16 years of experience in the internet and gaming industry at Zinkia Entertainment and international sales director at Vodka Capital and Anima. In charge of international sales, co-pros, brand building strategies, distribution partnerships with licensing companies, broadcasters and digital companies.

Featured in: Lunching with... Co-Production Experts

A leading female force in global digital entertainment and brand development, Naz Amarchi-Cuevas, brings know-how and creativity to SYBO Games to integrate the company and its top mobile gaming brand Subway Surfers, further within the entertainment space.  Through her experience, including  a stage-setting tenure at Rovio, where she is credited...show more

Featured in: So You Think You Want to Get Into Licensing?

As Head of Family & Learning for YouTube APAC, Don oversees the platform’s content partnerships in the region, and works with the region’s top children’s entertainment creators including broadcasters, animation studios, independent producers and leading toy brands.

Prior to joining the YouTube, Don served as APAC Regional MD of creative agency...show more

Featured in: Making the Animation Studio of the Future

Donna Andrews is CEO and Partner at Sticky Pictures.  She has over 25 years of experience in television broadcasting and production.  She has produced / executive produced over 700 hours of television targeted at children, youth and prime time audiences. 

Donna’s most recent credits include prime time comedy series Ronny Chieng:...show more

David Arquette is a fourth generation actor, writer, producer from one of the most prestigious acting families in Hollywood. Arquette was discovered in 1997 at Sundance for his role in Johns. Since that time, he has acted in dozens of feature films, including the Scream films, Hamlet 2,...show more

Featured in: In Conversation with Marty Krofft: Kids Entertainment Legend

Sarah is the Kids and Music Editor for Virgin Media UK. In her capacity, Sarah overseas and implements strategy, planning, scheduling, channel relationships and acquisitions for the children’s content offering on the Virgin Media platform.

Prior to Virgin, Sarah worked at Azoomee as the Creative Director and Head of Content and...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Sarah Aspinall, Virgin Media

Since 2004, Agnes Augustin has overseen the Shaw Rocket Fund with its ongoing commitment to be a champion of Canadian children’s and youth programming through the Fund’s investments in television and digital content and with the launch of the much celebrated Shaw Rocket Prize. Her dedication to increase the profile...show more

Featured in: Oh Canada-How the business is shaping up in the Great White North; Broadcaster to Broadcaster: Focus on 6 to 11s

Justine is an independent children’s media consultant with 25 years’ experience accrued most notably at 20th Century Fox, Disney Channels France, TV Loonland and PGS Entertainment.  Her skillset spans animation production, development and post-production, distribution, acquisitions, co-productions, marketing, brand and community management and project evaluation. Justine set up JUST B...show more

Featured in: Pioneering Pubcasters in the Brave New World of VOD

Featured in: Netflix's New-School Preschool

Mark Bishop, Co-CEO and Partner at marblemedia is an accomplished entrepreneur, brand-builder and trusted media industry advocate, who alongside co-founder Matt Hornburg, has grown marblemedia into one of Canada’s leading independent production, distribution and digital media companies.

Recognized as an industry leader for breaking new ground in mobile and interactive entertainment,...show more

Featured in: Oh Canada-How the business is shaping up in the Great White North

Brenda Bisner is a Children’s Entertainment Digital Brand Strategist and business development executive in the children’s media space. She has the rare talent to spot properties that have staying power and close deals to fully leverage their value in the digital marketplace. Throughout her 18+ year career, Brenda has demonstrated a...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

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, Layla Lewis, Nickelodeon

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 Coordinator for Dic Entertainment/Cookie Jar. Then she...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Lagardere Active

Mary Bredin, EVP Content & Strategy at Guru Studio, has built her 25 year career developing, executive producing and acquiring content around the globe. Mary has tirelessly championed bold, international business strategies while maintaining the importance of developing quality ground-breaking content. She has brought that creative business sense to every...show more

Featured in: Oh Canada-How the business is shaping up in the Great White North

A highly respected global leader in children’s content,Deirdre BrennanjoinedCorus Entertainmentin March 2016 as Vice President of Content, Corus Kids, overseeing all content aspects of the Corus Kids portfolio in Canada, including YTV, Treehouse, Nickelodeon, TELETOON, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD. She will lead Corus Kids’ original programming, acquisitions...show more

Featured in: Crafting a 2.0 Kidsnet

Featured in: Speed Pitching 4

Marty Brochstein is responsible for LIMA’s information resources, as well as many of its educational efforts, such as the year-round webinar program and the extensive Licensing University seminar program that takes place each year in conjunction with the Licensing Expo in Las Vegas. He also oversees LIMA’s publishing operations, including...show more

Featured in: So You Think You Want to Get Into Licensing?; Consumer Products as a Storytelling Platform

Anne has worked at a number of the major UK children's TV companies. Starting at Thames TV, she moved to BBC Education, where she produced the multi-award winning programmes Nice Girls Don't Swear and Shakespeare Shorts. As Executive Producer, she looked after an exceptionally diverse and mind-stretching range of programmes which included Teletubbies and...show more

Featured in: Creating Convincing Teen Dramas

Hedda Bruessing has been in the film and television industry for over twenty years and has worked as a production manager and executive producer for a wide range of programmes. Since 2007 she is employed by the public service broadcaster NTR, first as an executive producer for the children´s department and...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Hedda Bruessing, NTR; Cocktails with.. NTR; Speed Pitching 3

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

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4

Jeff Brustrom is a kids’ media consultant who most recently worked at Disney Channel for 17 years and oversaw creative on live-action current series including KC Undercover, Stuck in the Middle, and Bizaardvark.  Prior projects include Liv & Maddie, Girl Meets World, Jessie, Austin & Ally, and Dog with a...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

George Carey is founder and CEO of The Family Room, a strategic research and brand consultancy with a special interest and expertise in family decision-making.  At the core of his company’s work is a ten-year program mapping the shifting emotional landscape of kids, teens, moms, and dads around the world.  These...show more

