Timetable

CMC SkillBuilder - Building a Pitch

Build your pitching skills at CMC Skill Builder. Perfect your pitch with the best in the biz.

CMC SkillBuilder - Building a Bible

Internationally renowned cross-media SkillBuilder - Alison Norrington - will help you create The Perfect Ten! 10 pages of key text & visuals - a must have bible for pitch meetings.

Opening Keynote: Michael Rosen

Acclaimed children’s novelist, poet, broadcaster, columnist and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen delivers the opening keynote championing creativity and imagination in the face of what he calls “data-driven education”.

International Exchange PM Session

The afternoon begins with a networking lunch from 12.45-1.45pm with a Welcome Presentation at 1.40pm, meetings run from 1.45pm-5pm.

The CMC Drinks Reception

Join us for the opening night drinks reception in the beautiful setting of Sheffield's Cathedral.  All delegates are welcome.

Playground Day 1

Music/Response is the third edition of Playground - a week long show for children, families and CMC delegates. Enjoy digital art, games, apps, hands-on activities and workshops in this show that explores sound, music and play. Visit www.cmcplayground.com for further information.

What’s Next for UK Kids?

The CMC Question Time quizzes those in power, or in the know, for answers to the big issues facing the kids’ media industry and children's audience in the UK today.

Commissioner Conversations: BBC

An in-depth review of the BBC’s recent changes, output, and expectations for the future, with panellists from CBeebies, CBBC and online.

Commissioner Conversations: PSBs

Commissioners from UK Public Service Broadcasters reveal how to approach them, what they‘re looking for, and the post-commissioning relationship.

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Five prospective producers enter the den to pitch their ideas to the dragons. But who will walk away with investment?

Commissioner Conversations: VOD

As VoD, grows, we explore the hunger for original content over acquisitions and we ask the question, can that deliver the variety of programming required by today’s audience?

The Art of Animation Design

Picture book author-illustrator Leigh Hodgkinson reveals the creative process behind her design work and how it extends into animation, as co-creator and art director of CBeebies’ 'Olobob Top’.

What’s Next for UK Kids? (relayed from Cinema 4)

The CMC Question Time quizzes those in power, or in the know, for answers to the big issues facing the kids’ media industry and children's audience in the UK today.

Behind the Screens at YouTube Kids

What's the size of the audience on YouTube Kids? How do you get your brand noticed on the app? This interactive session provides direct insight on what kids watch, what rises to the top and why.

The Art of Laughter & The Art of Meaning Making

The Art of Laughter: Prof. Sophie Scott, discusses the neurology of laughter and how it can help children develop. The Art of Meaning Making: Semiotics and Brand Storytelling.

Big Lessons from Niche Memes

From memes to the floss dance - how are brands using the latest trends to connect with young audiences?

A-Live and Kicking!

There are more live shows, experiences and events based on kids’ IP than ever. Who are the winners in this busy arena?

Sustaining UK Animation

As animation companies face Brexit uncertainties and skills and funding shortages, what are the prospects for the industry over the next 15 years?

Bagging a Book Deal

Do you have a brand or licence that you believe is perfect for a children’s book? Find out what publishers are really looking for from our expert panel.

Out and Proud? Or Still Under Wraps?

Are broadcasters helping children self-identify or emphathise with positive LGBT role models on screen? Or are other platforms taking the lead?

Is the Internet Really Broken?

Can publishers, creators, parents and governments trust computers and algorithms to make intelligent decisions about what’s shown to children online?

Learning – What’s Next?

The future of learning with technology. How media organisations can work, and are working with, AR and VR content. – both for the classroom and at home.

Put it Down to Experience

How do real-world experiences engage children and enhance a brand’s relationship with its audience? Four different approaches to the new emerging experience economy.

Research 1 & 2

Two 30 minute research presentations: Kids and the Screen: Changing the Channel & So What Do Kids Want from Content?

Research 3 & 4

Two 30 minute research presentations: Beauty and the Beast & The Kids’ Ecosystem, Under the Microscope.

