Agenda

Agenda

Sunday, February 22

9:00am

Event Check-In Opens (9:00am - 6:30pm)

9:45am

What You Need to Know: Kids & Anime (9:45am - 10:15am)

Silver Pearl 3

Take a crash-course in how anime is made, sold and evolving globally—from Japan’s traditional production model and international collaborations, to platform disruption and what the future holds for global co-productions and storytelling.

What You Need to Know is a fast-moving presentation series that brings in leading experts to decode how kids discover, play and engage with next-gen entertainment platforms and formats. Each talk delivers sharp, practical insights on what’s driving kids’ behavior today and where their attention is heading next, giving you the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Featuring:

Eric Calderon

Writer, Producer & YouTube Educator

Independent

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10:30am

What You Need to Know: Kids & K-Pop (10:30am - 11:00am)

Silver Pearl 3

Dive into how K-pop continues to captivate global youth. This session breaks down fan culture, community dynamics, and the powerful storytelling and marketing strategies driving kids’ engagement across music, social media, and beyond.

What You Need to Know is a fast-moving presentation series that brings in leading experts to decode how kids discover, play and engage with next-gen entertainment platforms and formats. Each talk delivers sharp, practical insights on what’s driving kids’ behavior today and where their attention is heading next, giving you the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Featuring:

Bernie Cho

President & Founder

DFSB Kollective

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11:00am

Venue Tour (11:00am - 11:30am)

Meeting Point B

Get your bearings before the Summit begins! This guided walk-through departs from Meeting Point B (near the Info Booth) and gives you a first look at the key spaces for sessions, events, networking, and meetings—helping you navigate the week with confidence and make the most of every minute.

11:15am

What You Need to Know: Kids & Microdramas (11:15am - 11:45am)

Silver Pearl 3

Discover how vertical microdramas are redefining storytelling for mobile-native audiences. This session explores why short, serialized, phone-first narratives are captivating older viewers—and what forward-looking kids creators and brands can learn from this fast-rising format.

What You Need to Know is a fast-moving presentation series that brings in leading experts to decode how kids discover, play and engage with next-gen entertainment platforms and formats. Each talk delivers sharp, practical insights on what’s driving kids’ behavior today and where their attention is heading next, giving you the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Featuring:

Jen Cooper

Founder

Vertical Drama Love

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11:30am

Pitch Prep 1 (11:30am - 12:30pm)

Driftwood/Seaglass

Bring your pitch to the next level! In these one-on-one consults, expert pitchers will assess your materials, refine your story, and coach you on how to present your project with greater punch, focus and confidence.
NOTE: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Natascha Crandall, PhD

President

Crandall Consulting

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Josh Fisher

Producer, Creator, Consultant

I Josh Around

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Robin Gladman

Consultant Producer

Locksmith Animation

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Tom McGillis

President

Fresh TV

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Adina Tartak Pitt

Kids Media Consultant

Independent

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Alexi Wheeler

Executive Director & Producer

Wheel In Motion

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Katie Wilson

VP, Global Sales & Acquisitions

WildBrain

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12:00pm

What You Need to Know: Kids & Webtoons (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Explore how webtoons are engaging young readers and driving new storytelling models. This session examines creator ecosystems, audience behavior, and how digital comics are shaping the future of kids entertainment and fandom.

What You Need to Know is a fast-moving presentation series that brings in leading experts to decode how kids discover, play and engage with next-gen entertainment platforms and formats. Each talk delivers sharp, practical insights on what’s driving kids’ behavior today and where their attention is heading next, giving you the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Featuring:

Sydney Bright

Head of Global Animation

Wattpad WEBTOON Studios

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12:30pm

BREAK (12:30pm - 2:00pm)

2:00pm

Pitch Prep 2 (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Driftwood/Seaglass

Bring your pitch to the next level! In these one-on-one consults, expert pitchers will assess your materials, refine your story, and coach you on how to present your project with greater punch, focus and confidence.
NOTE: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Natalie Adams