Featured in: KEYNOTE: The Day the Universe Changed

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 kids series and products before they...show more

Featured in: In Conversation with Melissa Cobb: Netflix VP of Kids & Family

Koyalee Chanda is a children’s media creative with over 20 years of industry experience. She is a seven-time Emmy nominated producer and director, starting her career on the breakthrough preschool series Blue’s Clues. She is currently the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of This Podcast Has Fleas, a scripted comedy series...show more

Featured in: Screen Disruptor-The Rise of Children’s Podcasts

Featured in: We Need to Talk About YouTube: Building launch plans around the all-important AVOD channel

Sarah is known by her colleagues as an improver of things. As the head of the Kids department at Insight Strategy Group, she guides a team that talks to kids and parents every day, on subjects ranging from action figures and media to potty training and playgrounds. As such, she...show more

Featured in: Hot Research: The latest buzz on kids and social media

David is a Product & Story Development Executive with over 40 years’ experience with Fisher Price and currently is the VP of Little Tikes Design. He has lead diverse teams of creatives as well as corporate and educational partners, by crafting uncharted vision and implementing innovative concepts, products, narrative and...show more

Featured in: Consumer Products as a Storytelling Platform

Featured in: Crafting a 2.0 Kidsnet

Rick Clodfelter is the Senior Director of Content Strategy and Acquisitions for Universal Kids, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s network for kids 2-12. With a fresh mix of animated content, unscripted entertainment, and proven international hits, Universal Kids represents the world of NBCUniversal family brands. In his role, Clodfelter sources and acquires...show more

Featured in: Broadcaster to Broadcaster: Focus on 6 to 11s; Cocktails with… Universal Kids

Melissa Cobb joined Netflix as the company’s first VP of kids and family last September, signaling an even larger commitment to the genre by the SVOD giant. Now that she’s settled into her role as leader of Netflix's kids and family content team, Melissa will discuss some of her plans to further...show more

Featured in: In Conversation with Melissa Cobb: Netflix VP of Kids & Family

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...show more

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

Featured in: SOLD OUT! Mentor Class: Building bibles that work

Casey Collins is Executive Vice President, Consumer Products at WWE, a publicly traded (NYSE: WWE) global entertainment company. Collins, who joined WWE in 2012 is responsible for overseeing WWE’s Consumer Products division, which includes E-Commerce, Venue, Licensing, Gaming, Retail and Home Entertainment.

Prior to joining WWE, Collins was Executive Vice President,...show more

Featured in: Consumer Products as a Storytelling Platform

Richard K. Collins, co-founder & CEO ofBig Tent Entertainment, has operated successfully across many industries in a career spanning over thirty years, much of it in senior management positions. 

In 2002 Mr. Collins co-founded Big Tent Entertainmentas a boutique agency focused on execution of marketing and licensing strategies for corporate and...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Branding & Licensing Experts

Vince Commisso is President & CEO of 9 Story Media Group, one of the industry’s leading creators, producers and distributors of top quality content for young audiences around the world. With facilities in Toronto, Dublin and Manchester, the 9 Story family of companies has produced over 2,800 episodes of best-in-class kids...show more

Featured in: Oh Canada-How the business is shaping up in the Great White North

As Common Sense Media's Senior TV Editor, Polly is responsible for championing the latest and greatest in TV for kids and families. She also heads up the site's YouTube channel reviews, a recent addition to the CSM library of content. An expert in the realm of shows that are created...show more

Featured in: Zero to Eight: The when, where and how of kids' media habits

Katie is celebrating her 30^th year in Kids media this year.  After an early career as a producer in animation,   she has worked across most parts of the kids media business, including distribution, content creation, and ad sales & commercial integration.  A large part of her career was forging through the...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Katie Cordes, Disney Channel Australia

Neil Court is a seasoned international media entrepreneur who started his career in entertainment in 1981.  He has lived in the UK since 1991 and carries out his Executive Chairman duties from there. Mr Court is also Chairman and co-founder of Peacock Alley Entertainment, the Toronto-based producer of the  Netflix/Showcase...show more

Featured in: Listening to Your Inner Entrepreneur: How to grow in the kids business

Featured in: From Scribble to Screen to Stuff: The do’s and don’ts of good character design

Aaron Davidson is a Development Executive in kids programming at Amazon Studios where he’s worked on animated and live action series including the award-winning Gortimer Gibbon’s Life on Normal Street and Annedroids as well as the forthcoming series Danger And Eggs, Niko and the Sword of Light, Little Big Awesome, and...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 2

VR/AR Producer at CONICAL Interactive Studios in Auckland. In 2016, he was nominated finalist ‘Young New Zealand Innovator of the Year’ after making New Zealand’s first Virtual Reality movie, leading to a ripple effect across the country as a pioneer in VR/AR Storytelling.

Alejandro’s universal technique applies both to VR and...show more

Featured in: Making the Animation Studio of the Future

Academy Award winner Geena Davis is one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, appearing in several roles that became cultural landmarks.

Davis received the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the offbeat dog trainer Muriel Pritchett in Lawrence Kasdan’s The Accidental Tourist. She was again nominated for an Academy...show more

Featured in: Marketing to Boys and Girls: New research from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media

Mike De Camp has been creating and inventing toys for seventeen years. An avid action figure collector and historian, his passion for toy culture is present in both his professional and personal life. A core team member of Jazwares from its beginning, Mike has been part in launching multiple multi-million...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Branding & Licensing Experts

After graduating from the IEP in Paris,Tiphaine de Raguenelstarted out as Key Account Manager then Key Account Executive at Carat/Aegis Media.

She joined Lagardère Active in 2006 as Marketing Research Manager for TiJi, CANAL J, Filles TV and Gulli, then became Marketing and New Media Manager.

