Agenda

Agenda

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Sunday, February 9

1:00pm

Early Check-in (1:00-7:00)

Registration Desk

2:00pm

Brainpick—Getting Creative (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Gusman

From conception to creation, join some of the industry’s most experienced creators and consultants, who will be on hand to work with you on fine-tuning your pitch materials so you’re ready for market. Got a quick query about show bibles, scriptwriting or curriculum building? You can also pop in and ask any questions you may have about developing and pitching kids content.


Featuring:

Michael Blum

Owner & CCO

Pipsqueak Animation

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Rick Clodfelter

Executive Director, Content Acquisitions
& Partnerships

Garden Place Media

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Cheryl Gotthelf

Founder & President

Cheryl Gotthelf Consulting

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Jamie Piekarz

Content Producer/Creative Consultant

JamPie Media

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Matt Schiller

Writer & Producer

Schiller Instinct Productions

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Brainpick—Money Talks (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Tuttle

Have you got a question about financing or co-producing your idea? We’ve recruited a handful of leading kids content producers able to offer advice on financing and setting up effective co-production partnerships.

Featuring:

Justine Bannister

Founder & Creative Facilitator

Just B

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Genevieve Dexter

Founder & CEO

Serious Kids

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Emilie Frelon

Founder

Koala Media Consulting

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Dominic Gardiner

CEO & Founder

Jetpack Distribution

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Tatiana Kober

President

Bejuba! Entertainment

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Brainpick—Beyond the Screen (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Dupont

We've assembled top experts across the world of YouTube, podcasting, retail, and rights management to answer questions you may have about moving your content to the next stage in its lifecycle.


Featuring:

Meredith Halpern-Ranzer

Chief Executive Tinkerer

Tinkercast

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Maura Regan

President

Licensing International

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Adam Rumanek

CEO

Aux Mode Inc

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Kate Sanagan

Head of Sales & Distribution

Sinking Ship Entertainment

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3:00pm

Pitch Doctoring 1 (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Merrick

Get primed to pitch your project more effectively before the event even begins! In these 15 minute consults, some of the industry’s most talented pitchers will take a look at your materials on Sunday afternoon and give you advice on how to deliver them with more punch when your meetings start the next day. Note: Advanced sign up is required and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Pitch doctors and specific time slots will be assigned at random. 


Featuring:

Danielle Davies

Global Kids & Family-Content, Strategy & Partnerships.

Discovery Kids Media

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Patrick Egerton

Co-Founder & Executive Producer

Cheeky Little Media

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Josh Fisher

Producer, Creator, Consultant

I Josh Around

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Justine Flynn

Company Director

Buster Productions

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Karen Fowler

VP, Development & Production

9 Story Media Group

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Julie Fox

Head of Development France & Europe, Gaumont Animation & Family

Serendipity Animation

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Christopher Keenan

Independent Producer

Mattel Television

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Josh Selig

Founder & President

Little Airplane Productions (A Studio 100 Company)

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Harry Yoon

Vice President

Studio Moggozi

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4:15pm

Pitch Doctoring 2 (4:15pm - 5:00pm)

Merrick

Get primed to pitch your project more effectively before the event even begins! In these 15 minute consults, some of the industry’s most talented pitchers will take a look at your materials on Sunday afternoon and give you advice on how to deliver them with more punch when your meetings start the next day. Note: Advanced sign up is required and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Pitch doctors and specific time slots will be assigned at random. 


Featuring:

Danielle Davies

Global Kids & Family-Content, Strategy & Partnerships.

Discovery Kids Media

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Patrick Egerton

Co-Founder & Executive Producer

Cheeky Little Media

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Josh Fisher

Producer, Creator, Consultant

I Josh Around

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Justine Flynn

Company Director

Buster Productions

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Karen Fowler

VP, Development & Production

9 Story Media Group

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Julie Fox

Head of Development France & Europe, Gaumont Animation & Family

Serendipity Animation

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Christopher Keenan

Independent Producer

Mattel Television

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Josh Selig

Founder & President

Little Airplane Productions (A Studio 100 Company)

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Harry Yoon

Vice President

Studio Moggozi

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4:30pm

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

Registration Desk

Get a feel for the layout of our 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 10

8:00am
8:30am

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

Registration Desk

Get a feel for the layout of our 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.

MASTER CLASS—Majoring in Trendspotting (8:30am - 10:00am)

Gusman

Want to know whether you’ve got the next Baby Shark or TikTok on your hands? Consumer market tracker Chris Byrne will lead this deep-dive workshop into identifying kid trends with staying power, sharing practical resources for assessment, and outlining safer ways to get in on the ground floor of a burgeoning consumer movement.

Featuring:

Christopher Byrne

President

Byrne Communications/The Toy Guy

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MENTOR CLASS—Master the Art of Storyboarding (8:30am - 10:00am)

Tuttle

Making a show without a storyboard is like baking a cake without a recipe. You can do it, but you might end up with un-consumable mess. Join this hands-on mentor class with an experienced storyboard artist to learn tips, tricks and best-practice advice that will help you use this development tool to its fullest potential.

Featuring:

Ralph Sosa

Storyboard Artist

The Simpsons

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9:00am

Coffee with... (9:00am - 9:15am)

Merrick

Start fresh at the Summit! Connect one-on-one with buyers over gourmet coffee in this networking session built around 15-minute meetings. Note: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Hedda Bruessing

Head of Media Business

BNNVARA

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Daphné de Beauffort

EVP, Animation Acquisitions

TF1


Animation, kids & preschool, gender neutral, 4-10 y.o, no live-action.
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Agustina Dompe

Sr Manager Content Acquisition

The Walt Disney Company Latin America


Looking for Funny animation series but that also tell a story. Also interested in movies tween oriented, live action.
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Linda Granath

Head of Acquisitions, Children's Content

SVT Swedish Television

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Diane Ikemiyashiro

VP, Current Series

Disney Junior


Animation, kids & preschool; live-action OKAY. Looking for stories with diverse (ethnic and gender) characters, and cast.
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Lucy Murphy

Director, Kids Content, UK & ROI

Sky

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Kay Wilson Stallings

EVP, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer

Sesame Workshop

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Marion Winter

Senior Manager, Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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9:15am

Coffee with... (9:15am - 9:30am)

Merrick

Start fresh at the Summit! Connect one-on-one with buyers over gourmet coffee in this one-hour networking session built around 15-minute meetings. Note: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Hedda Bruessing

Head of Media Business

BNNVARA

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Daphné de Beauffort

EVP, Animation Acquisitions

TF1


Animation, kids & preschool, gender neutral, 4-10 y.o, no live-action.
divider

Agustina Dompe

Sr Manager Content Acquisition

The Walt Disney Company Latin America


Looking for Funny animation series but that also tell a story. Also interested in movies tween oriented, live action.
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Linda Granath

