Event Check-In Opens
Registration Desk
10:00 AM-10:30 AM

Venue Tour
Registration Desk
12:00 PM-12:30 PM

Want to not waste precious time trying to find sessions, events and people throughout the week? Get a feel for the layout of our brand-new event space before the Summit officially kicks off. This tour departs from Meeting Point B (close to the Registration Desk) and shows you where everything will take place.

Pitch Prep 1
Pacific 14/15
1:00 PM-2:00 PM

Get primed to pitch your project more effectively! In these one-on-one consults, some of the industry’s most talented pitchers will take a look at your materials and give you advice on how to deliver them with more punch. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

Ask an Expert
Pacific 17
2:00 PM-3:00 PM

This drop-in session is your opportunity to get free advice and guidance from experienced specialists in niche areas of the kids entertainment industry.

Speaking

Pitch Prep 2
Pacific 14/15
3:00 PM-4:00 PM

Get primed to pitch your project more effectively! In these one-on-one consults, some of the industry’s most talented pitchers will take a look at your materials and give you advice on how to deliver them with more punch. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

Venue Tour
Registration Desk
5:00 PM-5:30 PM

Want to not waste precious time trying to find sessions, events and people throughout the week? Get a feel for the layout of our brand-new event space before the Summit officially kicks off. This tour departs from Meeting Point B (close to the Registration Desk) and shows you where everything will take place.

Welcome Party
Pool Garden
5:30 PM-7:00 PM

As the sun sets on the first day of Kidscreen Summit 2024, we invite all delegates to join us for cocktails on the pool garden at the Marriott Marquis.

BREAKFAST (served until 10:00am in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 10-13 and the Outdoor Terrace)
8:00 AM-10:00 AM

Venue Tour
Registration Desk
8:00 AM-8:30 AM

Want to not waste precious time trying to find sessions, events and people throughout the week? Get a feel for the layout of our brand-new event space before the Summit officially kicks off. This tour departs from Meeting Point B (close to the Registration Desk) and shows you where everything will take place.

WTF Happened? A macroeconomic analysis
Pacific 21
9:00 AM-9:45 AM

There's no question that the state of the industry is Challenging with a capital C right now, and most of us are understandably focused on managing the impact to our own businesses. But it's worth pulling back to look at the bigger picture because that's where the signs of recovery will manifest first. We've invited Bloomberg's media & entertainment managing editor Lucas Shaw—who is also the author of Screentime, a weekly newsletter about the future of entertainment—to sit down and talk about the factors and events that have created the current market climate, and also when things might start to change for the better. NOTE: This session has been pre-recorded, due to a scheduling conflict.

Speaking

Fundamental Industry Change and the Future of Kids Content
Pacific 21
10:00 AM-10:45 AM

After years of near-exponential growth in content spend driven by streaming competition, a perfect storm of factors collided in 2023 to change the market outlook fundamentally. Kids content has always been critical in the streaming space—along with comedy and drama, it’s part of the holy trinity that has driven growth in that market. But platforms everywhere slammed on the brakes in 2023 to rethink their content strategies, faced with saturated markets, intense competition, an economic downturn and cost-of-living crisis, and an increasingly cynical Wall Street. If that wasn’t enough, the US writers’ and actors’ strikes have set the industry back months. What does all this mean for kids content? This data-driven presentation from Ampere Analysis will explore the 10 things you need to know now about our new market dynamic.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Pablo Zuccarino, Warner Bros. Discovery Latin America
Pacific 17
10:00 AM-10:30 AM

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.

Speaking

Speed Pitching 1
Temecula
10:00 AM-11:30 AM

Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format will feature 10-minute meetings, and you should prepare to spend eight minutes delivering the perfect elevator pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Kirsten Hurd, TVOKids
Pacific 16
10:30 AM-11:00 AM

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.

Speaking

BREAK
10:45 AM-11:00 AM

Moving Forward with Purpose: A legacy leadership POV
Pacific 21
11:00 AM-11:45 AM

“Information is not knowledge. The only knowledge is experience.” (Albert Einstein)  

With the benefit of having successfully navigated multiple cycles of economic boom and bust, our industry’s legacy leaders have a lot of experience and insight to share that’s directly relevant to current market conditions. This panel discussion will tap into their collective knowledge to explore parallels from the past, opportunities for innovation, and tried-and-true strategies for riding out the storm and coming out whole on the other side.

