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.
Marion is a producer with over fifteen years’ experience in the animation industry. Prior to joining HIT Entertainment, she set up her own company (Red & Blue Productions) in March 2004 offering animation consultancy to a wide range of clients in the UK, Europe and North America. Red & Blue also co-produced Fun With Claude (currently airing on Playhouse Disney) with Dot To Dot Productions. During the years 2000 to 2004, Marion was Managing Director of Telemagination, one of Europe’s largest 2-D animation studios.During this period she executive produced shows such as The Cramp Twins,Metalheads and Pongwiffy and received two BAFTA nominations. Marion joined HIT in September 2008 and is responsible for all shows in production – a role that has included overseeing the transition to CGI for brands such as Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam and Bob the Builder. Marion is Chair of Skillset’s Animation Council.
Dominic is a a strategic consultant enabling kids and family focused companies reach the next level in development, production, marketing and distribution. Dominic joined Disney as Director of Acquisitions, Worldwide Programming Strategy in June 2009. In this capacity he was responsible for creating and executing third party acquisitions strategy for the Disney Channels Multiplex in EMEA. Dominic joined Jetix in September 2006 as Director of Programming from his previous role at Turner Entertainment Europe where he was Channel Manager of Cartoon Network, with responsibility for all programming, acquisitions and development strategies for the UK channel for 2 years. Prior to this he was Vice President of Programming and Creative Services at Cartoon Network Japan. Dominic originally joined Turner Entertainment Europe as Director of Programming in 1997 from Flextech where he was a Programme Planner.
Marc is a multi-award winning producer of linear and interactive content, and has worked in both factual and children’s. He won a Bafta for Walking With Beasts Interactive, and set up BBC Factual’s iTV unit. His credits include How To Sleep Better, The Climate Change Experiment , Parenting Video On Demand the CDX blended media game. Marc joined the BBC’s Children’s department in April 2007, as Head of Interactive and On-demand, and moved in 2010 to become Editorial Lead for the BBC @North project. Marc is now an independent consultant.
Joss is responsible for overseeing communications around Disney’s television, music, gaming, online and publishing content. In her 5 years at the company, she has led campaigns for Disney’s global hits including High School Musical and Hannah Montana, UK productions including Jungle Junction and The Famous Five, as well as channel launches for Disney XD and Disney Junior.Prior to Disney, Joss was Consumer PR Manager at 3, where she managed the launch of its mobile music download service, mobile TV and user generated content portal See Me TV. Before moving in house, Joss worked at a number of PR agencies including GCI Jane Howard, Freuds and Bite Communications, where she led the agency team responsible for launching iTunes Music Store in EMEA for Apple.
Anna joined BBC radio in 1960 and started in Children’s Television in 1964 where she worked as a researcher, then Director, Producer and Executive Producer latterly specialising in Children’s Drama. She started Grange Hill, the controversial school series. From 1981-86 she worked at the ITV company TVS where she was Deputy Director of Programmes.In 1986 she returned to the BBC as Head of Children’s programmes responsible for all children’s output. She revived the Sunday teatime classic dramas and one of her last decisions before retiring was to commission Teletubbies. She has won many awards including a BAFTA lifetime achievement award. She was the first chair of the BAFTA Children’s Committee; is the chair of the Save Kids’ TV campaign; was the chair of the Showcomotion Children’s Media Conference, and now Chairs the Board and Advisory Committee of the Children’s Media Conference.
Sharna Jackson joined Tate as Editor, Tate Kids in 2007 where she developed the brand and content strategies, and launched the site in 2008. Tate Kids aims to engage, entertain and (stealthily) educate 5-12s (and their gatekeepers) on British and international modern and contemporary art. Her focus is on digital toys and games. Tate Kids won the Best Youth Website Webby in 2009 and is a triple Children’s BAFTA nominee with nods in the Animation, Learning Primary and Interactive categories. Recently, the Wondermind project was a finalist in the 2012 SXSW Interactive and Webby Awards and won two Lovies. Sharna previously worked at an educational communications agency where she produced resources for companies including E.ON and Cadbury. She has her own children’s content creation company, Seahorse, where she has consulted on digital learning projects for clients including Renault, Birds Eye and Morrisons. She is currently creating IP with digital agencies and publishers and she joined Learning with Frontiers in 2012 where she is the Curator of the Game Based Learning initiative and conference. Sharna is a community governor at a primary school in Southwark, London. Sharna has a PgDip in Media Culture and Communication from the Institute of Education, University of London. Follow her @sharnajackson @tate_kids and @gamebl
Matt Locke is the Director of Storythings, a new company established to explore new ways of storytelling.Before starting Storythings, Matt was Head of Multi-platform Commissioning at Channel 4.In this role, he was responsible for running the Multi-platform Commissioning team with a £7m budget for multi-platform projects around some of Channel 4′s biggest brands, including Million Pound Drop, Skins, Misfits, Embarassing Bodies and Big Brother, and developing a new commissioning strategy based on emerging audience behaviours. In addition to managing a restructure of the MPC team based on this strategy, Matt also recruited and managed the team responsible for building Channel 4′s online presence for the 2012 Paralympics. Prior to this Matt was Commissioning Editor for Education at Channel 4, where he was responsible for a £5m annual budget, commissioning many cross platform and transmedia projects. Matt was hired by Channel 4 to shift the Education department’s focus from linear TV to solely cross-platform commissioning – the only time a mainstream broadcaster has shifted an entire department’s budget from TV production to cross-platform production.