Head of Acquisitions, Children's Content

SVT Swedish Television

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Diane Ikemiyashiro

VP, Current Series

Disney Junior


Animation, kids & preschool; live-action OKAY. Looking for stories with diverse (ethnic and gender) characters, and cast.
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Lucy Murphy

Director, Kids Content, UK & ROI

Sky

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Kay Wilson Stallings

EVP, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer

Sesame Workshop

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Marion Winter

Senior Manager, Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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9:30am

Coffee with... (9:30am - 9:45am)

Merrick

Start fresh at the Summit! Connect one-on-one with buyers over gourmet coffee in this networking session built around 15-minute meetings. Note: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Hedda Bruessing

Head of Media Business

BNNVARA

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Daphné de Beauffort

EVP, Animation Acquisitions

TF1


Animation, kids & preschool, gender neutral, 4-10 y.o, no live-action.
divider

Agustina Dompe

Sr Manager Content Acquisition

The Walt Disney Company Latin America


Looking for Funny animation series but that also tell a story. Also interested in movies tween oriented, live action.
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Linda Granath

Head of Acquisitions, Children's Content

SVT Swedish Television

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Diane Ikemiyashiro

VP, Current Series

Disney Junior


Animation, kids & preschool; live-action OKAY. Looking for stories with diverse (ethnic and gender) characters, and cast.
divider

Lucy Murphy

Director, Kids Content, UK & ROI

Sky

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Kay Wilson Stallings

EVP, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer

Sesame Workshop

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Marion Winter

Senior Manager, Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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9:45am

Coffee with... (9:45am - 10:00am)

Merrick

Start fresh at the Summit! Connect one-on-one with buyers over gourmet coffee in this networking session built around 15-minute meetings. Note: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Hedda Bruessing

Head of Media Business

BNNVARA

divider

Daphné de Beauffort

EVP, Animation Acquisitions

TF1


Animation, kids & preschool, gender neutral, 4-10 y.o, no live-action.
divider

Agustina Dompe

Sr Manager Content Acquisition

The Walt Disney Company Latin America


Looking for Funny animation series but that also tell a story. Also interested in movies tween oriented, live action.
divider

Linda Granath

Head of Acquisitions, Children's Content

SVT Swedish Television

divider

Diane Ikemiyashiro

VP, Current Series

Disney Junior


Animation, kids & preschool; live-action OKAY. Looking for stories with diverse (ethnic and gender) characters, and cast.
divider

Lucy Murphy

Director, Kids Content, UK & ROI

Sky

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Kay Wilson Stallings

EVP, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer

Sesame Workshop

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Marion Winter

Senior Manager, Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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10:00am

KEYNOTE—The Power of Awe and Perception: Using Science to Unlock Creativity and Innovation (10:00am - 10:45am)

Bayfront

Kicking off the event with a fascinating presentation about how individual views of reality can be harnessed to change creative and business output is popular TED Talk speaker and University of London neuroscience professor Beau Lotto. You will not want to miss listening in as he explores how the brain experiences awe, wonder and curiosity, and how companies can use these neuroscience fundamentals to unlock innovation and foster new ways of thinking about opportunities and challenges.


Featuring:

Beau Lotto

Neuroscientist

Lab of Misfits

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10:45am

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

11:00am

Fear Factor (11:00am - 11:45am)

Sevilla

Horror is having a bit of a moment. In a sea of reboots and hero movies, the category is experiencing a renaissance, contributing some of the most innovative stories and genre-bending formats out there. How can kids producers tap into this mainstreaming trend with age-appropriate thrills? A host of horror experts reveal their creepiest secrets for success.

Featuring:

Ken Cuperus

Creator & Writer & Producer

Headspinner Productions

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Monica Dreger

VP, Head of Global Consumer Insights

Mattel

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Sarah Muller

Senior Head of Commissioning (7+)

BBC Children's

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Halle Stanford

President of Television, Executive Producer

The Jim Henson Company

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Moderating:

Michael Dee

Director, Coolabi Productions

Coolabi

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30 Minutes with... Jules Borkent & Layla Lewis, Nickelodeon (11:00am - 11:30am)

Gusman

A returning favorite 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 Network

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Layla Lewis

SVP, Global Acquisitions & Content Partnerships, Kids & Family Group

Nickelodeon

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11:15am

30 Minutes with... Marie McCann, CBC Kids (11:15am - 11:45am)

Tuttle

A returning favorite 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:

Marie McCann

Senior Director, Children's Content

CBC Kids

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11:45am

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

12:00pm

Keeping Kids Captivated (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Bayfront

This generation of kids are self-sufficient explorers, highly proficient at navigating the ocean of available content to find what fits their mood in the moment. Staying relevant means understanding their specific needs, and creating stories, characters and content that connect with them in those moments. Disney Channels Consumer Insights will share an in-depth portrait of today's kids: Who they are, how they show up, and what they are looking to us to deliver.

Featuring:

Jane Gould

Co-Founder & Partner Wonderworks Insights

Disney Channels Worldwide

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Made for TV? (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Sevilla

With thousands of hours of content to fill, there’s been a resurgence in movies for the smaller screen. But how has the model shifted, who’s watching now, and how does a scheduleless platform change the game? Broadcasters and producers take to the stage to explore the new wave of made-for-TV.

Featuring:

Lauren Kisilevsky

Executive Vice President, Live Action Family, Kids & Young Adult

Disney Channel

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Hannah Pillemer

Head, Scripted Entertainment

MarVista Entertainment

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Michael Rose

Joint CEO

Magic Light Pictures

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Pamela Westman

President

Nelvana

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Moderating:

Jeremy Dickson

n/a

Kidscreen

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30 Minutes with... Henrietta Hurford-Jones, BBC Studios (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

Gusman

A returning favorite 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:

Henrietta Hurford-Jones

Creative Director, Executive Producer, Freelance Project Advisor

BBC Studios

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30 Minutes with... Aaron Davidson, HBO Max Animation (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

Dupont

A returning favorite 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.

12:15pm

30 Minutes with... Katie Wilson, Corus Kids (12:15pm - 12:45pm)

Tuttle

A returning favorite 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:

Katie Wilson

VP, Global Sales & Acquisitions

Corus Entertainment

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12:45pm

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

Sponsored by:

Lunching with... Digital Media Experts (12:45pm - 2:00pm)

Merrick

Spend some quality time with digital media experts who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP in the digital space. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of the industry’s top execs specializing in streaming, websites, gaming apps, podcasting or YouTube content for kids. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting.

