TV Kids Festival 2024

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FOURTH EDITION: JANUARY 30 TO FEBRUARY 2, 2024

Event Agenda

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A Special Thanks to

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S I LV E R S P O

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To register for the fourth edition of the T

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s to All Our Sponsors SPONSORS

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f the TV Kids Festival, please click here

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

BY MANSHA DASWANI

Time to Recalibrate The pain points that have emerged in the kids’ media business date back to 2022, but 2023 is arguably when everyone in the ecosystem started to feel the pinch. You can blame TikTok, YouTube and Roblox, the ad crunch or the shifts at the streamers—or perhaps it was just natural that the post-Covid bubble would burst—but children’s programming executives are starting this year with a heightened sense of anxiety. Commissions are down, budgets are restricted, and there’s an awful lot of high-quality content out there competing with rudimentary fare made in the creator economy. How is an IP owner supposed to cope?

Well, you could start by registering for the fourth edition of the TV Kids Festival, which runs online next week.

We’ve assembled 35 speakers across more than 15 sessions to reveal what’s happening in the business and how successful programmers, producers and distributors are coping. Our traditional opening panel featuring top buyers is back. We spotlight YouTube strategies and the creator economy, financing models, the challenges and opportunities in working with public broadcasters, incorporating STEAM and social-emotional learning in content, brand-building, discovery and so much more.

And be sure to register so you can receive access to our Exclusive White Paper after the event, delivering all of the highlights in an easy-to-digest fashion.

Enjoy the show!

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

TUESDAY, JANUARY 30

9 a.m. EST Quest for the Best Our signature opening session on leading programmers returns with Disney’s Rick Clodfelter, Warner Bros. Discovery’s Zia Sands, BBC Children’s Anna Taganov and SVT’s Helena Nylander.

Rick Clodfelter

Zia Sands

Anna Taganov

Helena Nylander

10 a.m. EST Keynote: YouTube’s Lauren Glaubach As director and global head of youth partnerships and programming at YouTube, Lauren Glaubach will share insights on how best to work with the leading video platform for kids.

Lauren Glaubach

11 a.m. EST Keynote: CAKE’s Ed Galton Ed Galton, CEO of CAKE, will weigh in on how the boutique independent outfit is approaching the latest shifts in the kids’ business.

Ed Galton

12 p.m. EST The Big Picture BBC Studios Kids & Family’s Cecilia Persson, Paramount’s Lauren Marriott, Cyber Group Studios’ Raphaëlle Mathieu and 9 Story’s Alix Wiseman on navigating the ecosystem today.

Cecilia Persson

Lauren Marriott

Raphaëlle Mathieu

Alix Wiseman

1:30 p.m. EST Keynote: WildBrain’s Josh Scherba In his first TV Kids Festival appearance since becoming president and CEO of the powerhouse kids’ media company, Josh Scherba will showcase WildBrain’s thriving multiplatform brand-building strategies.

Josh Scherba

3 p.m. EST Keynote: Tom Ascheim An industry veteran who led some of media’s most iconic kids’ brands, including Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network, Tom Ascheim will share his expertise on engaging with youth audiences today.

Tom Ascheim

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 31

9 a.m. EST In the Public Interest The Jim Henson Company’s Halle Stanford, Mediawan Kids & Family’s Julien Borde and Dandelooo’s Emmanuèle Pétry-Sirvin share their perspectives on landing

Halle Stanford

commissions with public broadcasters.

Julien Borde

Emmanuèle Pétry-Sirvin

10:30 a.m. EST Keynote: PBS KIDS’ Sara DeWitt As senior VP and general manager, Sara DeWitt leads the number one children’s educational media brand in the U.S. Sara DeWitt

12 p.m. EST Money Matters With a squeeze on budgets, we spotlight new and emerging funding models with APC Kids’ Lionel Marty, Guru Studio’s Frank Falcone, Thunderbird Entertainment’s Richard Goldsmith

Lionel Marty

Frank Falcone

Richard Goldsmith

Alexandros van Blanken

and Sixteen South’s Alexandros van Blanken.

1:30 p.m. EST Keynote: Mattel’s Michelle Mendelovitz Just a few months since taking on oversight of Mattel Television Studios, Michelle Mendelovitz will discuss the toy giant’s expanding content slate.

Michelle Mendelovitz

3 p.m. EST Keynote: Warner Bros. Discovery’s Audrey Diehl Audrey Diehl will articulate her strategy as senior VP of series at Warner Bros.

Animation and Cartoon Network Studios.

