The Children’s Media Association Creator Lab is a new series spotlighting the minds shaping today’s creative landscape – creators who are building bold worlds, redefining storytelling, and paving new paths in kids and family media.

From intern to showrunner – next we’ll meet the Emmy-nominated creator of Santiago of the Seas. Niki Lopez joins CMA’s Creator Lab to talk world-building, culture-forward storytelling, and creating magic across kids, family, and YA animation.

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NIKI LOPEZ BIO: 

NIKI LOPEZ is an award-winning animation producer, showrunner, writer, director, and visual artist. She created the thrice Emmy-nominated Nick Jr series SANTIAGO OF THE SEAS, inspired by her childhood in Puerto Rico. 

Fresh off an overall deal with Nickelodeon, Niki is currently in active development across multiple projects with both Nickelodeon and Disney Television Animation. She is known for building culturally rich, visually distinctive worlds that blend heart, humor, and lore across kids, family, and YA storytelling. 

Niki was selected as one of Variety’s 10 Animators to Watch, featured in Animation Magazine’s Rising Stars of Animation, and, most recently highlighted in Forbes, where she discussed her rise from intern to showrunner. 

When she’s not creating new worlds, Niki loves sharing otherworldly tales from her ghost-hunting adventures with anyone curious enough to indulge her.

Your resume and cover letter are more than just paperwork—they’re your ticket to the interview. But with hundreds of applications flooding recruiters’ inboxes, knowing how to stand out is essential.

In Part 2 of this 4-part series, former Netflix recruiter Sam Goff pulls back the curtain on what actually gets applications noticed—and what sends them straight to the rejection pile.

In this session, you’ll learn:

• How recruiters scan resumes (and what they notice first)
• What makes a resume instantly stand out—or blend in
• How to tailor your resume for specific roles without starting from scratch
• What makes a cover letter worth reading
• Common mistakes that quietly eliminate strong candidates

Whether you’re applying for your first role, re-entering the workforce, or aiming for your next big career move, this session will give you practical tools to elevate your application and increase your chances of landing interviews.

SAM GOFF BIO–

Sam Goff is an independent Talent Manager working across animation, guiding writers, directors, story artists, and visual development artists as they build sustainable, creatively fulfilling careers.

Sam earned a B.A. in Animation from Loyola Marymount University’s top-ranked School of Film and Television before beginning her career in animation production at DreamWorks Animation. While there, she contributed to major feature and television projects including Spirit: Riding Free, Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, and The Bad Guys. She later joined Netflix’s then-new animation studio, moving into Outreach & Engagement. At Netflix, Sam launched the Foundations mentorship program supporting emerging BIPOC talent, helped lead the Early Career Trainee Program for storyboard and visual development artists, and created the Unlearning Series, an internal DEI initiative celebrating inclusive education and dialogue.

Sam eventually shifted from recruiting to artist management, joining Fourth Wall Management to learn the craft of guiding creative careers. After three years, she launched her own practice. Today, Sam combines the skills of a manager, reverse recruiter, career coach, producer, and sometimes therapist. Beyond her management work, Sam is an active mentor and educator in the animation community. She volunteers with organizations such as BRIC and Women in Animation, frequently speaks on making applications “recruiter friendly,” and teaches her DEI-focused animation course, Animated Perspectives, at Loyola Marymount University.

She lives in Los Angeles with her wife and their six beloved pets.

In this CMA Connect conversation, Kristen Personius, Grammy-nominated producer and visionary composer, will share insights into her creative process, how she blends tradition with innovation, and what it takes to develop a distinct sonic voice in today’s industry. 

From scoring intimate emotional moments to shaping the tone of expansive series, her work spans major studios including Tyler Perry Studios, Apple TV+, Paramount, Disney+, and MAX.Join us for an inspiring discussion on music as narrative, the evolving role of the composer, and how sound can leave a lasting impression long after the screen goes dark.

Join us for the CMA LA February Mixer! Connect with fellow creators, storytellers, and professionals shaping the future of children’s media in Los Angeles. First drink’s on us—bring your stories, your questions, and your best networking energy.

February 19 | 6:30–9:00 PM | First drink on CMA LA

Golden Road Brewing

5410 W San Fernando Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

The media industry is shifting fast—so what does that mean for creators, platforms, and public storytelling? Join us at Soho House West Hollywood for an intimate panel discussion unpacking the current state of the industry and how public media is adapting, evolving, and setting the standard.

