Speakers
Aletta Maria Alberts
Executive Head of Content Strategy and Third-Party Channels for Africa
Multichoice South Africa
Aletta Alberts is a media content strategist and innovator. Currently, Executive Head of Content Strategy and Third-Party channels for Africa’s giant pay-television business MultiChoice, she has over 30 years’ experience in the competitive African television market. She combines her proficiency in the business of television, Production, Content, Marketing and Technology...more
Susan Alexander
Production Executive, Original Content, Scripted
Corus Entertainment Inc
As a Production Executive with Corus Entertainment for over ten years, Susan has overseen the development and production of numerous dramatic series for Global TV, including Nurses, Mary Kills People, Family Law and Private Eyes.
Prior to becoming a broadcaster, Susan worked on the production side of the industry, as both...more
Roy Ashton
Partner, Head of TV Literary
Gersh Agency
Roy Ashton is the Head of the TV Literary Dept. at The Gersh Agency, with offices in Los Angeles and New York. Prior to joining Gersh as Partner in November 2011, Ashton spent 13 years at Creative Artists Agency. Starting in the mailroom, Ashton worked his way up the corporate...more
Alison Barrat
SVP, Production & Development
Love Nature
As SVP, Production & Development, Love Nature, Alison Barrat provides a leading role in finding, developing and commissioning new projects for Love Nature’s growing slate and is responsible for executing programming strategies for the brand’s international channels through development and production. She also oversees all production management and post production...more
Debbie Brown
Production Executive, Scripted, Original Programming
Corus Entertainment Inc
Debbie Brown has been creating content for two decades. For the last 9 years she has been a Production Executive, Original Content for Corus Entertainment, overseeing hundreds of hours of lifestyle and reality series including series like Property Brothers, Property Brothers: Forever Home, Masters of Flip, Fire Masters, The Big Bake, Say...more
Sarah Burney
Director of Programming
REELZ
Sarah Burney is Director of Programming at REELZ— a leading independent cable and satellite general entertainment network that is home to factual entertainment, television events, miniseries, movies and series with a focus on the real lives and real stories of real celebrities. Programming ranges from the critically acclaimed and award-winning The Kennedys and The...more
Lynne Carter
Manager, Original Content, Lifestyle
Corus Entertainment Inc
In her role as Manager, Original Content, Lifestyle at Corus Entertainment, Lynne oversees the development and production of a slate of series for Food Network Canada, HGTV Canada, and Global, managing a team of Production Executives driving the day-to-day operation of the Original Content, Lifestyle department.
With over 30 years of...more
Aubrey Clarke
Senior Programme Executive, CBBC
BBC
Aubrey has worked for the BBC Children’s Animation and Acquisitions team for 8 years. As Senior Programme Executive, he is editorially across co-productions, pre-buys and Off the Shelf acquisitions for Cbeebies and CBBC.
He is the channel executive on The Next Step, Scream Street, My Perfect Landing, The Zoo and Tee & Mo plus brand manages shows such as Odd Squad, Holly...more
Kurt Conner
Manager of Film & Television
Ubisoft
A graduate of the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, I’ve been living and working Los Angeles, CA for just over a decade. Initially got my start in production working for Nickelodeon on iCarly and Victorious before moving into Talent Management. Eventually, I received an opportunity to work at Paramount Pictures in Film Development, and...more
Amanda Culkowski
Senior Director, Music Program Development
MTV Networks International
As Senior Director of Music Program Development at MTV International, Amanda Culkowski is responsible for developing original music and talent driven long form series and specials for MTV’s 170+ global channels. Prior to joining MTV, Amanda was a member of the WE tv development team in New York, where she...more
Elyse Delmore
VP, Unscripted Development
MGM Studios, Inc
Elyse Delmore is the Executive Director of Unscripted Development at MGM Studios, the studio that produces CBS’s Survivor, ABC’s Shark Tank, and NBC’s The Voice plus many more. She develops and produces game shows, competition formats, variety shows and everything in between for broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Elyse started her career on the buying...more
Havva Eisenbaum
Vice President, Development for Unscripted Programming
OWN Oprah Winfrey Network
Havva Eisenbaum is OWN’s Vice President, Development for Unscripted Programming, and reports to Robyn Lattaker-Johnson, Head of OWN Unscripted Development, Programming & Specials. Eisenbaum oversees the development of the network’s unscripted slate of African American female-focused programming, including series, special programming, and TV movies.
