2007 Conference Highlights

In the opening keynote Jana Bennett, Director, BBC Vision gave her view on the future of children’s media and joined a round-table discussion with senior industry and regulatory figures including John McVay, Chief Executive, PACT and James Thickett, Director of Market Research and Project Director, Children's Review of Programming, Ofcom.

As the pressures on commissioning grow panellists in the Broadcaster Forum discussed what existing networks are planning for the year. Speakers included Finn Arnesen, SVP, GM, Original Series & International Development Turner Entertainment Networks International; Michael Carrington, Creative Director, CBeebies; Boel Ferguson, SVP Jetix UK & Nordic MD, Jetix Europe; Rob Gilby, MD, Disney UK; Anne Gilchrist, Creative Director, CBBC; Howard Litton, Senior Vice President, Managing Director, Nickelodeon UK; Paul Robinson, Managing Director, Kids Co.

What do you need to know for a successful 360 degree development? In Get Real About Virtual, Gary Pope of Kids’ Industries Digital, presented a specially commissioned research into exactly what kids are doing online – are they really immersed in virtual worlds, chatting and building social spaces, or are they just playing games, using printables and sending e-cards? Are they creating and uploading, or simply viewing and downloading?

Is there a future for collaboration between the games industry and kids’ TV? We joined key speakers from the games industry for their insight into what they do, how they do it and the ways in which they’re looking to connect with kids in future. Speakers were Grant Dean, Development Manager, Eidos; Harvey Elliott, Executive Producer, Electronic Arts UK Studio; Jacob Habgood, Head of Serious Games, Sumo Digital; Jonathan Smith, Head of Production, TT Games Publishing.

And with sessions on finding support for independent British film, the opportunities in project development labs, the Toxic Childhood debate, IPTV, Kids’ Online, the crisis in pre-school, creative workshops and innovation showcases, and the ever-popular Prix Jeunesse Suitcase, hosted by Showcomotion regular, David Kleeman, the 2007 conference provided a varied, challenging and lively agenda to suit everyone.

See the list of 2007 speakers
See full 2007 timetable