International Kids Licensing Day

Rossella Arena is an author and journalist in the fields of licensing and branding, kids entertainment, spirituality, personal growth and ecology. She has a Master degree in Ancient Literature and attended the advanced children’s writing course at Bottega Finzioni. For Licensing Magazine, a leading b2b publication distributed all over the world, she writes about novelties and trends in the international industry, in particular for the animation and children's literature sectors.

Tiziana Barbuto has a strong marketing background, with over 20 years’ experience in Licensing, Toys and Promotion. Following experience at Oregon Scientific and Giochi Preziosi, she was in charge of the soft line business for Mattel characters, then Head of Licensing at Discovery Italy, leading the whole cross target brand portfolio. She continues to manage the kids’ properties broadcasted on K2 and Frisbee.

Ivan Colecchia is SVP Global Development at Kidz Global, a quantitative market research and consulting firm specializing in children, teens and family-friendly consumer markets, covering 44 countries in all continents. Specializing in the broad child-orientated consumer market, the company’s focus includes, but is not limited to, licensing, toys & games, video-games, entertainment, digital devices, advertising, FMCG and education.

After 20 years’ experience in a broad range of market research - kids, FMCG, sports, beauty, and restaurants - Ivan joined Kidzglobal in 2011. A much-appreciated expert in the licensing and kids business worldwide, he is frequently asked to speak at kids content licensing conferences.

Michael Connolly is the Founder of Retail Monster LLC, which has just celebrated its 5th anniversary.  Retail Monster is a brand extension and licensing company with offices/personnel in Orlando, Bentonville, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, NY, and London, England.  With top-yier clients like Vlad & Niki, Electronic Arts, Gearbox/2K, Bravado, Hasbro, and Crayola, Retail Monster has quickly established themselves as the disruptive agency with top tier relationships at retail.

Michael Connolly most recently served as head of Global Consumer Products for DreamWorks Animation.  In this capacity, Connolly drove the company's worldwide consumer products business, overseeing a portfolio containing many of the world's most beloved entertainment franchises including Shrek, How to Train Your Dragon, Kung Fu Panda and Madagascar.

Prior to joining DreamWorks Animation, Connolly served as Senior Vice President for Consumer Products at Viacom International Media Networks.  In this role, Connolly headed up business and legal affairs, finance, category development, marketing, creative brand management, recreation, live events and retail sales.

Prior to Viacom, Connolly worked for the Walt Disney Company for seven years, most recently in the position of Vice President of Marketing and Seasonal Merchandise for North America. 

Morena D'Incoronato has a degree in Political Science and from the very beginning has oriented her professional experience to research in the media sector; she began her career in the publishing market, later joined the MTV Italia Digital Marketing department and then grew up in the Marketing and Research department becoming Head of the Research & Insight department. Today she leads all the consumer insight, scenario studies, audience performance and portfolio strategy activities of ViacomCBS for the South Hub countries. She is the promoter of ViacomCBS Lab, a laboratory of knowledge and discovery on new trends and an open space for sharing the insights with commercial partners and institutional stakeholders. In Italy, she is also in charge of the MTV Youth and Future Observatory. 

With more than fifteen years experience in the event and licensing industry, Isabelle Favre has got a background seasoned with day-to-day operations and supervision of various marketing, design and event organizations with a full understanding of brand content and international business relations with cultural diversity.

She started her carreer in the sport industry at Adidas, then at France Televisions developping event, communication & retail within the Licensing department and then developed Kazachok USA. Committed to delivering effective and valuable achievement, she joined Toei Animation Europe as Marketing senior manager in 2009.

As Global Content & Marketing Director at Toei Animation Europe, Isabelle manages marketing activities that ensure IPs presence through retail and event actions and boost brand recognition and leverage products sell-out targeting young adults, teens & children's. Relaying on strategic relationships with internal & external resources and suppliers in respect with Brand DNA. 

After graduating from France’s Sciences Po University with Political Science and International Relations degrees, Eric initially worked for multi-national corporations such as the Carat/Aegis Group and Havas.

