Industry Relations and Information

LIMA International Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association

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Unlocking the Beginner's Mind (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Sevilla

The rules of kids TV are being rewritten on a daily basis by an explosion of new platforms, genres, formats and voices. Those who’ve spent their careers honing their instincts about what works and what doesn’t are going to be wrong a whole lot more often now. This shouldn’t be seen as a setback—in fact, it’s a gift. We get to be beginners again. We don’t have to know the answers right away, but do have to look at every creative problem through fresh eyes. And we get to go back to the humbling but exhilarating feeling of riding a vertical learning curve. Join veteran producer Evan Baily for a look at what we thought we knew but didn’t, what we’re kinda sorta starting to know, and how to enjoy the beginner’s journey from end to end.

Featuring:

Evan Baily

President

Consolidated Baily

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30 Minutes with... Maud Branly, Lagardère Active (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:

Maud Branly

Director, Children's Acquisitions & International TV Channels Programming

Lagardère Active

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30 Minutes with... Carole Bonneau & Athena Georgaklis, Teletoon (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 Bonneau

VP, Content Acquisition & French Language Programming, Télétoon & La Chaîne Disney

Corus Media

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Athena Georgaklis

Executive Producer, Creative & Business Strategy

Corus Entertainment

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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 Debertin

Head of International Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

KiKA

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12:45pm

LUNCH (served in Biscayne Ballroom & Chopin Ballroom) (12:45pm - 2:00pm)

Lunching with... Lori Burke, Penguin Young Readers Group (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:

Lori Burke

Executive Director of Licensing Acquisitions & Media

Penguin Young Readers Group

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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:

Bill Graham

President

Jazwares

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Lunching with... Helen Howells, HoHo 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:

Helen Howells

Joint Managing Director

Hoho Entertainment

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Lunching with... Rich Maryyanek, Big Tent 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:

Rich Maryyanek

Partner and Chief Marketing Officer

Big Tent Entertainment

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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 Posen

EVP and Commercial Director, Group Rights & Development

Walker Books and Walker Productions

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Lunching with... Jennifer Bennett, 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:

Jennifer Bennett

VP, Global Licensing

Mattel

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2:00pm

Then, Now & Next: Gerry Laybourne, media maven (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Bayfront

Geraldine Laybourne’s impact on cable programming is legendary. A true pioneer, she led the team that created Nickelodeon and Nick at Nite and served as President of Disney/ABC Cable Networks. She then went on to found Oxygen Media, where she served as Chairman and CEO until she sold it to NBC Universal in 2007. Geraldine is currently the Chairman and Co-Founder of kids technology company Kandu, and also serves on the board of directors of 9 Story Media Group. Join PBS KIDS VP of Children’s Programming Linda Simensky as she chats with Geraldine about what has changed in the business of kids entertainment, what has remained constant, and what to consider as we head into uncharted media territory.

Featuring:

Geraldine Laybourne

Media Entrepeneur

Kandu

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Moderating:

Linda Simensky

Head of Animation & Scripted Content

PBS KIDS

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How To Train Your Creator (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Sevilla

There’s sometimes a tension in the kids industry between singular vision and creative collaboration. So how can you get the best out of an individual creator in a medium that requires collaboration? And how can the larger team, including L&M, publishing and other iterations of a core idea, best harness the talents of the creator for a stellar execution of his/her idea? This panel will uncover real-world examples of both success and failure to demonstrate how producers in any media can motivate, incentivize and support the people who create culture for kids 

Featuring:

Alexander Bar

Founder & Executive Producer

TinyWorld

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Jeff Norton

Executive Producer

AWESOME MEDIA

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Scott Stewart

Show Creator

Team Stewart Entertainment

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Julie Stewart

Showrunner, Executive Producer, Story Editor

Team Stewart Entertainment

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Moderating:

Christopher Skala

VP, Original Content

TaDaKids, Ltd.

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30 Minutes with... Michael Goldsmith & Sarah Haasz, DHX Television (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:

Michael Goldsmith

Head of Kids and Family

DHX Television

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Sarah Haasz

Producer

DHX Television

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30 Minutes with... Luca Milano, RAI Fiction (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:

Luca Milano

Executive Director

Rai Fiction

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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:

Jules Borkent

EVP Kids & Family

Viacom International Media Networks

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2:45pm

BREAK (2:45pm - 3:00pm)

3:00pm

Then, Now & Next: Steven DeNure & Neil Court, studio builders (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Bayfront

In 1997, Steven DeNure, Neil Court and John Delmage founded Decode Entertainment, which would merge with Halifax Film in 2006 to become DHX Media—now one of the largest players in children’s entertainment. More recently, Neil has gone on to lead an expansion of Canadian animation powerhouse 9 Story Media Group. Needless to say, Steven and Neil’s perspective on how the kids content production and distribution business has grown and changed, and where it’s headed is grounded in their significant experience. The conversation that will unfold during this panel is a must-hear for anyone active in the kids business. 