Audrey Diehl

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1

9 a.m. EST TV Kids Pioneer Award: Lucy Murphy This winter’s TV Kids Pioneer Award recipient, Lucy Murphy, is responsible for the new Sky Kids linear channel and an expanding lineup of on-demand shows on the pay-TV platform in the U.K. and Ireland.

Lucy Murphy

10:30 a.m. EST Full STEAM Ahead Sesame Workshop’s Susan Scheiner, ZDF Studios’ Oliver Grundel and Bejuba! Entertainment’s Tatiana Kober on incorporating science, technology, engineering, arts and math.

Susan Scheiner

Oliver Grundel

Tatiana Kober

Claudia Mazzucco

Mikael Shields

Koyalee Chanda

Mélanie Errea

Sophie “Kido” Prigent

Brian C. Janes

Jo Redfern

Claude Brooks

12 p.m. EST In Their Feelings Atlantyca Entertainment’s Claudia Mazzucco, Acamar Films’ Mikael Shields, Lion Forge Entertainment’s Koyalee Chanda and MIAM!’s Mélanie Errea on social-emotional content.

1:30 p.m. EST Mass Exposure What’s the best way to maximize your IP on YouTube? Hear valuable insights from HARI’s Sophie “Kido” Prigent, pocket.watch’s Brian C. Janes, Wind Sun Sky Entertainment’s Jo Redfern and C To The B Productions’ Claude Brooks.

3 p.m. EST Creative Keynote: Eric Fogel The TV Kids Festival wraps with a conversation with Eric Fogel, executive producer of DreamWorks Animation’s Megamind Rules!

Eric Fogel

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The only video portal for the kids’ media industry.

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

om Ascheim is a transformational leader who drives growth at all corporate stages: startups, turnarounds and multibilliondollar enterprises. He has built and led some of media’s most iconic brands, including Nickelodeon, Freeform, Newsweek, TCM, Adult Swim and Cartoon Network.

Most recently, Ascheim co-founded Pith & Pixie Dust, a consulting company that focuses on three key areas: using storytelling to animate a company’s strategy and brand; creating great content to tell that story; and bringing its expertise in kids and young adults to brands that want to reach, connect and engage with those audiences.

Ascheim also leads TEA Lane Media, a production company with various scripted film and television projects in development across multiple studios and streamers.

In Ascheim’s last corporate role, he served as president of Warner Bros. Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics (KYAC). Prior to joining Warner Bros., Ascheim was president of the cable network Freeform; Sesame Workshop’s chief strategy officer and executive VP of Sesame Learning; and CEO, executive VP and general manager of Nickelodeon Television.

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Tom Ascheim Co-Founder Pith & Pixie Dust

SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 3 p.m. EST Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ulien Borde has over 25 years of experience in kids’ and family brands. Before assuming his current post, he was managing director of Mediawan Animation. Until 2018, he was head of kids’ and general entertainment channels at WarnerMedia for France, French-speaking territories and Africa. Between 2005 and 2015, he created France Télévisions’ kids department and established it as the leader of the European animation industry. He was appointed secretary-general of France 3 in 2012, then head of digital programming with responsibility for AVOD, TVOD and SVOD. He started his career at Disney in 1997, where he remained until 2005 as deputy director and then executive director for programs and production at Disney Channels France.

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Julien Borde President Mediawan Kids & Family

SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 9 a.m. EST In the Public Interest

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

laude Brooks started his career as an actor with notable success. He starred in a few series and has over 300 episodes under his belt as an actor. After creating, starring in and producing Claude’s Crib for Paramount, Paramount Network Television gave him a production deal, which thrived for eight years. Brooks’ production company has executive produced and created over 500 episodes of television in a vast range of genres, such as MTV’s The Lyricist Lounge Show and sitcoms like Second Time Around, starring Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker; Hitz; and Under One Roof, starring Flavor Flav. In the children’s arena, Brooks created and produced the Discovery Kids Emmy-nominated children’s show Hip Hop Harry, for which new content is currently being produced for over 15 digital platforms and has spawned a live touring show and successful merchandising program. Most recently, Brooks co-created with Snoop Dogg Doggyland, an innovative music-based 3D animated children’s show on YouTube, HappyKids and Kidoodle.TV.

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Claude Brooks CEO C To The B Productions

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 1:30 p.m. EST Mass Exposure

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ith over 25 years in the kids’ content industry, Koyalee Chanda is a seventime Emmy-nominated producer, director and creative executive. Over the years, she has worked on some of the biggest and most beloved properties in kids’ content, including Sesame Street, Blue’s Clues and Odd Squad.

