CHILDREN'S MEDIA CONFERENCE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Co - Founder
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- BBC Science & Education TV Producer
Ahrani is CEO & Co-founder of multi-award-winning Augmented Reality (AR) STEAM EdTech company Peapodicity. Co-creator of AR STEAM brand AugmentifyIt®️ with its range of educational cards. Winners of Best Science Toy Gold 2017; Bronze 2018 & GOLD 2019. Found in schools & homes in over 26 countries, to date. AugmentifyIt®️ are official partners with Guinness World Records (GWR) & provided AR experiences for the GWR ‘Wild Things' book, published October 2018. They have augmentified the Solar System for Guinness World Records 2021 and are currently working with them for a fantastic new augmentified experience for the Guinness World Records Annual 2022, out in September/ October.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Children 's Media Producer, Writer and Consultant
Alison has worked in children's media production for most of her career, twice at the BBC and also as a freelance Series Producer, BAFTA nominated director and script writer, producing content for ITV, Channel 4 and Sky in the UK.
Her most recent role at the BBC was Head of CBeebies Production. Since leaving the BBC she has worked on a number of development projects as a consultant, an Executive Producer and a script writer.
Alison sits on the Board of The Children's Media Foundation and leads the CMF Executive Committee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Member of the Team & Board
- Managing Director of Blue Zoo Rights
- Sponsorship Associate
Alison Warner is Managing Director of Blue Zoo Rights, a division within Blue Zoo Studio, which has responsibility for the growth and exploitation of Blue Zoo's original content including the Number 1 hit shows ‘Numberblocks' and ‘Alphablocks'.
She is also charged with sourcing original properties to develop and produce in house. From pre-school to features, Blue Zoo is looking for outstanding unique content to complement our in-house IP.
Alison previously served as Vice President of I.P. Sales, Acquisitions and Co-Productions for Technicolor Creative Development. While there, Alison developed and implemented funding and sales strategies for TCD's in-house animated properties and sourced new properties to acquire or co-produce.
Alison also helped manage the exploitation of all rights of ‘The Deep' worldwide, which became a global hit, topping the children's TV charts in the UK, Germany and Australia. The Deep won a number of awards including Kidscreen's "Best New Show" and Germany's "Golden Sparrow" award. The Deep was also nominated for a BAFTA in November 2018.
Alison is passionate about making outstanding animated shows for children of all ages that excite, enhance, and entertain. She is also on the Advisory board for the Children's Media Conference.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Associate Publisher for Macmillan Children 's Books
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Head
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- PR, Advertising and Marketing
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Director, Salford International Media Festival 2015 & Programme Leader MA in Children 's Digital Media Production, Salford University
- Director, Salford International Media Festival 2016 & Programme Leader MA in Children 's Digital Media Production, Salford University
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Head of Children 's & Young Audiences
An experienced TV professional with over 25 years' experience, Ros has worked for a variety of broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, Disney Junior, Sky, STV and GMTV Kids. She has also worked on some iconic children's brands ‘Doctor Who', ‘Art Attack' and ‘Teletubbies'.
Ros's successful commissions for BBC Children's have included ‘JoJo and Gran Gran', ‘Yolanda's Band Jam', ‘Catie's/Grace's Amazing Machines', ‘Kit and Pup' and ‘Daydreams'. Ros was formerly Head of Preschool Development at the BBC for six years, and has recently moved to her new role at Big Little Fish TV.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Juliet's career in media spans over 25 years. Following an early career in the art department of television dramas, Juliet moved into digital media in 2000, where she specialised in delivering interactive projects with a broadcast tie-in and a focus on the children and families audience.
Juliet joined Plug-in Media in 2007 and as CEO led the company's growth and success over many years, establishing it as one of the UK's leading digital production companies, working across animation and games, and the winner of multiple awards, including 5 BAFTAs.
As well as managing the company day-to-day, she takes an Executive Producer role on many of its projects, including the BAFTA-winning games: Big and Small, Zingzillas, Get Well Soon Hospital and the short animation, Help Our Little World.