He then moved to the TV business and accrued his expertise in the production and commercialisation of animated programming, covering the fields of development, financing, production, international co-productions, sales and rights management.

In 2004, Eric set up GO-N Productions with Anne de Galard with the aim to develop and produce French and European animation for the international market out of their own studio facility in the center of Paris. 

Today GO-N Productions is recognised worldwide as one of the leading independents with a great track record and great reputation for creative and quality programmes amongst producers and broadcasters alike. Recent productions include “ZIP ZIP” (104 x 11’, comedy cartoon) for France TV, SuperRTL, Disney Channels WW, … and the international preschool hit “SIMON” (156 x 5’, preschool) for France TV, Cartoonito (Italy), Clan RTVE (Spain), Tiny Pop (UK), Netflix ww, NHK (Japan),… which is becoming an iconic property loved by children and their parents.

As a respected member of the French and International Animation communities Eric is a member of the SPFA, French Animation Producers Syndicate. 

After starting her career at Lagardère Active, Céline becomes part of the TF1 Licences Team in 2005 as Product Manager in charge of operational Marketing and Communication. Then, as Marketing and Youth Development Manager, she handles youth brands acquisition, diversification strategies and activates partnerships on major brands of the Entertainment portfolio (Miraculous, Barbapapa, Ushuaïa, Koh-Lanta, Smurfs, etc.). After that she becomes Marketing Manager and develops the Trade and Sales activation business with retailers and pilots the international development of the brand Barbapapa. 

Lisa Hryniewicz is a UK-based Media Consultant with over 25 years of experience in strategic marketing and developing kids IP's across all platforms through various companies she has created and co-founded. At her PR company Koko Media, Lisa has managed publicity for high-end kids companies such as TeamTO, Cottonwood Media, Federation Kids & Family, Guru Studio and Rainbow. As MD of Koko Rose Media, she manages preschool brands Flora of the Forest and Deer Little Forest, created by company co-founder Jo Rose. And finally, as director and of Pantomimus Media she manages the multimedia rights of YA book series THE RED HARLEQUIN YA, with author and Pantomimus co-founder, Roberto Ricci. 

With 19 years’ experience in the licensing industry, Joachim Knödler has a proven track record building up national and internationally successful licensing programs for world-class corporate kids and entertainment IP´s.

Head of Licensing at Studio 100 Media, Joachim leads the national and international licensing team in all Studio 100 Media’s ww Ip licensing and 3^rd party rights projects.

Before entering the licensing industry, Joachim worked with the German marketing team of the world’s leading toy company, Hasbro.

As The Toy Association’s senior communications specialist, Kristin Morency Goldman leads the development of content for the Association’s print and online communications. Her articles on toy trends, toy safety, and industry news can be found in trade and consumer publications around the world. 

As an official spokesperson for The Toy Association, Kristin meets with companies to track the latest developments in toys and youth entertainment. She has appeared on WNBC Today in New York, WXYZ ABC Detroit, Fox 46 Charlotte, Good Day Sacramento, and CGTN America to showcase members’ toys and has been interviewed by national print outlets on toy industry trends. She supports the Association’s year-round safety program, which is designed to educate consumers about safe play, and promotes the industry’s positive safety record. She also implements the organization’s communications strategy and manages the development of strategic editorial partnerships.

With more than 10 years of experience working in communications, Kristin previously held various positions in media relations and corporate communications, having worked in the New York Governor’s press office, at Chanel, and at a public policy think tank.  She holds a master’s degree in communications from NYU.

A native of Montreal, Canada, Kristin started her career as a news reporter at the Montreal Gazette. She currently resides in Montreal with her husband and two young children. 

Waell Oueslati is the Director of the EMEA Anime Licensing department at Crunchyroll’s European branch based in Paris, France. Crunchyroll is a leading global anime brand, connecting anime and manga fans across more than 200 countries and territories. Best known as a top streaming service, Crunchyroll's services also extend to licensing the theatrical, TV, Home video and Merchandising rights of its major titles around the world. In his current role, Oueslati is responsible for leading the anime licensing team, building content distribution and merchandise programs for Crunchyroll’s robust slate of anime titles.

