The Children’s Media Conference (CMC) has announced that executives from Nickelodeon and ViacomCBS will be taking part in a variety of sessions at CMC 2021, which will be once again held virtually due to the on-going COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
Taking place between 5-9 July 2021, CMC 2021 is a week-long online conference of children’s and youth content.
Thursday 1st July 2021
Date: 1 July 2021
Venue: Meeting Mojo
Cost: £95+VAT
The International Exchange is a must for anyone looking for international sales, partnerships or project funding.
The International Exchange plays host to a wide range of broadcasters, co-producers, funders and investors from across the world keen to meet sellers of content and services. And this year it takes place completely online so getting involved couldn’t be easier!
Why should you register for the International Exchange?
If you are an international broadcaster, co-producer or investor:
Find new talent, ideas, projects from the UK market.
Find co-production partners for your projects in development.
All from the comfort of your own place – no travelling required.
If you are producing, distributing or have services to sell – e.g. consultancy, composing, writing:
Contact international broadcasters, co-producers and investors via our exclusive meeting-booking system to invite them to one-to-one video meetings online on 1 July.
Meet and pitch to international broadcasters, co-producers and investors at your own dedicated online meeting room.
Confirmed UK and international commissioning and acquisition guests include:
Alix Wiseman, 9 Story Media Group
Maria-Nicole Miriklis, ABC
Jan Ziff & Allan Davidson, Across Media
Rachel Lin & Jane Lee, Alpha Group
Lionel Marty, APC Kids
Robin Gladman, Aardman
Jo Allen & Sarah Muller, BBC Children’s Acquisitions and Independent Animation
Anna Davies, BBC Children’s In-House Productions
Harriet Cox & Liz Randall, BBC Studios
LiYan Li, Beijing Joy Culture Media Co.
Sarah McCormack, Beyond Distribution
Jackie Edwards & John Knowles, BFI Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF)
Alison Warner, Blue Zoo
Drew Mullin, CBC
Nick Hall, CBeebies
Kyle Jenkins, Channel 5
Liz Keynes, Children’s and Family IP and Rights Management Consultant
Massimo Bruno & Brenda Maffuchi, De Agostini
Tony Humphreys, Department for International Trade
Diane Rankin, Distribution360
Ankur Bhasin, Encore Films
Courtney Arumugam, Gaumont
Robert Jaszczurowski, Grupa Smacznego
Sean Healy, Guangzhou Haikun
Nicola Andrews, Hemisphere Media Consultancy
David Gulshan, Imira Entertainment
Darren Nartey & Tyler Martin, ITV plc
John Rice, Jam Media
Dominic Gardiner & Gillian Calvert Ridge, Jetpack Distribution
Caterina De Mata, L&C
Claudia Dalley, Narrative Entertainment
Adam Bailey, Nickelodeon, ViacomCBS Networks International
Jordan Elson & Anna Silver, Nickelodeon UK
Rebecca Ide & Fiona Lui, Open Beijing Project
Linda Simensky, PBS
Ivan Agenjo, Peekaboo Animation
Martin Baynton, Jeremy Hall & Clive Spink, Pukeko Pictures
Sara Cabras, Rai Ragazzi
Suzanne Kelly, RTÉ
Alicia Liu, Singing Grass
Kevin Min, Sino-Media
Marie-Laure Roche, Superights
Marion Winter, Super RTL
Biren Ghose, Technicolor
Carlos Biern, Toonz Media Group
Trevor Lai, UP Studios
James Chen Gu & Clara Yang, UYOUNG Culture & Media Co
Adam Bailey, ViacomCBS Networks International
Zia Bales & Sabina McNally, WarnerMedia
Nico Lockhart, Wildbrain
Nick Young, Wildbrain Spark
Tracy Lee, Winsing Animation
Vicky Schroderus, YLE International Acquisitions
Katherina Pietzsch, ZDF Enterprises
For enquiries about The International Exchange, please contact intex@thechildrensmediaconference.com
In partnership with Department for International Trade and Zodiak Kids.
