1. business and industrial
2. advertising and marketing
3. marketing

Learning Day Schedule – Oct. 21
8:30 - 9:00
Doors Open Pick your badge and head into the theater.
9:00 - 9:05
Show Welcome
Conference Chair:
- Tonda Bunge Sellers, President, Digital Kids® Media
- Emcee: Ted Tagami, CEO, Co-founder, Magnitude.io
9:05 - 9:45
Keynote: From Madden to Feeling Mad: My Path from
Sports Games to Learning Games
- Trip Hawkins, Co-Founder and CEO, If You Can Company
A legend in the gaming industry, Electronic Arts and EA
Sports founder Trip Hawkins who created Madden NFL,
is transitioning into the learning games industry, with his
company If You Can, aimed at teaching 6-12 year olds how
to use social emotional learning (SEL) to combat bullying.
Learn how this industry leader plans to sell the iPad game,
IF, (inspired by the Rudyard Kipling poem) in a historically
difficult space with a new business model that combines
storytelling, game-play mechanics and compassion. The first
chapter is free, with a required subscription for subsequent
chapters.
10:00 - 10:30
State of the Learning Game Market and Selling to
Schools
A lifelong love for learning is essential for a 21st century
education and according to GlassLab, we are failing at this
task as eighth graders spend less than six hours a week
on homework and up to 23 hours a week playing video
games. Jessica Lindl of Glass Labs and Esteban Sosnik of
co. lab will discuss how gaming companies can reach the
90 percent of 2-17 year olds who play video games by reengaging them through school. Their reliable hard statistics
on size, opportunities and trends will be an eye-opener. To
bring it full circle, Shazia Makhdumi, Global Head of Ed Apps
& Games at Google Play will speak qualitatively about geting
educational apps and games into the hands of students.
- Jessica Lindl, Executive Director, GlassLab
- Esteban Sosnik, Executive Director, co.lab
- Shazia Makhdumi, Global Head of Educational Apps &
Games BD, Google Play
- Scott Traylor, Chief KID, CEO and Founder, 360KID
(Moderator)
Show hashtag: #digitalkids
10:35 - 11:05
The Power of Play in Learning
Playful experiences are learning experiences. Play is an
adventure in exploration, understanding, and growth. Play is
about fun, but we also know that play is a crucial piece of the
puzzle when it comes to education. Studies show that games
and toys are a key factor in sparking kids interest in a STEM
career. So how can today’s kids brands harness the power
of play to create experiences that blend fun and science in
a meaningful way? Hear from Natalie Shahmiri, Marketing
Director of Animal Jam on how they’ve successfully bridged
the gap between education and play for kids around the
world.
-Natalie Shahmiri, Marketing Director of Animal Jam
11:10 - 11:30
User Interface Design: Bridging Digital and Tactile Play
A new hot gaming device called Osmo attaches kid-friendly
games to an iPad and with the help of a small mirror,
expands play outside the screen. Its natural user interface
encourages both real-world and online social interaction.
Seasoned engineer from the game industry (Lucasarts and
Ubisoft) and Google Engineer turned CTO Jerome Scholler
will discuss marrying tactile toys with tablets and the theory
behind intuitive user interface. (UI) Find out why user
interaction should be simple and productive for our touch
screen generation we are creating for.
- Jerome Scholler, CTO and Co-founder, Osmo
11:45 - 12:30
The World is Today’s Classroom
Thanks to technology, the classroom has expanded from
concrete walls and print textbooks to include kids teaching
kids with collaborative virtual tools, building a future in
computer science. As science, technology, engineering and
math (STEM) gains momentum in schools, companies like
Tynker are successfully connecting schools, teachers and
parents to reach important STEM initiative. Find out how
Adobe Youth Voices Community and Curriculum, Career
Technical Education and Common Core can impact a
students’ after-school learning time. Don’t miss the chance
to learn what research practices work best within the preschool digital and interactive space in order to create the
most effective, compelling content.