Speaking

Opening New Doors on Sesame Street
Pacific 18
11:00 AM-11:45 AM

Five decades into their mission to foster self-esteem and a sense of community among preschoolers, the producers behind Sesame Street are still learning new things about their audience. This year’s insights have stemmed from recent collaborations with GLAAD, Hypernovas Productions and the YURI Education Project. Join us to learn first-hand from these expert partners about how to elevate your own inclusivity strategies and produce content that promotes a healthy sense of self and belonging. 

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Coralie Boitrelle-Laigle, M6
Pacific 17
11:00 AM-11:30 AM

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.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Rick Clodfelter, Disney Branded Television
Pacific 16
11:30 AM-12:00 PM

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.

Speaking

BREAK
11:45 AM-12:00 PM

What About the Indies?
Pacific 21
12:00 PM-12:45 PM

With most of the usual paths for getting a kids show concept off the ground disrupted, and with little certainty about when they’ll open up again, what should an independent creator be doing right now? This session will bring together a group of veteran and early-career indies to discuss their unique challenges and map out some best practices for keeping the creative workflow flowing, maintaining profile in the industry, and staying primed to come out of the gate running when the turnaround starts to happen.

Speaking

In the Room Where it Happens: The importance of diversity in decision-making
Pacific 18
12:00 PM-12:45 PM

Despite several years of concerted DEI efforts, we haven’t seen much change in our executive and decision-making ranks. Incorporating diversity in all levels of teams fosters an atmosphere where people can express themselves freely, leading to a willingness to take risks and share great ideas—it’s critical for establishing an effective culture of innovation.

This session will discuss the importance and role of diverse leadership and decision-making/strategy-setting involvement at all stages of the kids TV cycle, from pitch, to development, to greenlight, to production. We’ll address challenges and opportunities around tapping into diverse expertise, perspectives and experiences in leadership strategies, as well as discussing the role of inclusion in innovation and the business opportunities this can lead to.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Adriano Schmid, PBS KIDS
Pacific 17
12:00 PM-12:30 PM

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.

Speaking

LUNCH (served until 2:00pm in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 10-13 and the Outdoor Terrace)
12:45 PM-2:00 PM

Lunch & Learn: TV Fundamentals
Pacific 23/24
12:45 PM-2:00 PM

Spend some quality time in small groups with development, financing and production experts who can give you advice about how to get your kids TV concept off the ground and into the pipeline. This is designed as a networking opportunity, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

KEYNOTE - Changing the World, with Science!
Pacific 21
2:00 PM-2:45 PM

Kids entertainment creators and the scientists and engineers exploring space and solving complex problems here on Earth share a common passion for a better future for humankind. As an engineer, a hugely popular TV host, and now CEO of the world’s largest space interest group (The Planetary Society), Bill Nye knows better than anyone how science and entertainment can work together to make meaningful, positive change. In his Kidscreen Summit keynote, Bill will share some of what he’s learned over the years, including the power of exciting kids about science at a young age. He will also tell us why this is the most exciting time yet to be working in space exploration, showcasing images and discoveries that can help us all better understand our place in the galaxy. Get ready to be wowed!

An American science educator, engineer, comedian, television presenter, author and inventor, Bill is on a mission to foster a scientifically literate society and help people everywhere understand and appreciate the science that makes our world work. Making science entertaining and accessible is something he has been passionate about his entire life. 

Speaking

Speed Pitching 2
Temecula
2:00 PM-3:30 PM

Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format will feature 10-minute meetings, and you should prepare to spend eight minutes delivering the perfect elevator pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

BREAK
2:45 PM-3:00 PM

Another Way In: YouTube
Pacific 18
3:00 PM-3:45 PM

YouTube represents a massive global ecosystem where kids spend a significant amount of their free time. Join us as we explore its reach and engagement potential, looking at strategies for building and growing an audience through successful case studies.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Patricia Hidalgo, BBC Children’s
Pacific 17
3:00 PM-3:30 PM

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.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Luca Milano, RAI Kids
Pacific 16
3:30 PM-4:00 PM

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.

