The Children’s Book Publisher of Tomorrow

The evolution of traditional children’s publishing and new players in the digital market

Digital media companies developing apps and ebooks for children are using their skills in animation and gaming – and often new sources of content –to move into the “space” in the children’s market that publishers used to have for themselves. Who are these new players, and what impact will their products have on the established children’s book market? What role do they see their products playing in the future of book-like content, and how do they see themselves interacting with traditional publishers? Will the new players be creating the next round of successful characters and sub-licensing book deals? Or will big publishers be acquiring these companies as they start to demonstrate success?

Barbara Marcus

Barbara Marcus has spent most of her career in the area of Children’s Publishing and Media and is considered a leading business and marketing strategist in the areas of children’s content and distribution.

Barbara is currently serving as Advisor to Open Road in the area of children’s publishing and general strategy.  She is also currently Strategic Innovations Advisor to Penguin Books USA focusing in the area of new ventures and new publishing opportunities. She is representing Tuff Gong, the singer Bob Marley’s company, for literary projects. Ms. Marcus is on the Board of Knowledge Adventure, a children’s software and technology company and Media Source, a children’s books direct marketing company and publisher of Library Journal and School Library Journal.  She is also a Special Advisor to Forever Entertainment in Los Angeles, California.

Russell Hampton
President, Disney Publishing Worldwide

R. Russell Hampton, Jr. was named President of Disney Publishing Worldwide (DPW) in May 2006. In this role, he is responsible for worldwide operations and strategic direction for DPW’s publishing businesses around the world, including books, magazines, digital and Disney English.

Under Hampton’s leadership, DPW has maintained its position as the world’s largest children’s publisher. Hampton was instrumental in the creation of Disney English, an English language learning initiative which now encompasses 20 learning centers throughout China as well as a global retail licensing program. Hampton oversees DPW’s digital businesses, including eBooks and mobile apps, and also provides leadership for DPW’s core business of vertical and licensed books and magazines.

Térence Mosca
TM Consulting- Consultant for Gallimard Jeunesse Publishing

Térence Mosca is the founder of TM Consulting, a firm providing brand extension strategy and digital distribution support to entertainment companies. Current publishing clients include Gallimard Jeunesse Publishing. Previously Térence was a Senior International Brand Manager at Ubisoft, the Licensing Manager at Editions Gallimard, and the European Marketing Manager at The Walt Disney Company. He lives in Paris.

Rick Richter
Founder, Ruckus Media

Rick Richter is a recognized leader in children’s intellectual property development, digital strategy and a seasoned publishing executive. Rick co-founded Candlewick Press for parent company Walker Books in 1990, and headed the S&S Children’s group in the USA for over a decade. Rick founded Ruckus Media in 2010 – an venture backed and award winning digital media company with operations in the U.S and Delhi, India.

Zoe Watkins

Zoe Watkins is the Managing Director of FourteenFiftyFour Ltd, an intellectual property house specialising in literary brands. Zoe began her career at Waterstone’s, following which she worked as Publishing Manager for Ian Fleming Publications, before starting FourteenFiftyFour Ltd in 2008 with Corinne Turner. FourteenFiftyFour’s properties include Booksurfers – an innovative digital adventure series for the 9-12 market – and the literary estate of Willard Price.