NOTE: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Jeremy Banks

Chief Executive

Coolabi Group

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Brenda Bisner

Chief Content Officer

Kidoodle.TV

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Francis Dahl

Director, International Game & App Production

Nickelodeon

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David Glauber

Creative Lead, Dodo Kids

The Dodo

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Karin Jue

Sr. Director & Head PBS Kids Distribution

PBS KIDS

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Amy Kraft

Senior Director of Development

Pinna

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Jonathan Pan

Head of Content

Amazon

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James Stephenson

EVP, Entertainment

Wonderstorm

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Melanie Summers

Chief Brand Officer

Driver Studios

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2:00pm

Redefining Pubcasting in an OTT Universe (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Bayfront

Balancing growing audience expectations and decreasing budgets, pubcasters are redefining themselves for a new world of SVOD competitors. As the streaming wars heat up, and companies increasingly bank on sure-fire hits and demos, these publicly funded broadcasters have a unique opportunity to reach forgotten audiences, tackle tough and taboo topics, and redefine what it means to balance public service and entertainment. Top buyers from the ABC, BBC, CBC, NRK and PBS weigh in on how they’re shaping their businesses for the future.

Featuring:

Libbie Doherty

Co-CEO

ABC Australia

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Marie McCann

Senior Director, Children's Content

CBC Kids

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Lesli Rotenberg

Chief Programming Executive & GM, Children's Media & Education

PBS

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Trine Ruud

Head of Acquisitions and Dubbing NRK Super

NRK


Reflect diversity; animation & live action; charact-driven comedy 6-9; Sitcom/soap-style drama; no features; Licence: unltd FVOD for Norway during licence period.
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Alice Webb

Director

BBC Children's

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Moderating:

Mark Bishop

Co-President, Blue Ant Studios

marblemedia

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Quite the Character (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Sevilla

Keeping characters fresh is the key to standing out in a crowded kid’s content landscape. Today’s hottest character designers from around the world join us to share how they bring newness to their craft, push the development curve aesthetically, and importantly, sell that innovative design to buyers.


Featuring:

Jess Cuffe

2D Artist for Animation

WB Animation

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Gyimah Gariba

Assistant Director/ Creator

Guru Studio

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Cort Lane

VP, Original Content,
Fashion Brands

Marvel Entertainment

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Isaac Mogajane

Producer, Writer, Director & Co-Founder

Diprente

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Moderating:

Heath Kenny

Founder, You and Eye Creative & Virtual CCO, Mercury Filmworks

Mercury Filmworks

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30 Minutes with... Craig Hunter, Sony Pictures Television (2:00pm - 2:30pm)

Gusman

A returning favorite 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:

Craig Hunter

Senior Executive, Amazon Kids+ Originals

Sony Pictures Entertainment

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30 Minutes with... David Cho, SK Broadband (2:00pm - 2:30pm)

Dupont

A returning favorite 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 (Myung Keun) Cho

Head of Animation

SK broadband

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2:15pm

30 Minutes with... Curtis Lelash, Netflix Animation (2:15pm - 2:45pm)

Tuttle

A returning favorite 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:

Curtis Lelash

Head of TV & Film

Netflix

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2:45pm

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

3:00pm

What Keeps You Up at Night? (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Bayfront

Our business is changing at breakneck speed these days—from evolving distribution platforms, to shifting budget demands, to the fickle attention span of kids and more. Keeping up with the ever-changing nature of kids entertainment can make even the soundest-sleeping business leader toss and turn all night long. Join this lively panel discussion about key issues plaguing the industry, and learn how top execs are plotting their paths forward.


Featuring:

Olivier Dumont

President, Hasbro Entertainment

eOne Family & Brands

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Edward Galton

CEO

CAKE

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Jane Gould

Co-Founder & Partner Wonderworks Insights

Disney Channels Worldwide

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Adina Pitt

Independent

Cartoon Network & Boomerang

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Moderating:

Deirdre Brennan

Chief Operating Officer

WildBrain

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Showrunners: Not Just For Grown-Ups Anymore (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Sevilla

While making an adult drama without a showrunner is pretty much unthinkable in the age of Peak TV, that hasn’t traditionally been the case in the kids genre—particularly in animation. But times are changing. Though they haven’t quite reached Shondaland status yet, kids TV showrunners are increasingly in demand. We’ve gathered a group of the most experienced ones to examine this changing landscape, outlining what they bring to the table, why they’re an integral part of a successful kids series build, and what producers have to do to attract top talent.


Featuring:

Edward Kay

Writer/Producer

Ernest Scribbler Productions Inc

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Chris Nee

Executive Producer & Creator

Laughing Wild/Netflix

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Lienne Sawatsky

Writer, Producer

Wishfart Productions Inc.

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Valerie Walsh Valdes

Creator & Executive Producer

Walsh Valdes Productions

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Moderating:

Lana Castleman

Director, Marketing & Communications

Writers Guild of Canada

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3:45pm

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

4:00pm

The Franchise Debate: Are Kids Sick of the Same Old IPs? (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Bayfront

Children’s entertainment was built on franchises, but a disappointing summer box office and waning enthusiasm for the latest stream of reboots indicate that these old-school IPs are no longer guaranteed hits. Are kids craving something new and exciting to call their own, or is the current slump just a minor blip? Listen in as we explore both sides of this question to determine once and for all if the franchise fatigue is real in Kidscreen Summit’s first-ever moderated debate. See who is crowned victorious.

Featuring:

Adam Bonnett

Executive Producer

Mattel

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Ken Faier

CEO & El Presidente

Epic Story Media

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Jennifer Rogers-Doyle

SVP Brand Development & Integrated Planning

Disney Channels World Wide

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Colin Williams

Creative Director

Sixteen South Studios

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Moderating:

Gary Pope

CEO

Kids Industries

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Groundwork for Growth: Setting New Creators Up to Succeed (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Sevilla

Advice is nice, but what up-and-comers really need in order to make it are concrete tools. The creative minds behind some of today’s top shows discuss the barriers they faced early in their careers, the resources and support they wish they’d had during those difficult years, and what exactly started them off on their path to success.

Featuring:

Keion Jackson

Screenwriter & Creator

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Niki Lopez

Creator & Executive Producer

Nickelodeon

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Chris Nee

Executive Producer & Creator

Laughing Wild/Netflix

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Angela Santomero

Founder & Chief Creative Officer

9 Story Media Group

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Moderating:

Kay Wilson Stallings

EVP, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer

Sesame Workshop

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Cocktails with... BBC Studios (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Tuttle

Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this lively 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. Space will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we hit room capacity.

Featuring:

Henrietta Hurford-Jones

Creative Director, Executive Producer, Freelance Project Advisor

BBC Studios

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Liz Randall

Head of Development, Indies, BBC Studios Kids & Family

BBC Studios


Unique preschool shows with a strong global appeal. Animation preferred.
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Nathan Waddington

Director of Children's

King Bert Productions

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Cocktails with... PBS KIDS (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Dupont

Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this lively 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. Space will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we hit room capacity.

