The Business of Children's Media Summit

The economics of children's media are changing, and the commercial playbook is changing with them. Alongside the traditional production and broadcast model, a growing share of the opportunity now sits in direct-to-consumer strategies: building audiences on YouTube and digital platforms, understanding how kids and families actually watch, engage and connect, and turning that connection into sustainable businesses through gaming, toys, licensing and owned IP.

The Business of Children's Media Summit is a one-day event built around that shift. The focus is business, strategy and economics: a practical working day covering the commercial skills producers, creators and companies need to build sustainable models around their IP.

Busy owners, producers and creatives working in, or moving into, the commercial kids' media space: companies wanting to understand more about taking their content directly to audiences, teams building digital-first brands on YouTube and beyond, and anyone using audience insight to shape decisions across production, gaming, toys and licensing. The format delivers a select number of high-value panels in conjunction with genuine networking, rather than a packed schedule, giving attendees in the room real time to connect.

The Summit is being led by Emily Horgan, drawing on the industry perspective behind her newsletter The Kids StreamerSphere — a closely-followed read on the commercial currents shaping children's content. Emily curates the full programme, brining deep knowledge of kids' IP, digital strategy and the wider market, plus a wide circle of international connections.

The day is delivered in close partnership with Gareth Lee and the support team from Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet. Advertising pioneer Precisify is a key sponsor.

In addition to this, The Kids Media Club Podcast is involved, bringing a voice and networkthat sit at the centre of the commercial kids' media conversation.

This is an independent, industry-led event with funding support from Screen Ireland, Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet and Enterprise Ireland.

Info: Framing the commercial reality of kids' media today.

Info: • Insights session on kids audiences in Ireland and globally
• YouTube and digital strategy: building and growing direct audience relationships
• Gaming and platforms: where kids' attention lives and how content travels there
• Toys and licensing: turning audience connection into consumer products revenue
• IP development: building properties with audience and ownership at the centre

Info: A keynote from Erika Quinn, Director of Disney Kids & Family Consumer Insights.

Info: • Chris Dicker - Creator/Director, Deddy Bears
• Nico Lockheart - Co-Founder & Managing Director, TeamFalco
• Jenn Powell - Vice President of Rights, Scholastic Inc
• Anna Taganov - Head of Content & Programming Strategy, BBC Children’s & Education
• Emily Brady - CEO, Elcaso Network Lt Helen Howells, Joint Managing Director, Hoho Entertainment • Helen Howells, Joint Managing Director, Hoho Entertainment
• Jennifer Lawlor, former Paramount & DreamWorks exec, now at Global Trademark Licensing, based in Ireland
• Dáire Bohan, Founder & CEO of Bura Games
• Emmet O’Neill, CEO of StoryToys

Info: Dedicated time built in for the connections that make a day like this worth attending.
• Always underwritten by the all important Irish Welcome

Info: Helium is an Irish charity providing free, creative arts programmes for children and young people living with long-term health conditions. Through art, Helium helps children build confidence, make friends, express themselves and enjoy being themselves, beyond their health challenges. **With thanks to Eric Calderon and NOMINATIONS for donating the prizes**