The annual New York-based children’s entertainment event Kidscreen Summit has unveiled its full 2013 conference agenda online at summit.kidscreen.com/2013/agenda/expanded. Running over three full days, with a Master Classes and meetings-only day, the program offers more than 75 keynotes, panel discussions, presentations, debates and networking/pitching formats—all featuring respected thought leaders and business pioneers from kids entertainment circles and beyond. The show is designed to showcase new strategies, innovative ideas and relevant business solutions that delegates can apply to their own businesses to drive future growth.
Here are just some of the highlights:
Joel Cohen, writer and co-exec producer of The Simpsons, will kick off Kidscreen Summit 2013 with the keynote “The Tao of Homer: Lessons in Creativity and Innovation from The Simpsons.”
New this year is the Digital Dimension Spotlight series that will highlight the teams from some of the most prominent digital content platforms around. Amazon Studios Director Roy Price and Tara Sorensen, Head of Development, will give attendees a look at what’s up next for this fast-moving content producer, while YouTube’s Global Head of Entertainment Partnerships, Alex Carloss, will be joined by operators of the video giant’s top-performing youth channels, including Brian Robbins of AwesomenessTV.
Also back in 2013 is Pitch It! with a focus on Engaging the Second Screen, which highlights multi-touch-point programming. The event showcase three projects in development that have second-screen interactivity built in that lets kids interact with the TV and a secondary device simultaneously. Projects are being accepted for consideration until Friday, December 14, and the application form is at pitchit.kidscreensummit.com.
The Kid Insight Day will introduce an original study from Kid Industries Gary Pope, who, using extensive quantitative and qualitative research on media consumption, play and socialization habits of kids ages two to 12 in nine countries, will draw a picture of The Global Child. Also unveiling original research will be Cartoon Network’s SVP of Research, Jeffrey Grant. Drawing from a Cartoon Network survey of more than 2,000 US kids ages six to 14, Grant will answer that ever-present question in the kids entertainment business, “What Do Kids Find Funny?”
Also, look for full program tracks on the Second Screen (Wednesday, Feb. 6), Creative Connection (Thursday, Feb. 7) and consumer products, IP Potential (Thursday, Feb. 7), to cover some of the hottest topics in the business right now.
Kidscreen Summit perennials Lunching With… and 30 Minutes With… are also back with execs such as Andrew Beecham (Sprout), Kay Benbow (CBBC), Tim Brooke-Hunt (ABC Australia), Michael Carrington (Turner, EMEA), Karen Miller (Disney Channels Worldwide) and Adina Pitt (Cartoon Network), to name just a few.
Kidscreen Summit 2013 takes place from February 5 to 8 at the Hilton New York.
Last year, Kidscreen Summit welcomed nearly 1,600 attendees, representing 850+ companies from 46 countries around the world. And more than 350 kids TV buyers and investors were at the event looking for new content and partners.
More information about Kidscreen Summit 2013 is available at summit.kidscreen.com.
