Three-day kids’ content event in Sheffield gets underway with keynote from Michael Rosen.
This year’s Children’s Media Conference got underway last night in Sheffield with a special tribute to the late Peter Firmin.
Before introducing children’s novelist and poet, Michael Rosen – the opening keynote speaker – Sue Nott, chair of the CMC Advisory Committee paid tribute to Peter, the co-creator of Clangers, Bagpuss and Basil Brush, whose death was announced on Sunday (July 1).
Michael (pictured) then opened his speech by telling the assembled delegates at Sheffield’s The Crucible Theatre about his time working with Peter on 1970’s TV series, Sam on Boffs’ Island.
Michael went on to share his thoughts on championing creativity and imagination in children, picking up on the theme of this year’s conference, which is ‘What’s Next?’
Some 1,200 delegates and 250+ speakers will be present at the conference over the next two days (July 4-5). Sessions will cover topics including What’s Next for UK Kids?, Behind the Scenes at YouTube Kids, Bagging a Book Deal, eSports and Sustaining UK Animation.
Thursday’s Steps to Retail Success session (sponsored by LIMA) will be introduced by Sarah Fletcher from Maximum Licensing, with panelists including Libby Grant (We are Bloom), Gary Panton (Penguin Random House), Ian Wickham (Licensing Link), industry consultant Richard Hollis and Patrick Bailey (Fashion UK/Global Licensing).
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