SVP, Business Development

Triggerfish Animation

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Karen Fowler

VP, Development & Production

9 Story Media Group

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Chantal Ling

Supervising Producer

Spin Master

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Rennata López

Co-CEO, Executive Producer & Director

Lopii Productions

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AJ Trauth

VP Development, Kids, Family, YA & Animation

Blue Ant Media

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Lorna Withrington

Head of Development

Gigglebug Entertainment

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What You Need to Know: Kids & TikTok (2:00pm - 2:30pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Explore how kids use TikTok to create, connect and discover. This session reveals emerging trends, creator culture and the storytelling styles shaping how young audiences express themselves on this social platform and influence what’s next.

What You Need to Know is a fast-moving presentation series that brings in leading experts to decode how kids discover, play and engage with next-gen entertainment platforms and formats. Each talk delivers sharp, practical insights on what’s driving kids’ behavior today and where their attention is heading next, giving you the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Featuring:

Jenny Zha

Founder & CEO

Infinitize

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3:00pm

What You Need to Know: Kids & Roblox (3:00pm - 3:30pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Explore how kids play, create and connect on Roblox. This session reveals what’s fueling engagement, how brands and storytellers are innovating in-platform, and where the next opportunities for kids entertainment are emerging.

What You Need to Know is a fast-moving presentation series that brings in leading experts to decode how kids discover, play and engage with next-gen entertainment platforms and formats. Each talk delivers sharp, practical insights on what’s driving kids’ behavior today and where their attention is heading next, giving you the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Featuring:

Stephen Dypiangco

CEO

Max Power Gaming

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4:00pm

What You Need to Know: Kids & YouTube (4:00pm - 4:30pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Discover how kids really use YouTube—from what drives discovery to how creators build loyalty. This session breaks down emerging trends, algorithms, and behaviors shaping the next wave of kids’ video engagement.

What You Need to Know is a fast-moving presentation series that brings in leading experts to decode how kids discover, play and engage with next-gen entertainment platforms and formats. Each talk delivers sharp, practical insights on what’s driving kids’ behavior today and where their attention is heading next, giving you the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Featuring:

Kaley Mullin

Co-Founder

Cool Shiny Insights

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5:00pm

What You Need to Know: Kids & AI (5:00pm - 5:30pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Explore how kids are experimenting with AI—from creating art and stories, to customizing play and learning. This session uncovers emerging behaviors, motivations and what their hands-on use reveals about the future of creativity.

What You Need to Know is a fast-moving presentation series that brings in leading experts to decode how kids discover, play and engage with next-gen entertainment platforms and formats. Each talk delivers sharp, practical insights on what’s driving kids’ behavior today and where their attention is heading next, giving you the knowledge you need to stay ahead of the curve.

Featuring:

Ryan Scofield

Fractional CMO & Strategy Consultant

KidSay

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5:30pm

The Welcome Hour: Cocktails & Conversation (5:30pm - 6:30pm)

Shorebreak

Kick off Kidscreen 2026 with an hour of cocktails and conversation, designed to make meeting people easy. Hosted by Carly Ciarrocchi, The Welcome Hour is the perfect way to settle in ahead of the action. Grab a drink and drop into community with guided prompts that’ll keep the conversation flowing. Whether it’s your first Kidscreen or your 10th, mingle with fresh and familiar faces, and spark the connections that will carry you through the week.

Featuring:

Carly Ciarrocchi

Host & Writer

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Monday, February 23

8:00am

BREAKFAST (8:00am - 10:00am)

Coral

 


9:00am

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

Meeting Point B

Get your bearings before the Summit begins! This guided walk-through departs from Meeting Point B (near the Info Booth) and gives you a first look at the key spaces for sessions, events, networking, and meetings—helping you navigate the week with confidence and make the most of every minute.