Monday 5th July 2021
Time: 2:00pm - 4:00pm BST
Location: Zoom
Sponsored by: Blue Zoo
This special standalone workshop requires a separate ticket to the main CMC conference and is £50+VAT Buy ticket here
Bring your pitch to this workshop to build, develop and refresh your skills with the CMC SkillBuilder – a mix of advice and hands-on learning. With top tips from a large group of industry experts, SkillBuilder gets delegates close to the expertise at the heart of the international children’s entertainment business.
Emmy-award winning executive, producer and content creator, Josh Fisher will be providing guidance and tips on preparation, pitch bibles, techniques and opportunities from his experience in acquisitions and development as an executive for a major SVOD platform, toyco, and distributor, and also as an independent producer & creator.
Breaking down into manageable ‘round table’ sessions, with expert advisors presiding in each, the CMC SkillBuilder will help you take YOUR pitch to the next level. So come prepared for this unique opportunity to get advice on pitching to commissioners, networks, SVoD platforms, producers, distributors or senior writers – and receive invaluable personal feedback and guidance on your concept, project, ideas and techniques from those who know the recipe for success.
Attendees:
Josh Fisher
Executive and Content Creator
Speaker
Courtney Arumugam
Gaumont Animation
Expert
Ros Attille
CBeebies
Expert
Daniel Bays
CAKE Productions
Expert
Tasha Dhanraj
Comedy Writer
Expert
Sarah Fell
WarnerMedia
Expert
Ian France
Sky Kids
Expert
Emilie Frelon
Netflix
Expert
Robin Gladman
Aardman Animations
Expert
Josie Grierson
Entertainment One (eOne)
Expert
Georgina Hurcombe
LoveLove Films
Expert
John Knowles
YACF
Expert
Natalie Llewellyn
Jellyfish Originals
Expert
Ahrani Logan
Peapodicity
Expert
Darren Nartey
ITV
Expert
Lynsey O'Callaghan
ViacomCBS Networks International
Expert
Cedric Petitpas
YouTube UK & Ireland
Expert
Orion Ross
The Walt Disney Company
Expert
Avrill Stark
A Stark Production
Expert
Harriet Williams
YACF
Justine Bannister
Just B
Producer
Beverly Yeang
Studio AKA
Assistant Producer
Alison Warner
Blue Zoo Rights
Executive Producer
Tuesday 6th July 2021
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm BST
Location: CMC Online Platform
Question Time quizzes those in power, or in the know, about the big issues facing UK kids’ media today.
CMC’s Question Time uses your questions to explore the strategic issues around kids and content – how policy and regulation impact on media-makers and how this serves the children’s and youth audience. As the children’s media industry emerges from the pandemic, new online safety laws are on the horizon in the Government’s Online Safety Bill; Ofcom and the DCMS are scrutinising the future of the licence fee, the BBC, and public service broadcasting in general; and how do we assess and address the impact of the pandemic on the audience and the industry. What are the opportunities and challenges for all those involved in kid’s media: creators, educators, regulators, broadcasters, and of course the needs of, and implications for, our young audience?
Attendees:
Leah Boleto
Radio and TV Presenter
Host / Moderator
Anne Longfield OBE
Children's Campaigner
Speaker
Sir Phil Redmond CBE
Grange Hill & Hollyoaks
Speaker
Mitchell Simmons
ViacomCBS
Speaker
Jayne Kirkham
Writer
Producer
Helen McAleer
IP, Publishing and Production Consultant
Executive Producer
Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm BST
Location: CMC Online Platform
Sponsored by: Fourth Wall Creative
Ask questions directly to commissioners from Channel 4, CITV, Milkshake! on Chanel 5 and S4C and hear the latest information on the Young Audiences Content Fund. Find out what has been commissioned in the last year and what the commercial public service broadcasters and their supporting Fund are looking for next.
Louise Bucknole
ViacomCBS Networks International
Speaker
Jackie Edwards
BFI, Young Audiences Content Fund
Speaker
Navi Lamba
E4 and Entertainment
Speaker
Tim Patterson
T1M Consult
Executive Producer
Wednesday 7th July 2021
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm BST
Location: CMC Online Platform
Sponsored by: Animation UK
With every reason for optimism & growth, animation content continues to create new worlds and new characters and our animated storytelling is entertaining and educating young people globally.
