Fruit That Lasts Media

Hosted by Nena Jackson, Chris Wolf, Ben Davis, Kristi Smith, 

About

FTL Media

To help every grand-parent inspire children with lasting wisdom and values by using superior animation and captivating storytelling.
About FTL Media

FTL Media – To help every grand-parent inspire children with lasting wisdom and values by using superior animation and captivating storytelling.


    • The term “grand-parent” refers to grandparents, parents, and other caregivers from older generations with wisdom and values to pass on. These “grand-parents” need help connecting with younger generations, given the fractured and dislocated nature of many family relationships, AND inspiring younger generations with the wisdom and values they know to be true.  FTL Media’s winning aspiration is delivering media that meet children where they are in terms of entertainment value. We are committed to producing the “Pom Pom and Franny” animation series with a quality that will compete with mainstream media on the levels of production values and entertainment. 

Fruit That Lasts | Modern Day Parable for Children

AGENDA (2:30 – 4:30pm EST)

Short Summary:
We have some amazing people with a lot of experience to guide us, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

Hosted by Chris Wolf

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT

“Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.” – Proverbs 15:22

Join us as we host a chat with a few of our friends who have been an incredible part of our journey to introduce Pom Pom and Franny to the world. As content producers, we are faced with many challenges and unknowns, and we can’t do all of this alone. Fortunately, we have some amazing people with a lot of experience to guide us, and we can’t wait to share them with you.

2:30 – 3:10pm EST – Bob Starnes (The Chosen, VP Distribution & Licensing)
The Chosen & VeggieTales: Success in spite of our best efforts

Listen to valuable lessons learned from working with two of the biggest brands ever in Christian media: How VeggieTales became a viral sensation before social media even existed, and how a global pandemic paved the way for The Chosen.

Bob is the co-founder and co-owner of Brentwood Studios, a leading children’s media company, as well as VP of Distribution & Licensing with The Chosen. He has guided some of the biggest brands in the children’s space, including VeggieTales, for over 30 years.

3:10 – 3:50 – Mary Anne Poole (Venture Capitalist, Biotech Industries)

From Biotech Venture Capitalist to Media Investor

What business does a biotech investor have funding a children’s animated series? Learn the mindset of an investor whose interest in media goes beyond money, but also understands the importance it plays in developing a platform for long-term success.

MaryAnne has 20+ years as a highly accomplished strategy executive with an ability to secure funding for new ventures by optimizing positioning relative to donors’ and investors’ needs, while working with multiple stakeholders to achieve implementable results.

3:50 – 4:30pm EST – Ben Howard (Impact Foundation, Media & Entertainment Senior Advisor)
The show must go on: How the screen is really just the beginning

You got the money, the show, and even distribution. Now what? Learn what 30+ years of experience has taught about the importance of multiple revenue streams, audience engagement, and making an impact through media

Ben has lived at the crossroads of art, commerce, and faith for over 30 years with experience in the entertainment business to help creatively gifted people build an ongoing business actively engaged in helping people find hope and meaning through storytelling.

Main Event Agenda

Nena Jackson - Co-Founder & COO

Nena is a co-author of Fruit That Lasts, an illustrated children’s book, along with four followup books in the series. She is also the co-creator of a Fruit That Lasts VBS curriculum, which has been used in churches in South Carolina and orphanages in Kenya. As authors of the original Fruit that Lasts book series, Nena & Kristi are chief brand stewards for Fruit that Lasts, ensuring each brand expression aligns with their original vision. Nena previously had a 20-year leadership career in financial technology and was an Alpha director at churches in Charleston, SC. She also volunteers in children’s ministry at her church, LifePointe Church in Fort Mill, SC.

Kristi Smith - Co-Founder & Content Director

Kristi is a co-author of Fruit That Lasts, an illustrated children’s book, along with four followup books in the series. She is also the co-creator of a Fruit That Lasts VBS curriculum, which has been used in churches in South Carolina and orphanages in Kenya. As authors of the original Fruit that Lasts book series, Nena & Kristi are chief brand stewards for Fruit that Lasts, ensuring each brand expression aligns with their original vision. Kristi has a 37-year career in nursing and has a Certificate of Ministry from Highlands College. Kristi also volunteers in children’s ministry at her church, Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, AL.

Chris Wolf - Communication Strategist

Chris is the founder and CEO of Shift2, LLC, a communication design company that specializes in web development. With over 25 years of education and experience in mass media and creative communication, he has extensive understanding and abilities in communication technology and best practices. He has helped dozens of entrepreneurs and more than 100 nonprofits build their brands through quality messaging and digital presence. He holds an Associate’s Degree in Mass Media from Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, WY.

Ben Davis - Co-Founder & CEO

Ben Davis is the CEO and co-founder of MOONDOG Animation Studio with more than 20 years of experience in applying high-level technology to his love for art and storytelling. After studying Fine Arts in the US and in France, he has worked in various animation studios and directed many aspects of the 3D animation process. His expertise includes developing creative concepts that connect with audiences by using constantly evolving technology in animation and interactive experiences. He also holds a certificate in theology from the Geneva Bible Institute. 

Jean-Marc Khayat - Co-Founder & Creative Director

Jean-Marc is the Creative Director and co-founder of MOONDOG Animation Studio. He has successfully overseen hundreds of hours of animated television and film, and is constantly sought after for his impeccable ability to build animation departments from the ground up. Prior to Fruit that Lasts, Jean-Marc worked on Weird Waters (Peacock, Discovery+), La Terre vue d’Alban (Canal+), Garage Club (Nickelodeon), Elasto Culbuto (France TV), Garfield (France 3/ Boomerang), and Pets United (Netflix). JM holds a certificate in theology from CIFEM, France.

Bob Starnes - Advisor

Bob Starnes is the co-founder and co-owner of Brentwood Studios, a leading children’s media company, as well as VP of Distribution & Licensing with The Chosen. He has guided some of the biggest brands in the children’s space, including VeggieTales, for over 30 years. 

Ben Howard - Advisor

Ben Howard has lived at the crossroads of art, commerce, and faith for over 30 years, and is currently a Senior Advisor to Impact Foundation. Ben brings his experience in the entertainment business to help creatively gifted people exercise those gifts in a way that can build an on-going business actively engaged in helping people find hope and meaning through storytelling

Register to Attend MediaSphere

Register to attend the FTL Media exhibit giving you access to the full-day MediaSphere online summit by ICVM on July 26th.  

Sponsor FTL Media

$50 - $2,000
  • Support the mission to bring wholesome and traditional value based animation content to our children.
  • Name displayed & announcement of sponsorship within the FTL Media exhibit booth for sponsorships under $1000
  • Logo displayed & announcement of sponsorship within the FTL Media exhibit booth for sponsorships over $1000.
Support

Invest in FTL Media

Schedule a Meeting
  • Schedule a meeting to follow up with the FTL Media team about an investment opportunity’
Schedule a Meeting

Donate to FTL Media

Support our Work
  • FTL Media has an Impact Account at Impact Foundation for donations $25,000 and
  • FTL Media has a relationship with Valor Heritage Foundation for donations of any amount
Donate

Register to Attend (Non-Member)

$49
  • Register to attend the FTL Media exhibit giving you access to the MediaSphere full-day summit on July 26th.
Register

Become An ICVM Member

$99 - $299
  • Access to MediaSphere online summit July 26th
  • Online VOD access to annual event recordings
  • Membership discounts to upcoming events
  • Networking resources
Become A Member

Learn More About FTL Media

To help every grand-parent inspire children with lasting wisdom and values by using superior animation and captivating storytelling.

Learn More