Featuring:

Neil Court

Executive Chairman

9 Story Media Group

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Steven DeNure

Media Executive & Entrepreneur

DHX Media

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Moderating:

Ken Faier

CEO & El Presidente

DHX Media

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Showrunning 101 (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Sevilla

What exactly is a showrunner, and how does one ensure the creative integrity of a project from start to finish? This panel of successful showrunners will share their individual approaches to keeping a production creatively on the rails—often against all odds. It will also explore how showrunning differs between animated and live-action productions, unpack some of the challenges commonly faced, and touch on how to maintain a solid creative vision as it travels from script to screen.

Featuring:

Peter Hastings

Writer, Producer & Director

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Holly Huckins

Executive Producer & Content Creator

Sherriff Callie’s Wild West

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Tom Lynch

CEO

Tom Lynch Company

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Nadine van der Velde

Owner & Producer

PopSkull

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Moderating:

Julie Stall

Partner & Executive Producer

Portfolio Entertainment

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3:45pm

BREAK (3:45pm - 4:00pm)

4:00pm

20 Years: 20 Lessons Learned (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

Bayfront

This panel of execs who grew up in the kids business will take a look back to 1996 and touch on some of the things they thought were going to happen, what actually happened, how they learned from it, and how those learnings continue to drive how they face the uncertain future of the biz in 2016. Specifically, they will focus on what has driven change, what’s driving it now, and how they make decisions on strategy and execution to propel success. They’ll also share more than a few laughs as they contemplate their biggest triumphs, mistakes and trends they might just revisit. 

Featuring:

Julien Borde

President

France Télévisions

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Edward Galton

CEO

Cake Entertainment

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David Levine

Vice President, Kids Programming, Europe & Africa/UK & Ireland

Disney Channels EMEA

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Helen McAleer

IP, Publishing & Production Consultant

Walker Books and Walker Productions

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Moderating:

Ken Faier

CEO & El Presidente

DHX Media

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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:

Jamie Piekarz

Content Producer/Creative Consultant

Corus Entertainment

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Cocktails with... France Télévisions (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

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:

Tiphaine de Raguenel

Director of Editorial Strategy

France Télévisions

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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:

Cecilia Persson

Managing Director, BBC Studios Kids & Family

Turner Broadcasting System EMEA Limited

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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 Courcy

RTE Group Head of Childrens and Controller Rtéjr

RTÉ Ireland

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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:

Alice Webb

Director

BBC Children's

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5:00pm

Kidscreen's Kick-Off Cocktail (Join us on the Pool Terrace) (5:00pm - 6:30pm)

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 9

8:00am
9:15am

If She Can See It, She Can Be It (9:15am - 10:00am)

Bayfront

Recognized for her tireless advocacy of women and girls nearly as much as for her acting accomplishments, Oscar-winning actor Geena Davis has made it a life- long mission to bring gender equality into children’s media. And in this keynote address, Davis will detail her work at the forefront of changing female portrayals and gender stereotypes within the entertainment industry to dramatically alter how girls and women are reflected in media targeting children ages 11 and under. 

Featuring:

Geena Davis

Founder & Chair

Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media & The Bentonville Film Festival

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10:00am

BREAK (10:00am - 10:15am)

10:15am

Getting to know Generation Disruption (10:15am - 11:00am)

Bayfront

How disruptive is the next generation of kids going to be? Let’s ask them. Vivienne Harr is the 12-year-old Chief Inspiration officer at STAND, a social platform where people can connect with others around the causes they care about. She has spoken at Google, Twitter, Square, Linkedin, Paypal, Disney, Mashable, The United Nations and LEAD 2015 with President Bill Clinton. At the age of nine, Vivienne became the youngest person ever to give a TED talk. Dylan Collins (the ever-understated CEO of digital kids marketing platform SuperAwesome) will host a fireside chat with Vivienne to discuss her what trends she and her peers are seeing, as well as the story behind STAND and its future plans.

Featuring:

Vivienne Harr

Chief Inspiration Officer

STAND

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Moderating:

Dylan Collins

CEO

Superawesome

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10:30am

30 Minutes with... Tiphaine De Raguenel, France Télévisions (10:30am - 11:00am)

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:

Tiphaine de Raguenel

Director of Editorial Strategy

France Télévisions

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30 Minutes with... Lucy Murphy, Sky (10:30am - 11:00am)

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:

Lucy Murphy

Director, Kids Content, UK & ROI

Sky

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30 Minutes with... Nina Hahn, Nickelodeon (10:30am - 11:00am)

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:

Nina Hahn

Founder

Nickelodeon UK

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11:00am

BREAK (11:00am - 11:30am)

11:30am

Meet Mattel's New Chief Content Officer (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Bayfront

She's now responsible for leading integrated content creation and distribution strategy at Mattel, one of the largest and most influential kids entertainment companies in the world. But how did Catherine Balsam-Schwaber get there? What influences have determined the way she approaches content, creativity and innovation? And how does she plan to shape Mattel's content strategy moving forward? 

