KAREN KIRKLAND

VP, Talent Development and Outreach

Karen Kirkland is the Vice President, Talent Development and Outreach for Nickelodeon Group. In this position, she oversees the network’s writing incubation program and is responsible for identifying, developing and staffing new writing talent onto Nickelodeon network productions. Under her leadership, Nickelodeon’s Writing Program has expanded world-wide and has blossomed into one of the most competitive and successful programs for emerging television writers. During her 12+ years at Nickelodeon she has helped to launch the careers of many successful creative visionaries including the creators of Nickelodeon’s top-rated live action show for kids – Bella and the Bulldogs, as well as staffed writers onto such shows as Avatar: The Last Airbender, Big Time Rush, Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide, The Penguins of Madagascar, Fanboy & Chum Chum, Sanjay and Craig, The Haunted Hathaways, and The Thundermans.

Karen is an industry veteran, who over the past 26 years has worked as an independent producer, compiling over 50 commercial and music video credits. She was also the producer of the Los Angeles Film Festival from 1995 to 2001. Additionally, she has been nominated for multiple MTV Music Video Awards and won an NAACP Image Award for Video of the Year.

Twitter: @KarenKirkland Instagram: Karen_Kirkland

Participation in El Festival:

• Workshop: How to Tell a Story | More