- Jori Clarke, CEO, Circle 1 Network/KidsCom.com
- Jennifer Kotler, Ph.D., Vice President of Research &
Evaluation, Sesame Workshop
- Krishna Vedati, Co-Founder and CEO, Tynker
- Jeff Larson, Art and Technology Teacher,
Balboa High School
- Dan Tynan, “Modern Family” columnist, Yahoo (Moderator)
12:30 - 1:30
It’s lunch time. Sponsored by
Toy Industry Association
1:30 - 1:50
A Tapestry of Research on Kids and Digital Media
The author of much sought after research will sew together
some of her recent work for us. Vicky Rideout will discuss
parenting in today’s world by highlighting the findings
of various studies on the topic such as: a report from
Northwestern University, Parenting on the Age of Digital
Technology, Common Sense Media’s Zero to Eight study
and a research brief charting trends in reading rates and
achievement over time and among different demographics
for children and teens and the Cooney Center’s study on
educational screen media and parents’ attitudes toward
them.
- Vicky Rideout, Editor of Reviews and Commentary,
Journal of Children and Media
1:50 - 2:10
Step Behind the Curtain Into the PlayMatrix and Power
Will Belong to You
Have you heard of the PlayMatrix where age, developmental
stage, content and context, device(s) and platform(s), culture
and business intersect? David Kleeman of PlayCollective
will reveal how anyone who works with children, including
large and small companies, educators and families and
communities, will benefit from the think tank’s research
initiative this fall.
- David Kleeman, SVP, Insights Programs and PlayVangelist,
PlayCollective
2:15 - 2:25
Educational and Institutional Disruption:
Reinventing Today’s Library
Recognizing the importance of keeping libraries relevant,
the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the John
D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation awarded eight
libraries four museums $1.2 million in grants to design
learning labs. Tune in as one of the 12 winners, the San
Francisco Library 21st Century Teen Lab, explains how
to engage youth through 21st Century Literacy, including
exploration of how things work in our everyday lives; how
Smart phones have altered how younger generations ask
questions; and why education and libraries must reinvent
themselves in order to survive.
- Megan Anderson, Youth Centers Manager, San Francisco
Public Library
2:40 - 3:20
Crowdfunding: Who Has Been Successful and Why?
Crowdfunding, the practice of funding a project or venture
by raising small amounts of money from a large number
of people, is a popular practice among both individuals
and companies. Vikas Gupta, Co-Founder of Play-i, with a
background from Google and Amazon who surpassed his
goal in 4 days, shares all the behind the scenes. While Josh
Chan, CEO of LightUp and Alice Brooks, CEO of Roominate
both Stanford University Entrepreneurs will share their
hurdles as well and a new generation growing companies
like Moff, Inc., will share their secrets for reaching Kickstarter
goals within the campaign’s first week. This is an opportunity
to learn how to break through the marketing clutter with
effective, targeted programs that turn ideas into thriving
businesses.
- Alice Brooks, Co-Founder, Roominate
- Josh Chan, Co-Founder & CEO, LightUp
- June Lin, Head of Community, Wonder Workshop
- Reyne Rice, CEO, Toy Trends, Inc. (Moderator)
- Akinori Takahagi, CEO, Moff Inc.
3:35 - 4:15
Level Up – Designing Games That Grow With a Child
Between the ages of 4 and 8, kids mature at a rapid pace,
progressing from mastery of learning to read to solving long
division problems. The dynamics of an early learner offers
the game dev community a unique challenge in delivering
games that level-up and provide a natural cadence in learning
to truly challenge and engage past a few play sessions. This
panel will delve into the gamefication of education and offer
up lessons for creating games that grow with the child to
reinforce learning skills, encourage steady engagement and
inspire academic exploration.