Featuring:

Catherine Balsam-Schwaber

GM, Craftsy

Mattel Entertainment

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Moderating:

Lana Castleman

Director, Marketing & Communications

Kidscreen

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The View From Over the Top (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Sevilla

The video landscape is evolving rapidly towards new offerings and experiences. And these developments are already having a big impact on the kids programming and video distribution market. Christopher Vollmer, Partner with PwC’s Strategy&, will share his perspective—supported by PwC’s proprietary research on user behavior, as well as data from PwC’s Global Media and Entertainment Outlook—on how the growth of OTT video streaming services will likely impact where value gets created and captured in the kids video market.

Featuring:

Christopher Vollmer

Global Advisory Leader Entertainment & Media

PWC Strategy&

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State of the Nation for Kids Apps (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Brickell

The April 2010 launch of the iPad heralded a new era for kids content producers. Six years later, with countless titles produced, the children's app marketplace is dynamic, exciting, tumultuous and ever-changing. Leaders from award-winning app developers and publishers will assess the current opportunities, pitfalls, business models and how to survive and thrive in what is arguably the fastest-moving segment of the kids entertainment business.  

Featuring:

Azadeh Jamalian

Co-Founder & Chief Learning Officer

Tiggly

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Jason Milligan

Creative Executive Producer

Toca Boca

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Kimi Navai

Head of Content - PlayKids

Movile

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Paul Nunn

GM of Epic Games

SuperAwesome

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Suzanne Xie

CEO

hullabalu

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Moderating:

Phyl Georgiou

Founder/CEO

Tiggly

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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:

Tara Sorensen

Head of Children's Programming

Amazon Studios

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30 Minutes with... Frank Dietz & Janine Weigold, 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:

Frank Dietz

Head of Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL

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Janine Weigold

Manager, Original Animation, EMEA

Super RTL

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30 Minutes with... Angela Lin, YouTube (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:

Angela Lin

Head of Family & Learning, YouTube North America

YouTube - North America

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12:30pm

LUNCH (served in Biscayne Ballroom & Chopin Ballroom) (12:30pm - 2:00pm)

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:

Jonathan Mirsky

Director Licensing

Spin Master Inc.

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Lunching with... Francesco Sedita, Penguin Young Readers Group (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:

Francesco Sedita

President & Publisher

Penguin Young Readers Group

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Lunching with... Hollie Holmes, Mattel (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:

Hollie Holmes

VP, Global Licensing

Mattel

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Lunching with... Michael Rinzler, Wicked Cool Toys (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:

Michael Rinzler

Owner

Wicked Cool Toys

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2:00pm

Around the World with YouTube (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Bayfront

It's the inspiration of content creators and the imagination of kids that make the world go round in the family entertainment content space. Spend time taking a trip around the globe with the YouTube Kids and Learning team to find out what is resonating with and inspiring the global kids audience. Find out how creators are inspiring their audience with engaging and enriching digital content. And learn what’s next for YouTube Kids as it approaches its first birthday.

Featuring:

Grégory Dray

Co-Founder

YouTube - EMEA

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Malik Ducard

Chief Creative Officer

YouTube - Global

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Angela Lin

Head of Family & Learning, YouTube North America

YouTube - North America

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Antoine Torres

Head of Family - LATAM

YouTube - LatAm

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Nadine Zylstra

Global Head, Programming & Originals

YouTube - Originals

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The Future of Storymaking? (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Sevilla

Fresh off a stint at noted start-up incubator Disney Accelerator, FEMinc co-founders Rachel Payne and Dr. Meghana Bhatt will dig deep into their proprietary data and expertise in neuroscience and psychology to help attendees understand how and why content resonates, and the unconscious decisions that often go into its development.

Featuring:

Meghana Bhahtt

Co-Founder & VP, Chief Data Scientist

FEMinc

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Rachel Payne

Co-Founder & CEO

FEMinc

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30 Minutes with... Martin Markle, Kids CBC (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:

Martin Markle

Senior Director, Children's Content

Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

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30 Minutes with... Harry Yoon, SK Broadband (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:

Harry Yoon

Vice President

SK Broadband

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30 Minutes with... Caroline Fraser, HMH (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:

Caroline Fraser

Head of HarperCollins Productions

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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3:00pm

BREAK (3:00pm - 3:15pm)

3:15pm

Producing Bite-Sized Content for the On-Demand Generation (3:15pm - 4:00pm)

Sevilla

When it comes to creating compelling digital kids content, it’s no longer a question of whether they’re watching online, but rather what they’re watching. Head of DreamWorksTV Birk Rawlings will share insights about consumption behavior gleaned from the highly successful DreamWorksTV YouTube channel. Why does bite-sized content and kid-ified versions of popular YouTube formats generate views, keep parents happy, and most importantly, keep kids coming back for more?  