Prior to joining Lion Forge, Chanda served as the VP of kids and animation for Hello Sunshine, Reese Witherspoon’s media company. While there, she created, developed and produced animated content for Hello Sunshine’s social channels and developed a diverse slate made up of book-based, celebrity-driven and original projects.

Chanda previously worked as VP of production and development for Chris Nee’s shingle Laughing Wild at Netflix. There, she did early development on the Emmy Award-winning series Ada Twist, Scientist and We the People, both co-productions with Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company.

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Koyalee Chanda Senior VP, Animation Lion Forge Entertainment

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 12 p.m. EST In Their Feelings

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ick Clodfelter has a distinct focus on acquiring series, movies and short-form content— scripted and unscripted, live-action and animation—developed and produced by third-party providers for Disney+, Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior, with a primary focus on imaginative, aspirational stories geared toward kids, tweens, teens and families.

As the company’s chief liaison to buyers, sellers, producers, distributors and commissioners around the world, Clodfelter represents Disney Branded Television at major industry markets to discover content for acquisition on a global basis.

Among his team’s landmark acquisition deals for Disney Junior and Disney+ are the original CGI series Morphle with Moonbug Entertainment, based on the hit short-form My Magic Pet Morphle; and Bluey, created by Joe Brumm with Ludo Studio in Queensland, Australia. A co-commission by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and BBC, Bluey premiered on Disney Junior in the U.S. and was released internationally on Disney+.

Before joining Disney, Clodfelter founded Garden Place Media, a consulting firm. His career includes executive roles at Universal Kids, Cartoon Network and Boomerang.

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Rick Clodfelter Executive Director, Content Acquisitions & Partnerships Disney Branded Television

SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 9 a.m. EST Quest for the Best

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

S Sara DeWitt Senior VP & General Manager PBS KIDS

ara DeWitt is responsible for the strategic direction of the PBS KIDS media service that supports children ages 2 to 8, their parents, teachers and caregivers and local communities.

DeWitt leads a cross-disciplinary team charged with making the number one children’s education media brand engaging and accessible to widely diverse audiences across streaming video, broadcast, games and other platforms through content development, multiplatform asset distribution, educational product creation, creative production and marketing and brand engagement.

DeWitt previously served as VP of PBS KIDS digital, leading innovative strategies that built educational experiences for kids across media platforms. Having spent over 20 years in public media, she has played an integral role in the digital transformation of PBS KIDS. DeWitt has overseen the pbskids.org website, PBS KIDS streaming video services and the PBS KIDS portfolio of games and educational apps for children and caregivers.

SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 10:30 a.m. EST Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

udrey Diehl has served in her role at Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) since May 2019, reporting to Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios and Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe.

Diehl is charged with developing new animated programming for the studio, and she also oversees current programming on select series designed for the family/co-viewing audience. She has wide-ranging oversight of creative and production matters for animated content, from initial outline to finished episode. Diehl is responsible for finding original material and identifying properties from the Warner Bros. collection for adaptation. She collaborates with existing creative talent already working at the studio and spearheads the search for new writers, producers and artists for future development.

Diehl joined WBA in August 2017 as VP of series.

During her tenure, she has served as programming executive on several productions, including Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, Little Ellen and Looney Tunes Cartoons for Max, Animaniacs for Hulu and Harley Quinn for DC Universe.

Prior to WBA, Diehl worked at Nickelodeon for more than 14 years.

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Audrey Diehl Senior VP, Series Warner Bros. Animation & Cartoon Network Studios

SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 3 p.m. EST Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

fter four years as sales and business affairs manager at Mediatoon Distribution, Mélanie Errea joined MIAM! distribution in March 2021. She manages the distribution activity, handles presales and sales in Europe and America and follows the company’s acquisitions.

Founded in 2016 by Hanna Mouchez, MIAM! animation is a Paris-based company active in the development, production and international distribution of high-quality animated and hybrid programs. Since 2019, MIAM! is also dedicated to the production of real-time 3D programs such as Edmond and Lucy and The Tinies. MIAM! also has a distribution catalog with exclusive worldwide media distribution rights of available series and TV specials produced by talented French independent producers. MIAM! supports daring programs that have audacity and singularity in common, whether that be regarding their graphics or their storytelling.

A Mélanie Errea Head, Sales & Acquisitions MIAM! distribution

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 12 p.m. EST In Their Feelings

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

rank Falcone has been bringing film and tele vision projects to life as an animator, director and executive producer for over 25 years. Under his creative vision, Guru Studio has become a leader in character-driven storytelling and high-quality animated entertainment for kids and families around the world. Guru’s roster of hit shows includes PAW Patrol, True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Big Blue, Justin Time, Ever After High and the Sesame Street animated spin-off Mecha Builders. The company is currently in production with Moonbug Entertainment on the widely popular YouTube hit My Magic Pet Morphle and the family miniseries Charlotte’s Web with Sesame Workshop for Max. Falcone also served as an executive producer on the Academy Award-nominated film The Breadwinner, where, under his watchful eye, Guru’s team contributed visual development that brought the rich “story world” sequences to life.