- Nancy MacIntyre, CEO, Fingerprint (Moderator)
- Noelle Millholt, Co-Founder, COO, Speakaboos
- Teri Rousseau, President Educational Services,
Reading Rainbow
- Abby Jenkins, Director of Content, PBS KIDS Digital
- Azi Jamalian, Co-Founder & Chief Learning Officer, Tiggly
- Yuval Rechter, SVP, BabyFirst Mobile
4:30 - 5:15
From Pitch to Purchase: Tried-and-True Strategies for
Appealing to Educators
How are digital products selected at the general buyer,
administrator, and teacher levels? In this session, organized
and moderated by Common Sense’s Jeff Knutson, you’ll
learn from San Francisco Unified’s Educational Technology
Supervisor Michele Dawson and Archbishop Mitty High
School’s Director of EdTech Diane Darrow about their chief
hopes and concerns when they select edtech products.
You’ll hear about developer pitches that have worked with
them and those that haven’t. You’ll also learn which product
characteristics — from learning design to privacy to efficacy
— are most compelling to them. Finally, you’ll hear from
Launchpad Toys’ Andy Russell about how he’s honed his
pitch and product based on feedback from testing in schools.
- Andy Russell, Co-Founder, Launchpad Toys
- Michele Dawson, Supervisor, Educational Technology at
San Francisco Unified School District
- Diane Darrow, Director of Educational Technology,
Archbishop Mitty High School
- Jeff Knutson, Senior Editor of Education, Common Sense
Media (Moderator)
5:30 — 6:30
After Show Networking at Marriott Marquis
39th Floor’s View Lounge. Corner of Fourth and Mission.
Only one block away.
A production of
Continue the discussion on
our Facebook Group at
https://www.facebook.com/
groups/digitalkidsmedia
Entertainment Day Schedule – Oct. 22
8:30 — 9:00
Doors Open
Pick your badge and head into the theater.
9:00 — 9:05
Show Welcome
Conference Chair:
- Tonda Bunge Sellers, President, Digital Kids® Media
- Emcee: Joi Podgorny, Vice President, Metaverse Modsquad
9:05 - 10:00
Identifying Digital Trends and Kids’ Trends – How and
Where Do They Converge?
Statistics continue to predict that integrating physical toys
and video games will have a high success rating. Come
hear the experts identify and summarize the broader digital
trends and kids’ trends —Michel Cai, Senior Vice President
of Interpret, will share valuable numbers on a recent
syndicated GameByte study by his company, showing more
than 72 million kids expressing an interest in ownership. He
will discuss growth opportunities in other countries, including
China, Brazil and Russia, where 90 percent of gamers,
ages 6-12, are interested in smart toys. Reyne Rice, CEO,
ToyTrends, will present a visual showcase and trend analyst
commentary into some of the manufacturers and products
that are shaping the 2014 Holiday digital and connected play
products landscape, and some insights into 2015 trends.
Amy Henry, Vice President of Youth Insights, will not only
share valuable information about what parents and kids
currently love from her YouthBeat “Trendsetter Report,” she
will also explain the values and ideas that will matter in the
future.
- Michael Cai, Senior Vice President of Research, Interpret- Reyne Rice, CEO & Trend Hunter, TOYTRENDS
- Amy Henry, Vice President Youth Insights, C + R Research
10:10 - 10:30
Apocalypse Now:
Surviving (and growing) in the Digital Kids Market
Collins is the CEO of SuperAwesome, one of the fastest
growing digital kids companies today. He’s also an active
investor in several other digital (and non-digital) kids
companies. With this rare both-sides-of-the-table perspective
he talks about the challenges facing the digital kids industry
across web and mobile. Who will succeed and who will die?
Is the industry even sustainable in its current form? What will
the next Disney look like? What are all the mistakes which
startups are making? What are investors looking for?
- Dylan Collins, CEO, Super Awesome
11:00 - 12:00
The Evolution of Kids and Tech
Many modern toys have successfully adapted to the
increased technical expectations that today’s youth demand.
As both the digital and physical play spaces have merged,
many traditional toys and play patterns have re-gained
popularity. For example, Furby was invented because Dave
Hampton found the virtual pets of Tamagotchi and Giga Pets
too one-dimensional and thought an interactive 3D form
would be more gratifying. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn
more from these next-generation toy company innovators
and inventors.