Featuring:

Birk Rawlings

Head of Dreamworkstv

DreamWorksTV

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Moderating:

David Michel

Co-Founder & President

Cottonwood Media

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4:00pm

BREAK (4:00pm - 4:15pm)

4:15pm

Real Linear and Digital Convergence—the Holy Grail of Content Creation (4:15pm - 5:00pm)

Sevilla

How do you harness the brilliance, stickiness and brand loyalty of an open-ended play platform in a narrative format? What is the secret sauce involved in translating short-form series development with embedded digital hooks into long-form content and a digital destination that goes beyond a few HTML games? What do you need to know about working with successful game developers on story development? This panel of multiplatform experts will answer these questions and map out successful convergence strategies for kids content creators of all stripes.

Featuring:

Claire Curley

Head of Kids & Animation

Nickelodeon

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Jason Milligan

Creative Executive Producer

Toca Boca

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Dave Schlafman

Director of Design Interactive Experiences

Jibo

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Jocelyn Stevenson

Founder

It's About Water

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Moderating:

Karen Fowler

VP, Development & Production

Karen Fowler

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The Growing Market for Games That Engage, Educate and Empower (4:15pm - 5:00pm)

Brickell

Many parents struggle with the time their kids spend playing video games, especially as they become old enough to make their own entertainment choices in this space. Developing games that tweens choose to play, and that parents are excited to have them play, is a great business opportunity with revenue streams that can cross multiple channels. Noted game designer Alan Gershenfeld will explore the challenges and opportunities for developing commercially successful, empowering games by tapping into his own successes with Gamestar Mechanic, Never Alone and MinecraftEdu.

Featuring:

Alan Gershenfeld

President & Co-Founder

E-Line Media

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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 Debertin

Head of International Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

KiKA

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Cocktails with... Canal+ (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:

Laurence Blaevoet

Head of Children's Programs and Channels

Canal+

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Cocktails with... Disney EMEA (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:

David Levine

Vice President, Kids Programming, Europe & Africa/UK & Ireland

Disney Channels EMEA

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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:

Michael Goldsmith

Head of Kids and Family

DHX Television

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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:

Linda Simensky

Head of Animation & Scripted Content

PBS KIDS

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5:15pm

Kidscreen Awards Ceremony and After-Party (5:15pm - 7:30pm)

Bayfront

Join us as we celebrate Kidscreen's Hot50 and the year’s best kids programming, broadcasting and digital media efforts at our annual Kidscreen Awards Ceremony, hosted by Allana Harkin, aka Dino Dan's Mom, and writer and actor who's appeared in numerous programs that have aired on CBC, TMN, Family Channel, among others. Be sure to stay for the after-party and hang with the winners and judges! 

Sponsored by:

Featuring:

Allana Harkin

Writer, Director, Producer

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Wednesday, February 10

8:00am
10:00am

A New Kind of Incubation: A Disney XD by Maker case study (10:00am - 11:00am)

Bayfront

In 2015, Maker Studios and Disney XD teamed up to collaborate on Disney XD by Maker, a new initiative designed to search for and develop the next generation of creators for DisneyXD.com, the Watch Disney XD app and original television series pilots for Disney XD cable and satellite channels around the world. Maker Studios’ Chris Williams and  Lauren DeVillier from  Disney Channels will share key learnings and success metrics for the platform-spanning program so far.

Featuring:

Lauren DeVillier

VP, Digital Media, Disney Channels Worldwide

Disney ABC Television Group

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Chris M. Williams

Chief Audience Officer

Maker Studios

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Immersive VR Storytelling: A new approach to content production (10:00am - 11:00am)

Sevilla

With more than US$100 million in funding raised, including a significant investment from Disney, Jaunt VR and its subsidiary Jaunt Studios are at the forefront of the coming virtual reality revolution. The one-of-a-kind studio's goal is to establish the VR production process and educate filmmakers on how to tell stories in VR. And in this session, Jaunt Studios president Cliff Plumer will deliver an in-depth presentation about the the upcoming launch of commercial virtual reality, the development and production of VR content and what it means for content producers.

Featuring:

David Kahn

VP, Product

Jaunt Studios

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A Five-Year Plan for Staying on Trend (10:00am - 11:00am)

Brickell

In honor of Kidscreen’s 20th anniversary, the child development specialists at Insight Kids will help us understand where kids have come from, where they are now, and where trends are heading. You’ll get essential information about what kids like, how they think, and what’s just starting to make waves in their world—join us and stay ahead of the curve with this unique, change-embracing generation.

