Time is running out to register for Digital Kids Conference. Online Registration closes Friday, Feb. 8, and with it, the last chance to register for only $695. After Feb. 8 at 11:55 p.m. ET, you will only be able to register on site at the conference for $895.

The conference consists of 2 great days full of more than 35 speakers and keynotes discussing the latest strategies, technologies and techniques to engage children online and on digital devices. We’ve recently added David Merrill, Co-Founder and President of Sifteo, and Nancy MacIntyre, CEO and Co-Founder of Fingerprint to our list of speakers, who further make Digital Kids Conference a must-attend event.

It’s going to be a great week in New York City, so register now!

Kids say the darndest things. At least that’s what we’re hoping for at the Digital Kids Conference day one closing session “Just the Kids Please.” Industry leaders know that the best way to learn what kids really like is to go straight to the source, so for this session we’re inviting a handful of kids on stage.

Led by Jori Clarke, CEO of Circle 1 Network/KidsCom.com, “Just the Kids Please” will feature kids talking about what they like to see in their games. These kids will answer questions ranging from, “How many electronic devices do you own?” to “How many YouTube videos have you created?” to “What is more important to you in gaming?” The audience will also get the chance to ask these kids any question about their gaming and digital usage.

As CEO of Circle 1 Network/KidsCom.com, Jori is creating technology to improve learning and create family experiences connecting the virtual world with the real world. She is a regular speaker on topics such as market research, digital content creation and the gamification of education and information delivery, and she has also published several books on similar topics.

“Just the Kids Please” is a session unlike any other, so register for Digital Kids Conference to secure your seat. Online registration is going on now, but ends Feb. 8. Register today to save $200 off the on-site rate!

To make your stay in New York City more convenient and comfortable, we are offering two special discounts on hotels for Digital Kids Conference registrants. The hotels are the Intercontinental Hotel and the Hilton Times Square Hotel – both located in Times Square, about a mile from Javits Convention Center and in walking distance from many famous attractions. But don’t wait to reserve your rooms! These deals will be around for less than a week. Book your hotel room here before Jan 25th and 28th to get our special room block. The deadline to book the Hilton Times Square Hotel is Jan. 25, and the Intercontinental Hotel deadline is Jan. 28. Use this special link: here

We are pleased to announce that Digital Kids Conference this year (Feb. 12-13 in New York), will have two emcees. Both emcees are very involved in  bringing kids’ entertainment products to market and will be sharing their experiences as they guide the days’ sessions and panels.

For day one, Joi Podgorny of Smart Bomb Interactive will take the emcee slot. Joi often speaks at conferences focusing on children, technology and children’s entertainment including KidScreen, Digital Hollywood, Engage Expo and YPulse Mashup.

Currently she holds the position of Director of Community Engagement for Smart Bomb Interactive where she oversees all aspects of community management for National Geographic Animal Jam, a virtual world where kids interact as their favorite animal and learn about the natural world.

On day two, Richard Gottlieb will take over the emcee duties. Richard is the CEO of Global Toy Experts, a world-wide renowned consultancy for toy industry analysis and strategies, and he also works as the publisher for Global Toy News, the industry resource for toy news, toy trends and analysis of the business of play.

Richard has been interviewed by news outlets including ABC News, CNN and the New York Times for his expertise on the children’s entertainment industry, and he has been invited to speak by toy associations in countries all over world.

“I am looking forward to emceeing an event that brings together people from two very active parts of the greater play industry:  Traditional play and digital play,” Richard said. “It is my hope that by coming together we will create new and innovative products and ways of doing business.”

Don’t miss these insightful emcees and all the great content at Digital Kids Conference. You can still register for the conference here, but don’t wait! Online registration ends Feb. 8.

We are pleased to introduce you to our news blog, Kidswire.com. Within the ever-evolving digital space, KidsWire provides business professionals in the children and family entertainment industry with the latest news, insights, strategies and analysis needed for them to successfully engage with digitally connected kids and youth. KidsWire is the perfect compliment to the Digital Kids Conference.

Through original reporting, KidsWire covers top news including topics ranging from apps, mobile, tablets, toys, e-books and education to games, hardware, partnerships, licensing, research and investments. We also interview industry experts and report on their insights.

Be sure to add KidsWire.com to your daily reading list to keep up with our news as we post it throughout the day.  You can also keep up with our stories by liking us on Facebook, following us on Twitter and subscribing to our RSS feed.