She moved to France Télévisions in...show more

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

Serious Lunch is a  boutique distribution company with a portfolio of high quality I.P’s including the two time BAFTA winning Operation Ouch! (Maverick) now in its 6th season for CBBC,  Ronja, the Robber’s Daughter (Studio Ghibli) now on Amazon US/UK,   Art Ninja  (Dot to Dot) for CBBC now in...show more

Featured in: Listening to Your Inner Entrepreneur: How to grow in the kids business; Lunching with... Co-Production Experts

Graduated from Negocia Business School Paris, Marc Dhrami started in animation in 1998 at the Studio Dargaud-Marina as Post-production Supervisor and then Head of Production. He joined Millimages in 2000 as Head of Studio later moving up to Head of Operations. He is recruited by Gaumont Animation as Head of...show more

Frank Dietz joined Super RTL in 2000 and currently manages the channel’s programming supply for daytime and primetime, as well as content for off-air platforms such as merchandising, mobile and online services.

Super RTL is Europe’s leader in children’s television and is jointly owned by RTL Group and Walt Disney International...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Super RTL

Libbie Doherty is a passionate advocate for Children’s content and brings a wealth of experience from the animation and live action worlds to the position of Commissioning Editor. Libbie is focused on nurturing new Australian talent, reflecting Australian kids’ lives and creating pathways for Australian kids’ content to cut through into...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Libbie Doherty & Jan Stradling, ABC Australia; Cocktails with... ABC Australia; Speed Pitching 1

Olivier Dumont is the Managing Director of Entertainment One Family and Entertainment One Licensing. He oversees all the commercial and creative activities of Entertainment One’s combined kid, family and licensing operations including development, production, sales, licensing and merchandising and is responsible for developing properties into global TV, Home Entertainment, New...show more

Featured in: Making the Animation Studio of the Future

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 with 9 Story’s producers, writers and animation teams and working closely with the...show more

Jackie is Head of BBC Children’s Acquisitions and Independent Animation – covering both CBeebies and CBBC, the UK’s two foremost Children’s television channels.

Jackie started professional life as a pharmacologist, eventually making the natural career progression into animation in 1995.   She worked in the independent sector as animation Producer, working on...show more

Featured in: Pioneering Pubcasters in the Brave New World of VOD; Cocktails with... BBC Children's; Speed Pitching 1; Speed Pitching 2; 30 Minutes with... Jackie Edwards, BBC Children’s

Sarah Kate Ellis was named President and CEO of GLAAD in early 2014 after a successful career as a media executive.

In short order, Ellis refocused GLAAD’s crucial advocacy to accelerate acceptance of the LGBTQ community through a variety of compelling and effective initiatives, campaigns, and programs.

A powerful communicator, Ellis has...show more

Featured in: Creating LGBTQ-inclusive Content for Kids

As Associate Director of Development, Natalie works closely with series creators from pitch to pilot, helping shape their projects for the PBS KIDS audience.  She is also the production executive on several current series, including Odd Squard and Pinkalicious & Peterrific. At PBS since 2009, Natalie served on the KIDS...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... PBS KIDS; Speed Pitching 1; Speed Pitching 2

Ken Faier is El Presidente and CEO of Epic Story Media and its subsidiary Epic Story Interactive. The mission for both companies is to put creators at the center of compelling and engaging franchises for kids. Who doesn't remember that feeling we all had as a child when we fell...show more

Featured in: We Need to Talk About YouTube: Building launch plans around the all-important AVOD channel

With over 15 years’ experience in integrated Interactive/TV projects, Yago Fandiño has linked his life and career to new communication technologies, and more specifically, to communication and children’s entertainment. Trained in journalism, he has been Deputy Director of Children’s Interactive Content at RTVE, and Online Editor for the Fox Kids...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Yago Fandiño Lousa, TVE

Featured in: Crafting a 2.0 Kidsnet

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3

Sam Ferguson began his career in licensing back in 2007 at Global Brands Group, where he worked passionately on the FIFA World Cup and the PGA Tour Golf.  Other brands he worked on included celebrity chef Marco Pierre White and IPC magazine publishers (NME, Loaded, Homes & Gardens.) In 2011,...show more

Featured in: So You Think You Want to Get Into Licensing?

Gary Finnegan is Vice President of Programming Strategy for DHX Television. A key member of the DHX Television senior management team, Gary provides direction and guidance on the core business of creating and acquiring content that will be universally popular and drive viewer engagement for Family Channel, Family CHRGD, Family...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Gary Finnegan & Kayla van Der Meer, DHX Television; Cocktails with… DHX Television; Speed Pitching 3

Featured in: Creating Convincing Teen Dramas

Donna is the founder of WOW Explorations and WOWtopia, a highly physical, hands-on touring global festival, designed to WOW kids and families with the wonder and beauty of the planet, its sights, cultures and people. She is also the principal and founder of LEMONADE Creative Consulting, a strategic consulting firm focused...show more

Featured in: Beyond Virtual: Close encounters of the LIVE kind

Rocio Galarza serves as Assistant Vice President, Sesame Workshop. In this role, Rocio manages the development of educational content and research for a wide range of multimedia projects. As an expert in early childhood educational development and the needs of young children, Rocio works with advisors to ensure that the...show more

Featured in: Helping kids cope with trauma

A veteran distribution professional with over 20 years experience, Ed is the Managing Director and CCO at CAKE. In this dual role, he oversees all sales operations, the day-to-day running of the company, as well as directly selling CAKE's growing content portfolio in major territories including North America, the UK...show more

Featured in: Picking Platforms: What's the best vehicle for your project and how do you get it there?

Dominic is the chief executive officer (CEO) of kids and family content distribution company Jetpack Distribution Ltd. He founded the company in 2014 with studio production partner Samka Productions and it has gone on to become a leading distributor of global kids shows including Dennis & Gnasher Unleashed,Talking Tom and...show more

Featured in: Pioneering Pubcasters in the Brave New World of VOD

Featured in: The Long Game: Setting up subscription services

Athena Georgaklis is the newly appointed Head of Content for Nelvana.  Georgaklis, a highly respected animation executive, leads the acquisition of rights and the development of all original content for Nelvana, working with the studio’s producers, creators, and talent around the world.

