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Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and New York Times Bestselling author of 36 books, including Becoming Muhammad Ali, co-authored with James Patterson, and his Newbery medal-winning novel, The Crossover. He is the creator and executive producer of The Crossover TV series on Disney+. A regular contributor to NPR's Morning Edition,...show more
Speaking on: KEYNOTE: The Life-Changing Power of Saying Yes (10:00am - 10:45am)
As assistant director of content for PBS KIDS, Catie Asip oversees the development of new content. She works with creators from pitch to pilot, helping shape their projects for the PBS KIDS audience. She also serves as production executive for several current PBS KIDS series, including Clifford the Big Red...show more
Speaking on: Coffee with...; Cocktails with... PBS KIDS
Linnette Attai is the founder of PlayWell, LLC, a global privacy and marketing compliance consulting firm. Linnette brings more than twenty-five years of experience to the work, building organizational compliance programs, assessing technologies, providing training, developing policy, managing incident response communications, and engaging in government relations. She also serves as...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Digital Experts
Evan Baily is a TV/film producer, showrunner, and entrepreneur focused on developing unforgettable worlds and characters, telling great stories, and building world-class franchises.
His development and production credits include SONIC BOOM, starring the world's most famous (and his favorite) hedgehog, the breakthrough independent feature FRANK & ZED, the iconic, BAFTA-winning series...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Digital Experts
Felipe is part of the LEGO Content Distribution team which handles all the LEGO series distribution around the Globe. In this capacity, he serves as the main contact and manages all the Americas region which includes the United States, Latin America, and Canada. He works with many different partners to...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... LEGO
Matthew Berkowitz is the Chief Creative Officer of Atomic Cartoons and Thunderbird Entertainment and oversees the development, production and acquisition of intellectual properties across both companies. A seasoned executive with over a decade in the industry, Matthew is an Executive Producer of Atomic and Netflix's The Last Kids on Earth,...show more
Speaking on: Balancing the Scales of IP Ownership (3:00pm - 3:45pm); Cocktails with... Atomic Cartoons
Aaron oversees development and production on current series for Amazon Kids+, the premiere destination for movies, series, mobile games and books aimed at kids ages 3-12. Previously, he developed and oversaw Emmy-winning and nominated series at Snapchat and AOL, and created IMDb’s first ever slate of original series and podcasts....show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 2; Speed Pitching 4
Mark Bishop is Co-CEO and Partner at marblemedia. An accomplished entrepreneur, brand-builder and trusted media industry advocate, Mark, alongside co-founder Matt Hornburg, has grown marblemedia into one of Canada’s leading independent production, distribution and digital media companies.
In addition to serving as executive producer across marblemedia’s successful portfolio of television and...show more
Speaking on: Balancing the Scales of IP Ownership (3:00pm - 3:45pm)
George Carey is president and CEO of The Family Room, a market intelligence company that turns consumer emotion into concrete data for the leading media, entertainment and consumer brands in the world.
At the heart of Carey’s work is the company’s Passion Points platform, a leading tracker of consumer sentiment. Grounded...show more
Speaking on: Pandemic Education Fallout: How COVID-19 has changed everything
Srinivas has a M.S degree in Computer Science from University of Missouri as Kansas City, and has over 25 years of experience in Management roles at various technology companies. After a three year stint in the US, Srinivas moved back to India during the time mobile & internet were taking...show more
Speaking on: Diversity is Good Business
Kevin Clark, PhD is children’s media producer and creative executive who focuses on inclusion and education. Most recently, Kevin was a Director of Original Animation, Preschool at Netflix. Prior to joining Netflix, Dr. Clark was a professor and founding director of the Center for Digital Media Innovation and Diversity at...show more
Speaking on: Diversity is Good Business
Rick Clodfelter, lead, Disney Branded Television (DBT) Content Acquisitions and Partnerships, is responsible for sourcing, identifying and negotiating third party content opportunities for Disney Branded Television and the Disney kids and family platforms. His responsibilities include establishing and managing strategic partnerships with third-party content providers based on Disney Media and...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes with... Rick Clodfelter, Disney Branded TV; Speed Pitching 2; Cocktails with... Disney
Michael is Founder and CEO of Retail Monster LLC, an innovative, leading Licensing Agency with offices in the US and Europe. He has been appointed to Licensing International’s Board of Directors in 2022. Connolly has overseen many of the world’s largest most successful consumer products divisions, and has diversity of...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Licensing Experts
Dr. Natascha Crandall is a psychologist and educator with a special interest in enhancing children’s growth and development through research and the power of media. She is the founder of Crandall Consulting, LLC (www.crandallconsulting.org).
