The kids’ media and entertainment sector is big business but it’s become increasingly fragmented due to falling loyalty and a drop in quality content. Could the rise of Fast channels turn things around? And how can brands tap into Gen Alphas’ shift towards curated TV in order to regain viewers?
Eric Berger is the CEO and co-founder of Common Sense Networks, which is dedicated to elevating digital experiences for families through expertise in age-appropriate content.
Emily Horgan is an independent media consultant and Disney veteran. She has an extensive background in managing the intersection of content distribution and consumer products for household franchises, including Star Wars, Marvel, Disney Princess, and Mickey Mouse. She has written a great deal about the kids’ media space on Netflix and YouTube, as well as how to run kids' franchises in the new streaming world. Her articles have been published broadly as well as through her LinkedIn newsletter, The Kids StreamerSphere. Work with current clients includes IP development, landscape analysis, and franchise consultancy.
Jo Redfern is a leader in children’s media, specialising in strategy for brands that entertain and educate across social gaming (Roblox/Fortnite), YouTube, TikTok, and broadcast. Having gained over 20 years of experience working with global media brands such as Peppa Pig, Disney, and the BBC, she pivoted to deploying her knowledge of world-building to the metaverse by identifying strategic opportunities for IPs to scale in the new entertainment age. She is an executive producer of Cozmo & Friends, an animated IP on YouTube, Roblox, and TikTok based on STEM and coding principles, and is the co-host of the Kids Media Club podcast.
Gary Pope is the CEO of Kids Industries, a unique business solving big challenges in the family market through an integrated proposition of insight, strategy, and creative. Gary was a teacher before he joined a change management agency as a learning designer. In 1999, Disney asked the agency to create a live experience and KI was born. Gary is a patron of the Children’s Media Foundation, advisor to the Children’s Media Conference, children’s ambassador for Products of Change, and sits on the UK Council of Licensing International. In 2022, Gary was voted the most influential person in international licensing.
Emma Sheppard is a journalist specialising in business, technology, family and social affairs. As well as Canvas8, her work has appeared in The Guardian, Wired, BBC Worldwide, The Independent and more.