Featuring:

Cathryn Asip

Associate Director, Content

PBS KIDS

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Tommy Gillespie

Senior Director, Content Production

PBS KIDS


Animation & live-action for kids ranging from age 2 to 8.
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Karin Jue

Sr. Director & Head PBS Kids Distribution

PBS KIDS

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Linda Simensky

Head of Animation & Scripted Content

PBS KIDS

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5:00pm

Kidscreen's Kick-Off Cocktail (fifth floor 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. 

Sponsored by:

Tuesday, February 11

8:00am
8:30am

SOLD OUT!— MASTER CLASS—Anatomy of an SVOD Deal (8:30am - 10:00am)

Gusman

Join two experienced producers who've successfully negotiated SVOD deals with a variety of platforms. They’ll provide valuable guidance on setting expectations, what happens at each stage of the deal-making process, standard clauses, and how to identify, avoid and deal with common SVOD-contract pitfalls.


Featuring:

Blair Powers

Executive Producer & Partner

Sinking Ship Entertainment

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Jon Rutherford

President Global Rights Franchise & Content Strategy

Boat Rocker Studios

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MENTOR CLASS—Countdown to Licensing (8:30am - 10:00am)

Tuttle

Yes, there is such a thing as too soon when it comes to planning a consumer products strategy. Join licensing veterans Marty Brochstein and Bill Graham on this step-by-step roadmap to figuring out when your property is mature enough for shelf life,  whether it can support the categories that will catch a retail buyer’s attention, how to connect with these gatekeepers, and how to shift strategies if you’re not quite there yet.

Featuring:

Marty Brochstein

SVP, Industry Relations and Information

Licensing International

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Bill Graham

President

PhatMojo

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9:00am

Coffee with... (9:00am - 9:15am)

Merrick

Start fresh at the Summit! Connect one-on-one with buyers over gourmet coffee in this networking session built around 15-minute meetings. Note: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Cathryn Asip

Associate Director, Content

PBS KIDS

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Clara Carpinacci

Head of Content Strategy

Walt Disney Television International (Latin America)

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Claire Heinrich

Head of Acquisitions, Children’s & Education

France Télévisions

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Telidja Klaï

Content Manager, Program Acquisitions
& Co-Productions, Animation

VRT-Vlaamse Radio en Televisie

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Drew Mullin

Executive in Charge of Production, Kids

CBC Kids

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Joanna Rosenthal

Manager, Content Acquisitions and Coproductions

Cartoon Network & Boomerang

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Jay Shah

Head of Global Content Partnerships & Distribution

LEGO


We’re looking for big, bold, fun, creative and innovative ideas that would yield a positive creative or commercial impact for LEGO. Please note: A mutual NDA will be required before the session.
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Nathan Waddington

Director of Children's

King Bert Productions

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9:15am

Coffee with... (9:15am - 9:30am)

Merrick

Start fresh at the Summit! Connect one-on-one with buyers over gourmet coffee in this networking session built around 15-minute meetings. Note: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Cathryn Asip

Associate Director, Content

PBS KIDS

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Clara Carpinacci

Head of Content Strategy

Walt Disney Television International (Latin America)

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Claire Heinrich

Head of Acquisitions, Children’s & Education

France Télévisions

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Telidja Klaï

Content Manager, Program Acquisitions
& Co-Productions, Animation

VRT-Vlaamse Radio en Televisie

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Drew Mullin

Executive in Charge of Production, Kids

CBC Kids

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Joanna Rosenthal

Manager, Content Acquisitions and Coproductions

Cartoon Network & Boomerang

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Jay Shah

Head of Global Content Partnerships & Distribution

LEGO


We’re looking for big, bold, fun, creative and innovative ideas that would yield a positive creative or commercial impact for LEGO. Please note: A mutual NDA will be required before the session.
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Nathan Waddington

Director of Children's

King Bert Productions

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9:30am

Coffee with... (9:30am - 9:45am)

Merrick

Start fresh at the Summit! Connect one-on-one with buyers over gourmet coffee in this networking session built around 15-minute meetings. Note: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Cathryn Asip

Associate Director, Content

PBS KIDS

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Clara Carpinacci

Head of Content Strategy

Walt Disney Television International (Latin America)

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Claire Heinrich

Head of Acquisitions, Children’s & Education

France Télévisions

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Telidja Klaï

Content Manager, Program Acquisitions
& Co-Productions, Animation

VRT-Vlaamse Radio en Televisie

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Drew Mullin

Executive in Charge of Production, Kids

CBC Kids

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Joanna Rosenthal

Manager, Content Acquisitions and Coproductions

Cartoon Network & Boomerang

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Jay Shah

Head of Global Content Partnerships & Distribution

LEGO


We’re looking for big, bold, fun, creative and innovative ideas that would yield a positive creative or commercial impact for LEGO. Please note: A mutual NDA will be required before the session.
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Nathan Waddington

Director of Children's

King Bert Productions

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9:45am

Coffee with... (9:45am - 10:00am)

Merrick

Start fresh at the Summit! Connect one-on-one with buyers over gourmet coffee in this networking session built around 15-minute meetings. Note: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Cathryn Asip

Associate Director, Content

PBS KIDS

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Clara Carpinacci

Head of Content Strategy

Walt Disney Television International (Latin America)

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Claire Heinrich

Head of Acquisitions, Children’s & Education

France Télévisions

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Telidja Klaï

Content Manager, Program Acquisitions
& Co-Productions, Animation

VRT-Vlaamse Radio en Televisie

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Drew Mullin

Executive in Charge of Production, Kids

CBC Kids

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Joanna Rosenthal

Manager, Content Acquisitions and Coproductions

Cartoon Network & Boomerang

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Jay Shah

Head of Global Content Partnerships & Distribution

LEGO


We’re looking for big, bold, fun, creative and innovative ideas that would yield a positive creative or commercial impact for LEGO. Please note: A mutual NDA will be required before the session.
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Nathan Waddington

Director of Children's

King Bert Productions

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10:00am

KEYNOTE— Reframing Empathy: Lessons from Cesar Millan (10:00am - 10:45am)

Bayfront

Sit and stay as world-renowned dog behaviorist Cesar Millan brings his expertise in reading non-verbal cues to the Kidscreen stage. With practical applications from his upcoming animated series and more than 25 years as a canine behaviorist (that's nearly two centuries in dog years!), Cesar and his dachshund/cocker mix Sophia are joined by media and education executive Alice Cahn for a fireside chat exploring the impact our furry friends can have in teaching kids social emotional learning, empathy, cooperation and tolerance.

Featuring:

Cesar Millan

Dog Behaviorist

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Moderating:

Alice Cahn

Founder

Cahnworks

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Hacking the SVOD Algorithm (10:00am - 10:45am)

Sevilla

Gone are the days the broadcast schedule served as gatekeeper—kids today have thousands of hours of content at their fingertips. So how do you stand out in the carousel? First, you have to understand how the algorithms work. Only then can you really take your show’s fate into your own hands.