Since 2013 Juliet has been leading the company's original IP strategy, driving the ‘digital-first' success of Tee and Mo, from 10 web games via short-form content, to two animated TV series, with a Youtube channel that has amassed over 350 million views.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Events / CMC 2023 / Blogs / Contact
Job Titles:
- Member of the Team & Board
- Conference Administrator
- Conference Administrator / the Children 's Media Conference
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Independent Children 's Media Consultant
- Media Executive
Debbie Macdonald is a highly experienced media executive, Content Creator, Writer, Head Writer, Script Editor and Development Consultant having held senior commissioning positions within the broadcast sector. With over 30 years in the international media industry she specialises in pre-school programming across animation, live action, factual and entertainment.
Prior to setting up her own consultancy, Debbie spent many years at Nickelodeon UK as the Vice President of Programming, responsible for all UK programming and working with the International teams. She has vast experience in Original Series Production with many executive producer credits across award winning series including Peppa Pig.
Job Titles:
- International Exchange Manager
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Knowledge Transfer Manager
Emma Cooper is an accomplished creative business leader, strategist, consultant and producer. She's spent 20 years working with teams to produce innovative games, marketing and education. Emma has good insight into what is needed to keep a creative business going. She works hard to connect and support others to find sustainability and growth in their own creative businesses.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Chairman of BAFTA 's Children
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Head of Family & Learning Partnerships
Gold Wala - Managing Director
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Faraz Osman is currently the chair of BAFTA's Children's and Young People Committee, a regular columnist for Broadcast Magazine and commentator for the Media Podcast.
Faraz is the Founder and Managing Director of independent production company Gold Wala, with credits including ‘What's In Your Bag?' (CBeebies), ‘The Parent Rap' (BBC Tiny Happy People), ‘My Mate's A Muslim' (BBC Three), short drama ‘Listen, Dad' (CBBC), and ‘Yo! MTV Raps: Streets'.
Previously, he was MD at youth-focused indie Lemonade Money and Channel 4's Editor of Education.
Job Titles:
- Editorial Director
- Member of the Team & Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- International Exchange Associate
- IP, Publishing and Production Consultant
- Publishing and Production Consultant
Helen McAleer runs a media consultancy specialising in Intellectual Property Management, publishing and TV production. Drawing on almost 30 years experience of the children's sector across all key media, she works with clients including publishing houses Macmillan Children's Books, UK and Macmillan Children's US, Literary agents The Soho Agency and producers Fourth Wall and Kelebek.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Children 's Media Specialist
Jackie is a passionate advocate for public service television, and until recently, was living her dream job as the Head of the BFI Young Audiences Content Fund, responsible for the implementation of this game-changing UK Government initiative to stimulate the provision of public service content for audiences of 0-18.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director
- Member of the Team & Board
Job Titles:
- Editor
- Founder
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Creative Director, Mighty Giants & Organiser of Motion North
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Director of Content at the Path Entertainment Group
- Entertainment Group Director
Julia Posen is the Director of Content at The Path Entertainment Group bringing exceptional IP, such as Monopoly, Saw and Paddington, into the LBE world and working on a range of musical theatre productions.
Julia was previously Commercial Director at Walker Books, responsible for building new global business opportunities across licensing, digital, publishing and TV production. EP credits include CBBC's International Emmy award-winning ‘Hank Zipzer', and C4's ratings-wining ‘We're Going on a Bear Hunt'.
She also worked at BBC Worldwide for 13 years working on leading properties including ‘Doctor Who', ‘Teletubbies' and ‘In The Night Garden'.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Member of the Team & Board
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Director of Operations
- Head of Operations
- Member of the Team & Board
Job Titles:
- Commissioner
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- General Manager, Kids & Family
- Member of the RTS
Louise is a commissioner, kid's content strategist and Executive Producer with twenty five years' channel management, production and creative leadership experience.