Featuring:

Stacey Matthias

Research and Development

Insight Strategy Group

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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:

Massimo Bruno

Director, TV Channels

De Agostini

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Jackie Edwards

Head of Fund, YACF (Young Audiences Content Fund)

CBeebies & CBBC

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Jennifer McCann

VP, Kids and Family

9 Story Media Group

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Karen K.Miller

President & CEO

v

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Liliana Reyes

SVP Content

Portfolio Entertainment

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Orion Ross

VP Animation

Disney Channels EMEA

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Melissa Wolfe

Head, Animation Development

Amazon Studios

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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:

Linda Simensky

Head of Animation & Scripted Content

PBS KIDS

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30 Minutes with... Ankit Bishnoi & Meg Marshall , Dish Network (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:

Ankit Bishnoi

Content Acquisition & Strategy

Sling TV

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Meg Marshall

Programming Manager

DISH Network, LLC

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30 Minutes with... Peter Gal, DreamWorks Animation (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:

Peter Gal

Chief Creative Officer, Television

DreamWorks Animation

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11:00am

BREAK (11:00am - 11:30am)

30 Minutes with... Sheila de Courcy & Pauline Macnamara, RTÉ Ireland (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:

Sheila de Courcy

RTE Group Head of Childrens and Controller Rtéjr

RTÉ Ireland

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Pauline Macnamara

Executive Producer, Animation & Commissioning

RTÉ Ireland

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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 Levine

Vice President, Kids Programming, Europe & Africa/UK & Ireland

Disney Channels EMEA

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11:30am

Made for YouTube: How Mattel is tapping Tongal to produce digital content (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Bayfront

Through creative crowdsourcing platform Tongal, Mattel has tapped into a community of 100,000 writers, directors and animators, creating digital content and giving a voice to each of its brands that is perfectly crafted for YouTube. Successes include an exclusive series of Hot Wheels videos that has attracted more than 7,000,000 organic views, and a documentary about Thomas & Friends, “70 Years of Friendship”, that has been viewed more than 800,000 times. How does the crowdsourcing of production and writing talent work? Is this the future of content production? Join executives from Mattel and Tongal to answer these questions and much more. 

Featuring:

James DeJulio

CEO

Tongal

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Sid Mathur

SVP, Global Head of Strategic Development and Mergers & Acquisitions

Mattel

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Trends in online kidvid viewership, marketing and monetization (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Sevilla

Led by video data insights powered by market-leading video identification firm ZEFR, this panel will take a look at the current market for kids content online—what's monetizing, what makes more sense for marketing and what content owners need to know to in terms of realizing the full value of their IP.  What works, how to use data to inform future content development, and how to ensure the content you have is built to drive the most value.

Featuring:

Finn Arnesen

Consultant

Hasbro Studios

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Rick Bashkoff

SVP, Business Development

ZEFR

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Sanna Korppoo

Head of ToonsTV

Rovio Entertainment Ltd

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Isaac Quiroga

Vice President

Mattel

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Moderating:

Adam Goldstein

VP, Business Development

ZEFR

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PlayGroups: Profiling Today's Play Across Platforms (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Brickell

How do kids and parents play across platforms, and what does it all mean for engaging them with products and properties? Conducted in partnership with the Toy Industry Association’s Genius of Play campaign, this cutting-edge research investigates how play happens for families today. The result is a set of distinct cross-platform behavioral “play” profiles for today’s kids, with interesting implications for those of us looking to engage kids and families tomorrow.

Featuring:

Alison Bryant

CEO & Chief Play Officer

PlayScience

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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:

Massimo Bruno

Director, TV Channels

De Agostini

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Brandon Lane

VP, Creative

Corus Entertainment

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Layla Lewis

SVP

Nickelodeon International

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Jennifer McCann

VP, Kids and Family

9 Story Media Group

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Lucy Pryke

Manager, Animation

CBBC

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Liliana Reyes

SVP Content

Portfolio Entertainment

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Frank Saperstein

CEO & Executive Producer

Tricon Media

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Andrew Thomas

VP, Content Partnerships

Hulu

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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:

Cecilia Persson

Managing Director, BBC Studios Kids & Family

Turner Broadcasting System EMEA Limited

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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:

Joe D'Ambrosia

EVP & General Manager

Disney ABC Television Group

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30 Minutes with... Jamie Piekarz, Corus Kids (YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon Canada) (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:

Jamie Piekarz

Content Producer/Creative Consultant

Corus Entertainment

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12:30pm
2:00pm

Function Before Form: The long and short of storytelling (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Bayfront

With the evolution of multiple platforms and the proliferation of  transmedia entertainment,  how are content creators approaching storytelling and what specific challenges face writers and producers as they tackle long-form, episodic and short-form scripts?  How do the key ingredients for effective storytelling translate from one format to another?  What are some of the opportunities (and pitfalls) inherent in writing for an audience that is growing up on “snackable” content?  Join a panel of seasoned industry experts as they explore how traditional storytelling is being embraced, redefined and sometimes abandoned altogether.