Natascha earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Developmental Psychology from The Pennsylvania State University and...show more
Speaking on: Lessons in Social-Emotional Learning (11:00am - 11:45am)
Kim Diaz, Director of Production & Development at Sesame Workshop, has spent the past 15 years in preschool television as a producer, development exec, and writer. In her current role, Diaz oversees Sesame Workshop’s Creative Development pipeline, which includes original series, Sesame Street spinoffs, Sesame Street segments, and animated specials...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... Sesame Workshop
Mark Dillon is a Toronto-based journalist and author. He is a former editor of Playback, and his articles have appeared in American Cinematographer, the Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, Maclean's and the National Post. He cohosts Surf's Up: A Beach Boys Podcast Safari.
Sr. Manager, Content Acquisitions - The Walt Disney Company Latin America
Agustina María Dompé serves as Content Acquisitions Sr. Manager for the kids and family branded services at The Walt Disney Company Latin America, and is in charge of selecting and negotiating the acquisition of content for Disney Channel, Disney Junior...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 2; Coffee with...
In 2014, Patrick Egerton co-founded Cheeky Little with David Webster to specialize in the development and production of animated content for kids and family.
He has since co-developed and produced globally successful animated shows for ABC, BBC, Netflix and Disney including Kazoops, Bottersnikes & Gumbles and the recent hit series Kangaroo...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctoring 3
Chad Eikhoff is a director, writer, producer and entrepreneur who crafts imaginative stories and worlds using real time 3D animation as well as immersive media. Committed to telling stories for the entire family, he is widely known for writing, directing and producing the hit-turned-holiday tradition, The Elf on the Shelf:...show more
Speaking on: Real-Time Game-Changers
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
Speaking on: 360-Degree Brand Strategy: The merits of making a big splash (12:00pm - 12:45 pm)
Qing is the Producer overseeing the international business including content investment, co-productions and distribution at Tencent Video Kids team.
Tencent Video is a leading online video platform, providing a wide range of premium content, covering films, TV series, variety shows, sports events and news.As the largest and fastest-growing online video platform...show more
Josh Fisher is an Emmy award winning executive and content creator with years of experience developing and producing successful and engaging content for young audiences. He has been part of big global franchises and also worked closely with talented artists and creators to help guide them as they build their...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctoring 2
Fri Forjindam leads global business development, branding and communications for Mycotoo, Inc.
As a Cameroonian-born, New Orleans-schooled, MFA graduate of Columbia University in NYC, Fri has worked in film, theatre, publishing, live events and experience design. With experience both in front of and behind the camera, she brings her rich background...show more
Speaking on: Thrive in Live
Elizabeth Foster leads editorial planning and development for Licensing International, along with media relations and social media strategy. Based in Toronto, she has more than a decade of experience in journalism, starting her career in newspapers before making the move to magazines. Previously working at Thomson Reuters, she most recently...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Licensing Experts
Creative leader and collaborator, playful visionary, multi-Emmy-winning Exec Producer. Versatile storyteller, who deftly adapts and expands content to tailor it for our audience. Extensive development and producing experience. Excels at problem solving, passionate about comedy. Dynamic networker with extensive relationships in the creative & broadcast communities.
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 4; Coffee with...
Anthony Frasier is CEO and founder of ABF Creative, a Webby Award-winning podcast network and production company that bridges the gap between culture and media. A serial entrepreneur with a social mission, the former NPR producer leveraged 10-plus years in the tech industry to create a data-driven storytelling platform that...show more
Speaking on: Smart Podcast Strategies that Build Big Brands
Amy Friedman is Head of Kids & Family Programming, Warner Bros. She is responsible for the creative and strategic guidance on kids and family programming for Cartoon Network and Cartoonito, as well as the development and production of kids and family content for HBO Max.
As part of her role, Friedman...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes with... Amy Friedman, Warner Bros. Discovery; Speed Pitching 3; Coffee with...; Cocktails with... Warner Bros. Discovery; Lessons in Social-Emotional Learning (11:00am - 11:45am)
I discovered my passion for kids and family entertainment while still almost a kid myself. Inspired by working at Disney and Kids America (a national radio show) during college, my entire career has been dedicated to building brands and businesses across all media that truly excite, entertain and inspire kids...show more
Speaking on: Thrive in Live
Ed is the CEO of CAKE. With over 25 years of experience, Ed has worked all over the world for leading producers and distributors including in Paris as VP of International Sales at Gaumont and subsequently as VP of Business Development for French animation house Xilam; in London and Hamburg...show more
Speaking on: Coffee with...
