Kidscreen has announced that Nickelodeon staff will be taking part in a raft of sessions at the Kidscreen Summit 2021!
Being held virtually due to the on-going COVID-19 (coronavirus) health crisis between Monday, February 8 - Friday, March 8, 2021, Kidscreen Summit is renowned as the kids entertainment industry’s most important annual event. Top executives attend Kidscreen Summit to take advantage of the year’s best business networking, and to engage in critical dialogue on issues that affect the industry.
Kidscreen Summit 2020 Sessions Featuring Nickelodeon Staff:
Speed Pitching - Canal+, Nickelodeon, iQIYI
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Business Pass Exclusive! Connect with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format features eight-minute meetings—plenty of time to deliver the perfect pitch.
NOTE: Advance sign-up required.
Featuring:
- Leo Geng, Senior Vice President, iQIYI
- Chris Rose, VP of Animation Production and Development, Nickelodeon
- Géraldine Soto, Head of Acquisitions, Prebuys and Coproductions, Kids Department, Canal+
Coffee with... DeAKids, Disney Junior, Nickelodeon
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Business Pass Exclusive! Start fresh at the Summit! Grab a cup of joe and connect one on one with buyers in 15-minute morning meetings.
NOTE: Advance sign-up required.
Featuring:
- Diane Ikemiyashiro, VP, Current Series, Disney Junior
- Brenda Maffuchi, Head of Acquisitions & Property Development, DeAKids
- Charly Valentine, VP Live Action Production & Development, Nickelodeon
Speed Pitching - Nickelodeon, Discovery Latin America, Disney Channels
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Business Pass Exclusive! Connect with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format features eight-minute meetings—plenty of time to deliver the perfect pitch.
NOTE: Advance sign-up required.
Featuring:
- Or Handelsman, Senior Manager, International Acquisitions, Nickelodeon
- Alfredo Marun, Director of Development, Disney Channels
- Leticia Smith, Manager Sourcing & Acquisitions, Discovery Kids
Coffee with... Disney Junior, Lego, Nickelodeon
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Business Pass Exclusive! Start fresh at the Summit! Grab a cup of joe and connect one on one with buyers in 15-minute morning meetings.
NOTE: Advance sign-up required.
Featuring:
- Diane Ikemiyashiro, VP, Current Series, Disney Junior
- Jay Shah, Head of Global Content Distribution & Entertainment Business Development, LEGO
- Katherine Sils, VP International Digital Content Strategy & Social Engagement, Nickelodeon
Speed Pitching - PBS KIDS, Nickelodeon, Amazon Kids
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Business Pass Exclusive! Connect with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format features eight-minute meetings—plenty of time to deliver the perfect pitch.
NOTE: Advance sign-up required.
Featuring:
- Tommy Gillespie, Director, Children's Programming, PBS KIDS
- Or Handelsman, Senior Manager, International Acquisitions, Nickelodeon
- Josh Mandel, Senior Production Executive, Amazon Kids
Speed Pitching - Tencent Video, RTÉ, Nickelodeon
Thursday, February 11, 2021
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Business Pass Exclusive! Connect with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format features eight-minute meetings—plenty of time to deliver the perfect pitch.
NOTE: Advance sign-up required.
Featuring:
- Qing Fan, Producer, Content Investment & Co-Productions, Tencent Video
- Suzanne Kelly, Group Head of Children's & Young People's Content, RTE Television
- Chris Rose, VP of Animation Production and Development, Nickelodeon
Speed Pitching - TF1, Nickelodeon, Warnermedia International
Thursday, February 11, 2021
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Business Pass Exclusive! Connect with top broadcasters and investors who have the power to greenlight your project. This highly effective format features eight-minute meetings—plenty of time to deliver the perfect pitch.
NOTE: Advance sign-up required.
Featuring:
- Zia Bales, Senior Acquisitions Manager Kids EMEA, Warner Media
- Yann Labasque, Head of Children Programs, TF1
- Charly Valentine, VP Live Action Production & Development, Nickelodeon
Coffee with... Lego, Nickelodeon, Super RTL
Thursday, February 11, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Business Pass Exclusive! Start fresh at the Summit! Grab a cup of joe and connect one on one with buyers in 15-minute morning meetings.
