This is an archive and the event is now known as The Children’s Media Conference. Please click here for information on the latest conference.
2007
“This is about us as an industry being proud of the best of what we do for children, not just on terrestrial television but in multi-channel and on the internet too” Jana Bennett Director, BBC Vision

4-6 July 2007 Sheffield UK

A mix of emotions might be the best way to sum up the mood of delegates at the fourth Showcomotion Children's Media Conference which came to an end on the 6 July 2007. Whilst the mood was less sombre thanin 2006, there was still much to concern industry execs in the months ahead.

The event began with a keynote by Jana Bennett, click here for her speech. 

James Thickett from Ofcom was present for the full conference period and was left in no doubt of delegates’ feelings about the seriousness of the situation; he outlined the timetable for the conclusions of the review. See his speech here.

John McVay, the PACT CEO, announced PACT's plan to lobby for tax breaks for children’s content and are preparing to lobby the new ministers including James Purnell who as the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport is overseeing Broadcasting as part of his personal remit.

The Save Kids’ TV Campaign was born at Showcomotion in 2006. The 2007conference saw the launch of the campaign’s first viral video and the announcement of an initiative to prepare a comprehensive plan for a funded destination for public service kids’ media content which could be proposed to the government once the Ofcom Children’s PSB Review is completed. To keep up with SKTV activities and show support – you can join the campaign e-list at www.savekidstv.org.uk

The conference opened its doors to new allies from around the world and from other media sectors.  International commissioners and buyers attended from Al Jazeera Children’s Channel, Super RTL Germany, KRO Netherlands, and producers from as far afield as the USA, Israel and Jamaica. There were contributions to sessions from the advertising, games, film and online sectors. In all, 335 delegates attended from 10 countries, and there were 21 sessions, exploring a variety of solutions to the crises facing kids‘TV by looking at new partnerships and new ideas.

Showcomotion returns in the summer of 2008. Dates have been announced as Wednesday 2nd - Friday 4th July 2008.

Greg Childs
Executive Producer
Showcomotion Children's Media Conference