Speaking

BREAK
3:45 PM-4:00 PM

Another Way In: Roblox
Pacific 18
4:00 PM-4:45 PM

In today’s fast-evolving kids media landscape, Roblox has emerged as a power-platform for IP creators. This session aims to shed light on the opportunities, as well as the unique challenges that they will face when it comes to using this launchpad to roll out and scale new content brands.

Speaking

Mix & Mingle
Pacific 23/24
4:00 PM-5:00 PM

This lively table-hopping format lets you spend a little time socializing with pairs of key execs from leading channels/platforms and production/distribution companies. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. And we strongly encourage you to work your way around the room rather than staying at one table the whole time. Space will be filled and managed on a first-come, first-served basis until we hit capacity.

Speaking

Another Way In: Podcasts
Pacific 18
5:00 PM-5:45 PM

Whether it’s a visual or audio medium, storytelling is storytelling. And with nearly half (48%) of kids ages three to 12 in the US listening to them weekly—most often with a parent (71%)—podcasts have certainly earned their stripes as a bona fide entertainment choice with all-family engagement potential. Featuring a range of different audio strategies,  this session will explore the creative process, the partners, the business models and the ROI of this exploding format.

Speaking

Kidscreen Awards
Pacific 21
5:45 PM-8:00 PM

Join us as we celebrate the year’s best work in kids entertainment at our annual Kidscreen Awards ceremony in its new Monday-evening time slot.

Speaking

BREAKFAST (served until 10:00am in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 10-13 and the Outdoor Terrace)
8:00 AM-10:00 AM

KEYNOTE - Eye on AI
Pacific 21
9:00 AM-9:45 AM

As AI continues to speed towards inevitably revolutionizing every industry that exists, there are often more questions than answers left in its wake. But this simple fact, expressed by renowned futurist and tech entrepreneur Sinead Bovell, remains: “The best thing we can do about the future is prepare for it.” Recognizing the breakneck pace at which advanced technologies are likely to outpace the workforce, Sinead has been working towards this goal for years. And she is coming to Kidscreen Summit to help us understand where AI is going next, as well as how we can create ethical frameworks and approaches to use it for good. She’ll join Kidscreen’s resident AI columnist Evan Baily for an unmissable fireside chat about what is unquestionably shaping up to be the most important innovation of our time.

Speaking

Practical Magic: AI in application
Pacific 21
10:00 AM-10:45 AM

Directly following Sinead Bovell’s “Eye on AI” keynote, this panel discussion will take a look at how several kids production companies are using this technology in conscientious ways to save time and money in their workflows. It’s not about replacing people, it’s about freeing them up from mindless tasks to focus on more intelligent work.

Speaking

Demo Dive: Preschool/Bridge
Pacific 18
10:00 AM-10:45 AM

This session series is designed to help you more deeply understand your audience and reflect their unique needs and desires in the content you make for them. For each age group, we’re bringing together a highly experienced broadcaster, producer, creative talent and researcher/childhood expert for a conversation about what makes these kids tick, and what they want and need to experience when they settle in to be entertained. 

Speaking

Speed Pitching 3
Temecula
10:00 AM-11:30 AM

Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format will feature 10-minute meetings, and you should prepare to spend eight minutes delivering the perfect elevator pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Qing Fan, Tencent Video
Pacific 16
10:30 AM-11:00 AM

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.

Speaking

BREAK
10:45 AM-11:00 AM

Decoding Discoverability: How to own, scale and maximize your audience on social media
Pacific 21
11:00 AM-11:45 AM

Leveraging 10 years of experience unlocking lasting audience growth for premium global brand owners including Sony and BBC Studios, Brett Snelgrove has recently gone indie to share his winning social and digital content strategies more broadly in the industry.  He’s joining us in San Diego to give a comprehensive presentation exploring how to own your audience by creating relevant, engaging and memorable content; build brand value and expand your reach; and maximize your audience by leveraging emotional bonds and community to drive business value.

Speaking

Demo Dive: 6 to 14
Pacific 18
11:00 AM-11:45 AM

This session series is designed to help you more deeply understand your audience and reflect their unique needs and desires in the content you make for them. For each age group, we’re bringing together a highly experienced broadcaster, producer, creative talent and researcher/childhood expert for a conversation about what makes these kids tick, and what they want and need to experience when they settle in to be entertained.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Layla Lewis, Nickelodeon
Pacific 17
11:00 AM-11:30 AM

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.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Darren Nartey, ITV
Pacific 16
11:30 AM-12:00 PM

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.