Featuring:

Matthew Berkowitz

Director, Preschool
& Kids Series

Thunderbird Entertainment & Atomic Cartoons

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Anna Moorefield

VP, Global Distribution

The Jim Henson Company

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Anders Tangen

CEO & Producer

Viafilm

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Moderating:

Mahesh Ramachandra

Chief Product Officer

Kids Know Best

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10:45am

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

11:00am

Moving Mountains: Creating Content for Displaced Kids (11:00am - 11:45am)

Bayfront

Nearly 50 million kids around the world are displaced. How we tell stories about immigration—both voluntary and otherwise—shapes not only how these kids see themselves, but how the world sees them, too. Join content creators tackling this difficult topic to learn how we can better serve this audience, and why it’s so important that we do.

Featuring:

Judith Beauregard

Co-CEO & Executive Producer

Tobo

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Aly Jetha

CEO and Co-Founder

Big Bad Boo

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Shanna Kohn

Senior Education Manager of Humanitarian Programs

Sesame Workshop

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Michael Rhattigan

Chief Adventure Officer

Adventure 2 Learning

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Moderating:

Grant Moran

President

Global Monster Media & Founder, KEPYR

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Digital 360 Strategies: Making the Money Work (11:00am - 11:45am)

Sevilla

Yes, content needs to be everywhere. But blanketing platforms isn’t as simple as just uploading your library. It costs real money to make your show fit every screen and every channel. So how do you pick and choose the right ones? How can producers ensure a return on their investment? And how do you know when to just walk away?

Featuring:

Bruna Capozzoli

Head of Creative Content

Popcorn Digital

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Anna Moorefield

VP, Global Distribution

The Jim Henson Company

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Natalie Osborne

Chief Strategy Officer

9 Story Media Group

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Josh Scherba

President and Chief Executive Officer

WildBrain

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Moderating:

Evan Baily

President

Consolidated Baily

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30 Minutes with... Kim Berglund & Diane Ikemiyashiro, Disney Junior (11:00am - 11:30am)

Gusman

A returning favorite 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:

Kim Berglund

VP, Development

Disney Junior

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Diane Ikemiyashiro

VP, Current Series

Disney Junior


Animation, kids & preschool; live-action OKAY. Looking for stories with diverse (ethnic and gender) characters, and cast.
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30 Minutes with... Adina Pitt, Cartoon Network & Boomerang US (11:00am - 11:30am)

Dupont

A returning favorite 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 & Boomerang

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11:15am

30 Minutes with... Libbie Doherty, ABC Australia (11:15am - 11:45am)

Tuttle

A returning favorite 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:

Libbie Doherty

Co-CEO

ABC Australia

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11:45am

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

12:00pm

From Milestones to the New Normal (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Bayfront

As more LGBTQ characters appear on screen, is it time to move away from celebrating their uniqueness and instead recognize their normality? While increasing representation continues to be a priority, moving beyond tokenism means not every LGBTQ interaction in a show needs to be called out as a milestone. Instead, this panel will discuss the value of inclusion in the everyday.

Featuring:

Bob Higgins

President

Boat Rocker Media

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David Levine

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

Disney Channels EMEA

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David Michel

Co-Founder & President

Cottonwood Media

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Linda Simensky

Head of Animation & Scripted Content

PBS KIDS

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Moderating:

David Kleeman

SVP, Global Trends

Dubit

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Keeping Kid Influencers Safe (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Sevilla

An increasing number of kids content creators are turning to under-18 influencers to draw in an audience, but the current laws and regulations aren't keeping pace to protect these minors. How are companies stepping up to fill in the gaps, and what do others need to know about working with these young creators in safe and healthy partnerships?

Featuring:

Paul Nunn

GM of Epic Games

SuperAwesome

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Tatiana Rodriguez

SVP & Brand Head, Kids & Families

Nickelodeon Latin America

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Debbie Sterling

CEO & Founder

GoldieBlox

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David Williams

SVP & GM, Channels

pocket.watch

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Moderating:

Alexandra Whyte

n/a

Kidscreen

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30 Minutes with... Marc van den Bosch-Mprah, Kerstin Viehbach & Marion Winter, Super RTL (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

Gusman

A returning favorite 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:

Marc van den Bosch-Mprah

Vice President, Acquisitions

Super RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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Kerstin Viehbach

Commissioning Lead, Kids Fiction

SUPER RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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Marion Winter

Senior Manager, Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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12:45pm

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

Lunching with... Licensing Experts (12:45pm - 2:00pm)

Merrick

Spend some quality time with licensing experts who can give you advice and guidance on how to commercialize your kids IP in the consumer products space. You’ll have a chance to share a meal in a small group with one of the industry’s top licensees working in toys, publishing, apparel/accessories, costume/role-play, arts & crafts and live/location based brand extensions. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting.

NOTE: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Susan Brandt

President & CEO

Dr. Seuss Enterprises

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Cristian Cabero

SVP, Consumer Products & Location-Based Experiences, Americas

ViacomCBS Networks International

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Samantha Freeman

Operating Partner, Media Business

TRAUB

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Hollie Holmes

VP, Global Licensing

Mattel, Inc.

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Kristin Lecour

VP, Consumer Products

9 Story Media Group

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Menal McGrath

VP, Global Licensing

Moose Toys

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Michael Rinzler

Owner

Executive Vice President, Jazwares

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Natalie Setton

Vice President, Commercial

Herschend Enterprises

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Allison Watkins

Director, Consumer Products & TV Distribution, Warrior Cats

Coolabi

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Mellany Welsh

VP, Nelvana Enterprises & Kids Can Press

Nelvana, a division of Corus Entertainment

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2:00pm

Are You Smarter Than a Smart Speaker? (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Sevilla

Hey Google, read me a story. As more and more kids engage regularly with the likes of Alexa, Google and Siri, producers need to get prepared. New research from Dubit explores the rise in smart speakers and what it means for kids content consumption, as well as looking at how producers can develop smart, appealing and innovative features for these AI-enabled devices from the get-go.




Featuring:

David Kleeman

SVP, Global Trends

Dubit

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Adam Woodgate

VP, Research Solutions

Dubit

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30 Minutes with... Elizabeth Waybright Taylor, Disney TV Animation (2:00pm - 2:30pm)

Gusman

A returning favorite 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:

Elizabeth Waybright Taylor

VP, Development

Disney Television Animation


Animation, 6-11 only. Character driven, episodic, comedy with heart.
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30 Minutes with... Linda Simensky, PBS KIDS (2:00pm - 2:30pm)

Dupont

A returning favorite 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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2:15pm

30 Minutes with... Flavio Medeiros, Discovery LatAm (2:15pm - 2:45pm)

Tuttle

A returning favorite 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:

Flavio Medeiros

Director Program Sourcing & Acquisitions

Discovery Kids LatAM

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2:45pm

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

3:00pm

Beyond YouTube (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Sevilla

Doing business on the world’s most popular streaming service seems like a natural strategy for content players. But after years of regulatory smackdowns and PR backlash, YouTube’s kid model is in a state of flux. This panel of producers and distributors discuss whether YouTube is still a viable place for them, where it fits into their overall distribution strategies today, and how they’re mitigating the financial fallout from a turbulent 2019 and an uncertain 2020.