Moderated by Children Media Association’s LA Chapter President, Jill Hotchkiss, the panel will feature Sara DeWitt, Senior Vice President & General Manager at PBS KIDS, who will speak to the broader media landscape, the enduring and expanding value of PBS KIDS, and how they are PBS isthinking about the future. And Genie Deez and Thy Than will share a creator’s point of view, drawing from their experience developing Phoebe and Jay, the organization’s newest preschool series, launching February 2. It follows the adventures of the curiously charismatic 6-year-old fraternal twins, Phoebe and Jay Yarber, highlighting a variety of texts that kids encounter in their daily lives – from labels and signs to posters and more–to foster their early literacy skills and help them navigate the world around them.

Together, the panel will examine how public media is responding to change, supporting creators, and building content that lasts.

7:00–8:00 PM: Meet the PBS Executives — Members are invited to mix and mingle with PBS leaders Sara DeWitt, Sarah Wallendjack (Senior Director of Content Development), and Catie Asip (Associate Director of Content)

8:00–9:00 PM: Conversation on the State of the Industry

Join Children’s Media Association members Catherine Dugger and Caroline Chiaramonte for a Nashville meet-up bringing together local professionals in Kids Media and Ed Tech.

We’ll be joined by puppeteer and show director Brian Hull of Brianimations Puppetry, who will share insights from his journey in the industry. Connect over coffee and bagels while building your network with others working in children’s media and education technology.

What to Expect:

• Networking with Nashville-area children’s media and ed tech professionals
• Conversation with puppeteer and show director Brian Hull about his career journey
• Learn about CMA membership benefits, including our mentorship program, global events, industry connections, and professional development resources

Curious about CMA? This is a great opportunity to discover how we support professionals creating content for young audiences through our global community of  members.

All are welcome.

You’ve heard of speed dating—now meet speed networking. Take a break from February’s Valentines haze and join us for coffee, bagels, and focused creative connections. Join us at The Bean in Astor Place as we host a series of curated 5-minute, one-on-one conversations—pairing producers with writers, directors with storyboard artists, and more, all based on what we hear from you. After you register, you’ll receive a short form so we can learn more about your background and interests and create the best possible matches. It’s a low-pressure, high-energy way to quickly meet new collaborators, expand your network, and exchange ideas. We’ll wrap the afternoon with a casual mixer so everyone can continue conversations and connect more broadly. Attendees will purchase their own food and beverages.

Skipping San Diego this year? Join us on the East Coast for a super casual get-together. Catch up with old friends and colleagues. Meet new people. Chat about the industry and what might come next! All Kids Media people welcome.

Join us for a dynamic conversation with Allison Moore, U.S. Publishing Director at Post Wave Publishing Allison Moore (and a former editor at Little Brown Books for Young Readers and Bloomsbury Children’s Books), as she pulls back the curtain on the world of children’s book publishing. From nurturing an idea and developing your voice to understanding what publishers are truly looking for, this event offers real-world insight straight from the industry.

Whether you’re sitting on a story idea, actively writing, or dreaming of seeing your book on shelves one day, this conversation is designed to give you clarity, confidence, and actionable next steps.

Following the session, Allison will also be opening her inbox for picture book manuscripts and art portfolios from CMA members.

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ALLISON MOORE BIO
Allison Moore is the US Publishing Director of Post Wave Children’s Books, where she focuses on books for children ages 0 to 10. She was previously a longtime editor at Little Brown Books for Young Readers and Bloomsbury Children’s Books, working on a huge range of titles from
baby books up through young adult novels (and she also had a stint editing romance novels for adults). 

Join us for an exclusive Q&A with the composers behind Netflix’s Dr. Seuss animated programs! Hear from Greg Nicolett (The Sneetches), Vidjay Beerepoot (Horton), and Ben Bromfield (Red Fish Blue Fish) as they share insights into creating the whimsical, memorable music that brings Dr. Seuss’s stories to life.

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BEN BROMFIELD BIO:

Ben Bromfield is an Emmy-nominated composer for film, television, and video games based in Boston, MA. A lifelong jazz pianist, he graduated from Berklee College of Music in 2010 and has since built a dynamic career scoring for some of today’s most popular screen projects.

Ben is best known for his work on the hit Netflix series Ginny & Georgia, as well as several animated Netflix shows based on DreamWorks’ Boss Baby films. A specialist in animation scoring, his credits also include DreamWorks’ Where’s Waldo? and Netflix Animation’s Oddballs.

