Finn Arnesen

Chief Operating Officer

Hasbro Studios

Veteran children’s programming executive Finn Arnesen joined Hasbro Studios as senior VP, international distribution and development, in April 2010. In his role, Arnesen manages Hasbro Studios’ global content sales, distribution, channel and program development activities outside of North America, extending across television, online and other emerging media. Previously, Arnesen served...more

Speaking at: Now Trending; The Universal Laugh Track

Jules Borkent

EVP, Kids & Family

Viacom International Media Networks

In his current role, which he assumed in 2008, Jules Borkent is responsible for leading global acquisitions for Nickelodeon around the world, as well as programming strategies for Nickelodeon International.  Borkent works in close partnership with Nickelodeon in the US, and worldwide channels, across development, production and program financing. 

Viacom International...more

Speaking at: Pitch It! The Preschool Edition; KEYNOTE—Inside the Multimedia Mastermind

Will Brenton

Director

Wish Films

Will Brenton is one of the only people in the UK to create, write and produce award-winning children’s TV programming, as well as creating, writing and directing live shows from small-scale pantomines up to full-scale arena tours. He has worked with all major children’s TV brands, bringing their characters in...more

Speaking at: The Universal Laugh Track; Crafting Characters That Connect Around the World; Pitch It! The Preschool Edition; Speed Networking

Zhijun Cai

General Manager

CCTV Animation

An experienced animation director and producer, Zhijun Cai is General Manager of CCTV Animation. In addition, serves as Secretary-General of the China Animation Association and a post-graduate supervisor at the Communication University of China, and has judged the China Animation Achievement Awards, the Monkey King Awards, the Aniwow!-China (Beijing) International...more

Speaking at: 30 Minutes with Zhijun Cai, CCTV Animation; Speed Pitching Asia

Xiaoye Chu

Founder & CEO

Ciwen Media Group

Sean Chu is a seasoned animation and transmedia producer, with two decades of experiences in creative development, production and licensing & merchandising in the international kids entertainment industry. Sean is VP of Ciwen Kids at Ciwen Media Group, a media company based in Beijing, China.

Under Sean’s leadership, Ciwen Kids is...more

Speaking at: Big Country, Big Opportunity: Navigating China’s Growing Consumer Products Market; Going Global: A Co-Production Guide; Asian Webnets to Watch

Ivan Chan

CEO

Promotional Partners Worldwide

Ivan Chan has more than 20 years of experience in market expansion, strategic planning and marketing. As CEO of Promotional Partners Worldwide, he has expanded the licensing agency’s scope of business to 12 new territories since joining the company in 2002. PPW is now widely recognized as the leading integrated...more

Speaking at: Big Country, Big Opportunity: Navigating China’s Growing Consumer Products Market; 30 Minutes with Ivan Chan, Promotional Partners Worldwide; Translating TV to Toys

Olivier Dumont

President, Family Brands

eOne Family

As Managing Director of eOne Family and eOne Licensing, Olivier Dumont oversees all commercial and creative activities of eOne’s combined kids, family and licensing operations, including development, production, sales, licensing and merchandising. He is responsible for developing properties into global TV, home entertainment, new media and consumer product brands, and...more

Speaking at: Going Global: A Co-Production Guide; Globetrotting: Building a Licensing Hit Country by Country; Speed Networking

Richard Goldsmith

President, Global Distribution and Consumer Products

The Jim Henson Company

As EVP of Global Distribution, a position he has held since joining the company in 2011, Richard Goldsmith oversees worldwide distribution of both Henson-produced and HIP (Henson Independent Properties) brands in the domestic and international markets across all media, including television, home entertainment and digital platforms. In addition, he secures international...more

Speaking at: SVOD: The New Dimension in Kids TV; Now Trending; Speed Pitching International; 30 Minutes with Richard Goldsmith, The Jim Henson Company; Speed Networking

Sharon Gomes

Founder & Chief Consultant

Little Airplane Productions

A multiple Emmy Award winner, Sharon Gomes Thomas oversees production, distribution, licensing and business development at Little Airplane Productions. And to date, she has produced programming for channels such as Disney-ABC Television, MTV, VH1, PBS, Nickelodeon and Disney.