Architect, graduated from UFRGS in 2006 and founder partner of Hype (www.hype.cg) and Hype Studio (www.hypestudio.com.br), architecture firm responsible for recognized projects, including the modernization of the Beira-Rio stadium for the World Cup. Fascinated by technology, he has always incorporated computer graphics into his work.
While still a student, he...show more
Speaking on: Real-Time Game-Changers
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, Moley, Clangers,...show more
Speaking on: Coffee with...; Speed Pitching 1
Athena Georgaklis is the Head of Development for Nelvana. A highly respected animation executive, Athena leads the acquisition of rights and the development of all original content for Nelvana. Athena is committed to develop creator-driven content, working with the studio’s producers, creators, and talent around the world that will resonate...show more
Speaking on: Balancing the Scales of IP Ownership (3:00pm - 3:45pm); Speed Pitching 4; Coffee with...; Cocktails with... Nelvana
Akimi Gibson
VP & Educational Publisher, Formal Learning and Racial Justice Content Synergy
Sesame Workshop
Akimi Gibson has a dual role at Sesame Workshop. As VP & Educational Publisher of the Media & Education division, she leads the Formal Learning initiatives, partnerships, and business for the Workshop. The focus of this group is to leverage the power of research-proven media to enhance and advance teaching...show more
Speaking on: Lessons in Social-Emotional Learning (11:00am - 11:45am)
As Senior Director of Current Series for PBS KIDS, Tommy leads content strategy and editorial for the U.S. public broadcaster’s slate of children’s programs airing nationally on PBS stations and streaming free on the PBS KIDS apps for mobile and over-the-top platforms. Tommy oversees production for PBS KIDS – collaborating...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 1; Cocktails with... PBS KIDS
Richard is the President of Global Distribution and Consumer Products for Thunderbird Entertainment. He oversees distribution to worldwide media platforms and related consumer products and experiences for the company's productions, including award-winning and inspiring scripted and factual content from Great Pacific Media and animated series from Atomic Cartoons. Previously, he...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... Atomic Cartoons; Mastering M&A: Looking at the current buying spree with a kids industry lens
Sean Gorman is President of Cloudco Entertainment, a kids & family content and consumer
products company whose brands include iconic classics like The Care Bears, Holly Hobbie and
Madballs, as well as newer IP and TV series such as the animated Boy Girl Dog Cat Mouse
Cheese (BBC, Gulli) and...show more
Speaking on: Diversity is Good Business
Bill Graham serves as PhatMojo's Chief Marketing Officer. In this capacity, Graham leads the LA-based toy company's marketing, brand evaluation, licensing, and communication globally. PhatMojo’s portfolio includes Bendy and the Ink Machine, TABS, Baldi’s Basics, Showdown Bandit, FGTeeV, Paddington, Pete the Cat, Llama Llama, The Office, Friends, Bob’s Burgers, and more.
Prior to...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Licensing Experts
Grey DeLisle, former recording artist for Sugarhill/Vanguard is about to release her debut album for Regional Records. The covers album, aptly titled "Borrowed" features a James Bond theme song "You Only Live Twice" featuring The Satellites Four (originally recorded by Nancy Sinatra). The single will be released Oct, 20, 2021...show more
Speaking on: Kidscreen Awards and After-Party
Creative Entrepreneur, John Paul Geurts has a strong passion for exceptional guest experience and exquisite design. He currently works for Universe Creative, a division of Universal Studios Parks and Resorts, overseeing the development of a wide portfolio of projects. Previously, he spent 23 years at Nickelodeon, where he led creative development...show more
Speaking on: Thrive in Live
Tinkercast’s Chief Executive Tinkerer, the company behind the #1 podcast for kids & families Wow in the World. Meredith is an Emmy-nominated children’s media executive and has been a thought-leader in the children’s media industry for over 20 years, building beloved brands, shows and characters most notably at PBS Kids...show more
Speaking on: Smart Podcast Strategies that Build Big Brands
Dr. Harris is the founder of Play Pattern LLC, a digital platform for curious children to learn arts and technology. As a researcher and producer of children's interactive media, she was awarded Two Daytime Emmys for her work on the educational television shows Sesame Street and The Electric Company. Dr....show more
Speaking on: Advanced Authenticity: Co-creating with kids to level up on relevance
Hollie Holmes is responsible for PlayMonster's global licensing business, and the development and expansion of PlayMonster's portfolio of brands and content-driven IPs. Most recently, Holmes spearheaded the launch of two core business lines, including Koosh and BriteBrush, and brokered the deal to bring Hasbro's beloved Playskool brands to PlayMonster in...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Licensing Experts
Kim Howitt is Senior Creative Executive for WarnerMedia Kids & Family. She is responsible for overseeing the creative development of third-party animation, co-production, and live-action across preschool, kids and family. As part of her role, Howitt works closely with the development teams across Cartoon Network Studios and Warner Bros. Animation.