9:30am

Speed Pitching 1 (9:30am - 11:00am)

Driftwood/Seaglass

Connect one-on-one with leading broadcasters and investors who can help move your project forward. In these focused 10-minute meetings, you’ll have eight minutes to deliver a sharp, compelling pitch and two minutes for feedback or next steps. NOTE: Advance sign-up is required.

Featuring:

Géraldine Soto

Head of Acquisitions, Prebuys & Co-Productions, Kids

Canal+

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10:00am

Behind the Channel: Building a Business on YouTube (10:00am - 10:45am)

Silver Pearl 1

Discover how top kids content creators turn YouTube Kids engagement into sustainable business growth. This session explores strategies for building brands, diversifying revenue streams, leveraging data insights, and navigating the evolving YouTube Kids ecosystem to transform views into long-term value.

The Co-Pro Advantage: Funding kids content with global partners (10:00am - 10:45am)

Silver Pearl 3

As financing models tighten, international co-productions remain a powerful path forward. Regional experts share how to structure successful partnerships, navigate cultural collaboration, and tap into tax credits and incentives that can make kids projects viable and scalable. Learn where opportunities lie—and how to access them.

Featuring:

Eleanor Coleman

Executive Producer, International Business Development

Blue Spirit Creative

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Carla de Jong

Head of Co-Productions & International Partnerships

Sinking Ship Entertainment

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Sebastian Gonzalez

Head of Studio & Executive Producer

Pixel Zoo

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Anttu Harlin

CEO & Co-Founder

Gigglebug Entertainment

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11:00am

JORDAN MATTER KEYNOTE – Making it Matter: Building trust & scale in the creator economy by being real (11:00am - 11:45am)

Silver Pearl 1

With over 33 million subscribers, a sold-out product at Sephora and a spot on Nielsen’s top-10 streaming originals list last year (keeping company with Bridgerton and Love is Blind), Jordan Matter has turned joyful and grounded family storytelling into one of YouTube’s most-watched brands. What sets him apart in a creator economy racing towards $500 billion? A rare blend of authenticity, humor and heart that keeps viewers coming back for more.

In this inspiring keynote, he shares how he’s built trust with parents, sustainable engagement with kids, and reached 275 million monthly viewers—all while building a deeper connection with his daughter, Salish. Attendees will gain actionable insights on how to manage creative freedom in a family-friendly way, build communities that last, and stand out in an ecosystem where attention can be fleeting but authenticity endures.

Featuring:

Jordan Matter

YouTube Creator & Photographer

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Moderating:

Evan Baily

President

Consolidated Baily

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12:00pm

Buyers Brief (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

Shorebreak

Hear directly from leading kids content buyers as they share commissioning priorities, future plans and partnership needs in a fireside chat format—plus participate in Q&As designed to spark collaboration and insight.

Funding & Finding: How public broadcasters are shaping kids media’s future (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Public broadcasters are redefining how quality kids content gets made—and found—in an age of cutbacks and user-generated clutter. Hear from leading commissioners and strategists as they share new funding models, platform innovations, and insights on sustaining mission-driven storytelling across YouTube, TikTok, Roblox, and beyond.

Featuring:

Sara DeWitt

SVP & General Manager

PBS KIDS

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Pete Robinson

Founder

Gone With

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Moderating:

David Kleeman

SVP, Global Trends

Dubit

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12:45pm

LUNCH (12:45pm - 2:00pm)

Coral

 


2:00pm

Speed Pitching 2 (2:00pm - 3:30pm)

Driftwood/Seaglass

Connect one-on-one with leading broadcasters and investors who can help move your project forward. In these focused 10-minute meetings, you’ll have eight minutes to deliver a sharp, compelling pitch and two minutes for feedback or next steps. NOTE: Advance sign-up is required.

Creators & Collaborators: Evolving partnerships in the kids space (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Silver Pearl 1

The earliest collaborations between kids companies and YouTube creators reshaped the media landscape. Hear from industry pioneers who helped build this ecosystem as they share what worked, what’s changed, and how creator partnerships are evolving to meet new audience behaviors, platform shifts and brand ambitions.

