10 MAY 2021

THE CHILDREN’S MEDIA CONFERENCE ANNOUNCES ITS MAIN KEYNOTES

The opening keynote will be delivered by ‘Global Teacher Prize’ winner, Andria Zafirakou. Also in a brand-new slot, presenter, author and actor, Konnie Huq, will be the inaugural ‘The Key To…’ keynote interviewee.

10 MAY 2021
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Konnie Huq, presenter and writter

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The Children’s Media Conference (CMC) has announced two keynote speakers for its 2021 conference, which will run virtually from 5-9 July. The opening keynote will be delivered by ‘Global Teacher Prize’ winner, Andria Zafirakou. Also in a brand-new slot, presenter, author and actor, Konnie Huq, will be the inaugural ‘The Key To…’ keynote interviewee.

The opening keynote titled ‘The Power of Potential – Learning Together’ will be held on Monday 5th July. During the session, Andria Zafirakou will share insights on inspiring, empowering and enabling kids, and reveal the greatest lessons she has learned while engaging with young people. 

On Tuesday 6th July, Konnie Huq will be interviewed for the first of the CMC’s ‘The Key To…’ sessions. In this keynote interview, Konnie Huq will discuss her three decades as a presenter and writer – her experiences, her inspirations, what she cares about most when it comes to kids’ media current and future.

Having presented a number of cable and satellite shows in her teens, Konnie became the first presenter of Channel 5’s Milkshake! She then went on to become Blue Peter’s longest serving female presenter from 1997-2008. In 2019, Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World was published by Piccadilly Press. She has also co-written 'Fearless Fairy Tales', a compendium of traditional tales updated for the 21st century. 'Cookie and the Most Annoying Girl in the World' was published in paperback in February 2021 and a third adventure, Cookie and the Most Mysterious Mystery in the World will be published in September. A live action Cookie TV series based on the award-winning books is currently in development with Zodiak Kids.

Greg Childs, Editorial Director at CMC, says: “Andria Zafirakou brings a fresh view about young people to CMC this year. I think her no-nonsense approach combined with her passion to realise the potential of every child through the power of creative engagement will both inspire CMC delegates and challenge us to think again about how we are talking to young people – and how much they are listening.  And we are thrilled to welcome Konnie Huq to launch our new format – ‘The Key To…’ interview. Konnie’s career as the longest serving female presenter on 'Blue Peter' is qualification enough for a discussion about what works for kids and how we serve them best. But since 'Blue Peter', a range of further roles on TV, writing for 'Black Mirror', her own series of children’s books – plus being a mother of two – all add up to a fascinating set of perspectives on current and future prospects for the kids’ media scene.”