MUMBAI: MIPJunior yesterday unveiled a stellar line-up of conferences, screenings, and events, headlined by keynotes from Deirdre Brennan, VP Content at Corus Kids, and Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, CCO at Mattel.
MIPJunior, the world’s leading screenings and conference for the kids’ entertainment community, takes place in Cannes, France, on 15-16 October, ahead of the MIPCOM entertainment content market.
The first keynote, scheduled for 4.45pm (local time) on Saturday 15 October, will be delivered by Deirdre Brennan, Vice President Content for leading Canadian kids’ broadcaster Corus Entertainment . Fifteen years after attending her first MIPJunior, Brennan will share some of her adventures in the world of children’s broadcasting, on both sides of the pay wall. The former Australian Broadcasting Corporation exec will discuss her perspective on the risks and opportunities facing the industry today, and raise some important questions around our responsibility to audiences of the future.
The following day at 4.30pm, Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, Chief Content Officer for toy giant Mattel , will use her keynote speech to discuss global trends and innovations shaping the future of the kids’ industry. Balsam-Schwaber leads global teams to develop, implement and maximize Mattel’s integrated strategy for content creation and distribution, digital development and media to connect consumers with the company’s brands in meaningful and innovative ways.
Two MIPJunior World Premiere TV Screenings are scheduled. On Saturday, “Splash and Bubbles ” from The Jim Henson Company and Herschend Enterprises, a series of 80 x 11-minute episodes to debut this autumn in the US on PBS KIDS, will be screened. On Sunday, “Grizzy and the Lemmings” from Hari International will be exclusively shown to MIPJunior delegates. Set in a vast natural reserve lost in an untamed wilderness, a bear called Grizzy feels it’s only natural that the forest ranger’s house becomes his territory as soon as its owner is away – except he has to share it with some annoying lemmings.
This year, the MIPJunior conference programme will explore the future of kids’ content and new storytelling, including sessions on: international coproductions, licensing and merchandising, and the MIPJunior International Pitch, which is backed for the second year in a row by Majid Entertainment, a subsidiary of Abu Dhabi Media Company. This will take place on Saturday 15 October at 2.30pm.
Among the high profile speakers scheduled to attend MIPJunior panels are: Arne Lohmann, Vice President ZDFE.JUNIOR, ZDF Enterprises (Germany); Lisa Olfman, CEO and Co-Founder, Portfolio Entertainment (Canada); Sean Chu, Founder and CEO, WeKids Asia (China); Layla Lewis, Vice President Global Acquisitions, Nickelodeon (USA); Hitendra Merchant, Founder and CEO, YoBoHo HooplaKidz (India); Pontus Torpvret, Head of Acquisitions, Children, SVT (Sweden); Catherine Fulton, Creative Director for Marketing Strategy and Engagement, Viacom Media Networks (USA); Henrietta Hurford-Jones, Director of Children’s, BBC Worldwide (UK); Helene Juguet, VP Business Development, TV & Digital Production, Ubisoft Motion Pictures (France) and Finn Arnesen, SVP International Distribution & Development, Hasbro Studios (UK).
“New distribution platforms are changing the game, playing by different rules and creating a new dynamic in the whole kids’ content industry. Through this vibrant conference programme, matchmaking and networking events, and an extensive screening library, MIPJunior allows industry executives to identify and promote innovative content capturing the hearts of young viewers across cultural borders,” said Lucy Smith, Director of MIPJunior.
As an appetizer for MIPCOM 2016, we’ve put together this short film . If you haven’t already signed up for free media accreditation – or even if you are already booked to come to Cannes, check out what’s going to be taking place.