An...show more
Rob Hudnut is one of the most innovative and successful storytellers in children’s entertainment. His award-winning movies, television series and specials have inspired billions of hours of viewership and over $15 billion in entertainment, toy and consumer product sales. Before starting Wisteria Productions in 2017 to create toy-based and faith-based...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctoring 3
Craig Hunter is Global Head of Preschool for kids and family, YouTube Originals. His purview includes original programming properties sourced for families on YouTube including scripted series, scripted and unscripted features, unscripted series, docu-series, scripted reality, and live programming.
Craig is a highly seasoned international content specialist in the kids and...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... YouTube Kids
As part of TVO’s programming and acquisitions, Kirsten sources a wide range of educational kids programming from all over the world and ensures it complements learning pathways for all children in Ontario. She also acts as a production executive on multiple TVOkids co-productions each year, seeing programs from the initial...show more
Speaking on: Coffee with...; Speed Pitching 1
Christina Jang is Manager, Content Acquisitions and Partnerships, Disney Branded Television, and is a key part of a team responsible for identifying, assessing and acquiring series, movies and short-form content — scripted and unscripted, live-action and animation — developed and produced by third-party providers from around the world for Disney+,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 4; Cocktails with... Disney
Susie Jaramillo is an Emmy Nominated Director, illustrator, storyteller, and NFT Artist, at the forefront of where Art meets Technology.
She currently serves as President and Chief Creative Officer of Encantos.
Encantos Original properties include the Emmy-nominated and 2x Kidscreen award-winning preschool brand Canticos, and Tiny Travelers, a brand designed to...show more
Bin Jeong is the CEO of Pinkfong USA, a subsidiary of SmartStudy. Since 2016, Bin has led the company’s
international business development efforts in the U.S. and English-speaking markets and addition of new distribution
channels for Pinkfong’s apps, digital content, and consumer products. She setup and oversaw Pinkfong’s YouTube
operations,...show more
Speaking on: Breaking Free: Taking a brand from YouTube to linear and beyond (2:00pm - 2:45pm)
Strategist, analyst, author, speaker, connector — David Kleeman has led the children’s media industry in developing sustainable, child-friendly practices for more than 35 years. He began this work as president of the American Center for Children and Media and is now Senior Vice President of Global Trends for Dubit, a...show more
Speaking on: Coming Out of COVID; Lunching with... Digital Experts
Dianna Lau is a Creative Development Executive for Apple TV+ in Children’s Programming where she’s focused on developing and producing meaningful, quality animation and live action kids series and specials. Before being at Apple, Dianna was a Kids Development Executive at Amazon Studios working on series If You Give a...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... Apple TV+; Speed Pitching 2; Speed Pitching 1
Multi-Emmy Award®-winning producer Kane Lee heads content at Baobab Studios and has executive produced all the studio’s groundbreaking works including Baba Yaga (starring Kate Winslet, Daisy Ridley, Jennifer Hudson, Glenn Close), Paper Birds (starring Ed Norton), Bonfire, Crow: The Legend (starring John Legend, Oprah Winfrey), Jack, Asteroids! and Invasion!. He...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Digital Experts
David Levine is a seasoned creative content strategist, building multiple billion dollar kids content franchises, launching and producing series across the globe, and is a recognized DEI leader. Through his company Lightboat Media, David provides advisory and consultant services to companies looking to grow in the global content landscape.
David most...show more
Speaking on: Diversity is Good Business
Layla Lewis is Senior Vice President of Global Acquisitions and Content Partnerships for Nickelodeon, a part of the global Kids and Family group at Paramount (formerly ViacomCBS). Lewis leads and implements the global strategy for all acquisitions and content partnerships across the entire Nickelodeon portfolio of channels, across all linear...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes with... Layla Lewis, Nickelodeon
As Vice President, Original Series & Co-Production, Chantal Ling specializes in proprietary content and co-productions. She works directly with Mercury’s international partners to develop, finance, and co-produce properties that are considered the benchmark in television animation. During her tenure with Mercury Filmworks, some of her producing credits include Hilda with...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctoring 1
Becca is a Senior Research Manager at Nickelodeon, primarily focusing on show tracking, consumer products, and preschool content testing. Her projects typically combine both qualitative and quantitative methodologies with kids 2-11 and parents, both in the US and internationally. Prior to working at Nickelodeon, she spent 3+ years working in...show more
Speaking on: Mind the Gap
Amanda Lorber (she/her) is Director, development for Disney Television Animation. As such, Amanda guides original series through the development process, from pitch to pilot delivery. She works in tandem with show creators to develop story, create worlds, shape design, and lock casting, music, and animation to move shows forward for series...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 2; Coffee with...; Cocktails with... Disney
Victoria Lozano is Executive Vice President, Marketing at Crayola LLC where she leads Crayola’s marketing activation and digital strategy. In her role, Victoria oversees all of Crayola’s consumer communications, digital/omni-channel marketing, interactive app portfolio and education marketing. She is also responsible for leading Crayola’s strategic direction and development plans for...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Digital Experts
Cecil D. Magpuri is the Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Falcon’s Beyond. In this role, he directs the company’s endeavors and establishes a road map for the future. He maintains high-level oversight of all significant creative and operational developments. Cecil is also a member of the Falcon’s Beyond Board...show more
Speaking on: 360-Degree Brand Strategy: The merits of making a big splash (12:00pm - 12:45 pm)
As the new senior creative executive of original content at amazon kids+, Sarah helps shape and lead the creative vision for the service as a “virtual playground" which includes over 10,000 kid-friendly & parent-approved shows, movies, games, Alexa skills, books, audio, and more!