Georgaklis has worked in Canadian broadcast and production for more than...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 1; Speed Pitching 2

Tommy is Assistant Director of Children’s Programming at PBS where he oversees the strategic rollout of PBS KIDS video content, including the new 24/7 PBS KIDS channel. This year, he developed and launched PBS KIDS Family Night, a weekend destination block for kids and parents that airs on PBS stations,...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 1; Speed Pitching 2; Cocktails with... PBS KIDS

 With nearly 20 years experience in the kids industry working in Canada, France and Spain, Christophe Goldberger is Managing Director at Barcelona based GlodBee. The company specializes in the production, management and international distribution of kids and family properties and brands.

Prior to GoldBee, Christophe was Producer and Head of Sales...show more

Bio: Caterina Gonnelli-Linden was born in Geneva, was raised in Rome and then decided to make things more confusing when, 25 years ago, she moved to Paris to learn Japanese. She now manages multi-territory pre-buys and coproductions across EMEA, for Disney Channel, Disney Xd and Disney Junior, from identification of new third-party...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4; 30 Minutes with... Caterina Gonnelli, Disney EMEA

Well-known and respected throughout the education, research, and entertainment communities, Cheryl Gotthelf is an accomplished curriculum and content developer, brand builder, and marketer of children’s media products that are entertaining, educational, and relevant to children’s lives.  Her practice sits squarely in the space where entertainment, education, and play intersect and...show more

Featured in: Know Your Audience: Developing educational TV for the 6 to 8 set

Bill Graham serves as PhatMojo's Chief Business Development Officer.  In this capacity, Graham leads the LA-based toy company's brand evaluation, licensing, and marketing, globally.

Prior to joining PhatMojo, Graham was VP of Business Development for Jazwares, LLC.  During his 3 years there, he led the global launch and development of their...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Branding & Licensing Experts; So You Think You Want to Get Into Licensing?

Javier Grillo- Marxuach is a prolific writer of television, movies, comic books, essays, and interactive media best known as one of the Emmy Award-winning producers of Lost, and as creator of the the comic book and ABC Family television series The Middleman. Javi currently co-executive produces The Jim Henson Company's upcoming ten-hour prequel to...show more

Featured in: Master Class: Building fantasy worlds that last

After 20 years as a Broadcast Executive for networks including YTV, Treehouse TV, CBC Kids, Disney XD Canada, Disney Jr Canada and most recently Family Channel, Sarah has taken her robust industry experience directly to kids television production, creating original IPs and assisting producers in bringing their shows to fruition. ...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

Tinkercast’s Chief Executive Tinkerer, is an Emmy-nominated children’s media executive. Before joining Tinkercast, Meredith was a key member of the start-up team responsible for building the brand of Sprout, from 2005 to 2015. She held many positions in her tenure including VP of Creative, VP of Alternative Programming and Executive Producer and...show more

Featured in: Screen Disruptor-The Rise of Children’s Podcasts

Melanie heads up Kommix Entertainment Ltd’s scripted development slate. She sources projects, develops ideas and works with new and established writing talent. 

Melanie has over 15 years’ experience within development and production; spanning kids, YA and prime time. 

Melanie joined Komixx Entertainment in April 2014. Previously, she spent six years in...show more

Featured in: Creating Convincing Teen Dramas

A graduate of Paris-Sorbonne University, Panthéon-Assas ans Paris ESLSCA Business School. Lila Hannou has joined Group M6 in 2001 as Marketing Research officer at M6 Publicité. She was the in charge of monitoring youth programming (from 2006 to 2011) before being appointed Manager for the Coordination of youth programming in...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Lila Hannou, M6

Anttu Harlin is the co-founder & CEO of Gigglebug Entertainment. The company's mission is to raise smiles around the world through games and entertainment. The company's first app has topped the charts in Finland and China, spreading giggles and winning critical acclaim on the way. The simultaneously released Gigglebug TV...show more

Featured in: Listening to Your Inner Entrepreneur: How to grow in the kids business

Having produced 12 prime time TV series and two films for Marvel Animation Studio’s, namely Marvel’s Avengers Assemble, Marvel’s Spider-man, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Marvel’s Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H, along with preproduction on an Animated Feature film and recently completing Season 1 of Kiddets pre-school series,...show more

Featured in: Making the Animation Studio of the Future

Wendy Heimann-Nunes is a founding partner of Nolan Heimann LLP, a law firm dedicated to supporting creators and innovators with a particular emphasis on strategy.  It appears that entertainment and business united for Wendy right from the start in her early role as Executive Director of the renowned landmark, The...show more

Featured in: Beyond Virtual: Close encounters of the LIVE kind

In her current role within the Children and Youth Unit, Claire Heinrich selects, negotiates and oversees all acquisitions for France Televisions’ channels and digital platforms. She joined the public broadcast company in 1994, managing legal and business affairs for France 2’s co-production drama and documentary units. She held various positions...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 1

A long-time champion of children’s programming, Bob oversees the creative direction for FremantleMedia’s Kids and Family business, as well as managing content, including development, production, acquisitions and sales of TV and digital programming.  Current programming includes The Who Was Show,Danger Mouse,Bitz and Bob and Tasty Tales of the Food Truckers.

 Before FremantleMedia,...show more

Featured in: Creating Convincing Teen Dramas

Creative, strategist and producer creating playful experiences. Jais Christensen joined The LEGO Group in 2012. Coming from a background in the Danish advertising and film industry – as a creative producer. His passion for digital media - apps and games in particular – is centered around the user. Jais bridges business demands with user...show more

Featured in: How LEGO Designs for Kids

As the Head of Creative Force at FunnyFlux Entertainment, Jung-Jin is responsible for developing new IP and managing international collaborations. His work experience ranges from high-end 2D and 3D animation development and production, to children’s book publishing and script writing.