Featuring:

Mary Coleman

Head of Creative Development

Pixar Animation Studios

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Christopher Keenan

Independent Producer

HIT Entertainment

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Grant Moran

President

Global Monster Media

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Carina Schulze

Partner

Chatrone

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Kay Wilson Stallings

EVP, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer

Sesame Workshop

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Moderating:

Evan Baily

President

Consolidated Baily

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How to Program a YouTube Channel (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Sevilla

The YouTube audience is growing by 50% each year—and that figure spikes to 200% when it comes to kids content. However, capturing this audience on YouTube requires a content creation and programming strategy that is completly different from the traditional broadcast television model. The opportunity to turn YouTube into a major distribution platform for creators and brands is huge, but one that requires a different way of thinking. This panel of successful YouTubers will outline unique content creation and programming strategies for the platform, and assess current challenges, business models and opportunities. 

Featuring:

Boris Dolenc

Executive Producer

Outfit7

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Karin Jue

Sr. Director & Head PBS Kids Distribution

PBS KIDS

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Isaac Quiroga

Vice President

Mattel

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Devon Thagard

Co-Founder

Skyship Entertainment / Super Simple Learning

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Moderating:

Derek Sentner

VP Sales & Business Development

Driver Digital

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Kids TV Redefined: New consumer research and insights from Nickelodeon (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Brickell

“TV” used to be easy to define. Today, “TV” can mean many things and in a relatively short span of time, content has become available anytime and anywhere, opening up endless viewing opportunities. This study explores how kids are watching television in this evolving viewing environment.

Featuring:

Christian Kurz

SVP, Global Consumer Insights

Viacom International Media Networks

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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:

Stephanie Betts

Executive Vice President, Content Creation

DHX Media

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Athena Georgaklis

Executive Producer, Creative & Business Strategy

Corus Entertainment

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Jamie Piekarz

Content Producer/Creative Consultant

Corus Entertainment

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Frank Saperstein

CEO & Executive Producer

Tricon Media

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Migdalis Silva

VP Brand Head Nickelodeon Latin America

Nickelodeon

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Pierre Siracusa

Head Of Children’S & Education

France Télévisions

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Géraldine Soto

Head of Acquisitions, Prebuys & Co-Productions, Kids Content

Canal+

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Marion Winter

Senior Manager, Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL

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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:

Caroline Cochaux

Producer

Lagardère Active

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30 Minutes with... Adina Pitt, Cartoon Network US (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:

Adina Pitt

Independent

Cartoon Network

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30 Minutes with... Lisa O'Brien, Sprout (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:

Lisa O'Brien

Creative Consultant

Sprout

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3:00pm

BREAK (3:00pm - 3:15pm)

3:15pm

Creative Playbook 2016 (3:15pm - 4:15pm)

Bayfront

With a whole host of new opportunities and challenges, how does a producer setting out on the creative journey ensure that a project's development is optimized from the outset?

In this session, Wildseed Studios Creative Director Jesse Cleverly will quiz eminent stakeholders in the business from key points along the process chain about the most important elements they need to see in a project before they can commit to it, and in so doing the panel will build the template for a Creative Playbook, 2016-style.

Featuring:

Jennifer Bennett

VP, Global Licensing

Mattel

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Asaph Fipke

Chief Content Officer, DHX Studios

DHX

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Rick Glankler

CEO/Co-Founder

FremantleMedia (New York)

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Karen K.Miller

President & CEO

v

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Tara Sorensen

Head of Children's Programming

Amazon Studios

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Moderating:

Jesse Cleverly

Creative Director

Wildseed Studios

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YouTube-driven Licensing Programs: Fact or Fiction? (3:15pm - 4:15pm)

Sevilla

It’s accepted wisdom in the licensing community that exposure on digital platforms is not enough to drive a mass-market consumer products program—if an IP is not on TV or the subject of a tentpole film release, forget it. But the tides seem to be turning for digital-first properties, particularly those propelled to prominence by YouTube. This session takes an in-depth look at current success stories in the space, the challenges they face, and their scope for growth in the CP realm. 

Featuring:

Belinda Gruebner

CMO

Moose Toys

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Juliano Prado

Director

Galinha Pintadinha - Bromelia Films

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Laura Zebersky

CCO

Jazwares

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Moderating:

Alan Fenwick

CEO

atall squared

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Drawing Digital Success: From pencil sketch to millions of players (3:15pm - 4:15pm)

Brickell

Every digital project has its rhythm—moments when it races ahead and moments where it seems to move at the speed of evolution. Every design and building process leads to key decision points where a misstep can delay or derail everything. Those critical points get more complicated when you’re working with a major kids brand on a new IP built from scratch, that encompasses many independently owned sub-brands and balances engagement, entertainment, learning, access and more. Last year, Dubit and PBS KIDS collaborated to build Kart Kingdom. For Kidscreen 2016, they share the lessons they learned along the way about minimizing risk and maximizing brand equity while creating a now-thriving virtual world.