She’s a 20+ years veteran of the kids...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... Amazon Kids+; Speed Pitching 1
Rachel Reade Marcus is the VP of Creative Development at Guru Studio where she leads the company’s development of new original IP. Her passion is creating innovative, quality animated content for all ages through nurturing and mentoring new talent, and fostering long-term creative partnerships. Rachel has played a pivotal role...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 1
Suzanne Masri oversees marketing, branding, engagement, and publicity efforts for Fred Rogers Productions and its catalogue of children’s series. Since coming to FRP in 2015, she has spearheaded the company’s rebrand and implementation of its new creative direction, led the 50th anniversary celebration of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood (2018), delivered impactful...show more
Speaking on: 360-Degree Brand Strategy: The merits of making a big splash (12:00pm - 12:45 pm)
With more than 20 years’ experience in the audiovisual field and especially in the distribution of cultural and entertainment contents, Raphaelle Mathieu has been involved in the creation of television and feature animation production companies, such as “Daydream Production” and “Timing”.
Formerly “Head of Acquisitions and Sales” at Zylo, a French...show more
Speaking on: Mastering M&A: Looking at the current buying spree with a kids industry lens
Menal has over 20 years of experience in the toy industry in a broad capacity including sales, product development, and licensing at top Toy and Entertainment companies. She started her career at Mattel in sales of entertainment brands. At Disney she managed the core toys business across a variety of...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Licensing Experts
Sabina McNally is part of the EMEA Acquisitions team specialising in children and family content for WarnerMedia’s network of linear and OTT services. In this role she is responsible for licencing content across all genres and age demographics for WarnerMedia’s key platforms such as Cartoon Network, Boomerang, HBO Max Kids...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 4; Speed Pitching 1
Emmy and Bafta Nominated, Michelle has 30 years’ experience in the kids and family production business with hundreds of episodes produced and over 50 awards and nominations. In 2015, Michelle became a partner at Radical Sheep Productions and was promoted to President when Boat Rocker Media acquired the company in...show more
Speaking on: Breaking Free: Taking a brand from YouTube to linear and beyond (2:00pm - 2:45pm)
Darren is responsible for leading negotiations on a range of acquired series, films and kids deals across the ITV portfolio (ITV1, ITV2, ITVBe, ITV3, ITV4, CITV and littleBe). For CITV & littleBe, Darren has acquired a range of live-action and animated comedies such as Detention Adventure, Mighty Mike, Mr. Bean...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 4; Coffee with...
