Top children’s TV execs from Nickelodeon, DreamWorks Animation, Hulu and Disney have been added to the speakers lineup for next month’s 2014 edition of Kidscreen Summit.
The new additions are:
* 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.
* Marjorie Cohn, the first-ever head of television at DreamWorks Animation, will discuss her approach to producing 300 hours to fulfill 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 plans to share what’s on deck next at DreamWorks TV and where she sees the future of TV heading.
* Hulu Kids’ content acquisition lead, Benjamin Kim, has just signed on 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.
* Lauren DeVillier, VP of digital media at Disney, has joined a panel on the burgeoning trend of launching series programming through apps first. 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. Disney EMEA VP of Programming, Production and Strategic Development David Levine moderating.
Kidscreen Summit will take place Feb. 9-12 at the Hilton New York. To sign up online or get more information, visit the event website at summit.kidscreen.com/2014.