Prior to OWN, Eisenbaum was Head of...more
Matt Faulknor
Development Producer
Saloon Media
As Development Producer at Saloon Media, a Blue Ant Studios company, Matt Faulknor is part of a talented team that develops and produces compelling and entertaining factual series including Ted Bundy: Falling for a Killer, Life Below Zero: Canada, Cold Valley, Hotel Paranormal, Canada's Drag Race, award-winning documentary 9/11 Kids, Mysteries...more
Zara Frankel
Director, Programming & Development
PBS
Zara Frankel works in PBS Programming as the Director of Programming and Development. She collaborates extensively with filmmakers, production companies, and new talent to develop interesting and innovative content across genres for PBS. Prior to her current role, Zara served as the Development Manager for PBS Programming, evaluating submissions and...more
Angela Freedman
Director of Development
TRVL Channel
Angela Freedman joined the Travel Channel team in early 2019. As Director of Development, she collaborates with producers to develop breakout series for the network, as well as helping to steer strategy for future programming.
Prior to Travel Channel, Freedman was at Mic Productions, where she developed and produced documentaries and...more
Kitty Gambel
SVP, Unscripted & Alternative Television
MGM Studios, Inc
Kitty Gambel is Vice President of Unscripted Television at MGM. In her role, she manages a large slate of development projects, serves as point on current series including Beat Shazam and the recently announced ABC series Generation Gap, and oversees a robust slate of podcasts.
Prior to joining MGM, Gambel served as...more
Tommy Gillespie
Director, Children's Programming
PBS
As Director of Children’s Programming, Tommy leads the strategic rollout of video content for PBS KIDS, including scheduling and content planning for the U.S. public broadcaster’s national children’s service and the PBS KIDS 24/7 channel and livestream. He is also the production executive on several PBS KIDS series, including the...more
Greg Greenwald
Manager, Program Development, CNN Original Series
CNN
Greg Greenwald is Manager of Program Development for CNN Original Series and is based out of CNN’s New York office. He is responsible for developing original programming across a variety of CNN platforms as well as cultivating relationships within the entertainment industry. Prior to joining CNN, Greg worked as a development...more
Jennifer Harkness
SVP, Unscripted Content
Blue Ant Media
Jennifer Harkness’ key focus is developing, selling and producing unscripted series for Blue Ant Studios within the US and international markets. Previously, Harkness served as SVP of Sales & Development USA for Cream Productions, most recently as Executive Producer on The Story of Late Night for CNN. In her role,...more
Rose Hughes
VP, Sales
Keshet International
Rose is an international media and sales executive with a strong track record across formats and tape in scripted and non-scripted content through development, co-productions, pre-buys, and international distribution.
At Keshet International, Rose is responsible for the sales of all formats and finished series across North America, Western Europe plus Global and Regional SVODs....more
Mandel Ilagan
VP, Live-Action Development, Unscripted
Nickelodeon
Mandel Ilagan is the VP of unscripted development at Nickelodeon, where he’s helped launch shows such as Unleashed, The Crystal Maze, The Substitute, Top Elf, Paradise Run and the recent reboots of the Emmy® Award-nominated Double Dare and Emmy® Award-nominated Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader.
Prior to Nickelodeon, Ilagan served as an exec at Hasbro Studios...more
Katie Isaacson
Senior Manager of Development, CNN Original Series
CNN
Katie Isaacson is Senior Manager of Development for CNN Original Series at CNN, based in New York City. In this position, she is responsible for cultivating relationships within the creative community and developing original programming across a variety of CNN platforms. She is responsible for the development of show concepts...more
Andrew Johnson
Executive in Charge of Production, Original Content, Factual
Corus Entertainment Inc
Andrew Johnson helps develop and commission factual programming for Corus channels HISTORY and Global. He has overseen programs such as Rust Valley Restorers, Cheating Hitler, Big Timber, History Erased, Fight to the Finish, D-Day in 14 Stories, Border Security, Hunting Nazi Treasure, Yukon Gold, and Ice Pilots.
Previously, he was Commissioning...more
Jarmo Lampela
Head of Drama
YLE Finnish Broadcasting Company
Jarmo Lampela is currently the Head of Drama at YLE and has been since 2015, with the aim to increase the international co-productions before 2020. At current, YLE has over 11 different series that have been produced or in production with 9 different countries.
