[big_header]Awardees[/big_header]
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Cohen launched and grew Cartoon Network into a global business with $3 billion asset value within 9 years, green-lighting such hit shows as The PowerPuff Girls, Dexter’s Lab and Samurai Jack, as well as launching Cartoon Network Studio, CartoonNetwork.com, Boomerang and Adult Swim. As President and CEO of Lifetime Networks, she repositioned the network to attract younger and more valued demographics: green-lighting Army Wives, Lifetime’s first original dramatic series to become a hit.
As President of Betty Cohen Media Consulting, Cohen’s clients have included: Speakaboos, Lynda.com, Meredith, Roadtrip Nation and Paley Center for Media. Cohen has been inducted into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame, and received the prestigious “Muse Award” from NY Women in Film and TV. She was named one of “The 50 Most Powerful Women in Business” by Fortune magazine.
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In July of 2015, Hartman launched his own entertainment network, the Noog Network, a free interactive app on the App Store. This past August, Butch embarked into the world of graphic novels with his original new comic book Three O’Clock Club (co-created with Jordan Gorfinkel), released by Lion Forge Comics. Butch and wife Julieann are the founders of Hartman House, a charitable, non-profit organization that benefits needy children and families around the world.
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In addition, Michael cofounded and is chairman of The Entertainment and Media Finance Group, Inc. (TEAM), which combines professional financial advisory services with interim and specialized lending for small and medium-sized producers in Canada. He is also the Chairman at CineCoup, an independent and gamified film-funding agency, and the CEO at Floating Island Entertainment, a producing team with many titles in development. Michael has earned numerous Daytime Emmys and Gemini awards and nominations and is a regular speaker at industry panels and events.
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Ellen is now an independent VFX supervisor and producer. Her work with blockbuster Asian projects Hero and Monster Hunt have won her 2 Hong Kong Film Awards for Best Visual Effects. Monster Hunt was a huge success and became China’s highest grossing film of all time in 2015.
Ellen whilst enjoys being a producer and supervisor, she equally enjoys being an artist where she can be hands-on to create some of the stunning imageries that we see on the screen. Her work on Frozen, Zootopia and most recently Moana is the proof that Ellen is a very versatile artist.
Ellen is a member of AMPAS and VES.
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In 2005, Pierre co-founded Cyber Group Studios, a French company that produces and distributes global content for kids and families, particularly CGI and 2D HD animated TV series. Nominated for an International Emmy for its preschool hit Zou and the recipient of more than 65 international awards the past decade, Cyber Group Studios is currently one of the leading European animation studios. Since its inception in 2005, Cyber Group Studios, has an overall catalogue of 1,000 half-hours, and has produced 800 episodes of TV animation, including its latest acclaimed show Zorro: The Chronicles. Through its distribution arm, Cyber Group Studios also caters directly to over 160 clients around the world. Pierre, already a knight in the French Legion of Honor and National Order of Merit orders, was made a knight in the order of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture in 2014.
[big_header]Presenters[/big_header]
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In 2005, Michael began the “next act” of his career, founding the Tornante Company; a privately held company that invests in, acquires, and operates companies in media and entertainment. In 2007, Tornante and Madison Dearborn Partners acquired The Topps Company. Michael also founded Tornante Animation, a thriving animation studio behind such popular shows as BoJack Horseman, which has been a hit on Netflix, the service’s the first animated original series for adults. The Tornante company portfolio also includes Clique Media, Task Rabbit, and AirTime.
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In television, Hurd executive produces AMC’s The Walking Dead, which in its 7th season continues to be the most-watched scripted drama among 18-49 year olds. She is an Executive Producer on Fear the Walking Dead, and a Consulting Producer on the top-rated talk show, Talking Dead.
Hurd’s new drama series, Falling Water, debuted on the USA Network in October. Next up is the unscripted series, Lore, which begins streaming on Amazon in 2017 and she is in post-production on her third Native American documentary for PBS, Mankiller.
In 2015, Hurd was awarded the prestigious David O. Selznick Award for Achievement in Motion Pictures by the Producers Guild of America, and she was inducted into the International Women’s Forum Hall of Fame in 2014. In 2012, Hurd received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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His notable TV work includes the telefilm Mrs. Harris; Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story; The Tale of Sweeney Todd and Anne Frank: The Whole Story. Most recently, he starred in the Spike series Tut, where he portrayed Grand Vizier Ay, for which he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 1984, Sir Ben was awarded the Padma Sri by Indira Gandhi and the government of India. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in the New Year’s Eve Honors List in 2001.
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He was the first creative director of MTV and the last president of Hanna-Barbera Cartoons. Fred was the founder of Next New Networks (acquired by YouTube). He’s on the board of directors of Sawhorse Media, and was the first investor in Tumblr.
Frederator Networks is Channel Frederator, the leading online cartoon network, Frederator Studios, an independent production company with hits on Cartoon Network and Nickelodeon, Cartoon Hangover, the home of Bravest Warriors and Bee & PuppyCat (the most funded web series Kickstarter in history), and Frederator Books. Frederator distributes hundreds of independently owned, animator operated, YouTube channels.
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Taylor concurrently is the CEO of the strategic advisory firm Media Disrupted (www.mediadisrupted.com).
Taylor was Co-founder, with Michael Hirsh, of Cookie Jar Group (now DHX) and President of Nelvana Entertainment (now Corus), a business founded by Michael Hirsh. Taylor started as an Agent at William Morris where built the firm’s cable industry business; Michael Hirsh was his client.
Taylor recently served as Chairman of Bardel Entertainment. He fostered strategic service partnerships and managed the company’s sale to Rainbow, Italy.
Taylor is an alumnus of University of Southern California and serves on the boards of the Roski School of Fine Arts and School of Cinematic Arts.
[big_header]Master of Ceremonies[/big_header]
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