Louise previously worked as Head of Programme Scheduling, BBC Children's where she oversaw content strategy for CBBC, CBeebies, the children's blocks on BBC One, BBC Two and the iPlayer and on the commissioning team. Prior to that she was Senior Manager, Programme Planning for Disney Channels UK & Ireland, and formerly as Channel Editor and Scheduler for CITV, where she was in the team that launched the CITV channel. Louise started her career at ITV in production, as a Production Coordinator, Researcher and Producer in Children's for eight years.
Louise is a member of the RTS and BAFTA, sits on the Children's Media Conference Advisory Committee, and formerly on the ScreenSkills Children's Council, BFI YACF Strategic Advisory Group, BAFTA Children's Committee and a registered children's entertainment chaperone.
Job Titles:
- Head
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Sky 's First Head of Kids Content
Lucy was appointed Sky's first Head of Kids Content in 2015. She is responsible for Sky's kids content across all platforms which includes 11 live channels, a library of over 5,000 OD episodes, as well as overseeing the continued development of the successful Sky Kids App. Her role includes acquisitions and commissions of original content for kids in all genres, including games and interactive.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Advisory Committee
- Chairman, CMC Advisory Committee / Managing Director / Executive Producer, Gutsy Animations UK
Marion Edwards is an Emmy® award-winning Executive Producer with many years' experience overseeing large-scale animation productions. She began working with Gutsy Animations in 2018 as a consultant for the company's Emmy nominated series ‘Moominvalley', before joining the team permanently in 2020.
Prior to Gutsy Animations, Marion ran European TV production for DreamWorks Television for two years and production for Mattel (HIT) for six years, a role that saw her overseeing the move to CGI for such iconic brands as ‘Thomas & Friends' and ‘Fireman Sam'. Marion was instrumental in the production and continuing development of ‘Mike the Knight' - winner of the Pre-School category in the 2015 International Emmy® Kids Awards.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Jetpack Distribution / Acquisitions Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Co - Founder
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Nigel Twumasi is a former software engineer turned creative entrepreneur. He is the co-founder of mayamada, a brand that reaches across comics, video games and youth engagement. In 2019 Nigel was recognised as a member of the nationwide 56 Black Men campaign, and in 2023 he was appointed as a member of the London mayor's Cultural Leadership Board.
A keen advocate for diversity within creative industries, Nigel delivers creative workshops with young people across schools, colleges and other youth organisations. Through the fun and engaging use of storytelling, he works to empower future generations everywhere to realise their full creative potential.
Nigel is passionate about video games and their power to engage various audiences. He leads a dedicated team that runs the community event and platform called GamePad. Since 2015 they have been promoting inclusion through video game events and discussions with industry while providing opportunities for young people from under-represented backgrounds to gain valuable work experience on their own creative journeys.
In 2022, he launched the "Do I Look Like A Gamer?" representation campaign and continues to work with video games and other creative industries to challenge stereotypes and improve access for future generations of diverse talent.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Joint CEO
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Director Digital Innovation MMU
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chair of the Advisory Committee
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Deputy Chair, CMC Advisory Committee
Sarah heads up the creative media consultancy, The Creative Garden. She specialises in concept creation and development within the creative industries for leading global companies. She advises international broadcasters, creatives and opinion-formers on a range of issues including channel launches, multi-platform ventures and characterisation within children's animation. Before establishing The Creative Garden, Sarah was a Commissioner at Channel 4. She was part of the launch team and commissioner for ‘The Big Breakfast‘ before assuming responsibilities for the first youth branded slots for T4. She has extensive experience in Children's Entertainment, Youth and Entertainment.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Commissioner
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Sioned says she is now in her dream job as a Content Commissioner for S4C and is looking forward to the next chapter in her career.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- CEO
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Consultant
- Executive Producer
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Sue is a freelance Executive Producer and Consultant, specialising in children's and family drama. Recent credits include ‘The Lodge' (Disney), ‘Jamie Johnson' (CBBC), ‘The Worst Witch' (CBBC/Netflix/ZDF) and ‘Biff & Chip' (CBeebies).