With more than 10 years’ experience in the industry, he is an established expert in the licensing and 360-exploitation of Japanese anime and manga properties as well as kid’s brands.

Since joining the company in 2010, which was previously known as VIZ Media Europe, he has built his knowledge of Japanese entertainment and how to make it accessible to western audiences thanks to various experiences including a 3-year assignment in Tokyo, Japan, at his former mother company Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions.

Oueslati has led and supported the European launch of several successful Japanese anime titles including Yo-kai Watch, My Hero Academia and Captain Tsubasa, to name just a few. 

He has started his career working for the videogames industry, becoming a technical director and animator for several projects for companies working with Disney, RAI, SKY.

In 2007 he has come into the Studio Bozzetto, driving it to the development of the corporate 3D branch and to an international asset in the world of co-productions. Nowadays he works mainly on the analysis and the executive production of the projects.

He has been a strong promoter and co-founder of ForFun Media. This project represents an unprecedented business operation in Italy with the purpose to strengthen the Italian animation sector creating a group between complementary companies.

ForFun Media is a network of creative companies specialized in the development of Intellectual Properties through highest quality tv-series, feature films and multimedia contents. 

With over 10 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, Catherine A. Rijsdijk Sous has a proven background in consumer products, licensing, franchise & brand management, retail, e-commerce and sales.

As Head of International Retail, Live Shows & Experiences for European leader Planeta Junior, Catherine manages the retail and brand experience categories at international level, ensuring brand presence at point of sale along with optimal customer experience. 

He has started his career as animator, becoming author, director and executive producer for several projects. 

In 2004 he founded Movimenti Production, a creative hub focused on animation, managing all aspects of the production supporting creativity and talent Made in Italy at a European and international level. Nowadays he works as Creative Director for several projects and he has become a valuable reference for broadcasters and co-producers such as RAI, Netflix and Disney. 

In 2019 he co-founded ForFun Media alongside Studio Bozzetto. A network of creative companies focused on the international animation business specialized in the development of Intellectual Properties through highest quality tv-series, feature films and multimedia contents. 

Daryl joined Magic Light in 2006 and leads brand management, licensing and merchandising for the company. Over a number of years he has delivered long term brand engagement for The Gruffalo through industry admired consumer products, creative marketing campaigns and award-winning partnerships. Additionally he is an associate producer on Magic Light's BAFTA winning and Oscar nominated productions. After graduating from The Welsh College of Music and Drama he worked as an actor across film, theatre and television. Deciding to shift focus behind the camera he went on to work in both development and production, including a period at the UK Film Council’s Development Fund. 

Founder and President of Rainbow Group Iginio Straffi is the visionary behind girls’ classic brand “Winx Club”, a global licensing phenomenon flourishing since 2004. Iginio’s ground-breaking leadership has powered Rainbow since its establishment in 1995, making it a nonstop growing player in the entertainment industry through excellence collaborations and company acquisitions, such as Canadian award-winning studio Bardel and Italian Colorado Film. With a grasp of kids and adults’ universal feelings, Iginio has been awarded with countless prizes over the years, creating content primarily for children, then expanding to serial and theatrical live action for all age targets. His all-round commitment to childhood inspires him to create ever new content and engage in educational projects such as his Liberi Reggiomonte international school and global-reaching charity initiatives. 

Rachel Taylor is the Commercial Director for WildBrain Spark, the premium kids and family AVOD network and studio. She is responsible for expanding the company’s commercial partnership business with third-party brands, leading business development, growth of IP portfolio, as well as client management. Ms Taylor has extensive experience in content distribution and monetization, coupled with a background in toys. During her career, she has held senior business and commercial roles at Sony Pictures Entertainment where she was Director of Commercial Partnerships for EMEA and Director of Global Commercial Innovation and Strategy, and at Twentieth Century Fox. Prior to joining WildBrain, she was International Sales Director for Australian toy company, Funtastic, and was tasked with re-launching the business’ own IP brands and growing its international distribution footprint.  

