City to host global children’s media event

MANCHESTER has won a bid to host the largest children’s media confence in the world in 2017.

The World Summit on Media for Children is expected to attract more than 1,500 delegates and generate more than £1.6m for the economy.

The event, held every three years, provides a forum for producers, broadcasters, educators and regulators and other professionals interested in the sector.

First held in 1995 in Melbourne,  other host cities include London, Thessaloniki, Rio De Janerio, Johannesburg, Karlstad, and Kuala Lumpur.

Salford-based  BBC Children’s is the lead content partner, and worked on the bid with Marketing Manchester and Conference Partners .
Alice Webb, Director of BBC Children’s, said: “Manchester is a very fitting place to hold the summit, not only is it the home of BBC Children’s, including our two dedicated channels CBeebies and CBBC, but it also has an active and growing creative, media and digital sector who will embrace and celebrate this international event.”

Nick Brooks-Sykes, director of Tourism at Marketing Manchester, added: “We’re very proud to be hosting the 2017 World Summit on Media for Children in Manchester. The Summit is the largest children’s media conference in the world and we’re looking forward to providing the platform for global experts to discuss current issues within children’s media.  

“The announcement is a major coup for Manchester, which has a well-established reputation within this industry. From the celebrated work of Cosgrove Hall and Mackinnon and Saunders, to the BBC setting up their children’s department at MediaCityUK and Brown Bag Films also recently establishing themselves here; Manchester is no stranger to producing quality children’s media.”