In film, Ben has scored a range of independent features, including BOOM!: A Film About The Sonics, a documentary chronicling one of the most influential rock bands of the 1960s; The Salzburg Story, a romantic comedy that won Best Feature Film at the California International Film Festival; and Borderland, an action-thriller featuring Bruce Dern and Peter Fonda.

Eclectic by nature, Ben draws inspiration from film-score icons such as Thomas Newman, John Williams, Hans Zimmer, and John Powell; classical legends including Ravel, Tchaikovsky, Bernstein, and Copland; jazz innovators like Oscar Peterson, Thelonious Monk, Miles Davis, and Cannonball Adderley; and contemporary artists including Kendrick Lamar, Jack Garratt, Fleet Foxes, and Vulfpeck.

GREG NICOLETT BIO:

With musical influences ranging from John Williams to Trent Reznor—and stints in two punk-rock marching bands, Chicago’s Mucca Pazza and LA’s Killsonic—Greg Nicolett has always been drawn to using music in unexpected ways.

Greg’s career began in live-action independent film, but a fortuitous collaboration with Shia LaBeouf led him to score Disney’s animated series Goldie & Bear. He has since composed music for numerous Disney projects, including T.O.T.S., Puppy Dog Pals, and Pupstruction. His work at Disney caught the attention of Voracious Games, who sought a Pixar-inspired sound for their debut title, Potionomics. The score featured more than 80 orchestral musicians and soloists and earned nominations from the Hollywood Music in Media Awards, the Game Audio Network Guild, and the World Soundtrack Awards.

Greg’s current animated projects include Talon, produced by Cartoon Network’s Brian C. Miller and Jennifer Pelphrey, and the original Netflix animated feature Dr. Seuss’s The Sneetches.

In live action, Greg’s work spans genres from horror to comedy and leans toward the experimental. His recent short film Enemy No More, a WWII drama built around minimalist solo cello and violin performances, won five Best Score awards during its festival run. In Tom Stern’s Adams, found percussion and free jazz collide with traditional orchestration to underscore Patton Oswalt’s descent into madness. For Rachel Goldberg’s Neighbors, Greg employs violin pizzicatos, guitar, and synthesizers to mirror lead actress Kelli Garner’s shifting inner world between anxiety and wonder. His score for the sci-fi short Re / Collection incorporates dialogue from the actors themselves—slowed by 500 percent—as part of its musical palette. Greg’s concert work Forbidden to Face the Natural Light blends symphonic brass, percussion, and audio from This American Life to tell the story of Guantánamo detainees who remain beyond the reach of the U.S. legal system.

Originally from New England, Greg’s musical training includes an apprenticeship with composer Brian Keane (The Chieftains). While living in New York, he worked as an assistant producer at Motherwest Studios with indie artists such as The Magnetic Fields. He is one of the last students of Disney legend Buddy Baker (The Fox and the Hound) and holds a Bachelor of Music in Composition and Music Production from the University of Michigan.

VIDJAY BEEREPOOT BIO:

Vidjay Beerepoot has a rare gift for seeing the world through someone else’s eyes—a deep sense of empathy that makes him a natural storyteller through music. That perspective has taken his scores from animated adventures in the Amazon (Ainbo), to the inner workings of Dutch politics (Brussels), to an intimate portrait of grief alongside Anthony Hopkins (Now Is Everything), and to the spiritual documentary The Power of the Heart, featuring Maya Angelou and Deepak Chopra. His recent work includes the acclaimed drama El Houb, about a gay Moroccan-Dutch man coming out to his family, and the Disney animated series Minnie’s Bow-Toons.

In addition to film and television, Vidjay has scored more than 100 video games—including titles for Harry Potter and The Secret Life of Pets—as well as shorts, commercials, and musical theater. He has contributed additional music for composer Pinar Toprak (The Angel) and collaborated with industry heavyweights such as John Powell and Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL) at Hans Zimmer’s Remote Control Productions.

Born in India and adopted by Dutch parents, Vidjay grew up in Hoorn, just north of Amsterdam. Though he considers himself “completely Dutch,” his life has been shaped by navigating multiple cultures—an experience that deeply informs his musical voice. As a child, he absorbed jazz, classical music, and American film scores from subtitled movies in the ’80s and ’90s (which also taught him English). His path toward composition began onstage as an actor in a local musical theater group, where he discovered a passion for writing music to serve story and character.

