Welcome, Guest [Sign In]To ensure that our sessions continue to be responsive and relevant to your business needs, we’ve recruited an Advisory Panel of expert execs who will weigh in during the agenda planning process and help us keep on top of issues and trends that are having an impact on the industry. Our advisors for KidScreen Summit 2008 include:
Finn Arnesen
SVP GM Original Series & International Development, Turner Broadcasting System International
Finn Arnesen is Senior Vice President and General Manager for Original Series in Europe, Africa and the Middle East (EMEA) and Turner Broadcasting Systems (TBS) International Development.
Speaking at Get Savvy About the Summit I (9:00 - 9:30), Are You Smarter Than a Kids Buyer?, Get Savvy About the Summit II (2:00 - 2:30), (2:45 - 3:15) 30 Mins With...Finn Arnesen, Cartoon Network
Deirdre Brennan
Director of Programming, Nickelodeon Australia
Deirdre Brennan joined Nickelodeon Australia as Director of Programming in February 2007 and is responsible for content development, programming, acquisitions and the delivery of compelling entertainment for Australian kids. Nickelodeon, now in its 12th year in Australia, broadcasts Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. channels 24 hours a day every day, and is seen in over 1.8 million households via Austar, Foxtel, and Optus. From 2001-2007, Deirdre Brennan was ABC Kids Programmer for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. She became one of Australia's first female television announcers when she joined ABC TV in 1986 whilst studying Economics/Law at Sydney University. She extended her on-air experience with radio broadcasting, as well as becoming a director, stage manager and choreographer. With a television career that spans 22 years, Deirdre has a proven track record including three years as ABC TV Marketing Planner.
Speaking at (4:00 - 4:30) 30 Mins With...Deirdre Brennan, Nickelodeon, Thinking Outside the Spot: New On-air Branding and Promo Models
Marc Buhaj
SVP Programming, Jetix Europe
Marc Buhaj was appointed Senior Vice President of Programming, Jetix Europe, in April 2007. In this capacity, he oversees all aspects of Jetix Europe’s content, including production, development, acquisitions, scheduling, on-air promotions, multi-media programming and administration. He reports to Jetix Europe’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Taylor.
Speaking at Are You Smarter Than a Kids Buyer?, (12:00 - 12:30) 30 Mins With...Marc Buhaj, Jetix Europe
Alice Cahn
VP, Social Responsibility, Cartoon Network
Alice Cahn is Cartoon Network’s VP of for Social Responsibility, directing content and the implementation of outreach and pro-social initiatives across all of the Cartoon Network divisions. Prior to joining Cartoon Network, Cahn served as Managing Director of the Markle Foundation’s Interactive Media for Children Program. Cahn came to Markle from Sesame Workshop where she served as President of the Television, Film and Video group. Prior, Cahn was head of children's programming for US Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
Speaking at A Little Learning Never Hurts: Instructional Designs That Enhance the Creative
Gary Caplan
President, Gary Caplan Inc
Gary Caplan has played a major role in the business of licensing for over thirty years helping to shape and influence the direction the industry has taken. Thanks to the breadth and depth of his work, he is often referred to as “the godfather of licensing.” A pioneer and visionary, Caplan is renowned for his intimate understanding of the business, and his high-energy and passion for licensing know no bounds. He has represented some of the most recognizable consumer products brands in virtually every category of licensing, from apparel and toys to home furnishings and beyond.
Speaking at (1:45 - 2:15) Ask-An-Expert in Licensing: Gary Caplan, CONSUMER PRODUCTS FORUM: Brush-Up Breakfast on Licensing and Merchandising
Steven DeNure
President, Decode Entertainment Inc
Steven is responsible for overall operations at Decode, as well as for the financing and development of new projects. Steven serves as Executive Producer on all Decode shows including live action children’s series, Naturally Sadie and Radio Free Roscoe, animated programs, Planet Sketch, co-produced with Aardman Animation Ltd., Bromwell High, co-produced with Hat Trick Productions and Delilah & Julius, co-produced with Collideascope Animation Studios. He is also Executive Producer on pre-school series, Franny's Feet and the Save-ums, as well as, factual series Be the Creature, co-produced with the National Geographic Channel. Prior to Decode, Steven was at Alliance Communications Inc. for more than 10 years and served in a number of senior positions including President, Alliance Productions and President, Alliance Multimedia. During his tenure at Alliance, Steven was involved in the development, financing and production of all feature film and television projects and was responsible for the animation division, music-publishing division (TMP), merchandising and licensing.
Richard Deverell
Controller, BBC Children's
Richard Deverell is the Controller of BBC Children’s, responsible for all CBeebies and CBBC output, including programmes on BBC1 and BBC2, two dedicated channels, websites and interactive television. He started in this role in early 2006, having joined BBC Children’s as Chief Operating Officer in mid-2005.
Angus Fletcher
Chief Executive, Snow River Media Ltd.