NOTE: Advance sign-up required.
Featuring:
- Jay Shah, Head of Global Content Distribution & Entertainment Business Development, LEGO
- Katherine Sils, VP International Digital Content Strategy & Social Engagement, Nickelodeon
- Kerstin Viehbach, Head of Commissioning & Development (Fiction), SUPER RTL
Coffee with... Nickelodeon, TF1, M6
Thursday, February 11, 2021
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Business Pass Exclusive! Start fresh at the Summit! Grab a cup of joe and connect one on one with buyers in 15-minute morning meetings.
NOTE: Advance sign-up required.
Featuring:
- Daphné de Beauffort, Head of Kids Content Acquisitions and Diversification, TF1
- Lila Hannou, Director, Animation Prebuys and Coproductions, M6, Gulli, Tiji & Canal J
- Tatiana Rodriguez, SVP & Brand Head, Kids & Families, Nickelodeon
In Conversation with... Eryk Casemiro, Nickelodeon Preschool
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Business Pass Exclusive! This virtual interview series is designed to help you understand what kids buyers are looking for right now. Hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, and then participate in some Q&A.
Featuring:
- Eryk Casemiro, SVP of Preschool, Nickelodeon Preschool
Opening up about race on screen
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
In this session geared towards content creators, child development and media experts from Nickelodeon and OK Play team up to present exclusive new research on the role that media can play in helping parents and caregivers promote healthy social identities through open discussion about race and injustice from a young age.
Featuring:
- Makeda Mays Green, VP, Digital Consumer Insights, Nickelodeon
- Colleen Russo Johnson, Chief Scientist & Co-Founder, OK Play
In Conversation with... Nina Hahn, Nickelodeon
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Business Pass Exclusive! This virtual interview series is designed to help you understand what kids buyers are looking for right now. Hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, and then participate in some Q&A.
Featuring:
- Nina Hahn, SVP, Production & Development | Head of VIS Kids, ViacomCBS Networks International
Yadda yadda yadda: Why talk shows are blowing up in kids media
Monday, March 1, 2021
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
“You get a talk show, and you get a talk show!” It may well feel like Oprah was giving them out on a Favorite Things episode from the number of new kids talk shows in the pipeline. With its unique ability to tackle difficult topics, interact directly with kids, explore multiple POVs and educate through dialogue—the talk show format works on a lot of different levels that are apropos right now. Watch along as we explore why, and how to do them right.
Business Pass Exclusive! Connect with speakers at the end of their live sessions to ask questions or introduce yourself.
Moderating:
- Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson, VP, News Programming, Nickelodeon
Featuring:
- Ben Lehmann, Executive Producer, Sesame Street, Sesame Workshop
- Halle Stanford, President of Television, Executive Producer, The Jim Henson Company
In Conversation with... Syrinthia Studer, Nickelodeon
Thursday, March 4, 2021
2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Business Pass Exclusive! This virtual interview series is designed to help you understand what kids buyers are looking for right now. Hear about the future plans and priorities of the kids industry’s major content investors first-hand, and then participate in some Q&A.
Featuring:
- Syrinthia Studer, EVP, Nickelodeon & Awesomeness Films
User-generated content on a whole new level
Friday, March 5, 2021
12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Looking for a better way to bring your audience into the content creation process? From kid panels providing real-time feedback, to crewing up with tween and teen producers, this session will explore a variety of working models for more authentically involving young voices and POVs.
Business Pass Exclusive! Connect with speakers at the end of their live sessions to ask questions or introduce yourself.
Featuring:
- Rachel Kalban, VP, Research and Curriculum, 9 Story Media Group
- Paula Kaplan, EVP, Talent & Development, Nickelodeon/Viacom Digital Studios
Nina Hahn, SVP, Production & Development | Head of VIS Kids, ViacomCBS Networks International
As Senior Vice President, International Production & Development, Nina Hahn oversees international content development and co-production partnerships for Nickelodeon outside of the US.
Based in London, Hahn coordinates and drives the development process, spearheading new production models, managing productions from pilot through to series, and working in direct partnership with Nickelodeon’s content teams around the world. As part of this role, Hahn is responsible for internationally sourced productions, aligning Nickelodeon’s global production and development pipeline, representing Nickelodeon US’s production and development interests abroad and identifying resources and expertise to drive creative partnerships and cultivate talent. As the main international production and development conduit for Nickelodeon’s channels, Hahn also ensures the cultural relevancy of all Nickelodeon production and development for global broadcast.