Featuring:

Thom Chapman

VP Sales & Distribution, Entertainment

Spin Master Ltd.

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Morghan Fortier

CEO & Co-Owner

Skyship Entertainment/Tinman Creative Studios

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Dominic Gardiner

CEO & Founder

Jetpack Distribution

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Andy Yeatman

Managing Director of Americas, Distribution

Moonbug

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Moderating:

Caroline Tyre

VP Global Content Distribution

Genius Brands International

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4:00pm

Cocktails with... Super RTL (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Gusman

Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this lively 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. Space will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we hit room capacity.

Featuring:

Frank Dietz

Head of Acquisitions &
Co-Productions

SUPER RTL

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Marc van den Bosch-Mprah

Vice President, Acquisitions

Super RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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Kerstin Viehbach

Commissioning Lead, Kids Fiction

SUPER RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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Marion Winter

Senior Manager, Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions

Super RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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Cocktails with... Sesame Workshop (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Dupont

Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this lively 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. Space will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we hit room capacity.

Featuring:

Gabriela Arenas

Vice President, North America Licensing

Sesame Workshop

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Scott Chambers

SVP, North America Media and Licensing

Sesame Workshop

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Beatrice Chow

VP, PR & Publicity

Sesame Workshop

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Melanie Grisanti

Executive/Creative Producer

Sesame Workshop

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Whit Higgins

EVP, Head of Global Enterprise

Sesame Workshop

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Shanna Kohn

Senior Education Manager of Humanitarian Programs

Sesame Workshop

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Ed Wells

Chief Executive Officer

Sesame Workshop

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Kay Wilson Stallings

EVP, Chief Creative Development and Production Officer

Sesame Workshop

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Cocktails with... Disney (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Flagler

Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this lively 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. Space will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we hit room capacity.

Featuring:

Kim Berglund

VP, Development

Disney Junior

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Clara Carpinacci

Head of Content Strategy

Walt Disney Television International (Latin America)

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Jane Gould

Co-Founder & Partner Wonderworks Insights

Disney Channels Worldwide

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Diane Ikemiyashiro

VP, Current Series

Disney Junior


Animation, kids & preschool; live-action OKAY. Looking for stories with diverse (ethnic and gender) characters, and cast.
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Lauren Kisilevsky

Executive Vice President, Live Action Family, Kids & Young Adult

Disney Channel

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David Levine

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

Disney Channels EMEA

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Carrie Murphy

Director, International Content Strategy & Operations

Disney Channels Worldwide

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Orion Ross

VP Animation

Disney Channels EMEA

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Elizabeth Waybright Taylor

VP, Development

Disney Television Animation


Animation, 6-11 only. Character driven, episodic, comedy with heart.
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5:15pm

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

Join us as we celebrate the year’s best work in kids programming, broadcasting and digital media at our annual Kidscreen Awards ceremony, hosted by actor and comedian Emma Hunter from The Beaverton, Just For Laughs galas, Letterkenny, Degrassi and more.Be sure to toast the winners, nominees and judges alike at the cocktail event following the show!

Sponsored by:

Featuring:

Host

Emma Hunter

Actor/Comedian

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Wednesday, February 12

8:00am
8:30am

MASTER CLASS—Recession-Proof Your Bottom Line (8:30am - 10:00am)

Gusman

Whether it’s a geo-political economic dip, or the SVOD content market slowing down, every good leader should know how to protect their business from a bubble burst. Join us and learn how to identify risks in your strategy, create a sustainable growth plan that can weather a financial storm.


Featuring:

Mark Bishop

Co-President, Blue Ant Studios

marblemedia

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Jennifer McCarron

CEO

Atomic Cartoons

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SOLD OUT!— MENTOR CLASS—Series Budgeting 101 (8:30am - 10:00am)

Tuttle

So you’ve landed a commission, now let’s talk money! With lots of practical exercises, this workshop will teach you how to plan a budget for your first series, exploring elements that are often over- and under-valued, and outlining the most unanticipated expenses that can mess up even the best financial plan.

Featuring:

Nadine Bates

Co-CEO/Co-Founder

Like A Photon Creative

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Carla de Jong

Head of Co Production and International Partnerships

Sinking Ship Entertainment

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10:00am

KEYNOTE—Gen Alpha, Engaged (10:00am - 10:45am)

Bayfront

Today’s kids have been born into a world of iPhones, YouTube and Instagram. They aren’t just digital-first: They’re mobile, global, visual and social natives, and acclaimed social researcher Ashley Fell is literally writing the book on them. In this keynote, Ashley will deliver a snapshot of how kids and teens live today, how they’ll shape tomorrow’s media, and how producers and broadcasters can cut through the noise to capture their attention in this digitally disruptive world.

Featuring:

Ashley Fell

Social Researcher & Director of Advisory

McCrindle

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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 eight-minute meetings, giving you ample time to deliver the perfect pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up required.


Featuring:

Maud Branly

Director, Children's Acquisitions & International TV Channels Programming

M6 - Metropole Télévision

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Hedda Bruessing

Head of Media Business

BNNVARA

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Libbie Doherty

Co-CEO

ABC Australia

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Luiz Filipe Figueira

Head of Content Strategy, International Co-Productions & Acquisitions

Globo/Gloob & Gloobinho

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Tommy Gillespie

Senior Director, Content Production

PBS KIDS


Animation & live-action for kids ranging from age 2 to 8.
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Lucy Murphy

Director, Kids Content, UK & ROI

Sky

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Trine Ruud

Head of Acquisitions and Dubbing NRK Super

NRK


Reflect diversity; animation & live action; charact-driven comedy 6-9; Sitcom/soap-style drama; no features; Licence: unltd FVOD for Norway during licence period.
divider

Kerstin Viehbach

Commissioning Lead, Kids Fiction

SUPER RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
divider

Elizabeth Waybright Taylor

VP, Development

Disney Television Animation


Animation, 6-11 only. Character driven, episodic, comedy with heart.
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10:45am

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

11:00am

Future-Proof Your Franchise (11:00am - 11:45am)

Bayfront

As parents increasingly seek content that can get their kids "real-world ready," they see less need for entertainment that lets them escape the stresses of childhood. But what do kids need? And how is this changing? Drawing on 10 years of research that explores emotional decision-making by kids and parents, the Family Room’s George Carey returns to the Kidscreen Summit stage to share the trending drivers of kids' content choices that can help producers create evergreen, future-proofed entertainment for tomorrow.