Featuring:

Chris Bishop

Senior Creative Director

PBS KIDS

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Scott Cummings

VP Product & Technology

PBS KIDS

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Moderating:

Bobby Thandi

Founder and CEO

Dubit

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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:

Stephanie Betts

Executive Vice President, Content Creation

DHX Media

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Claire Heinrich

Head of Acquisitions, Children’s & Education

France Télévisions

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Keith Kennebeck

Director, Children’s Programming

PBS KIDS

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Brandon Lane

VP, Creative

Corus Entertainment

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Jamie Piekarz

Content Producer/Creative Consultant

Corus Entertainment

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Géraldine Soto

Head of Acquisitions, Prebuys & Co-Productions, Kids Content

Canal+

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Marion Winter

Senior Manager, Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL

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Melissa Wolfe

Head, Animation Development

Amazon Studios

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4:15pm

Storytelling Showdown: Board Artists vs Writers (4:15pm - 5:15pm)

Bayfront

It’s an age-old question for animation producers. Should your next show be board-driven or writer-driven?  In this panel, you’ll see storyboard artists and animation writers step up and defend their respective arts. Who brings the story? Who brings the entertainment? The industry's finest storytellers will participate in a lively debate over the strengths and weaknesses of each storytelling approach.

Featuring:

Mark Gravas

Director

Kapow Pictures

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Tom McGillis

President

Fresh TV Inc

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Esteban Valdez

Founder, Executive Producer & Director

Echo Bridge Pictures

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Moderating:

Frank Falcone

President & Executive Creative Director

Guru Studio

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App Licensing: The Seven-Year Itch (4:15pm - 5:15pm)

Sevilla

In this session for brand owners, licensing managers and marketers, Night & Day Studios explores children’s app licensing seven years in. How do you get the most out of the licensing model in apps? What are some best practices for choosing a licensee, building a productive relationship, creating a great app, and managing distribution and co-marketing? The studio will also discuss how kids apps fit into the larger industry ecosystem of media, toys and merchandise, and how to integrate apps into an overall brand experience, sharing hits and misses, do’s and don’ts, and licensor and licensee perspectives from the trenches.

Featuring:

Brianne Baker

Creative Director

Night & Day Studios

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Sara Berliner

Founder

Night & Day Studios

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Nat Sims

Chief Creative Officer

Night & Day Studios

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Millennial Parents: Powerful Consumers with POV (4:15pm - 5:15pm)

Brickell

Millennials are mobile and social, and they expect brands to listen to them, let them participate, and provide products and services that make their busy lives more productive. Hear from this panel of experienced execs who are marketing to Millennials with children, and drawing on new and current resesearch about the demo to learn what motivates them to purchase.

Featuring:

Jeff Fromm

President

FutureCast

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Jeff Grant

SVP Research

Turner: Cartoon Network/Boomerang

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Kristen McLean

Senior Executive Director

Nielsen Book

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Moderating:

CJ Kettler

President

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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Cocktails with... Australian Broadcasting Corporation (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:

Chris Rose

Creative Consultant

ABC - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

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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:

Caroline Cochaux

Producer

Lagardère Active

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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:

Frank Dietz

Head of Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL

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Cocktails with... Hulu (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:

Andrew Thomas

VP, Content Partnerships

Hulu

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Thursday, February 11

8:00am
10:00am

Keeping Up with the Kids: BBC Children’s Charts its Digital Future (10:00am - 11:00am)

Bayfront

Children zero to 16 make up 20% of the UK population, and they are a smart, discerning audience that loves choice, control and the options offered by second screens, tablets, smartphones and all things digital.  The world of children's media is changing fundamentally—and it's happening quickly. If you're a child, it's very, very exciting. And if you’re a broadcaster, it’s definitely a challenge.  Alice Webb, Director of BBC Children's, will talk about how one of the most internationally revered  public broadcasters for kids is planning to keep up with its audiences next.

Featuring:

Alice Webb

Director

BBC Children's

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Igniting social awareness with kids content (10:00am - 11:00am)

Sevilla

Kids and families spend a lot of time watching TV and viewing videos online. In fact, Common Sense Media recently found that tweens consume almost six hours worth of entertainment media per day. Given these kind of stats, content producers are now realizing their work may be the most effective way to drive social awareness in the real world. Kids love a good story. And during this panel, you'll meet producers and creators who are using strong and inventive storytelling to highlight global and local social issues, engage kids and drive change.

Featuring:

Judith Beauregard

Co-CEO & Executive Producer

Tobo

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Anthony Leo

Co-President

Aircraft Pictures

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Shabnam Rezaei

Co-Founder

BIG BAD BOO

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Gerry Shirren

Managing Director

Cartoon Saloon Limited

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Master Class: Taking Best Practices from YouTube to Other Digital Platforms (10:00am - 11:30am)

Gusman

Our expert host from ZEFR will share insights into top-performing children's programming, influencer partnership best practices, and harnessing premium content to reach the growing children's audience on YouTube. The panel will also explore strategies and "watch-outs" for Facebook, Vine, Vimeo and other up-and-coming platforms. The format of this class will include a 20-minute presentation and small interactive breakout groups for a hands-on discussion.