Hahn also works in direct partnership with Nickelodeon in the UK to source content from UK independent producers for potential global production and development.
Hahn 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. Since joining Nickelodeon in 2005, Hahn has been responsible for overseeing the production and development of some of Nickelodeon’s biggest hits including live action favourite
House of Anubis and pre-school animation
Nella the Princess Knight.
Working closely with Nickelodeon US, Hahn is also the driving force behind establishing the brand as a core international hub for creators and talent, spearheading the international roll-out of creative outreach initiatives designed to unearth and identify new creative talent. These include the Nickelodeon Writers Program, designed to attract, develop and staff writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences on Nickelodeon Network Productions; and the global
Nickelodeon Shorts Program, spanning both Nickelodeon and Nick Jr., providing animation and comedy talent with a platform to explore original characters, concepts and innovative styles through short form storytelling.
Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Hahn worked as an independent producer and development consultant for some of the world’s leading kid’s content producers and broadcasters in New York, including HBO and Jim Henson Productions.
Paula Kaplan, EVP, Talent & Development, Nickelodeon/Viacom Digital Studios
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Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson, VP, News Programming, Nickelodeon
Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson is Vice President of News Programming for Nickelodeon, as well as Executive Producer of the recently rebooted
Nick News series. In her role, Laguerre-Wilkinson spearheads Nick’s commitment of speaking to kids about the news and issues of the day they care about most, overseeing all aspects of research, development and execution of news segments across Nickelodeon’s platforms. For long-form news content, she serves as Executive Producer of the net’s heralded
Nick News series, which was recently rebooted in June with the acclaimed
Kids, Race and Unity special, hosted by Alicia Keys and which Laguerre-Wilkinson co-executive produced. She is based in New York and reports to President of ViacomCBS Kids & Family Entertainment, Brian Robbins.
Laguerre-Wilkinson joins Nickelodeon from CBS News’ 60 Minutes, America’s most watched news program, where she served for over 15 years as an Associate Producer and Producer on stories for Ed Bradley, Lesley Stahl, Bob Simon, Steve Kroft, Anderson Cooper, and more. She was the key producer on one of the broadcast’s most memorable and inspiring stories about the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which won Peabody and Emmy accolades.
She has reported from far corners of the world, while also covering domestic stories including Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans and Sandy in New York. Most recently, she produced stories on the political divide in the United States with Oprah Winfrey as a contributing correspondent, as well as profiles of French street artist, JR and the new music director of the New York Philharmonic, Jaap van Zweden. An interview host at Carnegie Council’s Ethics Matter and a producer and reporter for CUNY TV’s Arts in the City, Laguerre-Wilkinson previously worked as correspondent for CBS Evening News and producer for NBC Nightly News with Tom Brokaw.
Laguerre-Wilkinson is a native New Yorker and lives in Manhattan with her husband, Bruce and their daughters, Juliette and Joséphine.
Syrinthia Studer, EVP, Awesomeness & Nickelodeon Films
Syrinthia Studer is Executive Vice President, Nickelodeon and Awesomeness Films, overseeing all live-action feature-length content for Awesomeness and Nickelodeon’s Kids & Family Studio in a role that encompasses development, production, acquisitions and co-financing.
A 20-year industry veteran, Studer previously served as Paramount Pictures’ Executive Vice President, Worldwide Acquisitions, where she oversaw the global content acquisitions business, acquiring films for domestic and international theatrical release and distribution across multiple home entertainment platforms including streaming and digital VOD.
Studer is known for her ability to identify and nurture films across genres for global audiences. Among her notable acquisitions are the breakout comedy Book Club starring Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton, Mary Steenburgen and Candice Bergen which grossed $100M in the worldwide box office, Richard Linklater’s Boyhood which she acquired home media rights via a multi-picture relationship with IFC Films as well as numerous internationally distributed film festival favorites.
Previously, she held senior strategic marketing and acquisitions roles at Paramount in addition to new business development with theatre chain Loews Cineplex Entertainment.