Her producer credits in children's television cover all genres from drama and comedy to documentary and magazine, including BAFTA award winners such as ‘Coping With Relatives' and ‘The Ant and Dec Show'. For 18 years she was at the BBC, first as an Executive Producer in Education Production and then as Head of Education for BBC Children's, where she exec'd a wide range of schools programmes from hard-hitting teen drama to pre-school puppet shows, and was responsible for the birth of ‘Tracy Beaker'. Sue was then part of the CBBC commissioning team for 9 years, with responsibility for all independently produced drama including ‘Eve', ‘So Awkward', ‘Hank Zipzer', ‘Roy' and ‘Rocket's Island', as well as helping to establish ground-breaking cross platform dramas ‘Dixi' and ‘Secret Life of Boys'.
Sue is chair of the CMC Advisory Committee.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Co - Founder and Managing Director of Wild Child Animation
Sueann is Co-founder and Managing Director of Wild Child Animation. With over 20 years of experience in long form TV production, Sueann has produced BAFTA winning shows like ‘The Brilliant World of Tom Gates' and ‘Dennis & Gnasher'.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Brand Management and Family Entertainment Specialist
Tessa Moore is a family entertainment expert who has had a broad career in international brand development and marketing working for global businesses including Virgin Publishing, Disney and FremantleMedia. At FremantleMedia, she was responsible for global preschool hits ‘Kate & Mim-Mim' and ‘Tree Fu Tom' and the reboot of the family favourite ‘Danger Mouse'. During her prior career at Disney, she developed European growth strategies for many of Disney's evergreen franchises including Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh. She is now a consultant, specialising in creating strategic growth plans and provides business development, IP monetisation advice and marketing support to the global industry.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Chair of the Advisory Committee
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Deputy Chair, CMC Advisory Committee / Executive Director, Fudge
Tim is a kid's TV and content specialist. He has extensive experience in the TV content and business world and has held senior positions in commercial and public service broadcast companies, including Nickelodeon, BBC, UKTV, ITV and Disney. Tim is an Executive Director at Fudge and runs his media consultancy T1M Consult where he advises creators, producers, broadcasters and other industry sectors on content, brand, business, broadcast strategy and the art of pitching. He is a BAFTA member and is co-deputy Chair of the CMC Advisory Committee.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Tony Reed is the Animation and Puppetry genre lead for BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions, overseeing all animation and puppetry development and production for under 12's. Tony's career spans over 25 years both independently and as staff at the BBC. He specialises in animation and puppetry but has a broad experience writing, directing, producing and executive producing across all genres including live theatrical events. In his current role Tony manages large-scale projects for domestic and international markets, working closely with co-production partners to develop and produce a variety of multi-episodic fully animated, mixed media or puppet-led series that serve public service and commercial needs for global audiences. Tony is particularly proud of his work introducing literary classics and arts such as ballet and Shakespeare to pre-school audiences. These projects have attracted industry acclaim and their importance recognised and appreciated by adults and children alike.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Tracy Liddell is Joint MD at Studio Liddell, a multi-award winning creative production studio based in MediaCityUK where she manages the talented team of character animators and creatives.
Following an 18 year career in education, Tracy was lured into the animation industry 8 years ago to be the Production Manager on pre-school series ‘Cloudbabies' (52 x 10mins with Hoho Entertainment and broadcast on CBeebies). She has since worked on other series including a Producer role on ‘Ranger Rob' (52 x 11mins), a pre-school CG co-production with Nelvana in Canada.
Tracy has also overseen the production of a wide range of commercial and animation projects including 2D and 3D specials, AAA game cutscene animations, immersive VR animation work and IP developments.
She was also Chair of the CMC Manimation Advisory Group, participates in various education / industry projects and was involved with the Animation Apprenticeship Standards Employer Trailblazer Group.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Rockpool Licensing
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advisory Committee
- Journalist