Vidjay studied music in The Netherlands and the U.K., earning a Bachelor of Music with Honors from the Utrecht School of the Arts and a European Media Master of Arts in Composition in Context from the Open University in Portsmouth. Early in his career, he ran the audio department at a Dutch animation studio, composing scores and sound design for a wide range of projects. His musical appetite was broad—writing for stage productions, arranging for big band, and producing pop and rock albums—laying the groundwork for a versatile career in screen music.

In 2004, Vidjay founded his own audio post-production company, SoundVibe Music, composing and producing music for feature films, television, theater, and major global brands. His clients included Nickelodeon, MTV, Microsoft, Endemol International, Studio 100, Bavaria, SBS Broadcasting, AVRO, and EO Television. His work has been recognized with numerous awards, including Dutch Golden Calf–winning films The Pool and Broken Moon, as well as hit TV series such as Life & Cooking, Naranjina, and Samson & Gert.

In 2010, Vidjay moved to Los Angeles to attend USC’s prestigious Scoring for Motion Pictures and Television program at the Thornton School of Music, graduating in 2011 with multiple honors, including the Outstanding Graduate Certificate. He later participated in the ASCAP Film Scoring Workshop, composing and conducting a full orchestral score recorded at the Alfred Newman Stage at 20th Century Fox, and received the ASCAP Foundation Steve Kaplan TV & Film Studies Scholarship.

Now based in Los Angeles, Vidjay continues to build a rich and diverse body of work across film, television, games, and animation. His music—rooted in empathy, storytelling, and emotional truth—always serves the picture, bringing characters and their journeys vividly to life. In addition to composing, Vidjay regularly gives talks and workshops around the world, inspiring others to follow their creative paths.

Part 3 of 4: Show, Don’t Tell — Crafting the Perfect PortfolioA portfolio is more than a collection of work—it’s your chance to tell a story about your skills, impact, and creativity. In this session, former Netflix recruiter Sam Goff will guide you through building a portfolio that captures attention and demonstrates your value to hiring teams. You’ll learn how to showcase your work effectively, tailor it to different roles, and make every piece count.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:

• Select and organize projects that highlight your strengths
• Present your work in a way that tells a clear, compelling story
• Tailor your portfolio for specific roles or industries
• Include results and impact to make your work stand out
• Avoid common portfolio pitfalls that can turn off reviewers

SAM GOFF BIO–

Sam Goff is an independent Talent Manager working across animation, guiding writers, directors, story artists, and visual development artists as they build sustainable, creatively fulfilling careers.

Sam earned a B.A. in Animation from Loyola Marymount University’s top-ranked School of Film and Television before beginning her career in animation production at DreamWorks Animation. While there, she contributed to major feature and television projects including Spirit: Riding Free, Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, and The Bad Guys. She later joined Netflix’s then-new animation studio, moving into Outreach & Engagement. At Netflix, Sam launched the Foundations mentorship program supporting emerging BIPOC talent, helped lead the Early Career Trainee Program for storyboard and visual development artists, and created the Unlearning Series, an internal DEI initiative celebrating inclusive education and dialogue.

Sam eventually shifted from recruiting to artist management, joining Fourth Wall Management to learn the craft of guiding creative careers. After three years, she launched her own practice. Today, Sam combines the skills of a manager, reverse recruiter, career coach, producer, and sometimes therapist. Beyond her management work, Sam is an active mentor and educator in the animation community. She volunteers with organizations such as BRIC and Women in Animation, frequently speaks on making applications “recruiter friendly,” and teaches her DEI-focused animation course, Animated Perspectives, at Loyola Marymount University.

She lives in Los Angeles with her wife and their six beloved pets.

Join the Children’s Media Association for a virtual conversation exploring The Power of Puppetry with Garrett Beltis (formerly Nickelodeon) and Master Puppeteer John Cody. This discussion will examine puppetry as a powerful storytelling and performance tool across television and digital platforms with insights into character development, performance technique, and the collaborative process behind bringing iconic characters to life.

Leave with a deeper understanding of puppetry as a powerful storytelling tool in children’s media, exploring how movement, voice, and performance create emotional connection and engagement.

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GARRETT BELTIS BIO

From a weekly, internationally broadcast talk show to more than 1.5 billion views and 6 billion minutes watched on YouTube, Garrett’s passion for bold, explosive storytelling has fueled a wide-ranging creative career. His puppet series SpongeBob’s Pineapple Playhouse began in a small Queens apartment and grew into a large-scale studio production, earning 350+ million views on YouTube and countless more across linear platforms. In addition to this breakout success, Garrett has produced an award-winning podcast and helped create the first original animated stories for Avatar: The Last Airbender in over a decade, working closely with franchise creators and studio partners.

