What Roles Do PBS KIDS Staff Play in Children's Media?

TL;DR

PBS KIDS staff members hold diverse roles that focus on creating engaging digital content for children. From designing educational games and websites to connecting local communities and making videos accessible for teachers, their passion is to inspire kids and foster learning through play.

Transcript

(upbeat music) - I'm Linda Simensky, and I'm the Vice President of Children's Programming here at PBS. I am in charge of the department that finds the shows and gets the shows on the air. Lots of people have ideas for shows and my job is to go through a lot of those ideas and pick out the ones that I think kids will like. I started out wanting to b... Read More

Key Insights

• 👶 PBS Kids staff have diverse roles in creating digital content for children.
• 😤 The team is passionate about engaging kids, parents, and educators.
• 🥳 Projects like Kart Kingdom and game of the day ideas provide unique experiences.
• 🖐️ Social media and community engagement play a crucial role in connecting with the audience.
• 🎮 Educational games are play-tested with young children for feedback and improvement.
• 🧑‍🏫 Digital librarians like Athina Livanos-Propst ensure educational videos are easily accessible for teachers.
• 🎮 Connected Play projects, like games connecting to toys, offer interactive and fun learning experiences.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Linda Simensky's role at PBS Kids?

Linda Simensky is the Vice President of Children's Programming at PBS Kids, where she selects shows that will appeal to kids and gets them on air. She is responsible for finding and curating content for the network.

Q: How does Chris Bishop contribute to PBS Kids Digital?

Chris Bishop is the Senior Creative Director of PBS Kids Digital, where he designs websites, games, and apps for children. One of his notable projects is Kart Kingdom, a virtual world where kids can drive customized karts.

Q: What does Estee Smith do as Manager of Community Engagement?

Estee Smith connects local PBS stations with parent and educator communities to ensure that children across the country can access PBS Kids digital resources. She facilitates engagement and play-based learning opportunities for kids and parents.

Q: What is Veronica Toney's role at PBS Kids and Education?

Veronica Toney is the Director of Social Media for PBS Kids and Education, where she shares stories and engages with the community. She fulfills her childhood dream of being a writer by connecting with people and creating a sense of community through storytelling.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Linda Simensky oversees finding and selecting shows for PBS Kids.

• Chris Bishop designs websites and games like Kart Kingdom for children.

• Estee Smith connects local PBS stations with parent and educator communities.

• Ivy Nye creates game ideas for PBS Kids Games app.

• Veronica Toney manages social media and shares stories for PBS Kids.

• Dan Flannery works on educational games for shows like Nature Cat and Arthur.

• Athina Livanos-Propst ensures teachers can easily find and use PBS Kids videos.

• Griva Patel develops games that connect to toys for Connected Play.