Shaan brings her experience and passion building digital and retail businesses for global kids brands to PlayDate Digital. Most recently, as VP of Digital and Consumer Products at Nickelodeon, she built and ran some of Nickelodeon’s most successful digital businesses—preschool content for console, handheld and mobile platforms– while overseeing the global video game, book app, digital learning toy and distribution businesses. Prior to Nickelodeon Shaan worked in brand management for Hasbro and in the Investment Management and Capital Markets Group at Goldman Sachs. Shaan has also served on the board of Women in Toys. She has a BA from Wellesley College and MBA from Harvard Business School.

Dr. Cohen is a psychologist and President of The Michael Cohen Group. Recognized globally for his research with children, parents, education and media, Michael brings 30 years experience to PlayDate Digital. Currently, Dr. Cohen serves as Principal Investigator for two U.S. Department of Education Ready-to-Learn Trans-Media grants – focused on the optimal use of media in the education of young learners. Dr. Cohen is known for his participation in New York City’s post-9/11 recovery, both as communications consultant to Mayor Guiliani as well as Principal Investigator of the large-scale study on the impact of the terrorist attacks on school-age children.

Dr. Cohen has conducted research on children and media for an extensive list of clients, including: The Walt Disney Company, Cartoon Network, PBS, Sesame Workshop, Scholastic, Nickelodeon, and the Toy Industry Association. His numerous publications and presentations include “Young Children, Apps and iPads” and “The Use of Evaluation in Educational Media”. Michael serves on the Board of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan and has taught at Yale University and the Children’s Study Center at Brooklyn College. Dr. Cohen holds a PhD in developmental psychology from The Graduate Center of the City University of New York.