Featuring:

Laura Henderson

EVP, Global Toy Brands & Creative Marketing

Spin Master

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Stevin John

Creator, Blippi

Kideo

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Chris M. Williams

Founder & CEO

pocket.watch

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Moderating:

Kristen McGregor

Showrunner, Writer & Director

Idea Farmer

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Surviving Animation: How indies are adapting in a turbulent market (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Animation’s highs and lows have never been more extreme. Join us and hear from several independents who have reinvented their careers to stay ahead of industry volatility, from shifting commissioning models to AI disruption. This session reveals honest insights, hard-won lessons and practical approaches to building sustainable creative futures.

Featuring:

Simon Pablo Barrionuevo Duran

CEO

Crazy Meerkat

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Meridian Gray Culpepper

Story Artist, Director & Showrunner

Herringbone Animation Studios

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Rob Pereyda

Founder & CEO

Henshin

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Thomas Schmid

Group Creative Director

BUCK

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Moderating:

Eric Calderon

Writer, Producer & YouTube Educator

Independent

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3:00pm

YouTube Office Hours: Ask the experts on algorithm, content strategy & more (3:00pm - 4:00pm)

Shorebreak

Got YouTube questions? These experts have answers. Stop by this informal drop-in session to get practical advice—direct from the people who know how to turn performance insights into real growth on YouTube and YouTube Kids.

The Art of Intelligence: Using AI without losing the human touch (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Silver Pearl 1

From writing to world-building, AI tools are transforming how content gets imagined. Hear from innovators using AI to supercharge creativity—ethically. This session dives into practical applications, guardrails and opportunities for creators aiming to balance innovation with responsibility in today’s rapidly evolving kids media landscape.

Featuring:

Eric Day

Head of Creative Innovation

Asteria Film

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Carl Reed

Founder & CEO

Composition Media

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Moderating:

Evan Baily

President

Consolidated Baily

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Crossing Over: A live-action primer for animation producers (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Silver Pearl 3

As animation pipelines contract, more creators are exploring live action as a new creative lane. This candid session demystifies the transition, outlining the key differences in process, pacing, production, and pitching—offering a supportive roadmap for animation producers ready to broaden their skills and keep telling great stories.

Moderating:

Andrea Griffith

VP, Content & Development, Kids & Family

Sphere Media

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4:00pm

Plug & Play: How producers are making AI work for them (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

Silver Pearl 1

Discover how producers are embracing off-the-shelf and open-source AI tools to simplify production, speed up delivery, and unlock new efficiencies. This session spotlights real-world applications that save time and money while expanding creative possibilities across development, animation and post.

Featuring:

Sixte de Vauplane

Co-Founder & CEO

Animaj

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David Kwok

CEO

Tiny Island Productions

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Hitendra Merchant

Founder & CEO

YoBoHo New Media

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Moderating:

Amy Takahara

Consultant

Independent

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Snackable Stories: Cracking the code on micro-content for kids (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

Silver Pearl 3

In a world of endless scroll and shrinking attention spans, how do you tell a complete story in seconds? This panel brings together top writers and creators to share techniques for crafting compelling, character-driven micro-content that hooks young audiences and keeps them coming back for more.

Featuring:

Joey Clift

Comedian & TV Writer

Freelance

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Alan Denton

Writer & Story Editor

Independent

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Alex Hoffman

Director, YouTube Strategy

Studio City

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Patricia Villetto

TV Writer

Independent

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Moderating:

Matt Lieberman

Head of Digital Content

Popcorn Digital

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5:00pm

Mixer with the Makers: YouTube Kids creators (5:00pm - 6:00pm)

Marisol

Connect with kids content creators who have broken out on YouTube! This fun and fast-paced mixer celebrates innovation, creativity and collaboration—inviting attendees to network, exchange ideas and build relationships with the next generation of YouTube Kids stars.