Research 3 & 4

Two 30 minute research presentations: Beauty and the Beast & The Kids’ Ecosystem, Under the Microscope.

Research 5 & 6

Two 30 minute research presentations: Finding your Voice & Generation Game.

Research 7 & 8

Two 30 minute research presentations: News, Trust and Truth & Children's Media and Diversity. What's Next in Europe?

Speed Meetings: BBC

Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.

Speed Meetings: PSBs

Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.

Speed Meetings: Tax Breaks

Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.

Speed Meetings: VOD

Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.

First Timers' Lunch

A warm welcome to CMC with old and new faces mingling for lunch. Grab a bite and grab some helpful personal advice on the conference!

Esport Tournament

Come along to the Hideout bar to get the Esport spectator experience first hand at CMC’s first online games tournament, live as it happens!

Sneak Preview: 'Stardog and Turbocat'

A fully-funded independent British animated movie for families - how did they do that? The story of ’Stardog and Turbocat’, it’s creation, development and production plan.

It’s Alive!

AI is coming to children’s media. Are you ready for it?

Learning - What's Happening?

Exploring how media companies work in the learning space & make the most of the unparalleled opportunity that exists to reach children through educational content.

What a Relief!

Making creative industry tax reliefs work for your project. Experts discuss a whole host of projects and how the tax relief can help get your project off the ground.

Esports - Ready to Play?

With global revenues due to exceed £1 billion by 2020, and an audience already over 300 million, find out from the experts how you could be part of the growing Esports phenomenon.

Small People, Big Picture

When kids worldwide are challenging the status quo, how do producers create entertaining content that helps young audiences engage with the bigger picture issues?

Disruption – What’s Next?

Running out of road – can UK kids TV survive the great OTT disruption?

Accessibility – What’s Next?

Paving the way for a more accessible future for visually impaired and hearing impaired audiences through combining technological innovation and creativity.

Competing for Time

Gen Z's most valuable currency and how to get more of it.

Distribution - What's Next?

How do programmes get made and sold in this multi-platform world?

Technology - What's Next?

Explore how emerging innovation in areas like augmented reality (AR), toys-to-life and voice-powered home assistants are impacting the children’s media landscape.

Crucible Bar Open

The Crucible bar is open from 5pm before the Creative Keynote.

Creative Keynote: Beeban Kidron

The director of ‘Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason’ and ‘Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit’ on her creative journey, how kids’ identities can be built by stories, and how modern media is changing those narratives.

Pizza Express

It’s the long-standing tradition of CMC to gather at the Pizza Express and share a kids’ party style meal. The pizza menu is here and you can buy your pizza express ticket here.

The CMC Party

It’s a safe bet that, as always, FUN CMC (the Official CMC Party on the Wednesday Night) is going to be one of the social highlights of the conference. This popular, globally notorious event is FREE ENTRY to all* registered delegates and volunteers. Once again Fun Crew are your dedicated DJ co-hosts who are looking forward to warmly welcoming everyone to the party along with Finger Industries. This year we have ace beats, fresh treats and another exciting new venue for you – The stylish and exclusive Night Club at Sports Lounge @Gentings Casino, conveniently situated a short disco-strut from…

Playground Day 2

Music/Response is the third edition of Playground - a week long show for children, families and CMC delegates. Enjoy digital art, games, apps, hands-on activities and workshops in this show that explores sound, music and play. Visit www.cmcplayground.com for further information.

Tips and Hits from Animated Women

Celebrating the success of women in the UK animation industry. How can we be leading lights for equality and inclusion both on and off-screen in children’s media?

Commissioner Conversations: Nickelodeon and Turner

Have you got the next big programme idea? Turner and Nick both thrive on international success stories. What’s next for these two global broadcasters?

Commissioner Conversations: Disney and Sony

What are the real odds of success when you’re pitching to the world’s biggest commercial children’s content providers? Global market leaders Disney and Sony are here to tell you.

