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FSTVS - The Sandbox Sessions

Rob Doherty

Rachel Bardill in conversation with the people rethinking kids content

How do you drive success in the kids content space today?

The FSTVS PODCAST goes behind the scenes to uncover what works - and what doesn’t - in building sustainable, global children’s content that reaches large audiences.

Whether you are transforming your business model or starting from scratch, each episode tackles the big question: what does it take to thrive in today’s kids’ landscape?

Expect honest conversations, real stories, and practical insights into building fandoms and audiences at scale, franchise building, YouTube, TV, gaming, licensing, and beyond.

Listen to industry leaders and paradigm changers discuss how they approach today's fragmented content world and maybe help you make better sense of it.

Enjoy the ride.

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  • 2 episodes
  • Updated May 29

Episodes2

Newest first
  • May 29 · 57 min

    FSTVS - The Sandbox Sessions - Chitra Soundar

    In this episode of the Festivus Sandbox Sessions, Rachel Bardill sits down with Chitra Soundar - award-winning author, storyteller, and screenwriter - for a rich and inspiring conversation about what it really takes to build a career in children's media. Chitra shares her remarkable journey: from oral storytelling as a child in Chennai's film-making heartland, through a career in computer science and multinational business, to quitting her day job in 2018 to write full-time. She opens up about the unconventional choices that defined her path. We hear about her research process, the UCLA vs. NFTS dilemma, a timely COVID refund, and the Manimation 2019 conference that helped her zero in on her passion: preschool storytelling. All roads led to Nikhil & Jay - her groundbreaking animated series about two brothers growing up in a dual-heritage UK family. Chitra also tackles the big question of global storytelling — why Western markets resist stories from the rest of the world, and why that needs to change. A must-listen for anyone building a career in children's media. More at fstvs.net

  • March 2 · 59 min

    FSTVS - The Sandbox Sessions - Jon Mason

    Jon Mason is the owner of digital agency Jollywise with nearly 30 years’ experience. After leaving school at 17 to join the Navy, he later studied journalism and got into the early internet, landing a role at Disney in 1999 as a creative producer. That experience shaped his commercial and creative instincts, leading him to launch Jollywise, where he has built digital content and games for major global kids’ brands. After decades working on other people’s IP, Jon felt compelled to create his own. That ambition became Stan & Gran, a preschool animated series that took 12 years to bring to screen. The journey was emotionally intense—full of near-misses, funding challenges, and persistence. But securing a co-producer, landing a Milkshake! commission, and finally closing the funding gap (helped by increased UK animation tax relief) meant the dream was a reality and getting the call to say the show had been greenlit, while he was on the same beach where he’d first imagined the show, was a moment of beautiful serendipity. Driven by a personal passion for nature and getting children outdoors, Jon secured a partnership with the RSPB, reinforcing the show’s purpose-led positioning. Jon's IP journey emphasises that great ideas alone aren’t enough; timing, persistence, understanding commissioners’ needs, and flexibility (while staying true to your show) are crucial. Although a digital expert, he took a traditional broadcast-first route with Stan & Gran, but applied digital thinking by banking assets during production to support long-term ecosystem growth. Jon views modern IP as a brand flywheel, not TV-centric. Broadcast is vital but no longer the sole engine. He’s building a broader strategy including YouTube, direct-to-consumer retail, apps, and potentially Roblox. Looking ahead, Jon plans to deliver remaining episodes of Stan & Gran, expand his digital channels, test new revenue streams, and continue evolving Jollywise —balancing creativity, commercial realism, and long-term brand building. Enjoy the chat.