Licensing Industry Luminaries Featured at "Children's Content Connection" Panel Discussion During American International Toy Fair

NEW YORK, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Leaders from Saban Brands, Sesame Workshop and Mind Candy will discuss the ways content owners reach target audiences in a new and ever-evolving multi-channel world during a one-hour panel discussion on the opening day of the 109th American International Toy Fair.   The "Children's Content Connection" panel will take place on Sunday, Feb. 12th from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

Conceived and hosted by Elie Dekel, President of Saban Brands, the panel will also include Maura Regan, SVP and general manager, Global Consumer Products, Sesame Workshop and Michael Acton Smith, CEO, Mind Candy.  The three licensing industry luminaries will share strategies and tactics to successfully engage audiences ranging from pre-school kids to pre-teens.  A Q&A session will follow the panel.

"As Toy Fair continues to grow and change with the evolving toy industry, we have seen an unparalleled surge in licensors and entertainment executives in recent years at the show, telling us something about where the U.S. toy industry is headed," noted Carter Keithley, TIA President. "We are pleased to offer this new and relevant programming from leading experts in the world of children's entertainment. Those who attend this panel will walk away with a better understanding of how to use different platforms to engage and connect with children across all media."

As the largest and most important gathering for youth entertainment in the Western Hemisphere, Toy Fair last year welcomed an unprecedented spike in entertainment executives (+31%) and licensors (+8%). In 2011, licensed toys represented 26% of total industry sales.

"Children's Content Connection" will take place in Hall E (Room 1E16) of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.  The session is free for all registered Toy Fair attendees. Brown bag lunches welcome. Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP to [email protected]

[Speaker biographies are available in the American International Toy Fair Press Kit of the Toy Fair 2012 Online Press Room]

About the American International Toy Fair

Toy Fair is an annual event that is owned and operated by the Toy Industry Association (TIA). The largest toy trade show in the Western Hemisphere, the show brings together more than 1,000 exhibiting manufacturers, distributors, importers and sales agents from over 100 countries to showcase an estimated 100,000 toy and entertainment products to the 7,000 unique retail outlets scheduled to attend.

About the Toy Industry Association (TIA)

TIA is the not-for-profit trade association for producers and importers of toys and youth entertainment products sold in North America, representing more than 550 companies who account for approximately 85% of domestic toy sales.  Toy safety is the number one priority for the toy industry. TIA has a long history of leadership in toy safety including development of the first comprehensive toy safety standard more than 30 years ago, and working with government, consumers and industry on ongoing programs to ensure safe and fun play. For more information, please visit www.toyfairny.com, www.toyassociation.org or www.toyinfo.org.

SOURCE Toy Industry Association