Please add or refer KidsWire.com to your PR list and send your news and information tips to Bailey Bounds, KidsWire Editor, by e-mail at bailey @ kidswire.com  or by phone at 512-333-1585.

If you still haven’t taken advantage of our Early Bird Registration, it’s getting down to the wire. Today, Tuesday, Jan. 15, is the last day to get the discounted price of $595. Starting Tuesday, Jan. 16, online registration goes to $695.

Digital Kids Conference is the single largest gathering of tech professionals dedicated to developing, marketing and distributing high quality children’s digital entertainment products and services. Our knowledgeable keynotes and speakers are excited to share their experiences from the industry with you and discuss what to expect in the coming year.

Early Bird Registration will be gone before you know it, so register before 11:55 p.m. eastern time and save $300 off the onsite price.

As a special gift to you, we’ve extended the Early Bird Registration deadline until Tuesday, Jan. 15.  We know CES is going on currently and many folks are out of town so we’ve extended the earlybird registration deadline. That means you have four extra days to take advantage of our discounted price of $595. But starting Tuesday, at 11:55 pm registration goes up to $695.

Your registration gets you two full days of great sessions and keynotes that provide insight into the latest strategies, technologies and techniques to engage children online and on digital devices. Digital Kids Conference is the must-attend event for brand owners, entertainment and media executives, marketers, producers, digital media directors and licensing professionals. Don’t forget that registration price also gets you into Toy Fair and the Digital Kids Safety Summit.

This is your last chance to get a great savings on registration for Digital Kids Conference, so don’t wait. Register now!

Digital Kids Conference kicks off on Tuesday Feb. 12 with a keynote from Victor Lee, VP of Digital Brand Marketing at Hasbro. Victor’s session, “Multi-tasking in Life and in Digital Marketing” tackles the topic of digital marketing and how you should be using it in your company.

Victor makes the point that multi-tasking is a normal part of everyone’s life, so the same should go for your marketing channels. He also shares how he and Hasbro used this same idea to re-spark interest for fans of iconic brands like My Little Pony, Transformers, Monopoly, Furby, Nerf and Playskool.

As VP of Digital Brand Marketing for Hasbro, Victor drives all digital strategies and activations within the web, mobile, social and digital media. Before working with Hasbro, he was the Senior Vice President of Marketing at Digitas, where he worked with brands including Goodyear, Buick and GMC.

To see Victor’s keynote, be sure to register for Digital Kids Conference. Early Bird Registration is currently going on, but prices will go up Thursday, Jan. 11, so register before you miss out on this great deal.

Our Early Bird registration rate ends next Friday, Jan. 11. The price is currently at $595, but it will jump to $695 next Friday night at 11:55 ET.

Registration to Digital Kids Conference grants attendees access not only to the conference, but also to Toy Fair, which is co-locating with the conference again this year, and to Digital Kids Safety Summit, which takes place Feb. 11, the day before the conference. Digital Kids Conference provides insight into the latest strategies, technologies and techniques to engage children online and on digital devices. The conference is the must-attend event for brand owners, entertainment and media executives, marketers, producers, digital media directors and licensing professionals.

Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to learn all about the children’s entertainment industry. Register today!

Digital Kids Conference is very excited to announce today the addition of Lauren DeVillier to our speaker list. Lauren is the Vice President of Digital Media for Disney Channels Worldwide, where she is responsible for the production and operations of websites like DisneyChannel.com, DisneyJunior.com, DisneyXD.com and RadioDisney.com.

Lauren’s keynote, “Mom, I Want An iPad” – How Mobile Devices Are Helping to Transform the Television Business, will discuss how the introduction of the tablet has brought massive changes to the tech and entertainment industry. She will also share how Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior have adapted to this exciting change to bring their content to multiple devices.

Lauren has worked in the online and emerging technology industry for more than 15 years, and throughout that time, she’s had a heavy focus on building online communities for children. Before joining Disney, Lauren oversaw the Yahoo! Kids business with responsibility for all aspects of the division. She also helped develop the MSN Kids channel, one of the first online networks aimed exclusively at children’s programming.

To see Lauren’s keynote, register for Digital Kids Conference today and save $300 with our Early Bird Registration. This deal only lasts until next Friday, Jan. 11, so don’t wait!