Garrett currently serves as a Production Strategist and Operations Specialist at the industry-leading creative agency Dragonfruit, where he has helped elevate channels for creators such as MrBeast, Mike Posner, and others. He is also collaborating with other established creators to write, produce, and direct multiple original series slated to debut in 2026.

Beyond his professional work, Garrett is a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, a member of the Producers Guild of America, a mentor with the Children’s Media Association, and an ambassador for The Neurodiversity Alliance. In his spare time, he enjoys playing with his dogs, traveling with his husband, and developing original stories of his own.

JOHN CODY BIO

John Cody is a lifelong puppeteer, writer, and designer originally from Katonah, NY. After earning his BFA in Puppet Arts from the University of Connecticut, he has worked on “The Muppet Show”, “Sesame Street”, “Saturday Night Live”, “Rob Lake Magic with Special Guests the Muppets” on Broadway, “Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life” on HBO, “Pineapple Playhouse” on Nickelodeon, “Mr. Crocket” on Hulu, and much, much more. 

You can see his work on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more @johncodystuff, or check out his website www.johncodystuff.com.

Think you’re a kids’ media whiz? Put your knowledge to the test on Wednesday, March 11th from 6:30 – 9 PM for CMA Trivia Night at the Chelsea Bell (316 8th Ave), featuring questions about all your favorite children’s media characters and franchises. Join us for a fun evening of friendly competition and mingling with other members, hosted by quizmasters Kerry Crowley & Jehan Madhani. When you arrive, you’ll be placed into teams, so please get there promptly to start the game on time!

Kerry Crowley is an Emmy-nominated writer and producer based in Brooklyn, New York. She currently serves as a producer at Crayola Studios, overseeing creative development and production across new projects. Her credits include Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Blue’s Clues & You!, and City Island…though her proudest achievement to date remains serving as her high school’s trivia team captain.

Jehan Madhani is a South Asian–American writer and cartoonist for audiences big and small. Her first picture book, Eli and the Uncles, was published by Candlewick in 2024, and received the Lee & Low 2020 New Voices Honor. She was a fellow in the inaugural class of the Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room and as a TV writer, she has been Emmy-nominated for her work on Karma’s World on Netflix. Her work can be seen across a number of shows, including Deepa & Anoop, Lyla in the Loop, and Dee & Friends in Oz. She lives in Brooklyn with a family of unappreciative cats whom she repatriated from her parents’ Houston, Texas garage.

Part 4 of 4: From Application to Offer — Demystifying the Hiring Process and Industry Interview SkillsThe interview process can feel overwhelming, but knowing what to expect—and how to prepare—makes all the difference. In this final session of the series, former Netflix recruiter Sam Goff guides you through each step of the hiring journey, from application to offer, while sharing insider strategies to excel in interviews across industries.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:

• Navigate the full hiring process, including screening calls and in-person interviews
• Prepare for behavioral and industry-specific questions
• Communicate your skills and accomplishments with confidence
• Handle challenging interview scenarios and questions
• Follow up effectively to leave a lasting impression

By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with a clear roadmap, actionable strategies, and the confidence to tackle any interview—turning opportunities into real job offers.

SAM GOFF BIO–

Sam Goff is an independent Talent Manager working across animation, guiding writers, directors, story artists, and visual development artists as they build sustainable, creatively fulfilling careers.

Sam earned a B.A. in Animation from Loyola Marymount University’s top-ranked School of Film and Television before beginning her career in animation production at DreamWorks Animation. While there, she contributed to major feature and television projects including Spirit: Riding Free, Fast & Furious: Spy Racers, and The Bad Guys. She later joined Netflix’s then-new animation studio, moving into Outreach & Engagement. At Netflix, Sam launched the Foundations mentorship program supporting emerging BIPOC talent, helped lead the Early Career Trainee Program for storyboard and visual development artists, and created the Unlearning Series, an internal DEI initiative celebrating inclusive education and dialogue.

Sam eventually shifted from recruiting to artist management, joining Fourth Wall Management to learn the craft of guiding creative careers. After three years, she launched her own practice. Today, Sam combines the skills of a manager, reverse recruiter, career coach, producer, and sometimes therapist. Beyond her management work, Sam is an active mentor and educator in the animation community. She volunteers with organizations such as BRIC and Women in Animation, frequently speaks on making applications “recruiter friendly,” and teaches her DEI-focused animation course, Animated Perspectives, at Loyola Marymount University.

She lives in Los Angeles with her wife and their six beloved pets.