Joi Podgorny

My current position is at Ludorum, Inc as VP of Interactive Development. Ludorum is dedicated to developing, acquiring and marketing intellectual entertainment properties, in both the new interactive distribution channels as well as classic linear TV. At Ludorum, I lead the integration of interactive/online strategies into Ludorum’s television, publishing and toy properties.  The property we are currently focusing on is called Chuggington

As an independent consultant over the years, I have been able to help organizations with their online community strategies, as well as developing and implementing strategies in the realms of digital production, integrated marketing, and youth interactive research.

In my previous position at Star Farm Productions, I helped build, manage, and scale online communities for kids while developing and implementing the systems and infrastructure needed to make these communities viable. I was the primary interactive contact for all of our vendors/partners including Nicktoons Network, YTV/Corus, ABC (Australia), Neopets, Sparktop, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and more.Being an entrepreneur in a newer company, at Star Farm I was also able to:
- Articulate our corporate integrated digital marketing strategies for 5 children’s entertainment properties,
- Design team management and organizational structures for our Web Content and Web Marketing departments,
- Lead 2 major website redesigns into include more fan interaction
- Develop a business plan for scalable online community infrastructure for internal and external partners
- Participate in a thorough VC due diligence process
- Develop initial animation production department workflow
- Produce 12 animated 2 minute shorts for broadcast on television
- Develop audience research programs both on and offline

I have been asked to speak at multiple conferences, including KidScreen, Digital Hollywood, PromoLive and YPulse’s Mashup. Before joining Star Farm, I began championing and implementing COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) compliance and monitored networks at both Kidfu, a safe online community for children that I co-founded, and FreeZone, one of the first safe online communities for children.

I received my MA in Social Science from University of Chicago studying evaluation and research methods specifically looking at how children learn using technology in informal settings. My two undergraduate degrees are in Math and Women’s Studies from Arizona State Univ. My myriad of interests has led me to many diverse projects including working with Chicago Public Schools, Adler Planetarium, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Cybercamps.

Specialties:

Online/Digital/Interactive Marketing Strategy, social network strategy and management, safe children’s online community building and management, focus groups and general research with children, project management

Contact me at joipodgorny [at] gmail
or on almost every social network as joipodgorny