Falcone co-created the preschool series Pikwik Pack, which launched on Disney Junior in the U.S. and Treehouse in Canada.

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Frank Falcone President & Executive Creative Director Guru Studio

SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 12 p.m. EST Money Matters

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ric Fogel has been directing animation for over 25 years. He is currently executive producing, writing and directing the upcoming DreamWorks Animation series Megamind Rules! for Peacock, a follow-up to the studio’s fan-favorite 2010 film Megamind.

Fogel created his first animated series at MTV: the sci-fi comedy The Head. For his follow-up, Fogel combined his love of stop-motion animation and celebrity bashing to create the hit series Celebrity Deathmatch. After directing CG features for Mattel, Fogel created and produced the faux documentary series Starveillance for E! He then partnered with Michael Eisner’s Tornante Company to produce Nick at Nite’s first animated original, Glenn Martin, DDS, starring Kevin Nealon and Catherine O’Hara. The series was nominated for an Annie Award and brought home two Gemini Awards for best animated series and best director. In the years that followed, Fogel continued working in CG animation at Nickelodeon and Disney.

At DreamWorks Animation, Fogel also served as executive producer and writer on the Emmynominated series Archibald’s Next Big Thing (Netflix/Peacock) from creator Tony Hale.

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Eric Fogel Executive Producer DreamWorks Animation

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 3 p.m. EST Creative Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

AKE is a leading independent entertainment company specializing in the production, distribution, development, financing and brand development of kids’ and family properties.

With over 25 years of experience, Ed Galton 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 as COO for Igel Media; and in New York at Fox Lorber Associates as director of international sales.

Galton is executive producer on a number of kids’ shows, including the multi-award-winning Bottersnikes & Gumbles; the Emmy-nominated Angelo Rules; Mush-Mush & the Mushables; CBeebies’ pioneering animated series Pablo, created, written and voiced by autistic talent; and Angry Birds: Summer Madness and Supa Team 4 for Netflix. Galton is also a board member of Animation UK.

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SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 11 a.m. EST Keynote

Ed Galton CEO CAKE

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

auren Glaubach leads the global youth content team at YouTube. Her partnerships team works with top YouTube creators in the kids’ and family space across both traditional media companies and endemic creators, with a focus on creating enriching and engaging content that kids love, spanning categories from early learning to hobbies and DIY to scripted shows.

Her youth programming team works to ensure the best possible content experience in the YouTube Kids app globally, highlighting topical, relevant and high-quality programming to delight the YouTube Kids audience, as well as advising on programming for teens, learning and timely YouTube initiatives.

Glaubach has worked at YouTube since 2012 and was a member of the YouTube Kids app launch team in 2015. Prior to YouTube, Glaubach worked at The Walt Disney Company, with roles in corporate strategy and franchise management.

L Lauren Glaubach Director & Global Head, Youth Partnerships & Programming YouTube

SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 10 a.m. EST Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ichard Goldsmith oversees distribution to worldwide media platforms and related consumer products and experiences for the company’s productions, including kids’ and family series from Atomic Cartoons and third-party series represented by Thunderbird Distribution and Thunderbird Brands. Previously, he founded and led the U.S. subsidiary of French animation company Cyber Group Studios. He is an accomplished business executive in the television and animation industries who has led production, development, media distribution, licensing and merchandising and business development for major brands at companies including The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros., The Jim Henson Company and Univision.

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SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 12 p.m. EST Money Matters

Richard Goldsmith President, Global Distribution & Consumer Products Atomic Cartoons & Thunderbird Entertainment

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

liver Grundel joined ZDF Studios in 2006.

As a project manager, he was responsible for licensing and merchandising activities for ZDF’s high-quality program brands across all genres. From 2010 to 2012, he focused on the management and worldwide exploitation of all children’s themes in the portfolio and managed brand licensing for IPs such as Dance Academy, The Jungle Book and H2O—Just Add Water.

From January 2013, Grundel was sales manager for German-speaking countries, responsible for the digital strategy of the ZDF Studios Junior division, and oversaw exploitation activities as the official KiKA agency. In 2018, Grundel took over activities in the DACH market as sales and acquisition director. He was also responsible for key international accounts.

