Speakers at the 2014 Kidscreen Summit are announced, including Nickelodeon President of Content Development & Production Russell Hicks and DreamWorks Animation’s Head of Television Marjorie Cohn.
On pace to welcome more than 1,600 attendees to New York next month, the 2014 Kidscreen Summit promises to once again deliver an unparalleled conference program fuelled by the perspectives and learnings of the kids entertainment industry’s top leaders and pioneers.
In a Q&A called Meet the CCO, Nickelodeon President of Content Development & Production Russell Hicks will talk about the circuitous career path that has seen him take charge of setting the global content direction at one of the world’s most influential children’s broadcasters, exploring the influences that have shaped the way he chooses content, and how he nurtures creativity and innovation.
Then Marjorie Cohn, the first-ever Head of Television at DreamWorks Animation, will discuss her approach to producing 300 hours to fulfil Netflix’s largest commission ever, not to mention the 1,200 new original episodes she’s charged with shepherding over the next five years. Cohn is more than up for the challenge, and plans to share what’s on deck next at DreamWorks TV and where she sees the future of TV heading in this Meet the Studio Head session.
Hulu Kids’ content acquisition lead, Benjamin Kim, has just come on-board as a speaker and will be part of a panel discussion called The SVOD Effect that explores how video-on-demand services are approaching original content and franchise-building, and what the impact these efforts may have on traditional kids entertainment platforms. Kim joins Amazon Studios Head of Kids Programming Tara Sorensen, DHX Media SVP of Distribution Josh Scherba, and Henson Global Distribution EVP Richard Goldsmith in the session’s lineup.
And Lauren DeVillier, VP of Digital Media at Disney, will share her perspective on the burgeoning trend of launching series programming through apps first (and how this may change viewing habits and methods for gathering audience feedback) in Harnessing the Power of the App. Rounding out the panel are Sprout SVP of Programming Andrew Beecham, Nickelodeon Senior Director of Preschool Games Jordana Drell, and yummico Co-Founder Traci Paige Johnson, with Disney EMEA VP of Programming, Production and Strategic Development David Levine moderating.
Last year, Kidscreen Summit welcomed 1,600+ attendees from 47 countries around the world. And more than 400 kids TV buyers and investors were at the event looking for new content and partners. This year’s event will take place from February 9 to 12 at the Hilton New York, offering an unparalleled opportunity to keep abreast of important issues and trends in the fast-moving international kids entertainment industry, generate business and revenue opportunities, and network with leading decision-makers.
Registration for Kidscreen Summit 2014 is open. To sign up online or get more information, visit the event website at http://summit.kidscreen.com/2014/.
Source: Kidscreen Summit
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