Earlier in her career, Sharon was a News Anchor for the launch of...more

Speaking at: The Universal Laugh Track; Asian Webnets to Watch; Speed Networking

Sean Gorman

President

American Greetings Properties

Sean Gorman is President of American Greetings Properties (AGP), the entertainment and licensing division of the world’s largest social expressions company.  

AGP is focused on the creation, development, production, distribution and licensing of leading children’s properties on a worldwide scale in all media and retail platforms. Some of AGP’s brands include...more

Speaking at: The Universal Laugh Track; Speed Pitching International; Translating TV to Toys

Ervin Han

Managing Director

Robot Playground Media

Ervin has over 14 years’ experience in the tech and media sector, with stints at SingTel and the Media Development Authority before taking over as head of development at Scrawl Studios, one of Singapore’s pioneering animation companies. He has created and produced a range of award-winning content for broadcasters and...more

Speaking at: Now Trending; Speed Networking; Speed Networking

Jung-Jin Hong

Head of Creative Development

FunnyFlux Entertainment

As the Head of Creative Development at FunnyFlux Entertainment, Jung-Jin is responsible for developing new IP and managing international collaborations. His work experience ranges from high-end 2D and 3D animation development and production, to children’s book publishing and script writing.

FunnyFlux Entertainment is a South Korean animation production company that made...more

Speaking at: Going Global: A Co-Production Guide; Speed Networking; Speed Networking

Rob Hudnut

Owner

Mattel Entertainment

In his 16 years at Mattel, Rob Hudnut has created entertainment for Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, American Girl, Polly Pocket, Max Steel, Masters of the Universe and other many brands. 

In 2000, Rob co-wrote Barbie in The Nutcracker, the first-ever Barbie movie. He has since executive produced an additional 27 titles that...more

Speaking at: Crafting Characters That Connect Around the World; Speed Networking; Translating TV to Toys

Andrew Kerr

Co-Founder/Executive Producer

Corus Entertainment

As Co-Head of Nelvana Enterprises, Andrew oversees all aspects of the Corus Kids distribution and merchandising business and Nelvana’s brand rights in the Americas and Australasia. Andrew joined Corus in January 2012 as the Head of Consumer Products, The Americas and Australasia.

Andrew has more than 16 years of experience in...more

Speaking at: Audience Outreach: A Character Brand Marketing Success Story

Sarah Kwek

Associate Director, Programming

Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific

In her current role as Manager of Planning & Sourcing, Sarah Kwek’s primary responsibilities include sourcing content and program planning for Discovery Kids across the Asia-Pacific region, as well as implementing program sourcing strategies for Discovery’s portfolio of channels within the South-East Asian territories.

Sarah has previously worked at local terrestrial...more

Speaking at: Speed Pitching Asia; Speed Networking; Speed Networking

David Kwok

CEO

Tiny Island Productions (Pte.Ltd.)

Under founder David Kwok’s leadership as CEO, Tiny Island Productions has become Singapore's leading stereoscopic 3D animation studio. Established in 2002, the company creates, manages and markets high-quality content for the global CG animation market.

Tiny Island has most notably worked with international distributor Classic Media (now DreamWorks Classic) and Thai...more

Speaking at: Now Trending

Mia Hyokmi Kwon

Acquisitions Executive

EBS (Korean Educational Broadcasting System)

As an Acquisitions Executive for EBS, Mia Kwon is responsible for stocking the Korean public broadcaster with content for kids and families. Mia started her career at EBS as a producer focused on educational and language-learning programming, and she moved into her current role in 2010. Her current buying priority...more

Speaking at: Speed Pitching Asia; Speed Networking

Trevor Lai

CEO & Creative Director

UP Studios

Trevor Lai is the CEO and Creative Director of UP Studios, one of China's leading creators and producers of original family entertainment. Its BOOMiGram app, books and emoticons reach fans in more than 90 countries, and Trevor was the first animation director to be featured by Apple in a cross-country...more

Speaking at: Now Trending; Speed Networking; Speed Networking

Ying Lei

Chairman & Managing Director

Hunan Aniworld

Ying Lei is Chairman and GM of Hunan Aniworld Cartoon Co., chief inspector of the Hunan’s Aniworld Cartoon channel on radio and TV, and VP of the China Animation Association 

Under her supervision, Aniworld Cartoon on satellite television has been China’s most popular children's channel for 10 consecutive years. It was...more

Speaking at: 30 Minutes with Ying Lei, Hunan Aniworld Cartoon Co.