Speaking

BREAK
11:45 AM-12:00 PM

New Creator Economy Investors on the Hunt
Pacific 21
12:00 PM-12:45 PM

Candle Media’s purchase of Moonbug for a cool US$3 billion two years ago certainly made everyone sit up and take notice. And several start-up companies have joined the party since, looking to invest in YouTube channels and other digital-first IPs in the new and burgeoning creator economy. Come and hear what some of these players are looking for, the kinds of deals they’re cutting, and what you need to do to attract their interest. 

Speaking

Demo Dive: Teens/YA
Pacific 18
12:00 PM-12:45 PM

This session series is designed to help you more deeply understand your audience and reflect their unique needs and desires in the content you make for them. For each age group, we’re bringing together a highly experienced broadcaster, producer, creative talent and researcher/childhood expert for a conversation about what makes these kids tick, and what they want and need to experience when they settle in to be entertained.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Swin Chang, CBC Kids
Pacific 17
12:00 PM-12:30 PM

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.

Speaking

LUNCH (served until 2:00pm in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 10-13 and the Outdoor Terrace)
12:45 PM-2:00 PM

Lunch & Learn: Beyond TV
Pacific 23/24
12:45 PM-2:00 PM

Spend some quality time in small groups with experts who can give you advice about how to use an alternative launchpad or maximize your kids IP in other channels. This is designed as a networking opportunity, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

Big Brand Power: PAW Patrol is on a roll
Pacific 21
2:00 PM-2:45 PM

Spin Master’s 10-year-old preschool powerhouse certainly has a lot of success to celebrate. The TV series has aired in 350 million homes, a robust consumer products program has generated US$14 billion in retail sales worldwide, and its first two movies have earned US$300 million (and counting) at the global box office. We’ve invited PAW Patrol’s chief brand-builders to share the origin story and roadmap leading to one of the most lucrative franchises in kids entertainment history. 

Speaking

Atypical Approaches: Engaging kids on the spectrum
Pacific 18
2:00 PM-2:45 PM

According to 2023 CDC data, one in 36 kids in the US is now diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder—and that prevalence has nearly doubled since 2012. To reflect and appeal to this growing audience on a global scale, we’re taking a closer look at a pair of new series concepts in the works that are backed by strong support from broadcasters. They each take a different approach to tapping into what is a very real market demand, and both have a lot of merit to consider.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Edward Barnieh, BBC Studios Kids & Family
Pacific 17
2:00 PM-2:30 PM

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.

Speaking

Speed Pitching 4
Temecula
2:00 PM-3:30 PM

Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format will feature 10-minute meetings, and you should prepare to spend eight minutes delivering the perfect elevator pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Alyssa Sapire and Kim Berglund, Disney Junior
Pacific 16
2:30 PM-3:00 PM

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.

Speaking

BREAK
2:45 PM-3:00 PM

CANCELLED: Big Brand Power: A Barbie bonanza
Pacific 21
3:00 PM-3:45 PM

Mattel and Warner Bros. Discovery collaborated on an unprecedented consumer products and entertainment program in support of the live-action Barbie film that created worldwide awareness and proved nothing beats the connection between fans and the brands they love. This one-on-one deep-dive into their strategy and plans with Josh Silverman, Mattel’s Chief Franchise Officer and Global Head of Consumer Products, will provide new insights into how IP expansion can unlock the next level for classic brands.

Speaking

Rebels with a Cause: How creative disobedience makes kids their best selves
Pacific 18
3:00 PM-4:00 PM

Share your toy. Apologize to your friend. Believe it or not, the obedience we usually model in kids TV may inadvertently disempower children and compromise their ability to empathize with others and self-advocate. This session will explore how current series Lu and the Bally Bunch and Silly Sundays have applied Nonviolent Communication, a social interaction framework that helps kids connect to their needs while also caring for others. It's "me with you" versus "me or you"—and the impact is transformative for both the audience and the creative teams developing and producing the content. From scripts, to notes, to final clips, come see for yourself!