Chris Rose, VP of Animation Production and Development, Nickelodeon
As VP of Animation Production and Development, Chris Rose heads up the internal and external animation development and production teams for Nickelodeon International. In addition to identifying and developing new IP for NickToons, Nickelodeon, and Nick Jr, Rose works across Nick International’s original animated content production slate and manages the international component of the animated shorts program.
Rose previously ran the development and production arm of London’s Beano Studios (
Dennis and Gnasher: Unleashed,
So Beano!) and served as TV Commissioning Editor for ABC ME and ABC KIDS, ABC Australia’s children’s channels. Other roles include VP of Programming and Development at HIT Entertainment and Content and Acquisitions Manager for CBeebies. His kids’ TV credits include
The Deep,
Little Lunch, and
Mike the Knight.
Tatiana Rodriguez, SVP & Brand Head, Kids & Families, Nickelodeon Latin America
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Tatiana Rodríguez is Senior Vice President and Brand Head, Kids & Families, Nickelodeon Latin America. In this role, Rodriguez leads the content and programming strategies, partnerships, acquisitions, and media planning for the flagship network in the region, as well as for preschool network Nick Jr., across linear television, digital, branded apps and video-on-demand channels, among other platforms. She also works with Nickelodeon’s global channels to support worldwide programming and content strategy. Rodriguez reports into JC Acosta, President of ViacomCBS Networks Americas.
During her tenure at Nickelodeon Latin America, Rodríguez has been instrumental in crafting, spearheading and executing original productions employing pan-regional strategies for the
Kids’ Choice Awards franchise, Nickelodeon Latin America’s
Day of Play initiative, as well as for hit daily scripted formats.
A 20-year veteran, Rodríguez joined Nickelodeon in 1996 as a Programming and Acquisitions Manager and since then held various roles within the organization. Before working at the network, she served as Director of Panda Club, a children’s channel in Spain.
Born in Venezuela, Rodríguez holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Communications from Universidad Católica Andrés Bello in Caracas, Venezuela.
Eryk Casemiro, SVP of Preschool, Nickelodeon Preschool
Eryk Casemiro is Senior Vice President of Nickelodeon Preschool, in charge of the network’s preschool production and development across all formats and platforms spanning digital, TV and film. Based in Nickelodeon’s Burbank, Calif., headquarters, Casemiro manages the day-to-day operations of Nick’s preschool group, with creative and business oversight of the preschool Executives In Charge (EICs) on both the east and west coasts.
Casemiro is an Emmy® Award-winning producer that will continue to serve as an executive producer for Nickelodeon’s
forthcoming reboot of the iconic kids’ series,
Rugrats, which will include all-new adventures with fan-favorites Tommy, Chuckie, Phil, Lil, Susie and Angelica, and introduce a new world of characters. A
Rugrats alum, Casemiro was a producer on the original series during his time as Senior Vice President of Creative Affairs at Klasky-Csupo Productions.
While at Klasky-Csupo Productions, Casemiro was also responsible for the development and production of beloved Nickelodeon shows such as
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 an Emmy Award. He also led the development and production of feature films for Paramount Pictures including
Rugrats Go Wild,
The Wild Thornberrys Movie, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Song,
Rugrats in Paris: The Movie, and
The Rugrats Movie.
Most recently, Casemiro was the Chief Creative Officer for Zodiak Kids Studios, comprised of Marathon Media and Tele-Image in Paris, and the Foundation in London, where he produced
Kody Kapow for Sprout NBC/Universal;
Lilybuds for France Televisions and Discovery Kids Latin America; and
Magiki for DeA Kids and Planeta. Prior to that, Casemiro was Chief Creative Officer for Marathon Media, overseeing the production of
Get Blake for Nickelodeon Global and
LoliRock, a co-production with Disney and France Televisions.
Casemiro also worked as a writer/producer on series including:
OLIVIA, based on Ian Falconer's award-winning book;
Poppy Cat, adapted from illustrator Lara Jones' picture book series and currently seen in 170 countries across the globe; and
The Mr. Men Show, adapted from Roger Hargreaves'
Little Miss and Mr. Men book series, for which he received his 11th Emmy nomination--this time for Best Writing in a Children's Series.
