New York City: Applications of new media platforms in the kids production sector was the prevailing theme at the seventh KidScreen Summit, held in New York City Feb. 8-10.

An offshoot of KidScreen Magazine, the Summit, produced by Playback publisher Brunico Communications, was programmed with a heavy new media lean, and several panels were dedicated to digital content creation, commerce, property rights and broadcasting issues. These topics also figured prominently in many of the panels outside of the dedicated stream, including the Leader’s Forum and the Fine Art of Coproduction panel.

Andrew Lane, business developer at Toronto prodco marblemedia, says the importance of knowing what is ahead is part of what brought his already new-media-savvy company to the conference.

‘Anyone who is not on that train is going to miss out on a whole lot of opportunities,’ said Lane.

But Peter Moss, Corus Entertainment’s EVP, TV programming and development, and a faithful Summit attendee since its beginning, says he is growing tired of new media buzz at the markets.

‘I’ve been attending conferences all over the place that say the digital world is coming; okay, I believe you,’ said Moss. ‘I don’t find that to be an interesting, conceptual, engaging topic. I find it a question of business strategy. If you want to get involved in that, go for it. If you don’t, don’t. No one has to, despite what some people say.’

But Moss otherwise echoed many others who see the Summit as a top event for kids stuff. Many attendees of this year’s conference were positive about the opportunities presented them.

Josh Kurz, of New York-based Pickled Productions, found the 30 Minutes With panels – where international broadcasters explain what and how they like to be pitched – enlightening. Reps from CBC, Corus, TVOnatrio and others participated.

For Adam Mimnagh, who opened the doors of Huminah Huminah Animation in Dartmouth, NS on Jan. 1, the conference was his service company’s first major investment.

‘Coming here was a gamble,’ he said. ‘I don’t have any contracts in my hands yet, but the contacts made and the possibilities of work coming up should cover [the expense].’

This was KidScreen’s biggest Summit to date, as more than 1,030 delegates attended from 30 countries. While 50% of the attendees were U.S.-based, 216 Canadians showed up, and 200 broadcasters were represented.

www.kidscreensummit.com