Buyers Brief (5:00pm - 5:30pm)

Shorebreak

Hear directly from leading kids content buyers as they share commissioning priorities, future plans and partnership needs in a fireside chat format—plus participate in Q&As designed to spark collaboration and insight.

Show & Tech: The coolest new tools in town (5:00pm - 6:00pm)

Silver Pearl 1

Experience the cutting edge of kids content creation! This fast-paced showcase features demos of emerging technologies transforming how stories are told, shared and experienced—from AI and interactivity, to production tools and audience engagement platforms. See what’s next for creators and brands shaping the future of kids entertainment.

Featuring:

Evan Baily

President

Consolidated Baily

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Matty Beckerman

Founder

IRCODE

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Thom Chapman

President & Founder

Victura Media

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Jim Jacob

CEO

Riffio

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Small Stories, Big Impact: Springboarding from short films to long tail (5:00pm - 5:45pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Short films are becoming a smart creative and commercial pathway for developing animated series and multiplatform franchises. This session explores how filmmakers and studios use shorts to test characters and tone, build early audience traction, and demonstrate market potential—revealing how bite-sized storytelling can evolve into scalable IPs and long-form success.

6:00pm

Welcome Party (6:00pm - 7:30pm)

Eventide Gardens

Join us in the Sheraton’s Eventide Garden for an evening of great conversation, cocktails and coastal air. Relax, reconnect and meet new friends as we gather outdoors to celebrate an exciting week together.

Tuesday, February 24

8:00am

BREAKFAST (8:00am - 10:00am)

Coral

 


10:00am

Speed Pitching 3 (10:00am - 11:30am)

Driftwood/Seaglass

Connect one-on-one with leading broadcasters and investors who can help move your project forward. In these focused 10-minute meetings, you’ll have eight minutes to deliver a sharp, compelling pitch and two minutes for feedback or next steps. NOTE: Advance sign-up is required.

TIM KILPIN KEYNOTE – The Power of Play: How storytelling, technology & toys build worlds kids love (10:00am - 10:45am)

Silver Pearl 1

In this fireside conversation, Hasbro’s Tim Kilpin reveals how the power of play fuels modern franchise-building. Exploring the blend of storytelling, product innovation, technology and community, he shares how beloved brands evolve to meet kids where they are—on shelves, screens and emerging platforms. Moderated by Sid Kaufman, this keynote offers a forward-looking blueprint for developing enduring kids IPs.

Featuring:

Tim Kilpin

President, Toys, Games, Licensing & Entertainment

Hasbro

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Moderating:

Sid Kaufman

Founder

Kaufman Licensing

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11:00am

Buyers Brief (11:00am - 11:30am)

Shorebreak

Hear directly from leading kids content buyers as they share commissioning priorities, future plans and partnership needs in a fireside chat format—plus participate in Q&As designed to spark collaboration and insight. 

Dream Big: How <i>BeddyByes</i> is building a brand that sleeps well everywhere (11:00am - 11:45am)

Silver Pearl 1

Discover how the team behind BeddyByes has turned bedtime into a global brand opportunity by meeting preschoolers and parents where they are—on linear TV, streaming, YouTube and social media. This session unpacks the show’s creative development, cross-platform strategy and multi-revenue approach, revealing how thoughtful storytelling and smart brand integration can cut through industry challenges. Attendees will gain practical insights into building scalable IPs that connect emotionally, travel internationally and turn audience engagement into lasting value across both content and consumer products. 

Featuring:

Vienna Downes

Director, Consumer Products Licensing

Thunderbird Entertainment Group & Atomic Cartoons

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Richard Goldsmith

President, Global Distribution & Consumer Products

Thunderbird Entertainment Group & Atomic Cartoons

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Gary Pope

CEO

Kids Industries

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John Rice

CEO & Executive Producer

JAM Media

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Moderating:

Emily Horgan

Kids Media Consultant

Independent

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Andy Williams

Creative Director & Owner

Vamonos

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Kidscreen Licensing Challenge (11:00am - 12:30pm)

Silver Pearl 3

This returning competition showcase will shine a spotlight on five kids entertainment properties with untapped licensing potential. Each IP will be presented live on stage to a panel of highly experienced consumer products professionals, who will collectively determine a final winner. Come watch the showdown and learn a little more about the secrets to franchise success. 