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:

Rick Bashkoff

SVP, Business Development

ZEFR

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Adam Goldstein

VP, Business Development

ZEFR

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Martha Tian

Director of Data & Insights

ZEFR

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Mentor Class: 21st Century Branding—How to apply it to kids entertainment, licensing, PR and more (10:00am - 11:30am)

Tuttle

While this may sound like a simple question, in today’s media world, it’s never been more complex. But one thing is clear: If you have an existing kids company, kids product or property, or even just an idea for one, you need to understand how to brand it. Branding experts Alan Winnikoff and Larry Seidman will take you through the process of positioning and messaging a brand, and plotting out the attributes of its extensions. From there, they’ll provide you with a roadmap for the real-world practical application of that brand strategy so that it successfully drives your marketing, licensing, PR and social media plans.

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:

Larry Seidman

Managing Director

Dimensional Branding Group (DBG)

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Alan Winnikoff

Co-Principal

Sayles & Winnikoff Communications

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11:00am

BREAK (11:00am - 11:30am)

11:30am

New Tech That Will Blow Your Mind! (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Bayfront

A showcase of the most amazing tech poised to transform kids' worlds. From entertainment to empowerment, education to enthralling new possibilities, make sure you're in the room for demos that might inspire new ideas, supercharge your content or kickstart that next killer collaboration.

Featuring:

Bob Sumner

Associate Director & Principal Research Scientist

Disney Research

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Akinori Takahagi

CEO & Co-Founder

MOFF

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Moderating:

Daniel Bays

SVP, Development

BBC

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Don’t Feed the Trolls (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Sevilla

To coincide with Safer Internet Day, our eclectic experts from across the content spectrum will come together to discuss how kids media companies are responding to issues of cyberbullying and trolling from preschool on up. Looking at this question from the viewpoints of IP development, gaming, content delivery and cyber-psychology, this panel will give a prismatic snapshot of where our industry is at, and based on current behavioural trends, how it can best keep pace with the challenges of an ever-shifting social landscape and sketch a roadmap for a safer future for kids online.

Featuring:

Sarah Aspinall

Acquisitions Editor

Azoomee

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Brenda Bisner

Chief Content Officer

Baby Toes Media

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Shai Samet

Founder & President

kidSAFE® Seal Program

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Moderating:

Andrew Kavanagh

CEO & Founder

Kavaleer Productions

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12:30pm
2:00pm

Master Class: Developing The Master Plan—How To Think About The Future of Your Business (2:00pm - 3:30pm)

Gusman

Join renowned foresighter Suzanne Stein to explore the past, present and future trends in the kids entertainment industry like never before. This uniquely crafted immersive workshop features hands-on activities to get kids entertainment execs “thinking about how to think about the future.” Come and discover how to analyze patterns of change over time, how these patterns can impact the future of your business, and what you can do to turn them into market 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:

Suzanne Stein

Professor

Ontario College of Art & Design

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Mentor Class: Creator 101—Pitch Perfect! (2:00pm - 3:30pm)

Tuttle

What truly is a killer pitch today? After months of toil, sweat and let’s face it, some tears, you’ve finally developed your idea into the next big thing and you’re ready to share it with the world! Or are you? You see, while there has never been a better time to be a content creator, producers and broadcasters have never been so pre-occupied (not to mention, confused) by the pace of change in the media landscape. Join Alexander Bar, “Mike the Knight” in this hands-on Mentor Class designed to hone your presentation skills as he shares what it takes to be Pitch Perfect!

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:

Alexander Bar

Founder & Executive Producer

TinyWorld

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2:15pm

Kidscreen's 20th Anniversary Trivia Challenge! (2:15pm - 3:15pm)

Bayfront

Join our two teams of industry execs selected to represent a sizeable swath of the biz, along with a team plucked directly from the session’s audience, as they vie for the crown of Kidscreen’s 20th Anniversary Trivia Challenge champion. Host David Kleeman will test the kids entertainment knowledge of these players, quizzing them on the past two decades of industry news. This conference-capping session is sure to be chock-full of laughs and little-known facts. You don’t want to miss it!

Featuring:

Daniel Bays

SVP, Development

BBC

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Andrew Kavanagh

CEO & Founder

Kavaleer Productions

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Flavio Medeiros

Director Program Sourcing & Acquisitions

Discovery Kids Latin America

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Adina Pitt

Independent

Cartoon Network

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Angela Santomero

Founder & Chief Creative Officer

Out of the Blue Enterprises

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Dave Skwarczek

Writer and Producer

Eat Your Lunch

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Moderating:

David Kleeman

SVP, Global Trends

Dubit

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3:30pm

Kidscreen's Closing Cocktail (Join us on the Pool Terrace) (3:30pm - 4:30pm)

Registration Desk, Bayfront, Sevilla, Brickell, Merrick, Palm/Star Isle, Flagler, Gusman, Tuttle, Dupont

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