Coco Ma

Senior Director

Sohu Video

Coco Ma has served as Senior Director of Content Acquisition & Production at SOHU Video since 2008, and she heads up the SVOD company’s content businesses.

In her current role, Coco is responsible for producing and acquiring domestic and international TV programming, movies, variety shows, animations and more for distribution on...more

Speaking at: 30 Minutes with Coco Ma, SOHU Video

Syahrizan Mansor

VP K&F & MTVE VCNI Asia, Nick Acquisition

Nickelodeon Asia

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) operates 12 television channels in Asia that offer the very best in music, kids, comedy and family programming through its MTV, MTV Live, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Comedy Central brands, seen in over 96 million households via 24-hour feeds and free-to-air Nickelodeon-branded blocks.

Syahrizan Mansor is...more

Speaking at: Speed Pitching Asia; 30 Minutes with Syahrizan Mansor, Nickelodeon Asia

Cynthia Money

President & Founder

Global Pursuit

Cynthia Money is a licensing, marketing and intellectual property development expert with more than 20 years of senior-level management experience in the field, which includes the closing and execution of significant global licensing deals with leading licensors such as Mattel, Ubisoft, Bandai, Topps and Tomy. In 2012,...more

Speaking at: Big Country, Big Opportunity: Navigating China’s Growing Consumer Products Market; Speed Pitching International

Kevin Mowrer

Co-CEO & Founder

Mowrer Meta-story

As principal at consulting firm Mowrer Meta-story, Kevin Mowrer has developed a broad reputation as a thought-leader in understanding why audiences/consumers “use” stories. He developed the proprietary Meta-story process to analyze and craft commercial franchise stories, drawing on his 35-plus years of experience in creating for the family entertainment and...more

Speaking at: New-World Storytelling: Creating a Transmedia Franchise; Speed Networking; Translating TV to Toys

Kerry Novick

VP Global Distribution

Small Screen Distribution

Small Screen Distribution was formed in 2004 by 20-year industry veteran Kerry Novick to provide sales representation in Asia for top-tier children’s entertainment producers. For the past 10 years, Kerry has acted as Nelvana Enterprises’ sales representative for Australasia, establishing new broadcast relationships and forging deals with new platforms and...more

Speaking at: Pitching for Global Success; Speed Networking; Speed Networking

Gary Pope

CEO

Kids Industries

Gary trained as an English teacher and led a London school department before leaving the profession to join a change management agency as a facilitator and learning designer, working with Eriksson, Thomson, Reuters, BA, Diageo and Disney.

It was while with Disney in 1999 that Gary realized the opportunity to create...more

Speaking at: The Global Child; Crafting Characters That Connect Around the World; Speed Networking; Speed Networking

Maura Regan

President

Sesame Workshop

Maura Regan serves as SVP and GM of Global Consumer Products for Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization responsible forSesame Street. She oversees the Workshop’s global retail business across all major categories of licensed goods, including toys, apparel, home furnishings, stationery and gifts. 

Maura previously served as VP and GM of Global...more

Speaking at: Big Country, Big Opportunity: Navigating China’s Growing Consumer Products Market; Speed Networking

Josh Scherba

President and Chief Executive Officer

DHX Media

DHX Media is a leading international supplier of television programming, with an emphasis on children, family and youth markets. In his role as SVP of Distribution, Josh Scherba oversees the company’s distribution arm that works with a catalogue totaling over 9,500 half hours and including programming from all of DHX Media's production...more

Speaking at: 30 Minutes with Josh Scherba, DHX Media; SVOD: The New Dimension in Kids TV; Speed Pitching International; Speed Networking

Josh Selig

CEO

Little Airplane Productions

Josh Selig is the Founder and President of Little Airplane Productions. He is the Creator and Executive producer of The Wonder Pets! (Nick Jr.), Oobi! (Noggin), 3rd & Bird! (CCTV/DisneyUS/CBeebies) and Small Potatoes (CBeebies/Disney Junior). Josh is also the writer/director of the film Meet The Small Potatoes starring Malcolm McDowell...more