This session explores why the global platforms are putting kids and animation at the heart of their strategies, and asking what this means for our producers, artists and creatives on the ground. How are we assuring that new voices and new talent navigate the new world order? How are platforms, commissioners, and studios working with producers and creatives to create new titles and brands? And what new opportunities are there for creatives to work with the big players?
Building on the overall Conference theme of Together, the session will provide an upbeat focus on working together to create quality content for 25% of the audience -100% of our future.
Attendees:
HOST/MODERATOR
Beth Parker
Freelance Animation Consultant and Executive Producer
Host/Moderator
Dominique Bazay
Netflix
Speaker
Greg Boardman
Three Stones Media
Speaker
Sarah Fell
WarnerMedia
Speaker
Darren Nartey
ITV
Speaker
Chris Rose
Nickelodeon International & VIS Kids
Speaker
Sarah Legg-Barratt
Neon Soul Media
Producer
Kate O'Connor
Animation UK
Producer
Tracy Liddell
Studio Liddell
Executive Producer
Thursday 8th July 2021
Time: 4:00pm - 5:00pm BST
Location: CMC Online Platform
Sponsored by: Aardman
Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is is the only pitch competition with real-world outcomes. Dragons enter the “den” with a fund to buy options in the projects they decide to support, and deals on short development windows are done on the spot. The pitchers get great feedback and the audience learns what works and what doesn’t – while also seeing into the mind’s eye of funders.
Attendees:
Nigel Clarke
TV Presenter and Performer (former Nickelodeon UK Presenter)
Host/Moderator
Deidre Brennan
Wildbrain
Speaker
Eryk Casemiro
Nickelodeon
Speaker
Bob Higgins
Boat Rocker Studios, Kids & Family
Speaker
Adina Pitt
Cartoon Network and Boomerang
Speaker
Viola Gabrielli
Content & Talent Scout, Programmer
Producer
Debbie Macdonald
Independent Children’s Media Consultant
Executive Producer
Friday 9th July 2021
Time: 11:00am - 12:00pm BST
Where: CMC Online Platform
Sponsored by: Karrot
UK teams from International broadcasters are represented in this session – find out their priorities and processes.
Children’s broadcasters with channels in the UK and across the globe discuss their commissioning priorities, show their favourite content of the last year, reveal the ways in which you can contact them and pitch and how they see their strategies playing out in future.
Attendees:
HOST/MODERATOR
Emmanuelle Lhoni
BBC
Host/Moderator
Zia Bales
WarnerMedia EMEA
Speaker
Louise Bucknole
ViacomCBS Networks International
Speaker
Nina Hahn
Head of ViacomCBS International Studios Kids (VIS Kids)
Speaker
Hannah Rose Smith
Script Editor & Writer
Producer
Tim Patterson
T1M Consult
Executive Producer
On-Demand Sessions:
Hear how top content makers are finding new ways to ensure they deliver diversity and representation to their audiences.
How are top content makers finding new ways to build diversity into the early stages of development to reach and represent broad audiences. In this session, we’ll hear from kids about what diversity and representation means to them, followed by a discussion from our top industry panel on how they consider diversity and representation early in the development process, and their top tips on how to ensure diversity brings real value to young audiences.
Zoë Daniel
The Guardian/Reuters
Host/Moderator
Ros Attille
CBeebies
Speaker
Tom Cousins
BBC Children’s & Education
Speaker
Nina Hahn
Head of ViacomCBS International Studios Kids (VIS Kids)
Speaker
Christopher Keenan
Mattel
Speaker
Lydia Mossahebi
KidsKnowBest
Producer
Olivia Dickinson
Digital Olive
Executive Producer
An insight into Indian opportunities, media consumption patterns and working with Indian studios – outsourcing, co production and freelance relationships.
With the second largest population in the world and one of the most talented, yet cost effective work forces – India holds a dual edge in the content business – a powerhouse for content production and an insatiable thirst for content consumption.
Talented workforce at a global scale producing some of the best international content at a fraction of costs has always been a guiding force for the growing AVGC (Animation Visual Effects and Gaming) business in India. Now, armed with 18+ co production treaties and a host of local incentives under the new state AVCG Policies, India is slowly adding to the reasons why Indian studios could be great production partners.