FunnyFlux Entertainment is a South Korean animation production company that made...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Co-Production Experts

Greg Huculak is an award-winning conceptual artist, production designer and director who’s worked in animation for more than 17 years. He is co-founder of Flying Kraken Creative Studios, a boutique, Canadian-based imaginarium that produces original content. He’s developed visual and/or art direction for Disney XD, Silvergate Media, eOne Entertainment, Hulu,...show more

Featured in: From Scribble to Screen to Stuff: The do’s and don’ts of good character design

Rob is founder and owner of Rob Hudnut Productions, which specializes in the creation of toy-based franchises for kids.  The company creates its own content and also advises studios, toy inventors and toy companies on creating franchises that inspire play.  The company also creates faith-based content. 

 Prior to starting Rob Hudnut...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Branding & Licensing Experts

Caroline Ingeborn is the President and COO of Toca Boca. She joined the company in 2013 when she moved from Sweden to the U.S. to help open the the company’s San Francisco office.  Since that time she has been instrumental in growing the company into one of the most influential...show more

Featured in: The Long Game: Setting up subscription services

MD of Sixth Sense Media Ltd., Sallyann set up the London-based independent production company in 2000, to give young people a voice - and to empower, inspire, entertain and inform children globally, young and old.

Delivering high quality content to mainstream broadcasters, Sallyann and her talented team have produced hundreds of...show more

Featured in: How Open Are Children to Diversity? New learnings from emotion-recognition software

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: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

CJ Kettler is a media industry leader with broad management and digital experience. She joined Channel One News, owned by private equity firm Zelnick Media as CEO and Chair in November 2012 and led the sale of the company to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ: HMHC) in May 2014. CJ was...show more

Featured in: The Long Game: Setting up subscription services

Tatiana started Bejuba! Entertainment 14 years ago to specialize in the executive production, and distribution of children’s and family entertainment across all platforms.  Today the company has over 500 half hours of programming with shows like “Wishfart” “Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave”, “Origanimals”, “The Hive”, “Big Block SingSong” and “Where in...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing

David Kreizman is an award-winning showrunner, writer and producer across television and digital media platforms. David is a co-creator and head writer of the hit middle-grade audio program,“The Unexplainable Disappearance of Mars Patel”,winner of a 2016 Peabody Award and recently optioned for television. Earlier this year, David co-founded Gen-Z Media, where he...show more

Featured in: Screen Disruptor-The Rise of Children’s Podcasts

Brothers Sid & Marty Krofft have created 3 new series and 5 pilots in the past three years, and have been producing memorable family entertainment for over 40 years. Sid & Marty first became a household name in the ’70s with quite a list of TV Series.  H.R. Pufnstuf, The Bugaloos, Lidsville,...show more

Featured in: In Conversation with Marty Krofft: Kids Entertainment Legend

Christian Kurz is Senior Vice President of Global Consumer Insights for Viacom. Mr. Kurz is responsible for oversight of corporate and consumer research and insights for Viacom globally, with a focus on exploring new technologies and consumer behaviors. In addition he leads all insights projects for Viacom International Media Networks...show more

Featured in: CLOSING KEYNOTE: Kids of the World - the impact of fast-paced global change on kids right now

As President of the newly launched Lambur Productions Inc., Joan Lambur continues her extensive history of creating and producing globally successful programming. Working with broadcasters, agents, writers and talent, Lambur Productions will continue to create globally successful children’s and family programming.

Lambur is a highly respected and well established executive producer....show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Co-Production Experts; Oh Canada-How the business is shaping up in the Great White North

Cort Lane is Marvel’s Senior Vice President, Animation & Family Entertainment. As a life-long Marvel fan, Lane is thrilled to develop and produce shows within the rich Marvel Universe. Drawing on a wealth of experience in entertainment, interactive media and marketing for children, Lane leads Marvel’s expanding slate of kid...show more

Featured in: Creating LGBTQ-inclusive Content for Kids; Marvel Rising: An inside look at Marvel’s first animated franchise for tween girls

Emmy Award-winning producer Kane Lee heads content development and strategy for Baobab Studios and has served as Executive Producer for the virtual reality studio’s groundbreaking works, including the 2017 Emmy Award winner Invasion! featuring Ethan Hawke, as well as the 2017 Unity Vision Award winner Asteroids! featuring Elizabeth Banks, and...show more

Featured in: Making the Animation Studio of the Future

Layla Lewis is Senior Vice President of Global Acquisitions and Content Partnerships for Nickelodeon. Lewis manages and implements the strategy for all acquisitions for Nickelodeon's 100+ locally programmed
channels both domestically and internationally, as well as cultivates partnerships with content distributors and
creators from around the globe. Responsible for negotiating,...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Jules Borkent, Layla Lewis, Nickelodeon; Cocktails with... Nickelodeon

Carolina Lightcap is the Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Content Officer (CCO) for the 13 network portfolio of Discovery Networks Latin America/U.S. Hispanic (DLA/USH). She is also the Global Lead for Discovery Kids and Family, including the U.S. network Discovery Family. Based in Miami, Florida she reports to Fernando...show more

Featured in: Broadcaster to Broadcaster: Focus on preschool

ased in Los Angeles, Angela Y. Lin is YouTube's Head of Family and Learning for North America, overseeing the platform’s content strategy and partnerships in region. Since joining Google in 2010, she's worked closely with YouTube’s family entertainment and educational creator communities and helped launch the Crash Course, SciShow, and...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Angela Lin, YouTube Kids

Named one of the Top 50 Women in Tech in Silicon Valley by Tech.Co., Nancy is a leader in the competitive and ever-changing mobile app space where Fingerprint has established a child safe, parent approved mobile platform and various branded networks that connect kids and families through a wide range...show more

Featured in: Master Class: Making the most out of mobile

Marney Malabar is an award-winning kid’s media producer who has contributed to making TVOKids the “most trusted” and “most educational” media brand for children among Ontarians (Source: Vision Critical, 2014). A part of the TVO team for more than two decades, Marney has created excellent children’s educational content in an...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Marney Malabar, TVO Kids; Oh Canada-How the business is shaping up in the Great White North

Helen McAleer runs a media consultancy specialising in IP, publishing and TV production. Drawing on almost 30 years’ experience of the children’s sector across all key media she works with clients including publishing houses Walker Books Group and Macmillan Children’s Books, literary agents LAW, publisher and kids’ content start-up Wonderbly,...show more

Featured in: From Scribble to Screen to Stuff: The do’s and don’ts of good character design; Brainpick: Pitching & Development

Marie McCann is the Senior Director of Children’s Content at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.  She began her career in television as an actress then went on to major in Cinema Studies and English at the University of Toronto.  After working in independent production, she joined TVO Kids where she developed and...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Marie McCann, CBC Kids

Throughout her career, Menal McGrath has successfully gained broad experience in Sales Management, Brand Management, and Product Development within the toy industry.  She began her career at Mattel and later transitioned to Disney where she managed various franchise portfolios including Disney Fairies and Marvel within the core toy space.

