MIPJunior Video: Mattel’s Catherine Balsam-Schwaber

NEW YORK: Catherine Balsam-Schwaber, chief content officer at Mattel, talked about key shifts in the children’s media business at MIPJunior before being interviewed on stage by Kristin Brzoznowski, the executive editor of World Screen.

Kids are “transforming the business that we’re in from a ‘push’ business into something that is entirely consumer-centric,” Balsam-Schwaber said. “Kids are the primary reason that people everywhere have become consumed with creating their own content.”

The Q&A with Brzoznowski began with a discussion about content extensions to the Barbie brand. “Barbie continues to resonate in new ways with girls around the world,” said Balsam-Schwaber. “For us, the time was right to help redefine Barbie. That’s been going on for a while.” She also said the company is looking for new IP opportunities.