Hosting:

Host

Steven Ekstract

Managing Director

Global Licensing Advisors

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Judging:

Judge

Gina Cappi

Chief Creative Officer

Mad Engine

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Judge

Elie Dekel

Founder

Dekel Brands

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Judge

Hollie Holmes

VP, Global Licensing

Moose Toys

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Judge

Maryellen Zarakas

SVP, Global Consumer Products & Franchise Development

Spin Master

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12:00pm

Buyers Brief (12:00pm - 12:30pm)

Shorebreak

Hear directly from leading kids content buyers as they share commissioning priorities, future plans and partnership needs in a fireside chat format—plus participate in Q&As designed to spark collaboration and insight.

Hit Play: How music can supercharge kids content (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

Silver Pearl 1

Music is more than a soundtrack—it’s a storytelling, marketing and fandom superpower. From K-Pop Demon Hunters to Disney’s biggest hits, this panel explores how producers, streamers and labels can collaborate earlier in development to turn songs into cultural touchpoints that drive discovery, engagement and global brand growth.

Featuring:

Fletcher Moules

Director & Executive Producer

Netflix Animation

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Steven Vincent

SVP, Music & Soundtracks

Disney Branded Television

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Moderating:

Shridhar Solanki

Composer, Songwriter & Producer

Independent

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12:45pm

LUNCH (12:45pm - 2:00pm)

Coral

 


2:00pm

Speed Pitching 4 (2:00pm - 3:30pm)

Driftwood/Seaglass

Connect one-on-one with leading broadcasters and investors who can help move your project forward. In these focused 10-minute meetings, you’ll have eight minutes to deliver a sharp, compelling pitch and two minutes for feedback or next steps. NOTE: Advance sign-up is required.

Roblox-Ready: Smart pathways to brand activation (2:00pm - 3:00pm)

Marisol

Want to get onto Roblox, but not sure where to start? Meet creative studios, tech partners and strategists helping brands activate on the platform in clever, scalable ways. This roundtable session will offer hands-on insights, tools and inspiration for connecting with audiences through immersive play and storytelling.

No Age Limits: The power of 360 mentorship (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Silver Pearl 1

The best ideas happen when experience meets fresh perspective. This session explores how Gen X and Gen Z professionals are learning from each other to drive creativity and collaboration in kids media. Hear how reverse mentoring, shared skills and cross-generational partnerships are fueling innovation and future-proofing careers and businesses.

Featuring:

Amy Friedman

Founder & President

Redhead Consulting

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Shelly Gertan

Founder

Erlance Studios

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Shabnam Rezaei

Co-Founder & President

Big Bad Boo Studios

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Sophie Shrand

Actor, Scientist, Producer

Science With Sophie

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Moderating:

Lynn Kestin-Sessler

Creative Development, Executive Producer Podcasts, YouTube, Games

Show & Tell

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License to Play: Building consumer products strategies for kids IPs (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Explore how studios and producers can unlock long-term value through smart licensing, strategic partnerships, retail innovation and fan-forward brand extensions. This session reveals how to translate storytelling into products, experiences and revenue streams that grow kids IPs far beyond the screen.

Featuring:

Gabriela Arenas

SVP, Global Consumer Products Licensing

Sesame Workshop

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Gina Cappi

Chief Creative Officer

Mad Engine

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3:00pm

The Roblox Revolution: Rethinking brand management for a new era (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Silver Pearl 1

The rules of brand engagement have changed. This panel discussion explores how leading kids franchise managers are embracing immersive platforms like Roblox—along with YouTube, TikTok, Twitch and more—to reach young audiences through creativity, interactivity and storytelling, redefining what fandom, community and brand loyalty mean in the digital age.