In 2016,...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Branding & Licensing Experts

Kristen McGregor is an Emmy and Canadian Screen Award nominated children’s media producer, director and writer.  As show producer, director and writer forSunny Side Upfor Sprout (NBCUniversal) Kristen has overseen over 500 hours of preschool children’s television content, and directed talent such as First Lady Michelle Obama, William Shatner, Julie...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

Jason McManus began his career as a graphic and concept designer at Walt Disney Imagineering, following his passion to create larger than life memories and experiences for guests. Since then, he has spent over 15 years as a storyteller in the themed entertainment industry, leading the creative and art direction...show more

Featured in: Beyond Virtual: Close encounters of the LIVE kind

Dete Meserveis an accomplished creator and producer of independent movies and award-winning television shows as well as a best-selling and award-winning novelist. As a key member of the executive team at Wind Dancer Films for more than 15 years (as President, and, most recently, Principal), Meserve has been one of...show more

Featured in: Marketing to Boys and Girls: New research from the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media

David Michel is the president and founder of Cottonwood Media, and Managing Director of Federation Kids & Family (both part of the Federation Entertainment media group). With over two decades of television experience producing children’s programming, Michel previously served as General Manager at Marathon Media, which he co-founded and subsequently sold...show more

Featured in: Creating Convincing Teen Dramas

Luca Milano, manager at RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana, the Italian public broadcaster.

Executive Director of “Rai Ragazzi”, Rai's department for children and kids, controlling 2 free-TV Channels (Rai Yoyo, the leading Italian children's channel, and Rai Gulp), as well as the units for production and co-production of Animation, kids' drama and live shows....show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Luca Milano, RAI

Terri Minsky has built an extensive career in the television and media industry as a producer, writer, creator and journalist. She created Lizzie McGuire, a defining hit live-action and animated series for Disney Channel that resonated with a generation of kids and tweens. Continuing her track record of writing strong...show more

Featured in: Creating LGBTQ-inclusive Content for Kids

Jonathan Mirsky is Licensing Manager 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... Branding & Licensing Experts

Rick Mischel currently serves as a Producer at Sony Pictures Animation, the Sony division behind such animated features as Hotel Transylvania and The Smurfs.  Mischel is currently Executive Producing two Sony animated series based on the featuresHotel TransylvaniaandCloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.  Prior to his role as a Producer, Mischel...show more

Featured in: Picking Platforms: What's the best vehicle for your project and how do you get it there?

Kiko Mistrorigo graduated in architecture. In 1989 he founded together with Celia Catunda, the TV PinGuim studio. TV PinGuim creates entertaining, educational, distinctive and bold programming for children of all ages. Its animation portfolio covers a diverse range of subjects from science to sci-fi and from art to the environment....show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Co-Production Experts

As Executive Vice President, Creative Content at Silvergate Media, Kurt Mueller oversees an eclectic roster of animated projects for kids and families, working closely with a crack in-house development and production squad whose sole objective is to make great stuff. Loosely focused on translating indie books into TV shows and...show more

Featured in: Netflix's New-School Preschool

Lucy Murphy was appointed Sky’s first Head of Kids Content in 2015. She is responsible for all of Sky’s on demand kids content, a library which recently saw the number of episodes available grow from 700 to 4,500 episodes, as well as overseeing the launch of Sky’s new kids app...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Lucy Murphy, Sky Kids

Peabody, Humanitas and Emmy Award-winner Chris Nee is the creator and executive producer of Disney Junior's Doc McStuffins, an imaginative animated series about a six-year-old girl who runs a clinic for stuffed animals and broken toys. She is also executive producer of Disney Junior's animated series Vampirina, about a young...show more

Featured in: Creating LGBTQ-inclusive Content for Kids; Mentor Class: Making the move from freelance to full-time

“We are living today in a world where the idea of ‘it’s not on’ no longer exists. If you’re not making great stuff that kids want, then they will shut you off and never come back.”

It is this idea that drove Stone Newman to join pocket.watch and be at the forefront of creating...show more

Featured in: Crafting a 2.0 Kidsnet

Tara Oakman, PhD, is a senior program officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation working to improve the value of our investments in health and health care and also to help ensure that all young children—supported by their families and communities—have the building blocks for lifelong health and well-being.