Anthony and heads up the UK entertainment business at Turner Broadcasting, including Cartoon Network, CN Too, Boomerang, Cartoonito, TCM (Turner Classic Movies) and Adult Swim. Responsible for all commercial and channel activity, as well as business growth and expansion, Anthony is in charge of programming, digital, ad sales, licensing, marketing, creative services and content syndication. He joined Turner Broadcasting in May 2010, and reports to Pete Flamman, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Northern Europe. Anthony was previously MD for MySpace UK for two and a half years, running the entire UK operation, including sales and advertising, creative services, marketing and content. Anthony played a key role in the development and launch of the MySpace Music Service. Prior to MySpace, Anthony was the Head of Business Development for AOL Europe, (driving large scale advertising and content partnerships) and Head of Search and Product Innovation. Anthony is a qualified solicitor, previously working in a City based corporate law firm.
Debbie Macdonald is an Independent Children’s Media Consultant. She started her television career 20 years ago at the BBC and after spending 2 years at the public broadcaster she decided that kids programming was where her passion lay. In 1995 she joined the UK arm of US broadcaster Nickelodeon and rose through the ranks to become the VP, Programming Director. During her tenure, she was responsible for all UK Acquisitions, Original Production and Scheduling across Nickelodeon UK’s network of channels and the position also required her to work as part of the global Nickelodeon network. During her time at the broadcaster, Debbie worked within the UK Senior Management team and led and oversaw the work of a 15 strong team who were responsible for a diverse portfolio of commissions and acquisitions. A frequent panellist at conferences and a member of the Children’s Media Conference Advisory committee, Debbie is considered a key figure in the children’s industry with strong communication and interpersonal skills. She was previously on the BAFTA children’s committee and continues to work closely with this world renowned organisation. Debbie has vast experience in Original Series Production taking series from concept stage through to final delivery including script development, script editing, storyboarding, background layout and design, character design and development and has been executive producer across many award winning series including Peppa Pig, Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom, Humf, Nick News, Fifi & the Flowertots and Roary the Racing Car. Debbie has a real passion for Kids TV and, during her 20 years in the industry, has seen many changes in this sector of the media giving her a broad experience and understanding of UK television. Now a mother of 3, Debbie is working independently as a Children’s Media Consultant working with a broad range of companies around the globe.
Jamie Macdonald is a global leader in games development having been responsible for such innovative products and franchises as EyeToy:Play, SingStar, EyePet and the ground-breaking online service PlayStation Home. Jamie joined Codemasters in May 2010 to head up games production across all platforms with a particular focus on innovative revenue models and delivery channels. Prior to that he was VP of Sony Computer Entertainment’s Worldwide Studios in Europe where he was responsible for establishing new game genres around such child friendly activities as physical gaming and singing. Prior to his 8 years at Sony, Jamie was Director of Content at NTL Interactive where he was responsible for producing all the interactive content for their digital TV service.Jamie has received much industry recognition (including 3 BAFTA and 2 AIAS awards) and commercial success with franchise sales in excess of $1 billion. He is a board member of TIGA (the UK games industry association), a member of BAFTA and is on the advisory board of the Develop Conference. Jamie also sits on the Computer Games Skills Council of Skillset, the industry body which supports skills and training for the creative industries in the UK.
