Paris – MIPJunior unveils a stellar line-up of speakers and sessions across two days, including three major Keynotes from Hasbro Inc.,Nickelodeon and YouTube.
Stephen Davis, Executive Vice President & Chief Content Officer, Hasbro Inc., will deliver the opening MIPJunior Keynote on Saturday 3 October. Davis is responsible for Hasbro’s Entertainment and Licensing segment, including developing, producing and distributing Hasbro content globally across all platforms through Hasbro Studios as well as oversight of the company’s licensing business.
He will discuss how the world famous toy company has transformed itself into a 360º entertainment provider, extending its brands across a range of experiences including film, TV, digital, music, licensing, theme parks and live events.
On Sunday 4 October, Nickelodeon’s Content President Russell Hicks and renowned hit-maker Dan Schneider (Game Shakers, Sam & Cat, iCarly, Victorious, Henry Danger, Drake & Josh, Zoey 101, The Amanda Show) will discuss how to attract and retain kids’ attention amid more choices than ever, what gives a programme the potential to be a global phenomenon and how Nickelodeon and Schneider have effectively tapped into the youth culture zeitgeist for more than 20 years.
The pair will also consider how new platforms are impacting storytelling and traditional formats and how Nickelodeon is responding with content being developed for every platform, and from an increasingly global stable of creators. Nickelodeon is also partner of the MIPJunior Networking Lunch on Saturday.
YouTube is home to content that engages, enriches and inspires. Following the launch of YouTube Kids several months ago in the US, Global Head of Family and Learning Malik Ducard will talk about new opportunities for producers and creators to engage kids and families like never before. Ducard’s keynote will take place on Sunday 4 October, 16.00.
During the two-day conference programme, broadcasters, producers, digital players and licensing experts will be shaping the future of kids’ entertainment. The first-class cast of speakers include Tara Sorensen, VP Development, Amazon Studios; Adina Pitt, VP Content Acquisitions & Co-Productions, Cartoon Network; Sarah Muller, Head of Acquisitions, Animation & Drama Development, CBBC; Karen K. Miller, VP Worldwide Programming Strategy, Acquisitions & Co-Productions, Disney Channels Worldwide; Bob Higgins, EVP Production Kid’s and Family Entertainment, FremantleMedia; Andrew Berman, SVP of Global Content Sales, Genius Brands International; Sebastian Debertin, Head of Fiction, Acquisition & Co-Production, KiKA; Carlos Tibi, Founder & CEO, ICFLIX Media; Jules Borkent, SVP International Programming and Global Acquisitions, Nickelodeon ; JJ Johnson, Producer/Partner, Sinking Ship Entertainment; Richard Goldsmith, EVP, Global Distribution, The Jim Henson Company and Sean Chu, Founder & CEO, WeKids Asia.
Organised by Reed MIDEM, MIPJunior will be held in Cannes on 3-4 October, ahead of the MIPCOM global entertainment content market.