Prior to...show more

Featured in: Helping kids cope with trauma

Lisa O’Brien is the Vice President of Original Programming & Development for Universal Kids, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s network for kids 2-12. With a fresh mix of animated content, unscripted entertainment, and proven international hits, Universal Kids represents the world of NBCUniversal family brands. In her role, O’Brien oversees the originals...show more

Featured in: 30 Minutes with... Lisa O'Brien & Kristofer Updike, Universal Kids; Speed Pitching 3; Cocktails with… Universal Kids

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 one of the best-selling Irish...show more

Featured in: From Scribble to Screen to Stuff: The do’s and don’ts of good character design

As Chief Strategy Officer of 9 Story Media Group, Natalie Osborne oversees strategic partnerships, worldwide sales, acquisitions, consumer products and marketing. Natalie has been a significant driver of the company’s dramatic growth over the last decade, helping transform 9 Story into one of the world’s leading independent producers and distributors of children’s content....show more

Featured in: Broadcaster to Broadcaster: Focus on preschool

Lee is co-founder and Artistic Director of the Story Pirates and is the co-host of the Story Pirates podcast from Gimlet Media. Along with co-writer Hunter Bell, he received a Drama Desk nomination for Outstanding Book of a Musical forFoundat the Atlantic Theater Company.  Lee has directed at the Williamstown...show more

Featured in: Screen Disruptor-The Rise of Children’s Podcasts

Emmy-nominated writer and producer Sascha Paladino is the creator and executive producer of Disney Junior’s intergalactic space adventure series Miles from Tomorrowland and Mission Force One. An accomplished children’s television writer, Paladino was story editor and consulting producer on Disney Junior’s Henry Hugglemonster. Paladino developed and served as head writer and producer for Nickelodeon’s Ni Hao, Kai-lan....show more

Featured in: Mentor Class: Making the move from freelance to full-time

Sandrine is a 20-plus year vet with an illustrative career in entertainment, production, co-production and distribution with impressive global relationships and deep experience in deals & negotiations in children's programming. She is currently handling disruption and platform distribution at Groupe Media TFO, a Franco-Ontarian public broadcaster in Canada. In this...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4; 30 Minutes with... Sandrine Pechels de Saint Sardos, TFO

Cecilia Persson is Vice President of Programming and Content Strategy Turner EMEA Kids, Acquisitions and Co-production International.

In this role, Persson manages and leads programming strategy across EMEA for all Turner’s kids linear and digital platforms including Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Cartoonito and Boing. She also oversees and negotiates shared acquisitions for...show more

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

Jamie Piekarz is children’s media professional with the unique combination of creative production and broadcast experience that spans all age groups and genres. She currently creates, produces and provides expertise on children’s media through her company JamPie Media for Canadian and international clients. Her original production, Super Mighty Makers for...show more

Featured in: SOLD OUT! Mentor Class: Building bibles that work

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: Broadcaster to Broadcaster: Focus on 6 to 11s; Picking Platforms: What's the best vehicle for your project and how do you get it there?; 30 Minutes with... Adina Pitt, Cartoon Network

As EVP and Commercial Director Julia is responsible for building new business and global opportunities for Walker Books’ Group Rights and Development Division across licensing, digital, publishing and TV production. Julia oversees all Walker UK licensing activity across brands including Guess How Much I Love You, Maisy, Tilly and Friends, We’re...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Branding & Licensing Experts

Irene Pothecary-Huse, Acquisitions Executive at NRK Super, Norway’s foremost multi-platform Children’s channel.

In 1996, the Norwegian public broadcaster, NRK, launched NRK2 in which Irene was part of the creation team. She has since served as Project Manager and Executive feature film/ fiction buyer for NRK1 and NRK2. In 2007 Irene helped...show more

Featured in: Pioneering Pubcasters in the Brave New World of VOD

Matt has been with Hasbro since 2007 after completing his MBA from The Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. Matt has held various positions during his 10+ years with Hasbro, including managing the Transformers brand through the first three movies, overseeing the marketing and business development functions for Hasbro...show more

Featured in: Beyond Virtual: Close encounters of the LIVE kind

Featured in: We Need to Talk About YouTube: Building launch plans around the all-important AVOD channel

Jean-Philippe Randisi is CEO of Zodiak Kids, a Banijay Group company, a global independent leader in kids entertainment, combining dedicated kids production companies in France and the UK, consumer products and sales division.

Prior to joining Zodiak Kids he was EVP & Director of Consumer Products at ITV Studios...show more

Featured in: Listening to Your Inner Entrepreneur: How to grow in the kids business

Diane Rankin leads Distribution360, overseeing all sales and acquisitions activity, working with the company’s growing list of third party production partners, as well as the marblemedia internal production team to bring great content to buyers around the World. Diane splits her time between London and Toronto to manage the D360...show more

As Vice President of Creative Affairs, Jillianne Reinseth is responsible for overseeing the creative elements of all projects in development and production for eOne Family. Since joining the company in 2015, the eOne Family production slate has included Cupcake & Dino: General Services and Ricky Zoom, as well as seven...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 2

Liliana Reyes is Senior Vice President of Content for Portfolio Entertainment. Liliana oversees all facets of the company’s development of television and digital media content and is responsible for growing its slate of original multi-platform properties. She previously held the position of Vice President of Development at 9 Story Media...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 1

John Reynolds is Chief Commercial Officer of JAM Media. He oversees all commercial activities of the company, from the financing of the current development slate, which has included such shows as Little Ro’, jointly commissioned by CBBC & CBeebies, and Becca s Bunch, which Nickelodeon picked up for the US,...show more

Andy Rheingold has developed, written, and/or produced some of the most top rated, cutting edge, and original entertainment for immature adults and mature kids. Andy was instrumental in putting together Spongebob Squarepants shepherding the project from pitch to pick-up. He has written for Beavis and Butt-head. And he penned (with...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development

Michael Rinzler is the Founding Partner and Co-President of Wicked Cool Toys, a Bristol-PA-based multi-brand toymaker with offices in Pennsylvania, California and Hong Kong. Wicked Cool Toys manufacturers action figures, dolls, plush, play sets and more based on proprietary brands and top licenses from partners, including master toy partner for...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Branding & Licensing Experts

Peter Robinson is Director at Dubit, a kids digital and consultancy agency. He’s an experienced consultant specialising in new technology, kids entertainment, ethical marketing to kids and education - and tying all those things together as often as possible! 

Within his role at Dubit, Pete has developed a firm knowledge of young...show more

Featured in: How LEGO Designs for Kids

ric S. Rollman is the President and CEO of Los Angeles based Rollman Entertainment, Inc., where this Saban, Fox Family and Marvel veteran executive, Emmy winner, and multiple nominee leads an elite team of talented content creators.  Rollman Entertainment houses a full-­‐service production studio which when coupled with its strategic...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing

Darrin Rose is a comedic force to be reckoned with. A four-time Canadian Comedy Award nominee—including Best Male Stand-Up in 2011—and an acclaimed cast member of Mr. Don CBC, Darrin never ceases to delight audiences with his polished performances and hilarious material.