Jon Ollwerther joined Genius Brands International in 2019 as VP of Business Development with the mandate to grow the company’s digital presence. Since then, Ollwerther has overseen the 2020 launch of Kartoon Channel!, the company’s rapidly growing children’s digital entertainment platform, and he now serves as President of Kartoon Channel!...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Digital Experts
Laura Ordoñez is Head of Podcast Ratings and Reviews for Common Sense Media. In her role, Laura has spearheaded the creation and launch of the first of its kind comprehensive podcast ratings and reviews channel, grounded in child-development principles and research. She continues to manage the growing library of podcast...show more
Speaking on: Smart Podcast Strategies that Build Big Brands
Rosemary Palacios is Director of Talent Outreach, Inclusion and Creative Development for Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit organization behind Sesame Street. In this role, she further infuses the Workshop’s company-wide diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) strategy into all areas of show development and production, including ideation, scripting, creator and voice over...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... Sesame Workshop
Maria Perez-Brown is an Emmy Award winning writer, producer and executive, currently serving as Head of Kids & Family for TIME Studios. Previously, Perez Brown was Head of Programming for NuvoTV and is the founder of Brown Kids Media. Perez-Brown has developed content for leading television brands, including Nickelodeon, Nick Jr.,...show more
Speaking on: Balancing the Scales of IP Ownership (3:00pm - 3:45pm)
Veronica Pickett, Head of Original Video for Amazon Kids, lives to tell entertaining stories that have a positive effect on young audiences. Her career has been defined by unique gigs that combine science and creativity. Veronica currently oversees original video programming for Amazon Kids+, Amazon’s digital media subscription service for...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes with... Veronica Pickett, Amazon Kids+; Cocktails with... Amazon Kids+
Adina Pitt
VP, Content Acquisitions, Partnerships and Co-Productions for the Americas, Kids and Family
Warner Bros. Discovery
Adina Pitt is Vice President of Content Acquisitions, Partnerships and Co-Productions for the Americas, WarnerMedia Kids and Family. She is responsible for identifying, negotiating, and acquiring pre-produced series, specials, movies, and short-form product that fit WarnerMedia Kids and Family brands for exposure across all platforms. She continues to oversee those...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... Warner Bros. Discovery; 30 Minutes with... Adina Pitt, Warner Bros. Discovery
A career Entertainment Specialist, Stuart began his career at Paramount working in marketing at Canada’s number one theatre chain: Famous Players. There, he oversaw Film marketing at the exhibitor working with studios like Disney, MGM, and Sony to develop their in-theatre marketing programs. Stuart helped the theatre chain win best...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Licensing Experts
Gary Pope is co-founder of Kids Industries. The company that makes family brands stronger. Gary began his career as a school teacher leading an English department before becoming a learning designer for a change management consultancy. Today Gary leads Kids Industries finding answers to the most knotty problems in the...show more
Speaking on: Balancing the Scales of IP Ownership (3:00pm - 3:45pm)
At Jazwares, Michael Rinzler serves as Executive Vice President and Partner, overseeing Blue J, a division of Jazwares that focuses on blue sky concepts that create a pipeline of new business opportunities, intellectual properties, and product innovation. In his role, Michael collaborates with world-class inventors to identify new product concepts,...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Licensing Experts
As the founder and CEO of Hellosaurus, James is on a mission to radically evolve how kids consume content, leveraging the power of interactive video for greater engagement and expanded learning outcomes. Prior to Hellosaurus, James was the Head of Product at HQ Trivia, where he led all product management...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Digital Experts
Shai Samet is a husband and father of five, an experienced and award-winning Internet safety and privacy expert, and a college tennis hall-of-famer. When he’s not exploring California’s coastal food scene for the best kosher dish, he's fulfilling his role as the founder and president of the kidSAFE Seal Program,...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Digital Experts
Zia Bales is Lead Acquisitions, Partnerships & Coproductions WarnerMedia Kids & Family EMEA, working across Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Boing, Cartoonito, Toonami, Toonix and HBO Max Kids & Family.
In this role, Zia oversees and negotiates shared acquisitions for the EMEA kids’ business, working closely with the local heads of programming and...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 4; Coffee with...
As Founder and President of Innova Partners, Gevork has been running IT and entertainment companies for over 10 years.
Prior to founding Innova Partners he was a CEO of Innova, an online entertainment company. Innova was first established as a pioneer of digital entertainment in Russia and CIS starting as a...show more
Speaking on: Thrive in Live
As Vice President of PBS KIDS Content, Adriano Schmid leads the PBS KIDS Content team and the network’s full content library. He is responsible for PBS KIDS’ robust multi-platform content strategy, meeting the evolving needs of the PBS KIDS audience by identifying new industry talent, fostering relationships with current producers...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... PBS KIDS
Julian Scott is a BAFTA nominated Executive Producer and member of the UK Production Guild. He has been developing, financing and co-producing in the international arena for over 25 years. He was introduced to the global market when he became Director of International Production for LA based Walt Disney International...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctoring 2
Jay Shah leads Global Content Partnerships 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
Speaking on: Cocktails with... LEGO
Monica Sharma is a versatile entertainment executive with a track record of driving results within the kids and family ecosystem. She has a passion for delivering solutions that combine strategic insights, people, and processes to solve business challenges. Monica currently works at Amazon Kids+, Amazon’s digital media subscription service for...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... Amazon Kids+
Katherine Sils
VP International Digital Content Strategy & Social Engagement
Nickelodeon Animation Studios
As Vice President of Digital & Platform, Kate Sils oversees international digital content strategy and social engagement for Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network and BET for Paramount, formerly ViacomCBS.