He has worked as scriptwriter...more
Samantha Linton
Head of Original Content Canada
Blue Ant Media
Sam brings over 30 years of production expertise to the media company’s specialty television channels including Cottage Life, T+E, Makeful, Smithsonian Canada and BBC Earth Canada. In her role, Sam oversees commissioning and production of original series such as Blown Away, Hotel Paranormal, Life Below Zero Canada, Hope For Wildlife...more
Krista Look
Director of Original Lifestyle Content
Corus Entertainment Inc
Krista Look is the Director of Original Lifestyle Content for Corus Entertainment in Toronto. In this role, she is responsible for steering the original content strategies and reality/lifestyle slates for some of Canada’s most-watched networks including HGTV Canada, Food Network Canada, Slice and Global Television.
Krista’s Corus Studios lifestyle team is...more
Christine Maestracci
Vice President Acquisitions & International Distribution
Quebecor Content
Christine Maestracci is Vice President Acquisitions & International Distribution at Quebecor Content. In this role, she is responsible for devising content acquisition strategy for all the platforms of the group, developing partnerships with studios and distributors, and growing the distribution of original productions abroad. She leads a team that scouts...more
Joe Mazzeo
Coordinator, Documentaries and Specials
Discovery
Based in Los Angeles, Joe Mazzeo is the Coordinator for the Documentaries and Specials team at Discovery Channel where he plays an integral role in development, production, and acquisitions of premium content including natural history, documentaries, and limited series airing on Discovery Channel and discovery+. Prior to Discovery Channel Mazzeo...more
Montrel McKay
President of Development & Production
Hoorae Film & TV
Montrel McKay currently serves as the President of Development & Production at Hoorae Media (fka Issa Rae Productions). In this role McKay manages and oversees the content slate for the company in both television and feature film.
Prior to joining Hoorae, McKay served as Senior Vice President of Apex Entertainment Ventures,...more
Kathleen Meek
Manager, Original Content, Drama and Factual
Corus Entertainment Inc
Kathleen Meek is Manager, Original Content, Drama and Factual for Corus Entertainment. In this capacity, she is responsible for a portfolio of original scripted and factual series for Global Television, History® Canada, Showcase and W. She is also Production Executive on Global’s event drama Departure, History’s hit show Vikings, YTV’s...more
Rachel Nelson
Director, Original Content, Scripted and Factual
Corus Entertainment Inc
Rachel Nelson is Director, Original Content, Scripted and Factual, at Corus Entertainment. In this role, Rachel leads the strategy of the company’s scripted drama and comedy as well as factual programming in both production and development. Rachel manages a team overseeing content for several of the company’s national specialty channels...more
Holly Nichols
Development Manager
WildBrain
As WildBrain’s Development Manager, Holly Nichols is the key contact for all incoming content submissions. Holly ensures WildBrain’s creative-slate needs and content strategy are communicated clearly to external producers and creators. Working closely with WildBrain’s development teams covering animation, live-action and short-form digital content, Holly seeks to find distinct creative...more
Michael Ouweleen
President of Adult Swim
Cartoon Network
Michael Ouweleen is the president of Adult Swim, WarnerMedia’s network offering original and acquired animated and live action series for young adults. In this role, Ouweleen is responsible for all aspects of content planning, development, windowing, marketing and creative for Adult Swim and its properties globally. He also oversees linear...more
Aron Phillips
COO
SLAM and RTG Features
Aron Phillips is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of SLAM, a legacy basketball magazine turned modern media company and global lifestyle brand, and RTG Features, their newly established sister studio. RTG, which stands for “Respect the Game,” is focused on original development and financing projects ranging from feature films and...more
Yi Qiao
Director, Sales and Acquisitions, Drama
ZDF Enterprises GmbH
Yi Qiao is Director for Drama at ZDF Enterprises, the commerical arm of German public broadcaster ZDF. There, she is responsible for sales and acquisitions of scripted projects across Scandinavia and the English-speaking territories. Prior to joining ZDFE, Yi Qiao has worked as a senior sales manager for Red Arrow...more
Chris Regina
Director, Original Series, Drama Development
Netflix
In his role at Netflix as Director, Chris Regina oversees upcoming global original sci-fi genre series like Warrior Nun, Another Life, Wu Assassins, The Order, and Black Summer.