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Adina Pitt, Warner Bros. Discovery
Pacific 17
3:00 PM-3:30 PM

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.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Alexis Rice, YouTube
Pacific 16
3:30 PM-4:00 PM

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.

Speaking

Big Brand Power: We’re all ears for Gabby’s Dollhouse
Pacific 21
4:00 PM-4:45 PM

With a brilliant distribution ecosystem constantly driving audience engagement between Netflix, YouTube and linear on a global scale—plus multiple built-in play themes to tap into off-screen—the team behind Gabby’s Dollhouse have proven themselves to be the ultimate flexible thinkers while navigating the current market landscape. We've invited the brand builders behind this meowmazing DreamWorks Animation franchise to share their key insights and next-phase plans with us at the Summit.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Morten Skov Hansen, DR TV
Pacific 17
4:00 PM-4:30 PM

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.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Jennifer Burgos-Watkinson, Eclipse Productions (Moochi)
Pacific 16
4:30 PM-5:00 PM

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.

Speaking

CMA’s Red Chair Event...featuring Angela Santomero
Pacific 18
4:45 PM-5:45 PM

The Children’s Media Association will host its 12th annual Red Chair Event in partnership with Kidscreen Summit 2024. This always-inspiring, always-honest conversation series has featured some of  the most influential figures in kids and family media talking one-on-one with CMA Board Advisor Amy Friedman. Its unique format—20 minutes on life, 20 minutes on work, 20 minutes for audience Q&A—is all about getting to know the real human behind the resumé. 

In the Red Chair this year is Angela Santomero, whose dazzling resumé as a children’s television creator, executive producer and writer includes the game-changing Blue’s Clues franchise, as well as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (PBS), Super Why! (PBS), Hello, Jack (Apple TV+) and upcoming Netflix series Dee & Friends in Oz, inspired by Frank Baum’s classic book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. 

Angela’s work over the years has earned 25-plus Emmy nominations and an Outstanding Preschool Program win, a prestigious Peabody award, two TCA awards, and numerous Parents Choice Gold and Silver Awards. And as an author, she has a new book coming out this February entitled Life Clues: Unlocking the Lessons to an Exceptional Life (Loyola Press).

Speaking

Mix & Mingle
Pacific 23/24
5:00 PM-6:00 PM

This lively table-hopping format lets you spend a little time socializing with pairs of key execs from leading channels/platforms and production/distribution companies. This is designed as a networking opportunity, folks, so please save your pitch for a private meeting. And we strongly encourage you to work your way around the room rather than staying at one table the whole time. Space will be filled and managed on a first-come, first-served basis until we hit capacity.

Speaking

BREAKFAST (served until 10:00am in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 10-13 and the Outdoor Terrace)
8:00 AM-10:00 AM

KEYNOTE - Building Resilience in Kids TV with Dr. G
Pacific 21
10:00 AM-11:00 AM

With sales of self-soothing products like fidget spinners and Squishmallows exploding during the pandemic and a multitude of parents expressing grave concerns about their kids’ mental wellness in the aftermath, Ravensburger’s ThinkFun toy division turned to resilience expert Dr. Deborah Gilboa to understand what was going on. It turns out these early warning signs were just the tip of the iceberg, and lurking beneath the surface was a crisis of alarming proportions. According to the World Health Organization, roughly 20% of kids and teens around the globe currently have a diagnosed mental health condition. And many more are struggling in various ways to cope with the highs and lows of post-pandemic life.

In October 2022, Dr. G and ThinkFun published a white paper for the toy industry that identifies eight core skills all kids need to develop in order to ensure their mental, emotional and social wellbeing. They also offered up practical suggestions for the development of new products that are already resonating at retail and providing relief and tools to families trying to support kids at every stage of improving their mental health. To continue the mission, we've asked Dr. G and Head of ThinkFun Rachele Harmuth to apply their model to the children's media industry and explore how the building blocks of resilience can be incorporated into the fabric of kids TV content. Please join us for this critical keynote presentation at Kidscreen Summit to find out what you can do to help.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Vicky Schroderus, YLE Finland
Pacific 17
11:00 AM-11:30 AM

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.

