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Linda Simensky
PBS
Vice President, Children’s Programming
Since joining PBS in 2003, Linda has worked with renowned producers to develop hit shows ranging from ‘Daniel Tiger’s Neighbourhood’ and ‘Wild Kratts’, to ‘Odd Squad’ and ‘Nature Cat’. Linda is currently working on the PBS KIDS marine biology series, ‘Splash and Bubbles’ and the space-themed series, ‘Ready, Jet, Go!’.
Before joining PBS, Linda was Senior Vice President of Original Animation for Cartoon Network, where she oversaw development and series production of ‘The Powerpuff Girls,’ among others. She began her career working for nine years at Nickelodeon, where she helped build the animation department and launch the popular series ‘Rugrats,’ ‘Doug’ and ‘The Ren & Stimpy Show.’
Linda also teaches Animation History at the University of Pennsylvania.
Girl, Interrupted: A Deeper Dive into Gender Depiction
In the year Katniss Everdeen was dominant on posters all around the country for the last ‘Hunger Games’ film, we have been shown that strong female characters can be dominant in media for young people. However we have also been asking #wheresrey which has shown that gender prejudice can still be ingrained in the industry’s thinking. Following on from the session on female representation in preschool children’s media in 2015 we will look back on the past year and see if the industry’s attitude towards girls has improved. We will also be opening up the discussion to include older children,…
Commissioner Conversations: International
This ninety-minute session will allow audience members to hear from international children's commissioners from around the world about how they make it happen in their home country and on their home network. Hear diverse opinions starting from your own backyard in Wales and Ireland and expanding outwards to representatives from Europe, North America and South America. Each individual will be asked to examine global trends in the children's media industry and offer insights as to how each network, media landscape, and respective country views them. Plus, the speed meetings following this session are an opportunity for you to get some…
Speed Meetings: Commissioners International and Sound Advice
Representatives from these sessions will be available for 5-minute one-to-one advice meetings. You can arrange to meet them by coming to Registration to book in at the start of each Speed Meeting block. There is no advance booking – it is on a first come, first served basis.