Featuring:

Ryan Bradley

SVP, TV & Brand Marketing

DreamWorks Animation

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Katelynn Heil

Head of Franchise

Voldex

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Tom McGillis

President

Fresh TV

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Andy Yeatman

CEO

Miraculous Corp

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Moderating:

Ken Faier

CEO & El Presidente

Epic Story Media

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From TikTok to Target: How Gen Alpha discovers licensed brands (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

Silver Pearl 3

A forward-looking dive into how creators, platforms and retail innovation shape Gen Alpha’s path to discovery. This session explores how trends move from social feeds to store shelves—revealing what drives awareness, fandom and purchase intent with today’s youngest consumers.

Featuring:

Lisa Streff

SVP, Licensing & Brand Development, North America

Global Merchandising Services

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Moderating:

Steven Ekstract

Managing Director

Global Licensing Advisors

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4:00pm

WORKSHOP – Licensing Launchpad: Preparing your IP for market entry (4:00pm - 5:00pm)

Shorebreak

Learn what it takes to prepare your IP for licensing success. This hands-on workshop taught by the authors of Licensing For Dummies walks through defining your brand, building pitch-ready materials, identifying product potential, and understanding what partners and retailers expect. Attendees will leave with practical tools to position their property for deals, extensions and long-term growth.

Featuring:

Steven Ekstract

Managing Director

Global Licensing Advisors

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Stu Seltzer

President

Seltzer Licensing Group

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The DEI Reckoning: What’s left, what’s next, and who’s leading the change? (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

Silver Pearl 3

Is Diversity, Equity and Inclusion dead and buried? After years of building DEI initiatives, both in front and behind the screen, there has been a major shift in attitude at US-based global media companies in the last year. But is it gone completely? Or is something new rising in its place? To answer these questions, we’ll look at hard data on how diversity is 'showing up' in the office and in content lineups these days, and also hear from producers who are still fighting the good fight.

Featuring:

Mark Hoebich

Executive Vice President

Luminate

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Sadaf Muncy

EVP, Development & Production

HappyNest Entertainment

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Roye Okupe

Creator, Executive Producer, Showrunner & CEO, Founder

Iyanu & YouNeek Studios

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Shabnam Rezaei

Co-Founder & President

Big Bad Boo Studios

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Moderating:

David Levine

Founder & Executive Producer

Lightboat Media

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4:30pm

Mixer with the Makers: Roblox creators (4:30pm - 5:30pm)

Marisol

Meet the Roblox creators behind breakout games ready to expand beyond the platform. This mixer connects Kidscreen attendees with developers whose worlds have strong potential for consumer products, content extensions and brand partnerships. Discover emerging IP, spark collaborations, and explore new pathways for bringing Roblox-born franchises to life off-platform.

5:30pm

Kidscreen Awards (5:30pm - 7:30pm)

Silver Pearl 1

Join us for an unforgettable evening honoring the year’s standout achievements in kids entertainment at the annual Kidscreen Awards, hosted by comedian, TV personality and chart-topping podcaster Jessi Cruickshank. Enjoy bubbles as you arrive and cocktails as you leave—plus plenty of laughs and good vibes as we come together to celebrate as an industry.

Hosting:

Host

Jessi Cruickshank

Comedian & Television Personality

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Wednesday, February 25

8:00am

BREAKFAST (8:00am - 10:00am)

Coral

 


10:00am

Speed Pitching 5 (10:00am - 11:30am)

Driftwood/Seaglass

Connect one-on-one with leading broadcasters and investors who can help move your project forward. In these focused 10-minute meetings, you’ll have eight minutes to deliver a sharp, compelling pitch and two minutes for feedback or next steps. NOTE: Advance sign-up is required.

JONATHAN HAIDT KEYNOTE – Raising the Anxious Generation: What kids media can do (10:00am - 10:45am)

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In this pre-recorded presentation, social psychologist and bestselling author Jonathan Haidt shares core insights from The Anxious Generation about how phones, social media and declining real-world play are reshaping childhood. Haidt explores what these trends mean for kids’ emotional well-being—and how media creators, platforms and parents can help restore balance. A live virtual Q&A will follow, offering attendees the chance to probe deeper into his findings and recommendations.