Helen McAleer began her career in publishing at Random House in 1990. She spent 3 years in the marketing department at Random House before moving on to the marketing department at Penguin Children’s Division (Puffin). Helen moved to BBC Worldwide after 2 years at Penguin to set up the marketing and publicity department for BBC Children’s Books.After working in a couple of sales roles she became a Sales Manager for adult and children’s books, video and audio product in the UK. Helen was made UK Publisher for Children’s books, video and audio and after a few years moved to run the licensing division at BBC Worldwide with responsibility for both children’s and adult product.By the time Helen left BBC Worldwide in July 2006 she was Deputy MD of all children’s product business, responsible for acquisition and investment of programme and distribution rights and the marketing and selling of those rights worldwide. She lives in Ealing and has two children. Helen is currently Managing Director of Walker Books UK and Walker Productions and a non-Executive Director of Rocket Licensing
Jamila joined CITV in September 2004 in the capacity of CITV Administrator. Over the past 5 years, Jamila’s role has expanded to Programme Manager, overseeing all acquisitions and commissions for the channel and working to Controller of ITV Digital Channels. Jamila worked on the launch of the CITV channel in March 2006 which consistently holds its place as the UK’s highest rating commercial children’s channel.In this time, Jamila has worked across shows such as Horrid Henry, award winning preschool series, Bookaboo and was part of the team who brought back Emu . In the past year, Jamila has worked with various producers and advertisers to commission ad-funded shows such as Farm Camp, Skillicious and Green Up Your Life. Before joining ITV, Jamila worked in distribution, holding sales roles at Fireworks International and Portman Film & TV.
Sarah Muller is currently Head of CBBC Acquisitions and Drama Development. Passionate about both drama and animation, commissioned projects include Spirit Warriors, Dr Who – Dreamland, Halfmoon Investigations, My Almost Famous Family, Tracy Beaker’s Back, Strangehill High, Sadie Jones, Wolf Blood, Just William and Muddle Earth – which she is also Executive Producing.Previously, she was Managing Director of Elephant Productions – a well-known company specialising in the development and production of animation and children’s programming. As a producer, credits include 6 series of the multi-award winning, ratings success Grizzly Tales For Gruesome Kids (CITV) – winner of the Best Children’s Series and Children’s Choice awards at the BAA and nominated for Best Animated Series and Best Original Writer awards at BAFTA, 2 series of Animal School (CBBC), 2 series of Pop Skool (BBC1), 2 series of animated Short Change (BBC1), 3 Brothers Diamond (C4), the top-rated New Willo The Wisp (Disney) and Johnny Casanova (C4), as well as developing the BAFTA-winning drama series The War Diaries of Alastair Fury (BBC1). After graduating with a BA in Drama from Middlesex University, Sarah moved from fringe theatre to work as a runner at BBC Bristol and the old Canary Wharf studios. From there, she went into the Art Department, working mainly on prestige adult and children’s drama programming – freelancing for companies including TVS, TSW, Thames, BBC Bristol, HTV Wales and many more. A move into Location Management took her to Talkback to work on 3 series of Smith & Jones prior to starting at Elephant. Sarah was also Head of Development at Isle of Man start-up venture Lough House Animation – now Cinnamon Animation.
Sue’s 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. She has been at the BBC since 1998.As Head of Education for BBC Children’s, she was responsible for the production of schools programmes, from teenage drama at one end of the audience spectrum to puppet shows for pre-school at the other. She is now the BBC exec on all independently produced drama for CBBC
Vickie O’Malley is the MD of the UK division of CPLG, one of the world’s largest independent licensing agencies. CPLG UK manage the consumer products business of some of the biggest names in licensing including Peanuts Worldwide, WWE, Universal, CBS, Sesame Workshop, Horrid Henry and most recently, The Only Way Is Essex. Vickie joined CPLG almost 10 years ago as a retail specialist, a role that was at the time quite unique among licensing agencies. Having run Hasbro’s trade marketing team & managed advertising and promotions for the entertainment division at Woolworths, Vickie’s experience of licensing as agent, licensee and retailer, gives her rare and valuable perspective on the business of licensing.
Tim is responsible for content, scheduling and media planning across Nickelodeon’s linear and non-linear network including seven television channels as well as Nickelodeon’s on demand and multi-platform offering. Patterson has over 25 years experience within the broadcasting industry. He has served as Head of Editorial Operations, Planning and Services at UKTV and has also worked with Fox Kids UK, BSkyB and Walt Disney Co. Ltd. Patterson is Board Director for the British Sign Language Broadcasting Trust.
Gary has worked with children and parents for over 20 years both as a teacher and as a Founding Partner of Kids Industries. KI provides the full range award-winning Research, Strategy, Innovation and Marketing Services to a global client base including Disney, Guinness World Records, GlaxoSmithKline, PepsiCo and Sony.Gary lives in South London and always will. Most importantly Gary is dad to Daisy and Laurence.
