Calling all CMA NY members! Come meet members of the PBS KIDS Team at the next CMA Meet Up! Join us for some great networking and light bites. Members are FREE! Must register on the website for entry.
CMA Happy Hour with PBS Kids
Monday, July 29th
5:30pm – 7:00pm
American Whiskey
247 West 30th Street (btwn 7th and 8th)
In part one of CMA’s “A Peek into Podcasting” series we’ll discuss the creative process, writing and producing for kid’s podcasts. But learning where the industry is trending is vital for success. In part two of “A Peek into Podcasting,” we’ll seek to understand the future of kid’s podcasts, the industry as it stands and where it’s going.
Joining us is Lynn Kestin-Sessler, Senior Creative Director, Nickelodeon & Paramount Pictures Podcasts, Laura Ordoñez, Executive Editor, Head of Digital Media & Family at Common Sense Media, and Heather Alexander, Executive Producer/Senior Director of Original Kids’ Content at Audible, three powerhouses in all things kid’s podcasts.
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Lynn Kestin Sessler is a Peabody, Webby and Parent’s Choice Award-winning Producer and Development Executive who has created.podcasts, animated series, digital, and live action TV programming for Nickelodeon, PBS, Netflix, Nick Jr., Sesame Street, HBO, FX and MTV Networks.
Lynn is currently Senior Creative Director/Multi-Platform Executive at Nickelodeon/Paramount. This Spring, Lynn’s podcast team at Nickelodeon and Paramount, won 3 Webby awards for their programs and also released a slate of preschool shows based on their beloved franchises- Dora’s Recipe for Adventure, Nickelodeon’s Goodnight Bedtime Stories, Let’s Guess Who with Josh & Blue as we as 2nd Season of Blue’s Clue’s Storytime), as well as the 3rd season of Avatar’s Braving the Elements podcast and the multi Webby- winning Are You Afraid of the Dark?. Lynn has has also produced and created award-winning podcasts for Nick Jr’s Noggin, Meet the Alpha Beats,), 4 current audio series for Audible, the Webby & Parent’s Choice honored-Emma-Made Lemonade and Highlights Hangout.
On the TV front, Lynn has Executive Produced Go, Dog, Go! on Netflix , PBS’ The Cat in the Hat Knows A lot About That! And PBS Kids’ Rocket Saves the Day, an animated movie that aired this past Christmas. In the interactive space, Lynn was Supervising Digital Producer, on Ready Jet Go!, the Webby Award -honored The Cat in the Hat Knows a lot About That!, WordGirl, and Sesame Street, among others.
Lynn was elected to the National Board of Producer’s Guild (PGA)/Co-Chair of the New Media Council is proud to be part of the TV Academy, the Board of Directors for the Children’s Media Association and the Common Sense Media Board of Advisors. Lynn is also a Webby and Emmy judge.
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As Common Sense’s senior editor, head of digital content and curation, Laura Ordoñez spearheads all podcast and digital platform coverage and curation. Before joining Common Sense, Laura spent 10 years as a communications specialist in the health and wellness space and then followed her passion for writing and storytelling into the world of journalism. She fell in love with investigative reporting and sports writing while getting her bachelor’s in journalism from San Francisco State University and went on to cover the Golden State Warriors as a reporter and editor, earning several awards for her coverage, including the 2017 Oakland A’s Bill King Scholarship and Associated Press Sports Editors Award. More recently, Laura was a podcast host and producer for a Bay Area startup, working to create a platform to help parents gain knowledge and confidence in raising their children. As a social justice warrior and mental health advocate, she spearheaded DEI efforts to create more diverse content relatable to a broader audience.
She’s currently working on launching her own podcast focused on helping intersectional feminists support their mental, emotional, and physical health while standing in their power. She also enjoys Muay Thai, cuddling with her dog, trying to get her teenage son to think she’s “not a regular mom” but a “cool mom,” and meditating over tarot cards while dissecting her horoscope.
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In 2017, Heather Alexander created the trailblazing Children’s Original Publishing division at Audible in the US, creating innovative audio programs ranging from books with single narrators to scripted shows with ensembles of 25 and full orchestras. Heather’s visionary approach as an Executive Producer has allowed her to forge partnerships with esteemed brands like Nickelodeon, Sesame Street, KIDZ BOP, and Story Pirates. She has collaborated with icons such as RL Stine and Colin Kaepernick, Academy Award winners Kate Winslet and Jamie Lee Curtis, and Grammy-award winning musicians, and performers.
Join us for an intimate conversation with writer Jessica Ruston about the art of writing for multiple mediums. Jessica Ruston’s first novel, LUXURY, was named Elle’s debut of its publication year, since then she has written three further novels all published by Headline Review. Her fiction has been described as ‘addictive’ and ‘compelling’ with her writing drawing praise for combining page turning plots with sharp psychological insight.
Since publishing her most recent novel THE LIES YOU TOLD ME she has been writing mostly for television. She has projects in development with multiple production companies in the UK and the US, and for broadcasters including the BBC and ITV. She was the lead writer and co-creator of the Netflix adaptation of GEEK GIRL and has also written on shows such as HARLOTS, YOUNG WALLANDER, SANCTUARY and CATCH ME A KILLER.
In parts one and two of CMA’s, “A Peek into Podcasting” we discussed creating, writing and producing podcasts as well as the future of the industry. In part three, we’ll discuss Launching Your Own Podcast with Maia Glikman and Jennifer Clary, Founders of GoKidGo.