Featuring:

George Carey

CEO

The Family Room

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The Next Chapter (11:00am - 11:45am)

Sevilla

Increased demand for children’s content has companies looking for their very own “happily ever after” with the publishing industry, but producers and broadcasters have a lot to learn if they want to bring books to screens both big and small. Panelists with experience reading between the lines—both those in the middle of their story and those who successfully reached the final page—explain everything you need to know to enter into content partnerships.


Featuring:

Susan Brandt

President & CEO

Dr. Seuss Enterprises

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Caroline Fraser

Head of HarperCollins Productions

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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Athena Georgaklis

Executive Producer, Creative & Business Strategy

Nelvana

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Moderating:

Sarah Haasz

Producer

Cottonwood Media

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30 Minutes with... Jennifer Vaux, Roku (11:00am - 11:30am)

Gusman

A returning favorite 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:

Jennifer Vaux

VP, Content Acquisition & Programming

The Roku Channel

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

Dupont

A returning favorite 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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11:15am

30 Minutes with... Philippe Bony, M6 (11:15am - 11:45am)

Tuttle

A returning favorite 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:

Philippe Bony

Head of Thematic & Youth Channels, President of Gulli

M6 - Metropole Television

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11:30am

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 eight-minute meetings, giving you ample time to deliver the perfect pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up required.


Featuring:

Kim Berglund

VP, Development

Disney Junior

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Maud Branly

Director, Children's Acquisitions & International TV Channels Programming

M6 - Metropole Télévision

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Luiz Filipe Figueira

Head of Content Strategy, International Co-Productions & Acquisitions

Globo/Gloob & Gloobinho

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Tommy Gillespie

Senior Director, Content Production

PBS KIDS


Animation & live-action for kids ranging from age 2 to 8.
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Or Handelsman

Director, Global Acquisitions & Content Partnerships, Kids & Family

Nickelodeon


Aspirational characters, engaging stories, true-to-kids POV and comedy!
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Sarah Muller

Senior Head of Commissioning (7+)

BBC Children's

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Drew Mullin

Executive in Charge of Production, Kids

CBC Kids

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Katharina Charlotte Pietzsch

VP Sales Kids & Family

ZDF Enterprises GmbH

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Irene Pothecary-Huse

Acquisitions & Commissioning Executive

NRK, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation/ NRK Super


Reflect diversity; animation & live action; charact-driven comedy 6-9; Sitcom/soap-style drama; no features; Licence: unltd FVOD for Norway during licence period
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11:45am

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

Registration Desk, Bayfront, Sevilla, Gusman, Tuttle, Dupont

12:00pm

Today's Parents, Tomorrow's Kids (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Bayfront

ViacomCBS Global Consumer Insights SVP Christian Kurz unveils the findings from the new global study Are We There Yet? Today's Parents, Tomorrow's Kids, which explores how kids are being raised today, how this will shape their futures, and what it means for the content makers looking to connect with the next gen, tomorrow.

Moderating:

Christian Kurz

SVP, Global Consumer Insights

Viacom

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Classic Play Patterns for a Modern Age (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Sevilla

Trains, puppies and princesses—some play patterns never go out of style. This panel of experts will break down the toys that will always be evergreen, and examines how companies can bake play patterns into storytelling to ensure lasting CP success.

Featuring:

Olivier Dumont

President, Hasbro Entertainment

eOne Family & Brands

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Frank Falcone

President & Executive Creative Director

Guru Studio

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Sadaf Muncy

SVP, Head of Development and Production

MGA Entertainment

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Laura Nevanlinna

CEO

Ferly

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Moderating:

Christopher Keenan

Independent Producer

Mattel Television

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30 Minutes with... Heather Tilert, Netflix Preschool (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

Gusman

A returning favorite 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:

Heather Tilert

Director, Preschool Content

Netflix

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30 Minutes with... Leo Geng, iQIYI (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

Dupont

A returning favorite 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:

Leo Geng

Senior Vice President

iQIYI

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12:15pm

30 Minutes with... Massimo Bruno & Brenda Maffuchi, DeAKids (12:15pm - 12:45pm)

Tuttle

A returning favorite 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:

Massimo Bruno

Director, TV Channels

De Agostini Editore Spa


Animation projects for kids & preschool, including family co-viewing; Live Action Projects for Teens & Tweens; Interactive IPs for Kids.
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Brenda Maffuchi

Head of Acquisition & Property Development

DeAKids


Animation projects for kids & preschool, including family co-viewing; Live Action Projects for Teens & Tweens; Interactive IPs for Kids.
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12:45pm
2:00pm

Redefining Quality (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Bayfront

We may be in the golden age of content, but kids’ perception of “great,” “good’ and “just OK” shows are getting blurred. In this session, KidsKnowBest COO Peter Robinson shares brand-new research looking at how the perception of quality is changing amongst kids, how these evaluations shift between platforms and across occasions, and whether they have any influence at all on why kids choose to watch a show in the first place.

Featuring:

Peter Robinson

Founder

KidsKnowBest

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The Skinny on CP Timelines (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Sevilla

You’ve sold your show? Congratulations! But before you break out the champagne, you need to think about consumer products. How quickly can you get a product to market, and how does the development and approval process slow things down? How do timelines differ for series launched on streamers versus broadcasters versus your own channels? And just how crucial is your choice of key categories? In this session, CP experts break down how long it will actually take to get your brand on shelves.

Featuring:

Samantha Freeman

Operating Partner, Media Business

TRAUB

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Susie Lecker

President

SRL Consulting

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Moderating:

Marty Brochstein

SVP, Industry Relations and Information

Licensing International

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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 eight-minute meetings, giving you ample time to deliver the perfect pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up required.


Featuring:

Peter Gal

Chief Creative Officer, Television

DreamWorks Animation

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Claire Heinrich

Head of Acquisitions, Children’s & Education

France Télévisions

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Brandon Lane

VP, Creative

Nelvana

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Carrie Murphy

Director, International Content Strategy & Operations

Disney Channels Worldwide

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Liz Randall

Head of Development, Indies, BBC Studios Kids & Family

BBC Studios


Unique preschool shows with a strong global appeal. Animation preferred.
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Vicky Schroderus

Senior Executive, International Co-Productions & Acquisitions

YLE Finland


Emphasis on script/charac; 1’-40’; anim 2-12; live action 8-12; PS w/ values; no violence/guns, no slapstick, no horror.
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Géraldine Soto

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

Canal+

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Marc van den Bosch-Mprah

Vice President, Acquisitions

Super RTL


Animation & live action series, pre-school & 6-9 kids.
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30 Minutes with... Cecilia Persson, Cartoon Network & Boomerang International (2:00pm - 2:30pm)

Gusman

A returning favorite 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

Cartoon Network & Boomerang International

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30 Minutes with... Orion Ross, Disney Channels EMEA (2:00pm - 2:30pm)

Dupont

A returning favorite 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:

Orion Ross

VP Animation

Disney Channels EMEA

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2:15pm

30 Minutes with... Sarah Muller, BBC Children's (2:15pm - 2:45pm)

Tuttle

A returning favorite 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:

Sarah Muller

Senior Head of Commissioning (7+)

BBC Children's

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2:45pm

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

3:00pm

Everything, Explained (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Bayfront

What the fork is TikTok? And is K-Pop still a thing? If you’ve got questions about today’s hottest kid trends, we’ve got answers. In this new Kidscreen Summit format, five experts take the stage for five minutes each to explain everything you need to know about stuff you definitely shouldn’t be in the dark about.