On-stage, Darrin has appeared numerous times at the Just...show more

Featured in: Kidscreen Awards and After-Party (Xilam Bayfront Ballroom)

Stuart is an established media, licensing, and project development executive whose company, 360 Brand Development, specializes in working with properties and brands to grow their presence across themed/location-based entertainment business segments.

His recent clients include Sesame Workshop, A+E Networks, and Mills Entertainment, where he has been instrumental in the successful pursuit,...show more

Featured in: Beyond Virtual: Close encounters of the LIVE kind

Richard Rowe, Director of International Acquisitions and Co-productions, sources original content for co-productions and television programming for DHX Media’s distribution unit. Richard spent the first 12 years of his career at Turner Broadcasting. During this time his remit included most international markets, working in a variety of roles that covered...show more

Featured in: Speed Pitching 4; Cocktails with… DHX Television

Michael Rinzler is the Founding Partner and Co-President of Wicked Cool Toys, a Bristol-PA-based multi-brand toymaker with offices in Pennsylvania, California and Hong Kong. Wicked Cool Toys manufacturers action figures, dolls, plush, play sets and more based on proprietary brands and top licenses from partners, including master toy partner forPokemon,...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Co-Production Experts

Shai Samet is an experienced and award-winning privacy consultant and entrepreneur.  Shai is currently the founder and president of the kidSAFE Seal Program, a popular safety certification service and seal-of-approval program designed exclusively for children-friendly websites, mobile apps, and connected technologies.  Many well-known brands from around the world are members...show more

Featured in: Digital Kids and Privacy: What you need to know to protect your brand

Angela C. Santomerois an original Co-Creators, Executive Producer and Head Writer for the breakthrough and award winning Blue’s Clues.  Angela is also the Creator, Executive Producer and Head Writer for the smash hit Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (PBS), as well as Super Why! (PBS), Creative Galaxy (Amazon Studios), and Wishenpoof! (Amazon Studios).  Malcolm...show more

Featured in: Netflix's New-School Preschool

Frank Saperstein oversees all aspects of Surprise Bag’s expanding digital media business in the areas of IP development, co-­‐production financing partnerships, live action and animation client services and consulting. He previously served as EVP of Tricon’s Kids, Family and Animation business launching the division by leveraging the company’s non-­‐scripted infrastructure,...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Co-Productions & Financing

Josh Scherba, EVP, Content and Distribution, oversees the talented teams at DHX Media who are responsible for creating winning kids’ and family content and placing it on screens globally. Mr. Scherba has been with the company since its founding in 2006, coming over with Decode Entertainment when it merged with...show more

Featured in: Picking Platforms: What's the best vehicle for your project and how do you get it there?

Vicky Schroderus joined YLE, Finnish Broadcasting Company in 1997 is currently working as Acquisiton Executive for YLE Television. When measured by ratings and audience satisfaction YLE TV2 is the leading channel for children’s programming in Finland. It transmits annually over 1000 hours of children’s programming for a two- to 12-year-old...show more

Featured in: Pioneering Pubcasters in the Brave New World of VOD

Larry Schwarz specializes in creating characters, telling stories and producing content across multiple platforms. He is the president of Larry Schwarz and His Band and the founder of Animation Collective, which he sold to Handmade Films in 2009 and re-purchased in October 2017.

He is the author, with co-writer Iva Marie...show more

Featured in: Listening to Your Inner Entrepreneur: How to grow in the kids business

Jay Shah leads Global Content Distribution at LEGO, overseeing content partnerships, co-productions, and business development efforts for the iconic toy company’s entertainment division. Shah is responsible for sales, marketing, developing multiplatform content strategies, and seeking out new & innovative ways to convey content and stories to consumers globally through new...show more

Featured in: We Need to Talk About YouTube: Building launch plans around the all-important AVOD channel

Emily Shapiro is Director of Children’s Programming at Panoply Media, which produces extraordinary podcasts, provides breakthrough technology for advertisers and publishers through Megaphone, and delivers premium children's content through the Pinna app. Emily Co-Founded and sits on the Board of Directors of the New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), an Academy...show more

Neal is CEO & Co-Founder of BEGiN, the parent company of the Speakaboos and Homer early childhood literacy and language learning programs.  BEGiN’s mission is to provide children the best educational start possible.  Neal manages BEGiN’s purpose and vision, sets its strategic plan, recruits talent and manages its relationships with...show more

Featured in: The Long Game: Setting up subscription services

igdalis Silva is Vice President of Programming and Acquisitions for Nickelodeon Latin America.  Based in Miami, Silva reports into Tatiana Rodriguez, Senior Vice President of Programming and Creative Strategy for Nickelodeon Latin America. 

In this role, Silva is responsible for the programing strategy and positioning of all on-air content for the...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... Nickelodeon

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 ranging from Daniel Tiger’s...show more

Featured in: Cocktails with... PBS KIDS; 30 Minutes with... Linda Simensky, PBS KIDS; Creating LGBTQ-inclusive Content for Kids; Broadcaster to Broadcaster: Focus on preschool

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: Cocktails with... France Télévisions; Speed Pitching 2

With more than 25 years of experience in the development, production and distribution of cultural and entertainment products, Pierre Sissmann has been involved in TV channel launches, music production and distribution and even in the creation of a press group.  After being a top executive at Sony Music for 10...show more

Featured in: Lunching with... Co-Production Experts

Over the past 15 years, Dave has worked internationally as a brand developer, writer, story editor and creative director on broadcast and digital projects for toy companies like Mattel, Saban, Lionel Trains and Spin Master; production companies including Cartoon Saloon, 9 Story, marblemedia, Sesame Workshop and American Greetings; and your...show more

Featured in: Brainpick: Pitching & Development