Fred Forward Symposium: Thought Leadership on Families, Digital Media, Mister Rogers and the Neighborhood

Last week, I had the great fortune to be a part of the Fred Forward Symposium at the Fred Rogers Center in Latrobe, PA, where the goal was to look at and discuss, from a variety of different angles and expert voices, “How families live well with media and technology in ways that strengthen and enhance adult-child relationships?”

“Strengthen a parent and you strengthen a child.” #fredquotes #neighborhood #fredforward @FredRogersCtr

— David Kleeman (@davidkleeman) May 15, 2017

Amazing minds from media, entertainment, academia, research, non-profits and business presented on topics, each more fascinating and thought provoking than the next. Presentations included: Family Personas in the Media (shout out to Dr. Shira Lee Katz from Netflix); Learning from Organizations in Diverse Settings (this session still has me thinking – thank you Brian Wallace of The Coin Laundry Association, Ramon Murphy of the Bodega Association of the US and Patti Miller of the Clinton Foundation and Too Small to Fail); The Impact of Words and Language; Messages Not to Be Missed; Brand Strategy; and Connecting with Parents Through Children’s Media and Music (Laurie Berkner, Joey Mazzarino and Brad Montague seriously brought the house down!). Facebook’s head of safety, Antigone Davis had powerful points about connection and community, as well as safety, sharing the MamaDragons as an important example of the impact of online community and support.

Every single speaker was mind blowingly impressive and I loved meeting and chatting with so many of you: Amazon’s brilliant Dr. Alice Wilder, the motivating and inspiring Joanne Goldblum of the National Diaper Bank Network (their work changes lives), Dr. Todd Wolynn from Kids Plus Pediatrics (everyone should be so lucky to have him as their pediatrician), Dr. Anne Gill (who made me cry with her beautiful words on parenting) from the Center for Parents and Children University of Pittsburgh and the very witty and smart Wynne Tyree of Smarty Pants.

Betty Cohen, Chris McKee and I presented a panel titled: Lessons Learned from Commercial Messaging. Betty moderated in such a thoughtful way while Chris (a seriously talented guy) and I focused on dad and mom angles of marketing. I can hardly wait to work with both Chris and Betty more. They are so sharp, funny and wise. I’ll let Twitter tell you:

Betty Cohen on Nielsen designation “LOH” (Lady of the House). Cartoon wanted category “Adult Male Who Still Thinks He’s Batman” #fredforward

— David Kleeman (@davidkleeman) May 15, 2017

When a women announces she is pregnant it activates 29 people who will be her go to resources and for dads 0 -Chris McKee #fredforward pic.twitter.com/5Mk4ZeVw3I

— TEC Center (@TEC_Center) May 15, 2017

@FlintandSteelNY & @coopermunroe @theMotherhood like kids, #mothers & #fathers want to be heard, seen & engaged #FredForward

— Dr. Alice Wilder (@alicewilder) May 15, 2017

“Anyone who does anything to help a child in his life is a hero to me” Mr. Rogers @coopermunroe @theMotherhood @FlintandSteelNY #FredForward

— Dr. Alice Wilder (@alicewilder) May 15, 2017

Here are more from tweets from the Fred Forward Symposium! I can’t help sharing these tweets, every session had such nuggets that I can’t stop thinking about:

Laundry Cares hosts Free Laundry Days w/soap, meal & books is a community hug -Brian Wallace Pres, Coin Laundry Assoc. #fredforward pic.twitter.com/cZjtFvWYvq

— TEC Center (@TEC_Center) May 15, 2017

Bodegas are center of communities and owners are trusted leaders in the community for children and adults #fredforward

— TEC Center (@TEC_Center) May 15, 2017

What can we learn from the helpers in our neighborhood? They can change the way we read, eat and engage as a community #fredforward

— TEC Center (@TEC_Center) May 15, 2017

Duane Watson (@duaneCU) paper – The disfluent discourse: Effects of filled pauses on recall – https://t.co/Hmpah2rVZE #FredForward

— Scott Traylor (@360KID) May 15, 2017

How can we help #parents hear and understand that they are the most important person in their child’s life? – Anne Gill PhD #fredforward

— TEC Center (@TEC_Center) May 15, 2017

Now Dr. Gill has us all crying. So moving and thought provoking about universal parenting truths. We all want to do our best. #FredForward

— Cooper Munroe (@coopermunroe) May 15, 2017

Every parent wants the best for their children. Models of #innovation in Health Care @kidspluspgh @AnneGillMD @diapernetwork #fredforward

— Dr. Alice Wilder (@alicewilder) May 15, 2017

Our @DrToddWo was honored to speak at today’s #FredForward Symposium. And even more honored when Mrs. Rogers told him he did a great job! pic.twitter.com/WtJsTuCUMc

— Kids Plus Pediatrics (@kidspluspgh) May 15, 2017

Social media can build communities and promote empathy @facebook #fredforward

— Fred Rogers Center (@FredRogersCtr) May 15, 2017

An evening of inspiration from @thebradmontague @joeymonkey @laurieberkner – I clearly was very good in a past life. #fredforward

— David Kleeman (@davidkleeman) May 16, 2017

SO honored to have been able to share some of my thoughts and music tonight at #FredForward. I was blown away by everyone’s wisdom and love. https://t.co/3BxwSNFmXI

— Laurie Berkner (@LaurieBerkner) May 16, 2017

Anyone who does anything to help a child is a hero in my world. This room is full of my heroes- @alicewilder #FredForward #Day2

— TEC Center (@TEC_Center) May 16, 2017

Fascinating and funny talk by Smarty Pants @wtyree on mktg research, kids & families #FredForward

— Cooper Munroe (@coopermunroe) May 16, 2017

Humans seek happiness & families desperately want to be happy & connect w/their kids. How are u bringing joy to families lives? #fredforward

— TEC Center (@TEC_Center) May 16, 2017

Thank you everyone at #FredForward! May you all be present and have presence pic.twitter.com/HV5m3QS5ME

— Scott Traylor (@360KID) May 16, 2017

It was so clear through the Fred Forward Symposium that we are strengthened, sustained and grow because of the support of our neighborhoods, wherever they may be. Thank you Rick Fernandes and the whole Fred Rogers Center team for including me. I’ll never forget your incredible symposium, the life experience of it and the invaluable lessons from the hearts and brains of the world-changing people there.