Commissioner Conversations: Branded Content

How do brand owners chart the changing media landscape to adapt their IP? What are the pitfalls and possibilities? How can you get involved? Big name brands have their say.

The Last Word: Toby Thompson

‘I Wish I Was A Mountain’ blends poetry, live music and a smattering of metaphysical philosophy, to send you home with a huge smile and a head full of questions.

Financing Live-action – The New Frontier

With producers forced to look outside the UK for live-action support, has the funding jigsaw gone from difficult to near impossible?

Let’s Talk about Sex

What is being done to bring taboo topics to kids and young people? Covering sexual, emotional and personal education in engaging and meaningful ways.

The Art of Storyboarding & The Art of Puppets

The Art of Storyboarding: An introduction to animation storyboarding working with scripts and the importance of thumbnailing. The Art of Puppets: An irreverent look at how to make the best use of puppets.

The F Word

Failure: The Secret Ingredient Of Success.

Masterclass: ‘Kids on Earth’

Forget everything you know about television… and school. The next generation of connected global citizens are changing everything. (And you can, too!).

The Influencer's New Clothes?

What is influencer marketing and how can children’s brands get it right? Experts discuss the pros, cons, ups and downs of this maturing space.

Steps to Retail Success

How to maximise the retail opportunity

Building an Audience - What's Next?

Explore the research behind new broadcaster strategies for building future audiences. Free-to-air channels? Online delivery? Is in fact “What's Next?” actually more of the same...?

Research 7 & 8 (Repeat)

Two 30 minute research presentations: Two 30 minute research presentations: News, Trust and Truth & Children's Media and Diversity. What's Next in Europe?

Research 5 & 6 (Repeat)

Two 30 minute research presentations: Two 30 minute research presentations: Finding your Voice & Generation Game.

Research 1 & 2 (Repeat)

Two 30 minute research presentations: Kids and the Screen: Changing the Channel & So What Do Kids Want from Content?

Research 3 & 4 (Repeat)

Two 30 minute research presentations: Beauty and the Beast & The Kids’ Ecosystem, Under the Microscope.

Speed Meetings: China

Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.

Speed Meetings: Nickelodeon and Turner

Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.

Speed Meetings: Disney and Sony

Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.

Speed Meetings: Branded Content

Speakers listed here are available for five-minute one-to-one advice meetings. Come to the Workstation Reception to book your slot. There is no advance booking – it is on a first-come, first-serve basis, so don’t miss out.

The Making of 'Gudrun: The Viking Princess'

The producer of ‘Gudrun: The Viking Princess’ talks about the creative process behind the award-winning CBeebies drama. Presented by Children’s Media Network Scotland, followed by networking.

Prix Jeunesse in a Suitcase

The world of kids’ TV comes to Sheffield, with outstanding and intriguing highlights from the recently staged premier international festival Prix Jeunesse.

If we can’t Measure it, how can we Manage it?

Leading media research experts discuss innovative measurement approaches being used to overcome the challenges of understanding kids’ video consumption on all platforms.

Birthday Brands

The secret of never getting old. How do the brands with big birthdays this year achieve their longevity?

De-risk

How to de-risk your media business fast – easy ways to protect against copyright infringement, Intellectual Property, libel issues and more.

Focus On Working With China

Content distribution, IP Protection and deal-making in the Chinese marketplace.

Play – What’s Next?

Explore the future of play, and learn about the technologies and trends that will shape the strategies of children’s media companies as they to serve the demands of a connected generation of kids.

Focus On Chinese Kids and Family

Find out about the lives, interests and family dynamics of children in China, with insights from an expert executive whose company is at the heart of delivering content there.

Podcasts - The New Big Thing?

Children are into Podcasts in greater numbers than ever. What works in audio, who’s making it sing and how do they get their content noticed?

Playground Day 3

Music/Response is the third edition of Playground - a week long show for children, families and CMC delegates. Enjoy digital art, games, apps, hands-on activities and workshops in this show that explores sound, music and play. Visit www.cmcplayground.com for further information.

Playground Reception

Join us for drinks at CMC Playground - open to all delegates.