In this role, Sils leads a team that leverages the scale of Paramount’s global organization by disseminating and localizing...show more
Speaking on: Breaking Free: Taking a brand from YouTube to linear and beyond (2:00pm - 2:45pm)
Linda Simensky is Head of Animation and Scripted Content for Duolingo. Simensky is leading the company’s efforts to create scripted and character-driven stories featuring Duolingo’s original cast of characters, from original animation to the writing efforts for Duolingo’s hit Stories product and its childhood literacy app, Duolingo ABC.
Before Duolingo, Simensky...show more
Speaking on: Lessons in Social-Emotional Learning (11:00am - 11:45am)
Jamie has worked in Kids TV for the last 15 years. His professional highlights include launching & programming the Disney Junior and Disney XD EMEA channels, leading the Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy for Disney PRIDE UK & Ireland, spending a morning with Selena Gomez’s mum gossiping over croissants, and working...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 3; Coffee with...
Over her career, Fonda Snyder has written, developed and sold more than 50 projects, including animated features, to DreamWorks, Warner Bros, Sony and Netflix, and TV series to Disney Jr, PBS and Netflix.
As president of Alchemy Ink, Snyder worked with creators including Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Berkeley Breathed, NYT bestselling authors...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctoring 1
Andrea Strauss, VP, Nickelodeon Brand & Consumer Insights, serves as the in-house expert on the lifestyles, attitudes and behaviors of kids, teens, young adults and parents. She is responsible for the development of domestic and international consumer insights research focusing on preschool content, consumer products, recreation, as well as youth...show more
Speaking on: Mind the Gap
Rita Street is an award-winning animation executive producer, creator and writer, and the president of Radar Cartoons. She is the co-creator of Disney EMEA comedy Space Chickens in Space and an executive producer on Flying Bark Productions’ feature film and TV series 100% Wolf. Rita's other executive producer credits include: Hero:...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctoring 3
Rebecca is the Research Director at KidsKnowBest, leading research in the key behaviours that impact kids’ development and helping brands develop global strategies to engage family audiences. Since joining KidsKnowBest Rebecca has worked with brands such as Cartoon Network, eOne, Hasbro and Viacom.
Speaking on: Advanced Authenticity: Co-creating with kids to level up on relevance
Anna joined the BBC in the autumn of 2021 as BBC Children’s Head of Content and Programming Strategy. She is responsible for managing content and programming strategies for video output across CBeebies, CBBC and BBC iPlayer working alongside the commissioning and acquisitions leads. Anna oversees the teams responsible for planning and...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes with... Anna Taganov, BBC Children's
Carlene Tan is responsible for identifying new IP and producing original series for WarnerMedia’s Kids & Family brands in Asia Pacific including Cartoon Network, Cartoonito, Boomerang and POGO, as well as the streaming service HBO GO.
Based in Singapore, she oversees the region’s current slate of APAC originals that include the...show more
AJ is a 20+ year veteran of the entertainment industry as both on-screen talent and an off-screen creative. As a development executive he is driven by a lifetime desire to tell inspiring stories. In addition to overseeing the Kids/Family scripted TV slate for marblemedia, AJ regularly volunteers to mentor emerging...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctoring 1
Rosemarie T. Truglio is the Senior Vice President of Curriculum and Content at Sesame Workshop. Dr. Truglio is responsible for the development of the interdisciplinary curriculum on which Sesame Street is based and oversees content development across platforms (e.g., television, publishing, toys, home video, and theme park activities). She also...show more
Speaking on: Pandemic Education Fallout: How COVID-19 has changed everything
Jennifer Twiner-McCarron is the CEO of Thunderbird Entertainment Group, and its Kids and Family Division, Atomic Cartoons. The Vancouver-based global multiplatform entertainment company creates award-winning scripted, unscripted and animated programming for the world’s leading digital platforms, as well as Canadian and International broadcasters.
Jennifer Twiner-McCarron joined Atomic Cartoons, Thunderbird Entertainment’s kids and family division,...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... Atomic Cartoons
Caroline Tyre, Vice President Global Sales & Rights Strategy at WildBrain, is responsible for leading the implementation of commercial content strategy and spearheading content distribution for WildBrain. Ms. Tyre leads the global sales team, handles all tactical relationships with all major platforms, broadcasters and content partnerships, and develops tailored content...show more
Speaking on: Coffee with...; Coffee with...
SUSAN VARGO (Producer) is the Tony Award nominated and Drama Desk Award winning executive producer of The SpongeBob Musical on stage and for television. She also oversees global creative development for Nickelodeon live entertainment.