Speaking at: Crafting Characters That Connect Around the World; Pitch It! The Preschool Edition; Creating for Preschool; Speed Networking

Selina She

Chief Editor

Tencent Kid

For the past seven years, Selina She has been leading the creation and development of Tencent Kid, the first child-oriented companion site to China’s largest web portal, QQ.com. Under Selina’s guidance, Tencent Kid has been fulfilling its mission to be the “Safest, Healthiest and Greenest” kids online hub, providing tools...more

Speaking at: Asian Webnets to Watch

Linda Simensky

Head of PBS KIDS Content

PBS KIDS

As VP of Children’s Programming at PBS, Linda Simensky collaborates with producers, co-production partners, PBS station programmers and distributors throughout the development, production, post-production and broadcast phases for PBS KIDS programming. 

Linda’s efforts in transforming the PBS KIDS lineup for preschool- and school-age children over the past several years have brought...more

Speaking at: Changing Channels with PBS Kids; The Universal Laugh Track; 30 Minutes with Linda Simensky, PBS Kids; Pitch It! The Preschool Edition; Speed Pitching International

Dave Skwarczek

Writer and Producer

Eat Your Lunch

Dave Skwarczek heads up Eat Your Lunch, an LA-based creative studio that creates original broadcast and digital content with an eye towards characters and licensing. Dave’s current projects include original animated series Hero, Cat and Bacon with FremantleMedia, and preschool eBook Is That A Fairy? with Vancouver's Storypanda.

Formerly a Creative Director of Digital...more

Speaking at: Character-Driven Writing for 6 to 10s; Speed Networking

Janine Stein

Editorial Director

Content Asia

Janine Stein is Editorial Director for ContentAsia's information platforms, including print, multimedia and online services such as contentasia.com and the ContentAsia App for Apple’s iOS and Android, as well as events and conferences, including the annual ContentAsia Summit. She has covered the Asian television and media business based...more

Speaking at: Now Trending; Box-Office Boom: Exploring China’s Animated Film Market

Lei Wang

Chairman & SVP

Mr Cartoon Pictures

In his past roles as Deputy Director of Movies and Drama for Shanghai Media Group and VP of Shanghai Toonmax Cartoon Channel, Wang Lei took the lead in presenting local animation blockbusters including Storm Rider, Pleasant Goat and Big Big Wolf, Mcdull, Seer and I Love Wollfy.  Based on these successes,...more

Speaking at: Box-Office Boom: Exploring China’s Animated Film Market

Irene Weibel

Executive Producer

Corus Entertainment

Founded in 1971 as a small independent studio, Nelvana is now one of the world's leading international producers and distributors of children’s animated and live-action content. Nelvana is comprised of Nelvana Studio and its distribution arm, Nelvana Enterprises, and owned by Corus Entertainment. Nelvana Studio is a globally recognized studio...more

Speaking at: Going Global: A Co-Production Guide; Speed Networking

Matt Wexler

CEO & Executive Producer

Wexworks Media

Matt Wexler is CEO and Executive Producer of Wexworks Media, a Canadian-based media company focused on the development, production and strategic implementation of innovative media content. Most recently, Matt was co-head of Spin Master Entertainment (Toronto and Los Angeles), where he served as Executive Producer and was a key creative...more

Speaking at: Going Global: A Co-Production Guide; Translating TV to Toys; Speed Networking

Xue Wu

Director

TJTV Children's Channel

Drawing on 20 years of experience in the Chinese media industry, Ms. Xue Wu currently serves as Director of Tianjin Television’s Children’s Channel, a position she has held for more than a decade. Her brand-building approach to content creation has contributed to many outstanding shows in the children’s and animation...more

Speaking at: Speed Pitching Asia

Chao Ye

General Manager

Toonmax

A senior producer of children’s television programming and animation, Chao Ye has more than 30 years of experience in the Chinese media industry, particularly in content production and brand management. His team has won many national awards, including Starlight Awards, China Radio, Film and Television Awards, China Golden Eagle TV...more

Speaking at: Speed Pitching Asia