An increased digital penetration and burgeoning subscriber base has led to an explosion of content consumption in India. Not only has this stimulated content production for the domestic market but also attracted international players to develop content for the Indian audience.
India has also seen a shift from the traditional hired workforce to reliance on more freelance effort – increasing opportunities for International talent to work with Indian studios.
Ankur Bhasin
Bhasin Group Media & Entertainment Association of India
Host/Moderator
Rajiv Chilaka
Green Gold Animation
Speaker
Biren Ghose
Technicolor
Speaker
P Jayakumar
Toonz Media Group
Speaker
Vikas Kumar
Digitoonz
Speaker
Sushil Kumar Bhasin
Media & Entertainment Association of India
Speaker
Smita Maroo
Shemaroo Entertainment
Speaker
Jayesh Ranjan, IAS
Industries & Commerce Department and Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Department
Speaker
Chris Rose
Nickelodeon International & VIS Kids
Speaker
Gurmeet Singh
Electronics & Computer Software Export Promotion Council of India
Speaker
Ankur Bhasin
Bhasin Group Media & Entertainment Association of India
Producer
Julia Posen
Children's Media Consultant
Executive Producer
How are kids’ media projects helping young people develop critical thinking skills in the face of unprecedented misinformation, fake news and “alternative facts” – and what are the challenges in achieving that?
With the help of young people and seasoned veterans in the world of kids’ media and information, this video asks important questions as to how children’s media projects are helping young people develop critical thinking skills in the face of unprecedented misinformation, fake news and alternative facts.
As political and social lives become polarised, truth goes out the window. In both subtle and overt ways kids’ media projects are dealing with the big new questions that are front of mind when bombarded by social media manipulation. How do young people tell if something is from a reliable source, how do they verify, and crucially how do they gain the skills to know that they need to do so?
Braydon Bent
Presenter and Reporter
Speaker
Nicky Cox MBE
CEO, Fresh Start Media
Speaker
Caroline Dinenage MP
DCMS
Speaker
Mark Little
Kinzen
Speaker
Ella Meek
Reporter
Speaker
Kelly Wood
Nickelodeon UK & Ireland
Executive Producer
Bios:
ViacomCBS International Media Networks
Director of International Content Acquisitions and Pre-school Current Series
ViacomCBS
VP, Government Relations
Mitchell Simmons is Vice President, Government Relations at ViacomCBS. In this role, he is responsible for policy across all ViacomCBS brands in EMEA including Channel 5, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and Paramount Pictures. He represents ViacomCBS to government and industry stakeholders on the future of the UK broadcasting ecology.
Prior to joining ViacomCBS in 2010, Simmons worked at Lexington Communications as a political and communications consultant to a range of corporate clients in the tech, financial services and the creative industries.
Simmons has an MBA from Cass Business School, University of London and undergraduate degree in Political Science from The University of Birmingham.
ViacomCBS Networks International
VP, Programming Kids, VCNI UK & Ireland
Louise is a kid’s content strategist and commissioner with over twenty years’ channel management and creative leadership experience.
At VCNI, Louise is the Kids content lead in the UK and responsible for leading all strategic, editorial and operational aspects for the Nick Network including Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. and Nick Jr. Too channels and Milkshake! on Channel 5, including commissions, acquisitions, programming, multiplatform, production and development and sits on the Nickelodeon International Programming Council. Louise also works with the commercial, consumer products and events teams to grow the brands and ensure best in class activations. Commissions and acquisitions include
Peppa Pig,
Horrid Henry,
Milkshake! Monkey,
Thomas & Friends,
Mimi’s World,
Meet The Experts,
Pip & Posy,
Daisy & Ollie,
Winnie & Wilbur,
Milo,
Circle Square,
Odo,
The World According To Grandpa,
Go Green With The Grimwades, and
Bop Box Boogie.
Prior to joining VCNI, Louise was Director of Programming, Disney Channels UK & Ireland where she was responsible for leading all aspects of content strategy, planning and editorial operations for all linear, non-linear and VOD services, ordering all Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD content. Commissions included Goalmouth, First Class Chefs, Art Attack, Furry Friends and Access All Areas.
