The Children’s Media Conference Announces Keynote Speakers for 2022 Event

The Children’s Media Conference (CMC), now in its 19th year, has announced its keynote speakers for the 2022 hybrid event, which will run in-person and online from 5-7 July 2022 and is themed ‘What Next 2.2’.

The Children’s Media Conference 2022 opening keynote will be delivered in-person in Sheffield, on Tuesday 5 July, by YouTube’s Managing Director for the UK, Ben McOwen Wilson. Ben works with some of YouTube’s largest global media partners as well as many of the platform’s most-recognized creators. As a senior figure in broadcasting and digital media, working across five continents over the last 25 years, Ben is uniquely placed to consider ‘What Next’ – as young people’s media consumption undergoes immense change.

The creative keynote will be held on 6 July and mark the first public appearance of the as-yet-to be announced Waterstones Children’s Laureate for 2022-2024, who will be named on Monday 4 July. During the keynote, delegates can expect passion and a campaigning zeal for kids’ culture – plus brilliant onstage storytelling about this children’s champion’s creative journey.

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of popular science and medical show Operation Ouch!, the show’s presenters – Dr Chris, Dr Xand and Dr Ronx – will be interviewed by Ricky Boleto for ‘The Key To…’ keynote. Available on-demand as part of CMC’s online offering, the trio will share insights into the enduring success of innards and gore, why they think shows like Operation Ouch! matter, and how it has shaped their career choices on and off the screen.

The conference’s closing session ‘The Last Word’ will be delivered on 7 July by the nation’s favorite rapping teacher and star of Sky Kids’ Wonder Raps, MC Grammar, as he shares his mission: to entertain, educate and empower our future.

Greg Childs OBE, Editorial Director at CMC, says: “We’re so pleased to be back in Sheffield for CMC and three of our four Keynotes will be there in-person. Doing everything at the Crucible seems appropriate somehow – CMC is after all a melting pot, a crucible of issues and ideas, personalities and perspectives and our Keynote speakers will provide that variety too. From a senior executive with a long career in broadcast and digital media and provocative ideas about the future for the industry and the audience, to the UK’s new champion for the world of books and reading, and a rapping educator who’s becoming a kids’ media phenomenon. Add to that a celebratory video interview with the doctors behind one of the UK’s most enduring public service brands – “Operation Ouch” – and the Crucible is bubbling over with the classic CMC recipe for enrichment and enlightenment.”

CMC’s 2022 hybrid event will also include a packed program of masterclasses and panels tackling the urgent issues facing the children’s media industry and young audiences. The conference’s sessions and networking events will take place at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, from which a number of sessions will also be live streamed on CMC’s online platform.

Both online and in-person delegates will have access to an extensive library of VOD content covering the breadth of children’s media, with topics including: learning, research insights in “Understanding Kids”, the ever-popular “Art of…” strand, business insights on specific territories and presentations by CMC’s young speakers: the Changemakers.

In the run up to the conference, CMC will also host a free webinar on Monday 27 June for newcomers to the industry and the conference titled “Get In and Get On” as well as a SkillBuilder pitching workshop on Tuesday 28 June. CMC’s hugely popular International Exchange virtual market, which plays host to broadcasters, co-producers, funders and investors from across the world keen to meet sellers of content and services, will also precede the conference on Thursday 30 June.

Both in-person and online tickets for CMC 2022 are now on sale. Further details on registration and delegate pass rates are available at: www.thechildrensmediaconference.com