Previously he was Senior Vice President, Original Co-Productions, Syfy, USA & Chiller, focusing on original Syfy movies like the pop culture sensation Sharknado and original scripted...more
Ryan Robinson
Manager, Program Development, CNN Original Series & Films
CNN
Ryan Robinson is Manager of Development for CNN Original Series and Films. Robinson joined CNN in 2016 and works in development and current across both series and films content. During her CNN tenure, she’s worked on a variety of new and returning original series including United Shades of America with W....more
Ian Scott
Chairperson & CEO
CRTC Canadian Radio Television & Telecommunications Commissions
As Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer, Ian Scott supervises and directs the work and staff of the Commission. He also chairs Commission meetings and participates in public hearings and consultations.
Ian has over 25 years of policy and regulatory experience in broadcasting and telecommunications both in the public and private sectors.
After...more
Martin Soudan
Director of Development, Fiction
SND Groupe M6
Martin Soudan is in charge of the development and production of TV scripted content at SND (Groupe M6). He is working with agents, writers and producing partners to source, develop and oversee the scripted projects, for Groupe M6 TV channels as well as third-party broadcasters.
Prior to joining SND, he had...more
Jessie Springer
Associate Manager of Development, Nat Geo WILD
National Geographic Channel
Jessie Springer is the Associate Manager of Development for the WILD creative team. She manages the development of wildlife and animal content for national geographic channels with an emphasis on Sharkfest and character-led series for Nat Geo WILD. Previously, Jessie worked in Development and Production for Red Rock Films and...more
Will Stapley
Head of Acquisitions
TVF International
Will is responsible for managing and developing the acquisitions strategy at TVF International, the UK's leading and longest-standing independent distributor of documentary and unscripted programming. Will has worked in international distribution for over ten years on both the sales and acquisitions side in all territories worldwide. He has acquired more...more
Adam Steinman
VP, Creative, Format, Development & Sales
Warner Bros. International Television Production
Adam Steinman served as Vice President, Non-Scripted International Development & Sales from October 2010 until October 2016 and in November 2016 was promoted to Vice President, Creative, Format, Development & Sales at Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP), where scripted formats have been added to his remit.
In this position, Steinman...more
Benjamin Thornton
Non-Scripted Development Associate
Warner Bros.
Benjamin Thornton is the Non-scripted Development Associate for the North American branch at Warner Bros International Television Production. During his tenure he has helped establish quality programming in the non-scripted format space along with developing premium documentaries as well as branching out into the narrative format space. WBITVP’s production operations are responsible...more
Amanda Vaughan
Production Executive, Corus Kids
Corus Entertainment Inc
Amanda is a Production Executive at Corus Kids, where she uses her passion for children's programming to assist in the production and development of live-action and animated series for Corus’s YTV, TELETOON, and Treehouse networks.
Previously, she has held other roles at Corus Entertainment on the Kids Original Content team as...more
Kerstin Viehbach
Head of Commissioning & Development (Fiction)
SUPER RTL/RTL DISNEY Fernsehen GmbH & Co.KG
For 20 years now Kerstin has been working at Super RTL and still finds it anything but boring. As head of the commissioning & development department, she and her team search for the greatest fictional series for children between 3 and 13.
In this role, Kerstin is also responsible for the...more
Lauren Whitelaw
Head of Programming
OUTtv Network Inc
Lauren is the Head of Programming for OUTtv, currently with services in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, UK and the US. Servicing multiple territories, she has successfully negotiated contracts with companies worldwide. Lauren recently joined the development team at the network and continues to work closely with producers globally to find...more
Melissa Williamson
SVP, Scripted Content, Saloon Media
Saloon Media
Melissa Williamson oversees the development and production of all scripted series across comedy and drama for Saloon Media. Her role is vital to Saloon Media’s strategic growth into the scripted space as well as bolstering and diversifying its overall production slate. Saloon Media’s position as part of Blue Ant Studios...more
Marion Winter
Senior Manager, Acquisitions & Co-Productions
SUPER RTL/RTL DISNEY Fernsehen GmbH & Co.KG
Marion Winter joined Super RTL in April 2011 as Senior Manager of Acquisitions and Co-Productions. Previously, she held numerous positions within the Program Acquisitions and Sales department of parent network RTL Television, and worked as Manager of Content Sourcing for RTL Interactive’s online, mobile and VOD platforms.