In November 2023, Grundel took over distribution in English-speaking territories and the management of selected international co-productions. He plays a central role in the division’s global sales activities, is actively involved in the strategic direction of acquisitions and co-productions and contributes his experience in key account management and brand building to ensure the best possible marketing of ZDF Studios’ IPs across all platforms.

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Oliver Grundel Director Junior ZDF Studios

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 10:30 a.m. EST Full STEAM Ahead

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

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rian C. Janes is a seasoned media professional with a demonstrated track record of excellence in operations and technical leadership. At pocket.watch, the largest independent kids’ and family studio, he oversees YouTube operations and has built and continues to expand the company’s OTT network infrastructure. He successfully launched SVOD services on major platforms, oversees ongoing distribution operations and implements systems and technical solutions to enhance efficiency. This includes the launch of Ryan and Friends Plus, the largest independent kids’ and family SVOD service, and the two most distributed kids’ FAST channels in the U.S., pocket.watch and Ryan and Friends.

In his prior position at Endemol Beyond, Janes played a crucial role in guiding the implementation of Beyond’s distribution strategy across multiple OTT platforms, including mobile apps and connected TV. He also led the sourcing, development, implementation and launch of Endemol Beyond’s first video platform.

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 1:30 p.m. EST Mass Exposure

Brian C. Janes VP, Distribution Operations & IT pocket.watch

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

atiana Kober started Bejuba! Entertainment 20 years ago to specialize in the executive production, financing and distribution of quality children’s and family entertainment across all platforms. The company specializes in coproduction, financing and sales. Kober believes creatives come first and in keeping as much IP ownership in the hands of creators as possible.

The company’s catalog holds over 1,000 halfhours, with over 60 IPs, including Wishfart; Ruff-Ruff, Tweet and Dave; Jeremy and Jazzy; The Hive and Big Block SingSong. Bejuba! has been nominated several times in the Kidscreen Hot50 as one of the top distribution companies.

Bejuba! is a robust boutique that cherry-picks its shows for originality, story and relatability to kids.

Many of the series are award-winning.

Before Bejuba!, Kober was managing director of distributor Egmont Imagination UK. She held positions at BBC Worldwide and oversaw the rollout of Teletubbies in Germany. She also worked at Endemol UK as the children’s sales manager and as a consultant for National Geographic Kids in America.

T Tatiana Kober President Bejuba! Entertainment

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 10:30 a.m. EST Full STEAM Ahead

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

t Paramount Global Content Distribution, Lauren Marriott leads international licensing of unscripted and kids’ content, in addition to partnering with Paramount’s network brands on content windowing and strategy.

Marriott joined Viacom (now Paramount) in 2008 and held various regional sales roles before leading the international content licensing division from 2017 to 2021. Previously, Marriott held sales roles at DCD Rights and AMC Networks International.

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SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 12 p.m. EST The Big Picture

Lauren Marriott Senior VP, Content Partnerships & Brand Strategy Paramount Global Content Distribution

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ionel Marty started his career in international TV distribution in 1994 at Tele Images before specializing in kids’ content in 1999 when he launched the distribution department of France Animation. He later became president of worldwide distribution, consumer products and digital at MoonScoop, where he worked for ten years before launching APC Kids.

Marty’s credentials include building kids’ IPs on an international level by optimizing sales and exposure to enable licensing and merchandising exploitation, including Titeuf, Geronimo Stilton, Casper’s Scare School, Fantastic 4, Code Lyoko, Chloe’s Closet and Kid-E-Cats.

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Lionel Marty Managing Director & Founder APC Kids

SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 12 p.m. EST Money Matters

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ith over two decades of expertise in the audiovisual field and especially in the distribution of cultural and entertainment content, Raphaëlle Mathieu has been involved in the creation of television and feature animation production companies such as Daydream Production and Timing and previously served as the head of acquisitions and sales at Zylo, a French TV and digital distribution company.

Mathieu has held various positions within Cyber Group Studios since she joined the company in 2016, including director of sales, acquisitions and new media and, most recently, executive VP. In 2023, Mathieu, a company board member, was promoted to COO of Cyber Group Studios. She succeeds Dominique Bourse, who was named chairman and CEO of the company in February 2023. In 2023, Mathieu was also elected co-president of the SEDPA, the professional union of French audiovisual distributors for all genres. In her capacity, she negotiates agreements with the French government and market players. She has co-founded several associations that help audiovisual professionals connect and find funds for their projects, such as the médiaClub, where she is general secretary.