Muriel Thomas, an internationally respected media executive with over 20 years’ experience, is heading up Magic Light’s International Distribution business since 2011, overseeing the international sales activities from pre-sale to the management and exploitation of existing and future content across all platforms.

Muriel was previously Head of International Sales and Co-productions at EOne, where she was instrumental in setting up the international roll out of the hugely successful ‘Peppa Pig’ bran 

Kerry Tucker is the CMO of pocket.watch, where she spearheads the digital-first studio’s strategic marketing, branding and communications operations. Kerry plays an instrumental role in developing and amplifying the company’s global creator franchises -- the likes of which include Ryan’s World, HobbyKids Adventures and Love, Diana. With over 20 years’ experience, Kerry has a proven track record as a strategic and innovative leader at both Fortune 500 companies and startups, having held multiple C-level titles. Prior to pocket.watch, Kerry served as the first CEO of Hello Sunshine, Reese Witherspoon’s media and production company. Additionally, she was CMO of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, CMO of Victoria’s Secret and COO of The Video Genome Project. 

Sandra Vauthier-Cellier is Chief Commercial Officer at Acamar Films, the independent film studio, which produces, distributes, markets and licenses its international award-winning pre-school animated series Bing.

Sandra is a respected licensing executive with an established track record internationally, working with some of the leading children and corporate brands and blue-chip companies across Marketing and Brand Licensing, Retail, Sales, Promotions and PR, consistently creating successful international commercial growth strategies.

Most recently, Sandra was Senior VP of consumer products for EMEA at 20th Century Fox, where she oversaw Fox Consumer Products’ London office for the EMEA territories managing an extensive portfolio of key brands including Ice Age, The Simpsons, Avatar and Marilyn Monroe.

She has previously held senior executive positions at family entertainment companies Studio 100 Group, where she was Chief Brand Officer and led the company’s branding, consumer products and commercial strategy globally on Maya the bee, and at 4Kids Entertainment International where she was the Managing Director managing a number of key global brands including Pokemon, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Yu-Gi-Oh! and Microsoft Xbox 360. Before that, Sandra worked at the global leading brand licensing and consultancy agency The Beanstalk Group working on some iconic global brands such as Coca-Cola, Harley Davidson, Andy Warhol and Crayola.

Sandra has joined Acamar Films as Chief Commercial Officer to drive the global growth of the company overseeing global marketing & communications, licensing & merchandising, promotions, retail, experiential and product development. 

Jonathan was part of the founding team at innovative market intelligence company, Kids Insights.
Since launch, The Insights Family® expanded its reach across 17 countries and five continents and have worked with brands including the Amazon, Crayola, F1, LEGO, Ofcom, Pokémon, SEGA, Turner and Warner Bros.

Now working as Chief Product Officer, Jonathan leads the global product team who provide some of the biggest brands in the kids industry with data and insights to help them with their strategies.

Maarten Weck, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of WildBrain CPLG, oversees all global operations of the Company’s third-party licensing agency, WildBrain CPLG, which is one of the world’s leading entertainment, sport and brand licensing agencies with more than 45 years of experience in the industry. Working with such clients as, Viacom CBS, BBC Worldwide, Peanuts, MGM, emoji, Paramount, Spin Master, Sesame Workshop, Mattel, Line Friends, Ubisoft, FC Barcelona, Liverpool FC and more, WildBrain CPLG provides licensing solutions for brand owners and retail partners looking to maximize consumer products opportunities around the globe. Formerly WildBrain CPLG’s Managing Director for Northern Europe, the UK, Nordic, Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and Benelux territories, Mr. Weck has been with the agency for over 13 years. Prior to working for WildBrain CPLG, Mr. Weck held management positions with Memphis Belle International, the Cookie Company and Keesing. In these positions, he worked with clients in the book, game, fashion and television industries. Mr. Weck holds a degree in Business Economics from Hogeschool van Amsterdam.