Speaking

Speed Pitching 5
Temecula
11:00 AM-12:30 PM

Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format will feature 10-minute meetings, and you should prepare to spend eight minutes delivering the perfect elevator pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

KID INSIGHT - Wellness Matters: How kids TV can normalize mental health journeys
Pacific 21
11:15 AM-12:00 PM

Envision a society that proactively addresses the youth mental health crisis, rather than merely reacting to it. Where psychological wellbeing is just as prioritized and destigmatized as physical wellbeing. Nickelodeon Consumer Insights is presenting the results of an important new study at Kidscreen Summit that explores effective and practical mental wellness strategies for children, regardless of their current state of psychological health.

This unique research consults mental health professionals, children and their families to gain a comprehensive understanding of needs and best practices from those who are closest to the battle for stronger minds. The NCI team will share key insights on how to authentically show children caring for their mental health on screen in everyday moments in order to normalize these audience experiences and model useful tools and strategies for not just coping, but thriving.

Speaking

CANCELLED: 30 Minutes with… Frank Dietz, Super RTL
Pacific 16
11:30 AM-12:00 PM

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.

Speaking

BREAK
12:00 PM-12:15 PM

30 Minutes with… Libbie Doherty, ABC Australia
Pacific 17
12:00 PM-12:30 PM

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.

Speaking

KID INSIGHT - Generation Interrupted: Everything we thought we knew about Alpha has changed
Pacific 21
12:15 PM-1:00 PM

Hyperconnected. Independent. Self-directed. Continuous learners. Global thinkers. Pragmatic. Stability-seekers. Circa 2019, these were universally accepted as some of the defining characteristics of Gen Alpha (born 2010 onwards). But the experience of living through the pandemic has had a profound impact on these future consumers, and as a result, their trajectory has deviated from its path in some very significant ways. Nobody is tracking these changes more closely than the team at McCrindle, which identified Gen Alpha in the first place. And we’ve invited Advisory Director Ashley Fell back to the Summit to share some of the research firm’s latest insights about this generation in flux.

Speaking

30 Minutes with… Lucy Murphy, Sky Kids
Pacific 16
12:30 PM-1:00 PM

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.

Speaking

LUNCH (served until 2:15pm in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 10-13 and the Outdoor Terrace)
1:00 PM-2:15 PM

Speed Pitching 6
Temecula
2:00 PM-3:30 PM

Sit down one-on-one with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format will feature 10-minute meetings, and you should prepare to spend eight minutes delivering the perfect elevator pitch. NOTE: Advance sign-up was required.

Speaking

KID INSIGHT - Fandom in the Age of Attention Scarcity
Pacific 21
2:15 PM-3:00 PM

In the ever-expanding world of entertainment and IP fandom, attention and engagement are, in a way, prerequisites. Kids Industries’ annual study The Global Family (involving 5,000 families in 10 countries) reveals that in households where parents moderate content and are engaged in  their kids’ entertainment experiences, there is a 70% likelihood that kids ages four to 13 will develop a fandom. By contrast, fandom drops by 30% when parental moderation is limited, underscoring the pivotal role of attention, storytelling and engagement beyond constant scrolling.

But given the sheer amount of kids content in the market these days, the attention opportunity has never been lower. Entertainment brands continue to grapple with this evolving dynamic, unable to control the shifting engagement landscape. However, amidst these challenges, artists and creators are demonstrating new paths to fandom success that bypass traditional models. At Kidscreen Summit, Kids Industries will share its Fandom Model (underpinned by exclusive data from the US, the UK, South Korea and India) in order to help everyone navigate this changing paradigm.

Speaking

BREAK
3:00 PM-3:15 PM

KID INSIGHT - Hopper Stoppers: Fighting subscription fatigue and building streaming loyalty
Pacific 21
3:15 PM-4:00 PM

According to a recent report from Aluma Insights, 65% of all streaming platform subscribers hop around to some degree. But with at-home entertainment budgets under increasing economic pressure, the dynamic is becoming more extreme. In this fascinating original research presentation, Dubit will draw on a survey of US and UK families with kids to find out what makes them adopt, keep and cancel subscription services. The goal is to deliver key insights to guide producers’ decisions about shaping content, going digital or SVOD first, choosing distribution partners and building a marketing plan.

Speaking

Closing Cocktail
Outdoor Terrace
4:00 PM-5:00 PM

Let’s celebrate a successful week in San Diego at Kidscreen Summit 2024 with a final round of drinks and downtime.