Makeda Mays Green, VP, Digital Consumer Insights, Nickelodeon
Makeda Mays Green is Vice President, Digital Consumer Insights at Nickelodeon. In her role, she evaluates the most effective ways to reach target audiences through innovative research methodologies across Nickelodeon’s platforms.
Previously, she served as the Director of Education & Research, Digital Media at Sesame Workshop (the creators of Sesame Street), where she examined the potential of current and emerging digital media platforms to provide quality educational material to children and families.
She has delivered several keynote addresses and guest lectured at Harvard University, New York University and Temple University. She is the author of Makeda: Moving Up in Media and has appeared on The Learning Channel, CNN.com, MSNBC.com and Good Morning America Now.
Green is also a proud advisory board member of
Raising Good Gamers, an initiative developed to create positive change in the culture and climate of online video gaming for youth; and
Determined to Educate, a non-profit designed to support underserved youth through mentoring programs. She holds a B.A. from Wesleyan University and a M.A. and Ed.M in Psychology from Teachers College, Columbia University, and resides in Stamford, Conn., with her husband and three children.
Charly Valentine, VP Live Action Production & Development, Nickelodeon
As the Vice President of Live Action Production and Development, Valentine oversees all development and production for Nickelodeon International. From identifying IP, through every stage of production to premiere, Valentine handles development, writing, casting, and post-production for Nickelodeon’s productions in multiple global regions including,
Hunter Street (Netherlands),
Spyders (Israel), and
Goldie’s Oldies (UK).
Valentine is also responsible for Nickelodeon International’s Live Action Requests For Proposals (RFP) outreach, which are distributed to multiple global territories to uncover exciting new talent and IP.
Prior to Nickelodeon, Valentine worked on a range of live action series and events including MTV UK’s Geordie Shore and other formats like Britain’s Got Talent, MasterChef and The X Factor, as well as Gogglebox and Dancing with the Stars.
Valentine resides in London.
Or Handelsman, Senior Manager, International Acquisitions, Nickelodeon
Or Handelsman is Senior Manager of International Acquisitions for Nickelodeon at ViacomCBS Networks International, a role he assumed in February 2019. In his role, Handelsman is responsible for sourcing, negotiating and managing content acquisitions for Nickelodeon channels on an international and pan-regional basis. Working closely with the programming heads in international markets, Handelsman coordinates deals for Nickelodeon's channels around the globe.
Handelsman joined Nickelodeon in 2014 and held various roles within the company, predominantly responsible for local and pan-regional acquisitions for Nickelodeon channels across EMEA. Prior to Nickelodeon, Handelsman worked in international distribution of arthouse, European and independent films. He held sales and business affairs roles at international film distribution outfits Dreamcatchers, and Six Sales Entertainment.
Katherine Sils, VP International Digital Content Strategy & Social Engagement, Nickelodeon
As Vice President of Digital & Platform, Kate Sils oversees international digital content strategy and social engagement for Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network and BET for ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI).
In this role, Sils leads a team that leverages the scale of ViacomCBS’s global organization by disseminating and localizing digital-first content in over 100 markets worldwide. Her focus is on creating digital and social content strategies that can be localized across VCNI’s flagship brands to build momentum for linear programming across all platforms in all markets internationally. As part of this strategy, Sils leads a team that works in tandem with VCNI’s linear and creative sectors to produce and distribute digitally relevant content designed to extend reach across VCNI’s owned and operated platforms, in combination with social, third party platforms.
Since joining the company in 2003, Sils has evolved with the digital landscape, moving from launching websites and web games to debuting global blockbuster apps and programming content across multiple digital platforms globally. In 2020, her work helped to propel ViacomCBS to #1 in the Tubular rankings for entertainment brands in digital content consumption, achieving almost 10 billion global views. Furthermore, under her leadership, Nickelodeon has seen exponential growth on third party platforms, and now boasts some of the highest-ranking YouTube channels in the world.
Sils holds a B.A. in Communication, with a specialty in arts and film, from University of Wisconsin – Madison. She resides in Brooklyn with her two amazing girls and two amazing gerbils.
More Nick:2021 on Nickelodeon | New Shows, Specials, Podcasts, Events, Movies, Episodes, and More!
Originally published: Tuesday, December 22, 2020.