GoKidGo is The Audio Imagination Company for Kids and a platform that supports and partners with creators, both established and up-and-coming, to put out compelling podcast content for children with social, emotional and academic development best practices. GoKidGo also has supportive partnerships with Stampede Ventures, HappyNest, pocket.watch and more.
Join us for the finale of this series as we talk through the process to successfully launch a podcast with the platform creating innovative content, and who was voted Best Kids Entertainment Podcast Network by Common Sense Media in 2023.
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Maia Glikman and Jennifer Clary are established podcast producing partners who have formed GoKidGo, Inc. and Never Ever Productions as female led ventures developing exceptional IP for children and adults respectively.
Maia Glikman is a Los Angeles based producer whose body of work spans numerous areas of the entertainment industry. Highlights as an executive include several years at ABC Network, Lucasfilm (under Kathleen Kennedy) and Sony Pictures Television (development and current). Maia is the CEO of GoKidGo and Never Ever Productions and has been the Head of Development at Amore & Vita Productions and head of scripted projects for MSM/Tollin Productions. Her work has resulted in the acquisition of original projects including sales to Fox, CW, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Spotify to name a few.
As a creative producer, Maia’s mandate is the production of high-quality content that resonates with today’s audience, most especially those that champion female and underrepresented voices. Most recently, R.L. Stine’s Story Club, produced by GoKidGo, has been selected as a “Best of the Best” finalist for “Best Podcast” at the 2022 Cynopsis Awards. These awards salute excellence in national TV programming, marketing campaigns, people, tech, and more.
In her previous role as co-founder & CEO of The Baby Box Co., Jennifer Clary led a team that provided new parents and children with the vital, equitable education and resources needed for an infant’s safe start in life. The Baby Box Co supported more than 2 million families with infant supplies and information before being acquired in 2019. Prior to The Baby Box Co, Jennifer founded Gobble Green in 2009, the first nationwide plant-based meal delivery service in the United States, and Jenkev Productions in 2004. Her first feature film, The Silent Thief, was distributed by HBO.
Jennifer currently sits on the Board of Directors of Predict-Align-Prevent, a nonprofit organization dedicated to stopping child maltreatment before it happens, and is the COO of both GoKidGo and Never Ever Productions.
Join our member-only networking event on Thursday, August 15th!
Please remember to register and the Zoom link will be sent the day of the event.
Just as with any other profession, using your voice to become a skilled, working voiceover actor takes dedication and practice. It’s much more than projecting a silly voice into a microphone.
Interested in becoming a voiceover actor? Join us for part one of a three part series in learning how to use your voice, an “Introduction to Voiceover Animation.” In part one, we’ll chat with Kelly Moscinski, Owner of The Voicecaster, and Mary Lynn Wissner, Owner of Voices Voicecasting, on classes, workshops, skill, demos, devotion and all that it takes to become a sought after voice and talent in the business.
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Kelly Moscinski is the Owner and Head of Casting at The Voicecaster – the oldest voiceover casting house in the country, established in 1975! With about 20 years of experience in VO and even more in entertainment, Kelly casts and directs all things voiceover… PLUS she’s a demo producer and coach. Kelly has owned The Voicecaster since 2013 and took over as the company’s 3rd owner. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre with a Focus in Directing and a Master’s degree in English with a Focus in Creative Writing.
A few recent casting projects include Papa John’s, Cap’n Crunch, Popeyes, Verizon, Walmart+, Google, Amazon, Dungeons & Dragons (Video Game), Ready or Not (Video Game), and so many more in every genre!
When Kelly is not busy at the studio, she’s enjoying adventures with her husband and their two kids, listening to audiobooks, or re-organizing the house!
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Since, 1990 Mary Lynn Wissner, Founder and Casting Director of the award winning, Voices Voicecasting, has cast thousands and thousands of voice talent in thousands of voiceover productions. From the Clio winning CHEVRON TALKING CARS to the 13 part HISTORY, THE COLOR OF WAR to CHRYSLER, 7-Up, DEL TACO, JOLLY TIME, SHERWIN WILLIAMS, NICKELODEON, SONY, KIA, MATTEL, IAMS, MERCEDES, CHIQUITA, FIAT, TACO BELL, COCA-COLA, TOYOTA, LEGOS, WALGREENS, KLEENEX, US ARMY, SONY, 7-11, TECATE, HONDA, HASBRO, CLOROX, JEEP, MATTEL, LEAP PAD (just to name a few), as well as, several feature films, animation series and video games, audio books and narrations. Casting voices for E-Learning, Promos and IVR…whatever voice request is needed, Mary Lynn has found the voice for it!
In addition to her successful casting career, Mary Lynn has continued to direct workshops, coach, consult and direct talent all across the world. In 2007, Mary Lynn created The VO Pros, where talent can Meet the Pros and leaders in the industry with weekly workshops and clinics.
In 2018, Mary Lynn and a few of her VO colleagues introduced, THE VO ROADSHOW; bringing the most accredited and respected coaches and directors to your town! As the creator of THE VOICE OVER SELF DIRECTION APP, Mary Lynn simplified the self-direction process for talent to use on their iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Talent, producers, ad execs and creatives all know that when you work with Mary Lynn, you work with someone who loves everything about VO and brings that passion and expertise to any production, studio or workshop
“We are all storytellers. We all live in a network of stories. There isn’t a stronger connection between people than storytelling.”
–Jimmy Neil Smith, Internationall Storyteller Center
Each of us has powerful stories to tell. Whether about where we live or what we do or our role in Children’s Media. Join us for a casual, fun, interactive and inspiring way to deepen our connection with one another, through sharing our stories.
Light refreshments will be served. Address will be provided to attendees (in Piedmont/Oakland)