Angus Fletcher has worked as an Executive in the global television business for some two decades. He has enormous cross-genre experience, from children’s programming to drama, and is particularly well versed in the creation, production, management and exploitation of brands and franchises for the children’s and family markets. In the last eight years, he has won one British Academy (BAFTA) Award and been nominated for two others. His programming has been nominated for, and won, many other awards around the world including Canada’s Geminis and US Int’l Emmys. He has a deep knowledge, involvement and understanding of the global creative, production, co-production and distribution business and its key personnel.
Debra Joester
President & CEO, Joester Loria Group
Debra D. Joester serves as president/chief executive office of The Joester Loria Group, a company she founded with partner Joanne Loria in August 1999.
Speaking at CONSUMER PRODUCTS FORUM: Situation Room - The Industry's Top Brass Explore the Issues
Linda Kahn
SVP International TV Sales & Merchandising, Scholastic Media
Linda Kahn, Senior Vice President of International TV Sales & Merchandising, develops and directs all sales and strategic international opportunities in television, video, interactive, character licensing and promotions for Scholastic Media. Her responsibilities encompass international co-production financing. Kahn is a pioneer in children’s television programming.
David T. Levine
VP, Worldwide Programming Strategy & Windowing, Disney Channel & Jetix, Disney ABC Television Group
David Levine is Vice President, Worldwide Programming Strategy and Windowing for Disney Channel and Jetix. He joined Disney ABC Cable Networks Group in March 2004 and is responsible for overseeing global programming strategies for the Disney ABC kids’ brands worldwide. He is also responsible for creating windowing strategies for all content produced by Disney Channel Worldwide against emerging platforms such as broadband, iTunes, mobile, and VOD/SVOD. Levine also manages program planning for Toon Disney in the US, home of the Jetix block of programming. Levine reports to Scott Garner, Senior Vice President, Programming, Disney Channel.
Speaking at Scheduling Showdown
Joan Lofts
Director, Contender Entertainment Group
Joan Lofts is Director of Television at Contender Entertainment Group and was appointed in November 2001. She is responsible for developing and overseeing the television strand of the company's vision to Build Entertainment Brands.
Speaking at Charting a New Co-Production Roadmap
Paul Marcum
GM, Worlds, Yahoo Inc.
Paul Marcum currently serves as the General Manager leading Yahoo! Worlds - connecting top entertainment properties and their fans through the Yahoo! network. Paul joined the Yahoo! Media Group in Santa Monica, CA in October 2005 as General Manager for Youth Media; over the course of a year in that position Marcum drove the successful reinvention of the Yahoo! Kids property and repositioning of its Education initiatives.
Susan Miller
Founding Partner, President & CEO, Bolder Media/Mixed Media Group
Susan Miller is the founding partner of Mixed Media Group and Bolder Media, Inc. She is the Executive Producer and co-owner of Nickelodeon’s Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!
Speaking at Back to the Drawing Board: Rolling With Redevelopment Reality, Brand-Building Beyond TV
Herb Mitschele
VP International Sales & Marketing, Playmates Toys Inc
Herb is responsible for the management of sales and marketing outside of the United States. In this role, he develops and directs a number of different international activities, including the selection of distributors, the coordination of TV placement as it relates to the launch of specific brands, the acquisition of international licenses, and the review of country specific marketing plans. Herb also assists in the selection and acquisition of licenses on a worldwide basis as he was responsible for this function prior to stepping into the expanded international role in 2005.
Speaking at CONSUMER PRODUCTS FORUM: Mastering the Masters
Doug Murphy
President, Nelvana Enterprises
Doug Murphy is President of Nelvana Enterprises. He oversees all of Nelvana’s broadcast sales, marketing, consumer products licensing and new platform opportunities internationally.
Speaking at MULTIPLATFORM MANIA: The New Landscape (9:00 - 10:00)
Adina Pitt
VP of Content Acquisitions and Co-productions, Cartoon Network
Adina Pitt is Vice President of Acquisitions and Co-productions for Cartoon Network and Boomerang. In her role, Pitt is responsible for identifying, negotiating and acquiring series, specials, movies and short-form content for all platforms associated with these two broadcast brands. Adina will also liaise with international Cartoon Network and Boomerang channels to coordinate global acquisitions deals.
Speaking at (10:00 - 10:30) 30 Mins With...Adina Pitt, Cartoon Network US
Reyne Rice
Toy Trend Specialist, Toy Industry Association
Charles Riotto
President, LIMA Licensing Industry Merchandisers Association
Charles Riotto is President of the International Licensing Industry Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA), the leading trade organization for the worldwide licensing industry. Since joining LIMA in 1997, the organization’s membership has grown by 35% to 1,000 member companies in 28 countries around the world. LIMA is recognized globally as the authoritative voice of the worldwide licensing industry. The organization is based in New York, with offices in London, Munich, Tokyo and Shanghai.