Sarina Simon: Influences and Influencers

Bror Saxberg–Medicine’s Loss is Learning’s Gain

16 Sep 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in Advice for Edtech Aspirants, Distance Learning, Edtech, Expert Interviews, instructional design, Learning Science

Bror Saxberg is the Chief Learning Officer for Kaplan, Inc., a worldwide learning provider of test preparation, higher education, workplace training, and English language learning. Bror has spent almost twenty years working at the intersection of technology, learning science, curriculum, and delivering new learning experiences at scale. Before his role at Kaplan, Inc., he helped found the virtual education company K12, Inc., and has held roles at Knowledge Universe, Dorling Kindersley, and McKinsey. 1. Your educational background is astounding. You have a BS in Electrical Engineering, a BA in Mathematics, an MA in Mathematics, a PhD in Electrical Engineering and…

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MC Desrosiers—Candid Comments From an Inspiring EdTech Innovator

03 Sep 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in Advice for Aspiring Producers, Distance Learning, Edtech, Expert Interviews, instructional design, kids' media

Meet Mary Catherine Desrosiers (who everyone knows asMC). MC has had an amazing 23+ year career in children’s and educational technology. She has started up and managed all aspects of companies’ core capabilities and has years of experience building teams, processes, and controls to facilitate rapid growth. Having said all that, her true love is innovating with a purpose. That is–customer centered design, development, and delivery of products, technology and instructional services that yield proven results. 1. You came to the Interactive industry with an MBA and started your career as a consultant at Booz Allen. From there, you moved into…

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Ken Locker: Always At the Leading Edge

05 Aug 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in Advice for Aspiring Producers, English as a Second Language, Expert Interviews, interactive television, kids' media, Mobile App Development

Ken Locker is the COO of the Living English Company, which has created an integrated cloud based software platform for companies that employ Hispanic blue-collar workers who do not speak English well. It offers a complete mobile app for administrators, supervisors and workers, incorporating language learning, vocational training and workforce managementHe has more than twenty years of senior management experience in the media industry, with expertise in digital content production, game and app development, distribution, online video operations and monetization, social media and marketing. Previously, Ken was the Chief Operating Officer of Film Domain Media Group, which offers multi-platform digital VOD…

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Max Dichter—Creativity, Versatility and Drive

02 Jul 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in Advice for Aspiring Producers, Expert Interviews, interactive television, Mobile App Development

Max Dichter describes himself as a “40 something Vice President of Product at a home services startup with over 18 years of experience in the industry. “ He has two kids and, in describing his work, says, “each day at work feels like my first day on the job.” Anyone who knows Max knows he’s very modest. So let me fill you in. Max currently works at SERVIZ as VP of Product Marketing. Prior to SERVIZ, he was Director of Production for Mattel Digital Network where he lead a large team responsible for the production and brand engagement of Mattel’s…

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Julie Hogenboom—From Books to Media to Tech

17 Jun 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in Advice for Aspiring Producers, Editorial Expertise, Edtech, Expert Interviews, instructional design

Julie Hogenboom Julie Hogenboom is a content and marketing expert who transitioned from print to digital, with an interlude at Harvard on the way. Julie and I met through friends at Disney (one of my former employers) and I knew immediately that she would have valuable insights to share. Julie is currently an editorial director at Yahoo, focused on content marketing programs for global brand advertisers, such as Procter & Gamble. Previously Julie had product and editorial oversight for the Disney Family portfolio of sites where she launched food, travel & parenting sites. She has also worked as a content…

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Jeancarlo Ascorra: A Peruvian Artist with North and South American Sensibilities

10 Jun 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in Animation, Expert Interviews, Game Design, Graphic Design, HTML5, kids' media, Mobile App Development

Jeancarlo Ascorra Jeancarlo Ascorra is the Art Director at, NorthSouth Studios (yes—my company), and has been for the last ten years. We were very lucky to find Jeancarlo, an artist who knows how to straddle two cultures and bring the both of best to his work. His very first job for us called for Disney-style illustration and we (and our client) were blown away by his talent. Before joining NorthSouth, Jeancarlo had eight years of Art Direction experience, with expertise in graphic design, creativity, illustration and advertising. Previously he worked at BBDO in Peru and freelanced at many other advertising…

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Alyssa Padia Walles—An Entrepreneurial Approach to Big Brand Success

03 Jun 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in Expert Interviews

Alyssa Padia Walles Meet Alyssa Padia Walles. In her long and impressive business strategy and development career, Alyssa has influenced brands such as Fisher-Price, Toys ‘R’ Us, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Backyard Sports, where she served as co-president of Humongous, Inc. Highlights of Alyssa’s career include negotiating national sports league agreements (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL), re-launching the Atari brand, and developing international distribution markets for Sony PlayStation. At Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, she was a member of the senior management team that launched PlayStation across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. As Senior Vice President, Corporate Evolution at…

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TOM MOTT—A GROWNUP WHO REALLY GETS KIDS

15 May 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in electronic books, Expert Interviews, Game Design, kids' media, Mobile App Development

Tom Mott Meet, Tom Mott, the Chief Creative Officer at Mott Studios, a full service production studio that designs, writes and produces top-shelf kids’ interactive entertainment. He has been creating amazing products since 1990—mostly for kids—working with properties such as Disney Fairies, Scooby Doo, The Cat in the Hat, Ben 10, Jonny Quest, Dora the Explorer, LEGO, Barbie, Sesame Street, and more. I have known Tom since his early days at Philips Media and have always admired his sense of humor, his artistic touch and his genuine concern for kids. In this interview, Tom explains how he got into interactive…

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MEET SHELLEY MILES—A HIGH ENERGY, HIGH INTEGRITY EXECUTIVE

15 May 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in Animation, Edtech, Expert Interviews, kids' media

Shelley Miles Shelley has spent her 25-year career leading the growth and development of consumer-based entertainment and technology businesses. Shelley began her media career at the Walt Disney Company where she ran the children’s music group and started Disney’s interactive group. Later she worked in a number of startups including US Animation, Mommy & Me, Kidthing and Revizzit. Shelley is one of those rare individuals who came to media very much from the business side (accounting) but embraced and succeeded on the creative side, too. In this interview, she candidly describes lessons she has learned in her career—including both successes…

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CREATIVE CONTENT FOR PINT-SIZED PEOPLE

30 Apr 2014, Posted by Sarina Simon in Expert Interviews

Rachael Tobener Meet award-winning children’s writer and content designer, Rachael Sophia Tobener. Rachael has worked with a wide range of companies, including Disney, LeapFrog, Crayola, Discovery Kids and Fingerprint Play. Though she has only been in the business for 15 years, she has written 10 full-length video scripts, designed more than 30 mobile apps, produced more than 50 toys, and authored more than 75 interactive books for kids. Besides being prolific, Rachael is just plain good at what she does. I sat with Rachael (in the virtual-seating sense) and asked her about her career. Her answers are candid and reveal…

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