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SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 12 p.m. EST The Big Picture

Raphaëlle Mathieu COO Cyber Group Studios

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

laudia Mazzucco started her career at two advertising agencies and then became head of the direct mail division for Bottega Verde. In 1994, she was hired as direct mail manager of the book club by Edizioni Piemme. From 1997 to 2007, Mazzucco was the managing director of Edizioni Piemme—Mondadori Group, which ranks first on the list of publishing houses for children aged 4 to 13.

Since 2007, she has been the CEO of Atlantyca Entertainment, a transmedia company founded in September 2006 by Pietro Marietti, founder of Edizioni Piemme and rightsholder of the famous Geronimo Stilton character (187 million copies sold worldwide in 52 languages). Atlantyca Entertainment was set up to exploit the rights pertaining to Geronimo Stilton in animation, licensing and publishing. Mazzucco is one of the company’s three shareholders, along with Pietro Marietti and Caterina Marietti. In 2009, Mazzucco oversaw the startup of Atlantyca China in Beijing, which officially opened on January 1, 2010. She has successfully developed the sale of translation rights related to more than 40 IPs, signing around 2,000 contracts with Chinese publishers.

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Claudia Mazzucco CEO Atlantyca Entertainment

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 12 p.m. EST In Their Feelings

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ichelle Mendelovitz joined Mattel in November 2023. In her role, Mendelovitz oversees the development, production and distribution of Mattel’s robust slate of episodic content on broadcast and streaming globally.

Mendelovitz brings to Mattel significant expertise in content development and production gained from senior roles at Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television, Apple TV+, Sony Pictures Television and CBS Television Network. She most recently served as executive producer at HiddenLight Productions, working with Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton to develop a suite of scripted projects for the initial slate at their production company.

Mattel Television Studios is the television production and distribution division of Mattel, providing global audiences with innovative and engaging content based on the company’s iconic portfolio of franchises. Featuring best-in-class distribution partners, Mattel Television Studios offers animated and live-action series and specials based on leading IPs such as Barbie, Thomas & Friends, Hot Wheels, Fireman Sam, Polly Pocket, Barney, Masters of the Universe, Monster High and Pictionary. In 2023 alone, Mattel Television Studios premiered 12 series and specials.

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SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 1:30 p.m. EST Keynote

Michelle Mendelovitz Head Mattel Television Studios

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ucy Murphy has over 30 years of experience in the kids’ TV business and has worked on the creative and strategic direction of many children’s and family IPs. At Sky, Murphy is responsible for kids’ content across all platforms, which includes eight live partner channels, a library of over 10,000 on-demand episodes and the Sky Kids channel that launched in 2023 housing brand-new originals and franchise favorites.

Murphy’s role includes acquisitions and commissions of original content for kids aged 1 to 12 in all genres, including games and interactive. Recent commissions have included award-winning shows such as the preschool animation Pip and Posy, the BAFTA-winning news show FYI, The Very Small Creatures—a spin-off from the iconic Morph series—and the animated series Ready Eddie Go!

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Lucy Murphy Director, Kids Content, U.K. & Ireland Sky

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 9 a.m. EST TV Kids Pioneer Award

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

elena Nylander has more than 25 years of experience in kids’ TV, working for Swedish public broadcaster SVT. Starting as a production manager, she worked for many years with SVT’s in-house productions in different genres. After working in production, she moved on to work with scheduling and planning the children’s channel at SVT. For the last 15 years, Nylander has worked as an acquisition executive for children’s content within the SVT International team.

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SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 9 a.m. EST Quest for the Best

Helena Nylander Acquisitions Executive, Children’s SVT

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ecilia Persson drives an ambitious global strategy for Kids & Family, one of four key genres that make up BBC Studios. As managing director, Persson works in partnership with all areas of the business to ensure the most creative, efficient and effective approach to bring children’s content to audiences around the world.

Persson has extensive creative and commercial knowledge, including more than 15 years at WarnerMedia, where she most recently held the role of VP of programming and content strategy.

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Cecilia Persson Managing Director BBC Studios Kids & Family

SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 12 p.m. EST The Big Picture

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

mmanuèle Pétry-Sirvin started her career in 1990, opening the Paris office for Nelvana.

During her 17 years at Nelvana, she built the full sales department in charge of worldwide international distribution. As head of the European office, she worked on many co-productions.

Pétry-Sirvin gained her first Emmy Award for the CGI series Rolie Polie Olie and her second for the hybrid series The Treehouse Stories, commissioned

by Canal+, which she co-developed and co-wrote.