Featuring:

Alessandro Bogliari

CEO & Co-Founder

The Influencer Marketing Factory

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Carly Ciarrocchi

Host/Writer

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Misty Eyez

Director of Women's, Transgender & Training/Education Services

SunServe

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Sarah Haasz

Producer

Cottonwood Media

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Griffin Quasebarth

Senior Director

MarketCast

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Moderating:

Amy Friedman

Founder & President

Redhead Consulting

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

Sevilla

Did you miss the boat on unboxing? Did slime take you by surprise? Sit down with analyst Chris Byrne to understand the anatomy of a toy trend and learn when, exactly, you should be jumping on the bandwagon.

Featuring:

Christopher Byrne

President

Byrne Communications/The Toy Guy

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Moderating:

Elizabeth Foster

.

Kidscreen

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3:30pm

Speed Pitching 4 (3:30pm - 4:30pm)

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 eight-minute meetings, giving you ample time to deliver the perfect pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up required.


Featuring:

Maarten Janssen

Head of Kids & Youth VRT (Ketnet)

VRT

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Yann Labasque

Director, Youth Programming

TF1


Animation, kids & preschool, gender neutral, 4-10 y.o, no live-action.
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Brandon Lane

VP, Creative

Nelvana

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Curtis Lelash

Head of TV & Film

Netflix

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Brenda Maffuchi

Head of Acquisition & Property Development

DeAKids


Animation projects for kids & preschool, including family co-viewing; Live Action Projects for Teens & Tweens; Interactive IPs for Kids.
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Carrie Murphy

Director, International Content Strategy & Operations

Disney Channels Worldwide

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Géraldine Soto

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

Canal+

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Teri Weiss

EVP, TV Development

DreamWorks Animation

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3:45pm

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

4:00pm

Activating Activism: What Hot-Button Kid Issues Are Trending? (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Bayfront

Today’s kids are far more politically and socially active than generations past. And producers have a unique opportunity to support and elevate their young voices. The question is: Where do we start? In this exclusive study conducted for Kidscreen, MarketCast Kids (formerly Insight Kids) reveals where climate change, gun violence, animal rights, digital privacy and more rank in the kid hierarchy of social change priorities, and kids themselves take to the stage to reveal how it impacts their consumption priorities. 


Featuring:

Tiffany Aguilar

Vice President, Research & Strategy

MarketCast

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Sarah Chumsky

Consultant

MarketCast

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Let Us Blow Your Mind: Storytelling Reinvented (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Sevilla

Kids don’t want the same-old story. They want to be sucked in and totally hooked. They want immersive, interactive, inventive…They want to be involved. Storytelling is three dimensional.  From board games made real to multi-sensory adventures in unexpected places, come be inspired by storytellers innovating the way we engage kids and families.  

Featuring:

Bella Desai

Director, Public Programs & Exhibition Education

American Museum of Natural History

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Vince Kadlubek

Co-Founder & Executive Advisor

Meow Wolf

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Julia posen

Media Consultant

Selladoor

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Moderating:

Donna Friedman Meir

CEO & Founder

WOW Explorations

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

Tuttle

Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this lively 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. Space will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we hit room capacity.

Featuring:

Tiphaine de Raguenel

Director of Editorial Strategy

France Télévisions

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Claire Heinrich

Head of Acquisitions, Children’s & Education

France Télévisions

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Cocktails with... Nickelodeon (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Dupont

Chat over drinks with leading kids broadcasters in this lively 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. Space will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis until we hit room capacity.

Featuring:

Or Handelsman

Director, Global Acquisitions & Content Partnerships, Kids & Family

Nickelodeon


Aspirational characters, engaging stories, true-to-kids POV and comedy!
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Layla Lewis

SVP, Global Acquisitions & Content Partnerships, Kids & Family Group

Nickelodeon

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Tatiana Rodriguez

SVP & Brand Head, Kids & Families

Nickelodeon Latin America

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Thursday, February 13

8:00am
10:00am

The Successful Pivot: A Gigantosaurus Case Study (10:00am - 10:45am)

Bayfront

Kids entertainment changes at breakneck speed, and those plans you made a year ago may no longer be relevant. The social shares retailers cared so much about last year are now significantly less important. It’s all about the YouTube hits today, and tomorrow it could be something entirely different. Pivoting production or CP strategies to keep up with the shifting tide of the market is an art, and this case study on Gigantosaurus will paint a detailed picture of how to build a fluid business model.

Featuring:

Richard Goldsmith

President, Global Distribution & Consumer Products

Cyber Group Studios USA, a subsidiary of Cyber Group Studios

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Olivier Lelardoux

CEO

Cyber Group Studios

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Jill Nordquist

CMO

JAKKS Pacific

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Orion Ross

VP Animation

Disney Channels EMEA

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Pierre Sissmann

Board Member

Cyber Group Studios

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10:45am

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

11:00am

Greener Pastures (11:00am - 11:45am)

Bayfront

We are excited to sit down for a fireside chat with three producers and broadcasters who’ve recently made their production processes more eco-friendly and found new and unique ways to engage audiences in those efforts. They're ready to dish about some unanticipated challenges that needed trouble-shooting along the way, and the key business wins that have helped alleviate the costs of going green.


Featuring:

J.J. Johnson

Partner, Executive Producer

Sinking Ship Entertainment

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Sandra Sheppard

Executive Producer, Director of Kid's Media & Education

WNET – New York Public Media

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Juliëtte van Paridon

Head of Kids Content

VPRO

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Moderating:

Megan Haynes

n/a

Kidscreen

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11:45am

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

12:00pm

Putting the Success in Succession Planning (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Bayfront

Identifying and readying new leaders to take over is crucial for business continuity. And with our modern workforce characterized by constant human resource transitioning, succession planning isn't just for retirement anymore. Leaning on more than 20 years of experience, leading HR expert Ted Malley will explain why a proper succession plan is essential, what it needs to encompass and what we all need to start doing today to set our businesses up to survive and thrive in the future.

Featuring:

Ted Malley

Chief Customer Officer

Ceridian

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12:45pm
2:00pm

Kidscreen's Closing Cocktail (fifth-floor Pool Terrace) (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Join us on the pool terrace to celebrate another successful Kidscreen Summit with some drinks and downtime.

Event Menu

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