METAVERSE, DIGITAL EVOLUTION AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE MARKET

Former BBC executive, Rachel Bardill, is an industry expert in children, teens, parents, and families. She has led on digital product, app development, games, brand strategy and digital commissioning for some of the biggest media brands.  Much has evolved in the digital landscape in the last twenty years, and Rachel has led with a progressive mindset to remain ahead of the curve.

Diverse background and 20 years Disney veteran, Francesca Romana Gianesin is currently the Head of Europe, Middle East, Africa, Australia New Zealand and Asia Pacific, at Moonbug Entertainment, UK.

Gianesin is a seasoned executive used to lead global Companies and top global Brands, with a vast international experience and a tracking record of achievements across several industries. Francesca's approach to business always starts with the consumer, with innovation at its heart, leading to business transformation.

Susie is the Chief Executive Officer of Encantos, an award-winning children's entertainment company. Named by Fast Company as one of the World’s Most Innovative Companies, Encantos focuses on stories with a Latin heart for Global audiences and brings them to life through apps, books, content, consumer products, and more. Its properties include the #1 bilingual preschool brand Canticos, the award-winning Tiny Travelers series, and the newly launched Skeletina and the In-Between World. 

An acclaimed artist and storyteller and Emmy Nominated director, Susie has illustrated over 10 books and authored over 30. She creates magical worlds that build bridges of understanding and inspire children to be the fearless, creative, and kind human beings we all have the potential to be.

Strategist, analyst, author, speaker, connector, has led the children’s media industry in developing sustainable, child-friendly practices for more than 35 years. He began this work as president of the American Center for Children and Media and is now Senior Vice President of Global Trends for Dubit, a strategy/research consultancy and metaverse studio. 

David is advisory board chair to the international children’s TV festival PRIX JEUNESSE, on the board of the Children’s Media Association and the Advisory Board of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center. He was a Senior Fellow of the Fred Rogers Center and Board Vice President for the National Association for Media Literacy Education. 

David looks worldwide for best practices in children’s entertainment and learning. He has spoken (and, more important, listened!) on six continents and writes extensively for varied audiences.

As Content Director (EMEA) for License Global, Ben Roberts specializes in global intellectual property and consumer product licensing. Based in License Global’s London office, Ben charts trends across key brand categories in all major markets, speaks with brand and business leaders worldwide to gain in-depth insight on strategy and reflects the cutting-edge work of the licensing industry through coverage across the License Global family of brands.

Paul Robinson serves as President of Genius Brands International’s Kartoon Channel! Worldwide. Paul  is an accomplished and seasoned media executive with significant experience developing media brands around the globe. Previously, he served as Managing Director of Disney Channel Worldwide, where he was responsible for global programming and production strategy.

Paul also founded the Toon Disney and Playhouse Disney television channels internationally. Before his tenure at The Walt Disney Company, Paul was Head of Strategy for the BBC Newtork Radio, overseeing the strategy development for BBC Radios 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 Live. Additionally, he has served as Managing Director of talkSPORT; Co-Founder and CEO of KidsCO, NBCUniversal’s international children’s channel; and Executive Vice President of Your Family Entertainment AG, in which Genius Brands recently acquired a controlling stake.