Now in its fourth season, this edutainment series that animates 103 cult children’s picture books helped bring together her passion for books and children’s education into the world of animation. At the Millimages studio in Paris, Pétry-Sirvin initiated and developed Mouk’s World Tour as the executive in charge of development. After that, she co-created the Paris-based production and distribution company Dandelooo (along with Jean-Baptiste Wéry) to produce the Houdini TV special and Stinky Dog. Along with Wéry, she opened the 2D animation studio Ooolala in La Cartoucherie in Valence, France, to produce the original TV special Mum is Pouring Rain. Now in production are Billy the Cowboy Hamster and The Upside Down River.

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SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 9 a.m. EST In the Public Interest

Emmanuèle Pétry-Sirvin Producer & Head, International Dandelooo

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ophie “Kido” Prigent started her career in the music industry. She joined the kids’ industry in 2010, holding various sales roles at Cookie Jar. Following its acquisition by DHX (now known as WildBrain), she became a territory manager and, for another seven years, handled the sales of 13,000 half-hours of content that included iconic brands such as Teletubbies, Strawberry Shortcake, Bob the Builder, Caillou, Degrassi and more.

In 2019, Prigent joined Jetpack Distribution as sales director and was quickly promoted to global head of sales for the distributor (which, during her tenure, rose the ranks from number four to number one in the Kidscreen Hot50). At Jetpack, she was also responsible for acquiring content and creating production opportunities for shows in development.

In 2023, she joined the multi-award-winning French studio HARI (creators of Grizzy & the Lemmings, the most aired French animated show in many parts of the world) as its head of distribution, where she is responsible for financing, sales and global distribution strategy, working closely with the brand teams to find the perfect homes for the studio’s much-loved, feature-quality properties, as they expand their footprints across the globe.

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Sophie “Kido” Prigent Head, Distribution HARI

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 1:30 p.m. EST Mass Exposure

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

o Redfern is a leader in kids’ media, specializing in finding strategic opportunities to scale IP in the new entertainment age, which means a responsive strategy that spans kids’ digital and physical lives. She develops multiplatform strategies for brands across YouTube, social gaming (Roblox and Fortnite), TikTok and broadcast.

Redfern is also an executive producer and has almost two decades of experience in brand positioning and world-building. She is also co-host of the Kids Media Club podcast.

Being data-driven and insight-led, Redfern tries to predict how children will interact with content in the future and use it to develop strategic opportunities for IP right now. Content brands that embrace the pace of technological change and how kids are using it will have a competitive advantage. She has previous experience with brands such as Peppa Pig, WWE and the CBeebies portfolio in the U.K., including the award-winning CBeebies Land theme park and hotel.

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SESSION Thursday, February 1, 1:30 p.m. EST Mass Exposure

Jo Redfern Managing Director, Kids Wind Sun Sky Entertainment

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ia Sands works across Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Boing, Cartoonito and Max kids and family. In this role, Sands oversees and negotiates shared acquisitions for the EMEA kids’ business, working closely with the local heads of programming and acquisitions of each of the channels and the content heads within EMEA. In addition, Sands works closely with production and co-production partners to provide creative consultation throughout the development and production of select series, including Taffy, an original series for Boomerang from Cyber Group Studios; Moley from Two Daughters Entertainment and Jetpack Distribution; Mush-Mush & the Mushables from La Cabane, Thuristar and CAKE; and Interstellar Ella with Aardman and Fabrique Fantastique.

Prior to working at Warner Bros. Discovery, she held an acquisitions role at Disney. She has a background in television production, having held various positions in production management.

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Zia Sands Lead Acquisitions, Partnerships & Co-Productions, Kids & Family, EMEA Warner Bros. Discovery

SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 9 a.m. EST Quest for the Best

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

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t the global impact nonprofit Sesame Workshop, Susan Scheiner advises not only Sesame Street but also related projects and publishing. She has been with the organization for over 30 years and has developed and implemented educational content for other children’s shows, including Mecha Builders, Ghostwriter, The Electric Company and Pinky Dinky Doo. Through the years, Scheiner has developed curricula that have guided content in academic areas such as literacy and STEM, as well as socio-emotional topics.

SESSION Thursday, February 1, 10:30 a.m. EST Full STEAM Ahead

Susan Scheiner Director, Content Sesame Workshop

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

osh Scherba is a highly experienced entertainment executive drawing on over 20 years in the global industry. He has been with WildBrain since its founding in 2006 and has held a series of progressively senior roles in that time, overseeing a wide variety of functions across the organization.

