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Adriano Schmid, VP of PBS KIDS Content, as Keynote Speaker for 2025 Children & Youth Media Conference

September 26 2025

The Youth Media Alliance (YMA) is thrilled to announce that Adriano Schmid, Vice President of PBS KIDS Content, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Children, Youth & Media Conference on November 19, 2025, at Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.

Don’t miss this essential conversation. Register now: https://www.ymamj.org/en/conference

Montréal, September 29, 2025 – The Youth Media Alliance (YMA) is proud to announce that Adriano Schmid, Vice President of PBS KIDS Content, will deliver the keynote address at the 2025 Children &Youth Media Conference on November 19, 2025, at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto.

With more than 20 years of experience in children’s media across North America, Latin America, and international markets, Schmid brings a wealth of expertise in content strategy, development, and production. As Vice President of PBS KIDS Content, Adriano Schmid leads the PBS KIDS Content team and the organization’s full children’s content library. He is responsible for PBS KIDS’ robust multi-platform content strategy, meeting the evolving needs of the PBS KIDS audience by identifying new industry talent, fostering relationships with current producers and partners, and supporting development of new approaches to content production on emerging platforms. Recent content launches include Weather Hunters, Odd Squad Gaming Unit (OSGU), Carl the Collector, Lyla in the Loop, and more.

Passionate about storytelling that reflects kids’ lives and the needs of children and families across the country, he believes media should spark imagination, empathy, and curiosity—helping children see themselves on screen while discovering the wider world.

Prior to joining PBS, Schmid focused on multi-lingual programming in both Latin American and U.S. Hispanic markets at Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. There, he developed and produced curriculum-based projects for preschool-age audiences in the non-fiction, live-action & animation long-form genres. He also supervised the creation of short and digital kids' content, such as e-books, games and webisodes. Schmid has also worked on factual and lifestyle programming, overseeing on-air promotion and working in production for HBO Brazil.

Throughout his career, Schmid has earned international recognition for his contributions to children’s content. He was an executive producer on Doki (winner of the 2014 CINE Golden Eagle), Zu & Her Zoo (nominated for an International Kids Emmy in 2015), Patati Patatá, and Earth to Luna! (nominated for an International Kids Emmy in 2016). His portfolio also includes Pinky Dinky Doo, Fishtronaut, and Hi-5 Fiesta, all of which achieved strong ratings across Latin America.

Keynote Session Details:

When: Wednesday, November 19, 2025, from 1:00 to 1:30 p.m. ET
Where: Glenn Gould Studio, Toronto
Title: Changing Fortunes, Creative Futures — PBS KIDS on Co-Productions, Funding Cuts, and Where They Go From Here

As public funding declines, public broadcasters around the world are being forced to rethink how they bring children’s content to life. In this keynote, PBS KIDS will pull back the curtain: exploring what has been lost in recent funding cuts, how those shifts are reshaping their creative and financial models, and where co-productions—especially with Canadian partners—fit into the future. Expect concrete lessons from how PBS KIDS is navigating reduced government support, what types of collaborators and projects they’re seeking, and how international partnerships are transforming not just what gets made, but how it’s financed, produced, and distributed.

“Adriano Schmid is one of the most forward-thinking voices in children’s media today,” said Athena Georgaklis, “His global experience, combined with his leadership at PBS KIDS, makes him the ideal keynote speaker to help us reimagine the future of Canadian and international children’s content” added Maria Kennedy, both YMA Co-Presidents.

The Children & Youth Media Conference is Canada’s leading event dedicated to exploring trends, challenges, and innovations in kids’ media. Gathering creators, producers, educators, and industry leaders, the conference offers a unique forum to exchange ideas and shape the future of youth content.

Event Details:

What: YMA 2025 Children, Youth & Media Conference
When: Wednesday, November 19, 2025
Where: Glenn Gould Studio, Toronto

For more information on registration and the full program, visit https://www.ymamj.org/en/conference-2025.

About The Youth Media Alliance

The Youth Media Alliance (YMA) is an alliance of Canadian media professionals that fosters and supports the promotion, creation and availability of quality youth content. The YMA celebrates the excellence of inclusive and meaningful youth content in Canada. The YMA is a non-profit organization that brings together companies, individuals and students from the industry. It pursues its mission of encouraging high-quality content by awarding annual prizes for excellence to the best productions aimed at young English- and French-speaking Canadians, by offering ongoing training tailored to the specific needs of youth production professionals through workshops, seminars and special events, and by offering various scholarships each year. Finally, The Youth Media Alliance advocates the public policy needs of Canada's children and youth media consumers.

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Source :

Valentin Verrier, Youth Media Alliance

alliance@ymamj.org

514-971-9204

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When in Toronto: We, the YMA, acknowledge the land we work on is the traditional territory of many nations including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples, and is now home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. We also acknowledge that Toronto is covered by Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit and the Williams Treaty signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands.

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The YMA joins organizations across Canada’s screen industry to say: this is what we stand for and commit to:
1. Representation – Ensuring Canadian and Indigenous stories are seen and heard.
2. Reflection – Everyone in Canada should see themselves on screen.
3. Showcase – Telling our stories to the world.
4. Reconciliation – Taking real steps to work with and support Indigenous storytellers.
5. Diversity – Making room for a wide range of lived experiences and perspectives.
6. Access – Breaking down barriers to participation and opportunity.
7. Support – Backing the screen industry as a vital part of our economy and culture.
8. Collaboration – Working across sectors and borders to strengthen our industry.
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10. Accountability – Setting goals, tracking progress, and staying honest about where we are.
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