She has overseen the strategic expansion of the Nickelodeon live theatrical business from one domestic US touring...show more
Speaking on: Thrive in Live
Erika is the Director of Programming and Acquisitions for HITN Television and Digital Services. In that capacity, Erika is responsible for designing the content strategy and securing programming rights for all of HITN services, including HITN Linear TV channel, that reaches 44 million homes across the nation, as well as...show more
Speaking on: Diversity is Good Business; Speed Pitching 3; Coffee with...
As Head of Nelvana Enterprises, Mellany Masterson brings over 15 years of knowledge and a specialized focus within the kids entertainment and consumer products space. Mellany oversees the global brand strategy, content distribution, digital, licensing, and retail development for Nelvana’s extensive brand portfolio.
Mellany previously served as Director of Global Business...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Licensing Experts; Cocktails with... Nelvana
Maurice Wheeler is CEO at We Are Family in London; the world's biggest and most experienced full service agency group that specialises in children, young people and their families
Maurice has been at the front-line of developing audience led strategies for over 25 years, working with brands in the entertainment, sports,...show more
Speaking on: The Science of an Earworm
Alexis Wilcock is the Licensing Manager at ADK Emotions NY, a content and rights management company specializing in bringing Japanese animated IP (“anime”) to the global market, including the beloved global toy and anime hits BEYBLADE and BEYBLADE BURST. Prior to her role at ADK, Alexis represented brands and developed...show more
Speaking on: Lunching with... Licensing Experts
Chris is the Founder & CEO of pocket.watch, the new studio that specializes in entertaining and inspiring kids and families through digital-first content and sparking their imaginations with lifestyle products ranging from toys to toothbrushes. He's dedicated to bringing kids and families more of what they love by turning YouTube...show more
Speaking on: Breaking Free: Taking a brand from YouTube to linear and beyond (2:00pm - 2:45pm)
Katie Wilson, Vice President, Channels and Curation, WildBrain Television, is responsible for curating content and providing editorial direction across WildBrain’s portfolio of Canadian broadcast channels – Family Channel, Family CHRGD, Family Jr., Télémagino and their multiplatform/VOD extensions. Central to her role, Wilson spearheads WildBrain Television’s content acquisition and original production...show more
Speaking on: 30 Minutes with... Katie Wilson, WildBrain Television; Speed Pitching 1
She oversees Sesame Street and all Sesame Workshop shows, as well as the development of new programs and content across existing and emerging platforms. Wilson Stallings leads creative for domestic production and partners with global teams to enrich and expand Sesame Workshop’s presence around the world.
She was most recently the...show more
Speaking on: Cocktails with... Sesame Workshop
Lorna Withrington, Vice President, Development–Animation, is a recognized leader in the creative development and acquisition of kids’ and family properties with franchise appeal for the global market. As a key member of WildBrain’s Content team, she helps drive the strategic vision behind the company’s diverse, multi-genre slate of original animation,...show more
Speaking on: Speed Pitching 3; Speed Pitching 2
Jes Wolfe is the CEO and Chairwoman of Rebel Girls, a global multi-platform empowerment brand, dedicated to helping raise the most inspired and confident generation of girls through content, experiences, products, and community. The brand's reach includes a growing community of 20 million self-identified Rebel Girls spanning more than 100...show more
Speaking on: Smart Podcast Strategies that Build Big Brands
Adam has accrued over 30 years media and marketing experience, 10 years of which was spent in senior operational roles.
Initially spending time in audience research for London Weekend Television, he then moved into creating content for broadcasters firstly working in the US and subsequently in the UK. In 2001 he...show more
Speaking on: Coming Out of COVID
Brenda Wooding is a senior children's media executive with expertise in global content development, production, financing, pre-sales, co-production and distribution.
Her executive producer credits include projects for National Geographic Partners, Animal Planet, Disney Plus, Sesame Studios, Universal Kids, Cartoon Network and Disney Channels.
As VP of Development, Kids Content...show more
Speaking on: Pitch Doctoring 2
Jasen Wright, VP North America for WildBrain CPLG, has developed consumer product and licensing programmes for some of the world’s leading brands across food & beverage, home improvement, automotive, art, sports, lifestyle and entertainment. Wright leads a team responsible for growing WildBrain CPLG’s North American portfolio of entertainment and lifestyle...show more
Speaking on: 360-Degree Brand Strategy: The merits of making a big splash (12:00pm - 12:45 pm)
Andy Yeatman is Managing Director, Americas at Moonbug Entertainment, a global entertainment company that develops and distributes fun and enriching content for children. Yeatman is one of the most respected and accomplished executives in kids' content, with more than 15 years of experience in the film and television industry. In...show more
Speaking on: The Science of an Earworm; Mastering M&A: Looking at the current buying spree with a kids industry lens