Appointed president in 2018, Scherba has fostered a content-led approach to igniting brands from WildBrain’s deep vault of IP as well as partner brands, and he has played an integral role in setting and driving WildBrain’s 360-degree strategy across production, distribution and consumer-products licensing. Well-known in the entertainment industry as the primary face of business for WildBrain, Scherba has built strong, long-term relationships with numerous major partners, including Apple TV+, Netflix, Amazon, SEGA, YouTube, the BBC, LEGO, Mattel and many others. His passion for kids’ and family IP combined with his keen strategic vision have been central to driving WildBrain’s growth and reputation as a leading producer of premium content for streaming platforms and broadcasters worldwide.

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Josh Scherba President & CEO WildBrain

SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 1:30 p.m. EST Keynote

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

ver 30 years, Mikael Shields has established an international reputation for identifying, developing and producing a wide range of hit film and television projects, including Nick Park’s Oscar-winning Wallace & Gromit, the global phenomenon that is Pingu, BAFTA-winning Hilltop Hospital, the multi-award-winning Flatworld and Aardman Animations’ Rex the Runt. Other projects include Noddy, Funnybones, Operavox, The Animals of Farthing Wood, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Borrowers, Pond Life and Lava-Lava!

Shields has led creative teams in senior roles at the BBC, EVA Entertainment, Pearson Television, Atom Films, Ealing Studios and now at Acamar Films.

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SESSION Thursday, February 1, 12 p.m. EST In Their Feelings

Mikael Shields CEO & Co-Founder Acamar Films

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

alle Stanford leads The Jim Henson Company’s development and production of all television, home entertainment and digital media in animated and live-action formats.

Stanford recently executive produced the Emmy Award-winning series Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock, the short-form series Fraggle Rock: Rock On!, Slumberkins (based on the popular book and therapy toy line) and Harriet the Spy (based on the classic children’s book series), all for Apple TV+, as well as the Netflix series The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance, for which she won an Emmy Award.

Her recent children’s programming executive producer credits include Duff’s Happy Fun Bake Time, Dinosaur Train: Adventure Island, Dinosaur Train, Word Party and spin-off series Word Party Presents: Math!, Splash and Bubbles, Dot. and Doozers. Stanford’s award-winning credits also include Sid the Science Kid, Julie’s Greenroom and Pajanimals.

Stanford co-wrote the episode “The World of Tomorrow” for Harriet the Spy and is currently developing her original preschool series Wowzabout! for The Jim Henson Company. She is also in development on a new slate of television projects.

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Halle Stanford President, Television The Jim Henson Company

SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 9 a.m. EST In the Public Interest

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

nna Taganov joined the BBC in 2021. 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.

Taganov oversees the teams responsible for planning and scheduling all children’s and education video content on CBeebies, CBBC and BBC iPlayer and CBeebies House and CBBC HQ presentations. Previously, Taganov headed up content and programming strategies for Disney channels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. She led program planning, media planning and scheduling for 16 Disney Junior and Disney XD channels and worked on the content transition strategy from linear to on-demand ahead of the launch of Disney+.

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SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 9 a.m. EST Quest for the Best

Anna Taganov Head, Content & Programming Strategy BBC Children’s

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

t the distribution arm of Sixteen South, Alexandros van Blanken is responsible for leading all sales and presales for the company’s slate of original IP and managing relationships globally with broadcasters, platforms, agents and producers. With a background in production financing, van Blanken has an active role in structuring and financing productions with partners.

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Alexandros van Blanken General Manager Sixteen South Rights

SESSION Wednesday, January 31, 12 p.m. EST Money Matters

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TV KIDS FESTIVAL

n international media professional with over 25 years of experience, Alix Wiseman is responsible for heading up 9 Story’s sales operations and sourcing third-party content from across the globe. Her remit also includes securing financing for 9 Story’s new IPs and working closely with the development team to shape them for the international market. Wiseman joined 9 Story from Aardman Animations, where she set up the studio’s distribution division as head of sales and acquisitions in 2006. While there, she worked with her team to secure partnerships for Shaun the Sheep in 170 countries and drive new brand extensions for the studio’s Oscar-winning stop-frame classics, such as Wallace & Gromit and Creature Comforts.

Wiseman also served as executive producer on Shaun the Sheep season five and the special The Farmer’s Llamas.

Wiseman started her career at Channel 4. Following her passion for animation, she moved into children’s content, joining the newly formed Entertainment Rights (since acquired by Classic Media and then DreamWorks), where she drove the international rollout of shows such as Postman Pat, Little Red Tractor, the Barbie TV movies and Transformers across the globe.

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SESSION Tuesday, January 30, 12 p.m. EST The Big Picture

Alix Wiseman Senior VP, Distribution & Acquisitions 9 Story Media Group

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A DIVISION OF World Screen

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