Louise previously worked as Head of Scheduling, BBC Children’s where she oversaw content strategy for CBBC, CBeebies, the children’s blocks on BBC One, BBC Two and the iPlayer. Prior to that she was Senior Manager, Programme Planning for Disney Channels UK & Ireland, and formerly as Channel Editor and Scheduler for CITV, where she was part of the team that launched the CITV channel. Louise started her career at ITV in production, as a Production Co-ordinator, Researcher and Producer in Children’s for eight years.
She is a member of RTS, and sits on the BAFTA Children’s Committee, BFI YACF Strategic Advisory Group, Children’s Media Conference Advisory Committee and the ScreenSkills Children’s Council.
Head of ViacomCBS International Studios Kids (VIS Kids)
SVP of International Production & Development, Nickelodeon International
Nina Hahn is Senior Vice President of International Production & Development for Nickelodeon International and Head of ViacomCBS International Studios (VIS) Kids.
Based in London, Nina oversees international content development and co-production partnerships for all ViacomCBS kids’ content outside of the United States. Nina coordinates and drives the development process, spearheads new production models, manages productions from pilot through to series and works in direct partnership with content teams around the world. Nina is an industry veteran with more than 25 years of experience in creating and producing content for kids spanning all genres, from pre-school and kid’s animation, to live action and TV movies.
Nickelodeon International & VIS Kids
VP Production and Development
As VP of Animation Production and Development, Chris Rose heads up animation development and production for Nickelodeon International. In addition to identifying and developing new IP for Nick Toons, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr, Chris works across Nick International’s original animated content production slate and manages the international component of the animated shorts programme.
Chris previously ran the development and production arm of London’s Beano Studios and served as TV Commissioning Editor for ABC ME and ABC KIDS, ABC Australia’s children’s channels.
Nickelodeon
SVP Preschool
Eryk started his career with Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video, where he produced the long-running hit
Frosty Returns, now in its 28th year on CBS before joining Klasky/Csupo where he was responsible for the development and production of television series such as
Rugrats,
The Wild Thornberrys,
Rocket Power,
As Told by Ginger, and
All Grown Up, earning the studio three Ark Trust Awards, Four Humanitas Awards, 10 Emmy nominations, and one Emmy Award. In this role he also led the development and production of feature films for Paramount Pictures including
Rugrats Go Wild and
The Wild Thornberrys Movie, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Song,
Rugrats in Paris, and
The Rugrats Movie, which when released was the first animated film outside of Disney to earn more than $100,000,000.
For the next nine years, Eryk worked as a writer/producer on
Olivia, based on Ian Falconer’s award-winning book;
Poppy Cat, adapted from illustrator Lara Jones’ picture book series and currently seen in 170 across the globe; and
The Mr Men Show, adapted from Roger Hargreaves’
Little Miss and Mr. Men book series, for which Eryk received his 11th Emmy nomination, this time for Best Writing in a Children’s Series.
In November of 2012, assumed the role of Chief Creative Officer for the newly amalgamated Zodiak Kids Studios, comprised of Marathon Media and Tele-Image in Paris, and the Foundation in London. In this capacity, Eryk produced Kody Kapow for Sprout NBC/ Universal; Lilybuds for France Televisions and Discovery Kids Latin America; Magiki for DeA Kids and Planeta.
In 2019, Eryk was asked back to Nickelodeon to develop and executive produce an all new
Rugrats partnering once again with Kate Boutilier. In that same year, he took on the leadership of Nickelodeon preschool development and production, overseeing a production slate of thirteen series including
Paw Patrol,
Santiago of the Seas, and
Baby Shark’s Big Show.
Nickelodeon UK & Ireland
Director, Programming
Kelly is a passionate content strategist with over a decades experience in TV, research and marketing.
Kelly is the Director of Programming for Nickelodeon, responsible for the Nick Network in the UK and Ireland including Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. and Nick Jr. Too channels. As an editorial lead for Nickelodeon content across linear and non-linear platforms, Kelly is responsible for communicating priorities and developing innovative content strategies to drive the performance and brand health of the nickelodeon channels.
Kelly is a trained researcher and prior to moving into programming was responsible for insight and analytics at Nickelodeon. In addition to stints at Channel 4, as part of the team responsible for concept testing for the Comedy and Entertainment slate, and OMD UK, working on B2C brand tracking and evaluation.
