It’s no secret that children’s media champions the importance of play, but the word is as expansive as the industry itself. This year, our storytellers share their personal reflections on the power of play to reveal pivotal moments when play shaped their identities and influenced the way they approach their craft.
Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with shared stories!
Check out the amazing items in our Silent Auction! Bid on 1:1 coaching session with industry professionals, visits to production studios, tickets to Broadway and live variety shows. Bidding is open now through May 14th.
Join us for our members only monthly networking meetup! Please RSVP on the website for entry.
Creating toys that captivate both children and their parents is crucial for building a successful brand. The goal is not only to design and offer toys or content tailored to children’s ages but also to grasp the preferences of parents, who are often the primary decision-makers. How do we commission and interpret research to truly serve and understand our audience?
Join Dr. Amanda Gummer, the visionary behind GoodPlayGuide.com, Drew Vernon, Director of Education at tonies® USA, Hattie Foster, Strategy Director at PRELOADED, as they share expert insights to help you better understand your target audience.
Hattie Foster is Strategy Director at PRELOADED, A BAFTA-winning immersive games studio that uses emerging technologies to create playful, purposeful experiences that exist in museum settings, at home, and in public spaces for family audiences. Hattie supports partners in navigating this new play space through an audience-first collaborative design practice – with a focus on the power of play for learning and behavior change.
Drew Vernon is a former child on a mission to improve the childhood experience by reducing screen time and increasing creativity and imagination. He started his career launching new beauty products for Procter & Gamble and Jergens. Tired of selling lotion and wishing to return to childhood, he moved to the toy industry and led the U.S. preschool department for LEGO. Here he created “Prescription for Play”, partnering with over 2,000 pediatricians to encourage parents to play with their children. Drew led the U.S. marketing launch of tonies, and recently transitioned roles to lead a new Education department. In this role, he shares the educational benefits of tonies with parents, teachers, and librarians. Drew lives in the mountains of Utah with his wife and three children.
Event is in the CMA Screening Room.
Discover the world of children’s music with CMA Jamz! Join us as we welcome Harold “Fyũtch” Simmons II, the GRAMMY-nominated music and social justice artist. With his innovative sound and powerful messages, Fyũtch is pushing the boundaries of what children’s music can be, crafting tunes that are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking and socially conscious.
From concerts to classrooms, his experience as a musician, teacher, and speaker allows him to educate, entertain, and empower audiences of all ages and backgrounds. The name Fyütch, which was originally ‘Future,’ represents knowing where you’ve been to know where you’re going. Fyütch coined his music genre “Fyüsion,” a blend of Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop, and Soul. His work has been showcased on The Today Show, the Nick Cannon Show, and The New York Times. As a songwriter and producer, Fyütch has contributed to Grammy-winning albums, radio charting songs, and original compositions for television and family media. Fyütch also writes and performs music with his 6 year old daughter, Aura V.
Crafting Kid Culture offers an inside look at the brands shaping children’s media. Through insightful conversations with key players across the industry, this ongoing series explores the vital roles and day-to-day efforts of professionals at all levels – from entry-level to executive – as they create what’s new, now, and next in children’s content.
David Levy is the Head of Studio at Pinkfong USA. With more than 20 years of experience in animation and development, Levy has worked for several entertainment corporations such as The Walt Disney Company, Invisible Universe, Viacom International, and more. Levy’s unique and fast-paced approach to development was honed during his time as Director of Animation at Disney+, where he spearheaded the creative and production to create original animated content on social media for Lucas Film, Walt Disney Feature Animation, Pixar, and others. Levy is the author of several best selling books on the animation industry, including Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive (2nd edition, 2021). He’s lectured and taught at Parsons, SVA, NYU, RISD, and Pratt, and was president of the New York chapter of ASIFA (Association International du Film d’ Animation).
Crafting Kid Culture takes you behind the scenes of the brands that shape the world of children’s media. This engaging series invites you into thought-provoking dialogues with industry insiders, offering an intimate glimpse into the essential roles and tireless efforts of professionals across all levels – from newcomers to seasoned executives. Discover the driving forces and creative processes that bring the newest, freshest, and most innovative children’s content to life.
Daniel Barnes is an Executive Producer and TV Development Executive currently based in Los Angeles, California. He was born and raised in Huntsville, Alabama, and is a proud graduate of The University of Alabama with a degree in telecommunication and film. In 2014, Barnes was selected for the prestigious Television Academy Foundation internship in the category of Children’s Programming. At the end of his internship, he was hired full time by Hasbro Studios and has been working in children’s and family entertainment since. Over his career, he has worked on some of the biggest children’s brands including “My Little Pony,” “Transformers”, “Thomas the Tank Engine”, “Rescue Heroes”, “Morphle”, “Little Baby Bum”, “Blippi,” “Cocomelon”, “Care Bears” and “Holly Hobbie” while working at major studios such as Hasbro Studios, Amazon Prime Video, Moonbug Entertainment and currently Cloudco Entertainment. In 2021, Barnes was selected by The University of Alabama’s College of Communication as an Outstanding Alumnus. In 2023, he was honored at the 18 Under 31 Young Alumni Awards which honors The University of Alabama’s legendary young alumni who have made a vital impact on their industry, field or community. In his spare time, Barnes enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to concerts and traveling.
Join our member-only networking event on Thursday, May 16th!
Please remember to register and the Zoom link will be sent the day before the event.
