The Youth Media Alliance (YMA) presents the eighth edition of the Children, Youth & Media conference on November 6-8 in Toronto. Youth media production professionals will be exploring some very special topics such as discoverability, the 6-12 age group target, co-viewing hit-shows, a workshop on diversity and inclusion as well as meetings with international guests and broadcasters.
Highlights of the conference schedule include:
Discoverability 2.0. With even more choice online and on air than ever before, how do content creators make sure kids are discovering their shows? Is there a “secret sauce”? Experts explore and discuss how creators and producers are getting their content “found” and “followed.” Panel discussion moderated by Michelle Melanson (Headspinner Productions) with guests Carlos Pacheco (Truly Inc.), Lori Mather (Co-Creator/Showrunner, Find Me in Paris) and Brandon Lane (Producer/Director, Miss Persona).
Ruling the Middle Kingdom. Six- to 12-year olds have aged out of preschool content, but there’s little made just for them. They’re hard to target with content because at this age, interests and passions diverge and fragment. They’re outgrowing tablets but only just getting a smartphone. They often lose the TV remote to little siblings during the day and parents at night. So, it’s a challenge for video, game, app and product makers to connect with them at scale. There’s a gap to be filled, but one must understand the age group’s changing needs, beliefs and passions. The payoff: The “middle kingdom” is establishing long-term brand and content preferences, and love to share their favorites with their peers. Special presentation by Adam Woodgate (Senior Research Manager) and David Kleeman (SVP Global Trends) both from Dubit International.
The Goldfish Bowl. Youth & kids’ content creators are invited to take part in this pitching session in front of international buyers who will ask questions and offer feedback. Guests from Amazon, PBS Kids and Disney will join Peter Moss, who will be the host of this special presentation.
Additional guest speakers and topics will include: Marie McCann (CBC Kids), Marney Malabar (TVOKids), Monika Ille (APTN), Hélène Archambault (Télé-Québec) and TFO. Frank Falcone (Guru Studio) will host a discussion about the rapidly-evolving market and how to enter the content space in Canada. CYMC will talk about co-viewing hit-shows with Sarah Haasz and discover what kids like in exclusive kids interview clips captured from Newfoundland to Vancouver.
Dates to Remember:
- Day 1, Wednesday Nov. 6: Diversity and Inclusion Workshop (Venue: TFO)
- Day 2, Thursday Nov. 7: General Conference (Venue: Corus Quay)
- Day 3, Friday Nov 8: Prix Jeunesse International Screening (Venue: Corus Quay)
Early bird rate (-15%) ends on October 25. Tickets will be on sale until Friday, Nov. 1. Register using the YMA intranet.