- Paul Berberian, CEO, Sphero
- Adam Adelman, Co-Founder, CEO, Mighty Cast
- Josh Shabtai, CEO and Co-Founder, Retoy
- Patty Jackson, Founder, PB&J Marketing
- Scott Traylor, Chief KID, CEO and Founder, 360KID
(Moderator)
12:00 - 1:00
It’s lunch time.
Sponsored by Cupcake Digital
Join us in NYC in February. Registration is now open.
1:00 - 2:00
BabyFirst Big Idea Competition @ Digital Kids Summit
Sell Apps Like a Shark: Pitch Big Ideas and Win Big
In the crowded app space, it’s survival of the fittest. BabyFirst
and Digital Kids Media are here to help. The BabyFirst Big
Idea Competition @ Digital Kids Summit invites anyone with
an app idea for children five and under (as well as established
app developers) to dive into a pitch competition in front of
a panel of experts, similar to the Shark Tank® television
program1. Five finalists to present on stage at Digital Kids
Summit. One winner will receive $100,000 worth of television
advertising on BabyFirst’s targeted 41 million+ home cable
TV network and growing app network. Additionally, if no app
is yet built, the winning finalist will receive app development
assistance by the app development teams at BabyFirst
Mobile.
5 Finalists
- Pango Playground - App
- Back 2 Life - Idea
- Tiggle Chef - App
- Sneak a Snack - App
- Little Magic Books - App
Judges
- Henry Hsiao, Senior Director, Marketing & Digital, HIT
Entertainment, a division of Fisher-Price, Inc.
- Asra Rasheed, General Manager, BabyFirst Mobile
- Robert Roosa, Sr. Business Development Manager,
Worldwide Kindle Kids & Family, Amazon.com, Inc.
- Tonda Bunge Sellers, President, Digital Kids Media
2:30 - 3:30
Collaboration in an Era of Competition
Companies such as Leap Frog will discuss their role as
both developer of their own IP of licensed content for
their platform, as well as serving as a distribution channel
for third-party partners. HIT Entertainment and American
Greeting will discuss their unique vision and monetization
strategies, such as creating app purchasing strategies rather
than simply charging for apps and how it has impacted
their companies. Learn how partnerships ultimately drive
revenue, creating valuable positive consumer experiences
from Cupcake Digital and BUDGE Studios.
- Noemie Dupuy, Co-Founder, BUDGE Studios
- Henry Hsiao, Head of Digital Media, Hit Entertainment
- Derek Roberto, VP, New Media, American Greetings
- Kimberly Verbonitz, Senior Director, Digital Media &
Content Acquisition, LeapFrog
- Brad Powers, Co-Founder, Cupcake Digital
- Michael Cai, Senior Vice President of Research, Interpret
(Moderator)
Continue the discussion on
our Facebook Group at
https://www.facebook.com/groups/
digitalkidsmedia
4:00 - 5:00
Design with the Left and Right Brain in Mind
Innovation requires both technical knowledge and an artistic
edge. In this panel, discover why this killer skill combination
will not only help you develop applicable, accessible product
features, but also as a sharpened understanding of your
target audience. On this panel, Luca Prasso, past Dream
Works executive with over 25 years of computer graphics
and animated feature film experience, will discuss designing
for kids with an eye to modern style as well as an eye to the
endless possibilities that connected devices offer. Sebastien
Borget of Pixowl, Inc., who specialized in mobile games, will
explain how design is neither art nor a random science and
why Playtest, measuring and tracking behavior really works.
- Luca Prasso, Tech Art Lead for Spotlight Stories, Google
and CEO, Curious Hat
- Sébastien Borget , Co-Founder and COO, Pixowl Games
- Art Roche, Content Director, Charles M. Schulz
Creative Associates
- Caroline Hu Flexer, CEO and Co-Founder,
Duck Duck Moose
- Izzy Neis, Director of Digital Strategy and Engagement,
Metaverse Mod Squad (Moderator)
5:15 - 6:15
After Show Networking at Jillian’s across the street
Thank You Sponsors