11:00am

KID INSIGHT – Better Stories for Boys: Building audience. Building character. (11:00am - 11:45am)

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Boys are often underserved by kids entertainment, with stereotypes and limited role models shaping how they see themselves and others. Drawing on her latest research, Dr. Yalda T. Uhls explores what boys really need from media and storytelling to grow into confident, empathetic and well-adjusted men. This session will highlight key insights for content creators and executives aiming to better serve this vital audience.

Featuring:

Yalda T. Uhls, PhD

Founder & CEO

Center for Scholars & Storytellers

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12:00pm

KID INSIGHT – Smarter by Design: The research behind <i>Sesame Street's</i> new era (12:00pm - 12:45pm)

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This session unpacks how Sesame Workshop used data, testing and developmental research to reimagine its flagship series for today’s preschoolers. Learn how insights into pacing, humor and emotional learning powered creative evolution—resulting in faster, funnier storytelling that strengthens connections between kids and characters across every platform.

Featuring:

Kim Foulds

VP, Research & Insights

Sesame Workshop

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Halcyon Person

Head Writer

Sesame Workshop

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Jennifer M. Zosh, PhD

Professor, Human Development & Family Studies

Penn State Brandywine

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Moderating:

Karen Fowler

VP, Development & Production

9 Story Media Group

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12:45pm

LUNCH (12:45pm - 2:00pm)

Coral

 


2:00pm

KID INSIGHT – New Tweens in Town: Understanding the generation transforming culture (2:00pm - 2:45pm)

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Today's tweens are exclusively Gen Alpha, and the imperative to decode this generation has never been more urgent. Raised on AI, infinite feeds and unprecedented choice, these young people aren't just consuming content—they're actively shaping culture and defining what connection means in a digital-first world. In this insights-driven session, wonderworks insights’ Jane Gould unveils The WISH Report, a breakthrough study that moves beyond trends to reveal what this generation is truly wishing and craving. Don’t miss out on your chance to access fresh data and critical insights that will help you connect with today's tweens—and anticipate the cultural shifts they're driving next.

Featuring:

Jane Gould

Co-Founder & Partner

wonderworks insights group

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3:00pm

KID INSIGHT – Culture in Motion: How Gen Alpha Is rewriting the rules of kids content (3:00pm - 3:45pm)

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Drawing on exclusive KidsKnowBest research, this session explores how Gen Alpha’s globally connected, digitally fluent world is transforming storytelling. From identity exploration to fan-powered communities and cultural fusion, discover how top studios and streamers are reimagining creative strategy to build content that resonates deeply with today’s kids everywhere.

Featuring:

Lucy Baker

Insights Manager

KidsKnowBest

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Erika Quinn

Director, Content, Consumer & Brand Insights, Kids & Family

Disney Branded Television

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Alexi Wheeler

Executive Director & Producer

Wheel In Motion

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Moderating:

Joel Silverman

Founder & CEO

KidsKnowBest

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4:00pm

KID INSIGHT – Scroll, Stream, Play: An inside look at the digital life of kids (4:00pm - 4:45pm)

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Paramount’s insights team unveils new research on how kids use YouTube, Roblox and TikTok—followed by a candid chat with real kids about what they love, what they skip, and how they’re shaping the next wave of online culture.

Featuring:

Makeda Mays Green

SVP, Digital & Cultural Consumer Insights

Paramount

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Colleen Russo Johnson

VP, Digital & Cultural Consumer Insights

Paramount

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4:45pm

Closing Cocktail (4:45pm - 6:00pm)

Location TBA

Close out Kidscreen Summit in style with one last round of drinks and connections. It’s the perfect chance to unwind, celebrate the week’s wins, and enjoy a final moment with friends old and new.

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