Neil worked originally as a story exec in movies, before going on to produce and write in drama and children’s TV. In the mid-90′s, a co-writing job with Douglas Adams led to a new career in the games industry. Whilst continuing to script children’s TV, he has now worked on over 20 console games for major publishers.Recent scripts have earned BAFTA, WGGB, and IGDA nominations. He is a founding director of The Mustard Corporation – a company of writers working in games and TV. 
Jon is an award winning writer, director and the Creative Director of Unlimited with whom he creates new stories and adventures for live performance and increasingly with a ‘cross platform curiosity’. Unlimited’s current project is a future sci-fact space adventure “to inspire children about science” that appears as a major stage show, an adventure in schools played through bespoke (and secure) social networking sites and as a game for families to play in public spaces and at festivals.The project has been nominated for the Sir Arthur Clarke Award for Achievement in Space Education & Outreach and versions for different platforms/mediums are currently in development. Jon is an associate of the Quantum Information Group at the University of Leeds and the father of two small boys.
Alison has worked in TV Production for over 25 years, first at the BBC and later as a freelance Producer, Director and Scriptwriter. She returned to BBC Children’s five years ago and moved to her current position in June 2010. She leads a tri-media team that creates, develops and produces content both for the domestic audience and for the international market via co-productions. She also heads up the Channel’s Acquisitions team, which co-funds and develops animated content with global partners.
Jo joined UKIE as its Director in January 2012. From 2010 – 12 she was at Channel 4 as Commissioning Editor for Education, and before that at the BBC, where she was Multi-platform Commissioner for Entertainment & Switch, responsible for digital formats and online products.Previously she was BBC Three Multi-platform Channel Editor and led the online strategy for the channel’s re-brand. She re-joined the BBC in 2007 after heading up Digital Society & Media research at the IPPR. Her earlier career was as a journalist for Newsround then BBC News online, commentating across digital print, radio and TV.She holds a Ph.D. which looked at online communities, digital inclusion and youth identity.
Juliet has worked in digital media for over 12 years. Following an early career in the art department of television dramas, Juliet moved into digital media in 2000, where she has 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 has overseen the company’s growth and success, establishing it as one of the UK’s leading digital agencies. As well as being responsible for business development and strategy, she takes an Executive Producer role on many of the company’s projects, including the BAFTA-winning Big and Small and Zingzillas. As Founder and Co-Director of Pip, Juliet is currently also overseeing the company’s move into IP development. In 2011, Juliet was also shortlisted for the Women in Technology Entrepreneur of the Year award.
FLASHBACK! The Eighties: Mark is producing CBBC’s ‘Broom Cupboard’ with Andy, Andi and Edd the Duck. The Nineties: he’s globetrotting with Mr Motivator, shooting features for CITV. The Noughties: he is Head of CITV Mornings, acquiring & scheduling animation; script consultant on cartoon co-pros; and co-creator for kid’s websites and top-rating ‘Toonattik’. SMASH-CUT! Today: Mark is a freelance scriptwriter and consultant working with indies in Los Angeles, Melbourne, Paris and Brockley. 
Steve is an award winning executive producer with over 20 years of production experience in television, radio and emerging technologies.He is the Joint Managing Director at Rival Media, making shows for grown-ups as well as kids such as What Shall We Do Today (Playhouse Disney), Mission Beach (RTE) and is currently in production with a 48-part entertainment reality series shooting in the Jordanian desert.Previously, Steve was Producer on the RTS & BAFTA winning series SMTV/CD:UK and more importantly the voice of Chums.In 2000 Steve was appointed Executive Producer at Disney Channel where he led the studio and production teams, producing factual, entertainment, sports, music and live programming for a variety of broadcasters and produced the BAFTA Award winning show, The Disney Channel Kids Awards and the BAFTA Award winning series Star Ticket Active. In 2004 he was Executive Producer of another BAFTA nominated show, Madabout . He also notched up three further New York Festival Finalist Awards and was named a Broadcast ‘Hot Shot’. In 2005, Steve joined Warner Brothers International Television as Director of Production. Whilst at Warner Brothers, he was responsible for the development, production and supervision of all Warner television formats created outside the US. Genres ranged from sitcoms to reality, from factual to entertainment. He rolled out ABC’s The Bachelor internationally and was at the forefront of WB’s move into scripted formats and sitcoms such as Perfect Strangers, Suddenly Susan and Full House. Steve is Dad to a monkey called Millie.
