iWorld
Netflix’s Nick Nelson joins Ownzones Media as head of product innovation
MUMBAI: In a move to bolster its in-house product and innovation development, Ownzones Media Network, the OTT EntTech company, has appointed former Netflix executive Nick Nelson as the new Head of Product Innovation. Nelson, who will be based in Los Angeles, reports to Aaron Sloman, Chief Technology Officer at Ownzones.
In making the announcement, Sloman stated, “We are thrilled that Nick has joined us to further develop and refine our consumer OTT interface and user experience. He’s highly regarded in the industry for his knowledge to build and rollout brilliant OTT and streaming offerings, most notably in the early days of Netflix and recently with Seeso. I look forward to working closely with him on the innovation and strategy around our company’s products.”
In this newly created post at Ownzones, Nelson will oversee the innovation of Ownzones’s suite of products and services, and helping to develop novel concepts that furthers Ownzones’s pursuit of connecting people with the content they love. He will also help evolve the consumer facing discover experience, A/B testing framework and product data intelligence.
Nelson brings a wealth of valuable experience having served as Head of Product Creative at Netflix from 2012 to 2016. During the evolutionary years of the streaming giant, Nelson grew his Netflix team from 5 to 50+ employees to support the increasing responsibilities, volume, and international expansion of the company. Nelson was also responsible for transforming the Creative Services department at Netflix from a process-driven acquisition operation to a highly strategic, cross-functional team focused on improving creative while simultaneously operating at a global scale.
Nelson has also held key positions at other leading digital rights management organizations including Cognizant Technology, Deluxe Entertainment Services and Ascent Media.
Most recently, Nelson served as the Owner of Technically Creative, a company he founded in October 2016 in Los Angeles. For the past year, he consulted with Seeso, the OTT subscription streaming service owned by Comcast through NBC Universal.
Nelson is a graduate of University of California – Santa Cruz, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems and Technology Management.
iWorld
Netflix launches Playground app to bring games and interactive play for kids
Interactive games, fresh series and returning favourites aim to blend play and learning
MUMBAI: Netflix is doubling down on kids entertainment with a major expansion of its family-friendly slate, anchored by the launch of Netflix Playground, a new interactive app designed to blend play with storytelling.
Aimed at children aged eight and under, the app allows young viewers to engage with familiar characters from shows like Peppa Pig and Sesame Street through games and activities, all within a safe, ad-free environment. The app is already live in select markets and is set for a wider global rollout later this month.
The move signals Netflix’s push to turn passive viewing into a more immersive experience. Alongside the app, the platform has unveiled a mix of new titles and returning favourites, including fresh episodes of Trash Truck and The Creature Cases, as well as a new preschool series, Young MacDonald. Popular titles such as CoComelon Lane and Ms. Rachel are also set to expand with new seasons and episodes.
Speaking about the strategy, Netflix vice president of animation series and kids and family tv John Derderian said, “We’re building a world where kids can not only watch their favourite stories, they can step inside them and interact with their favourite characters. We’re creating a seamless destination for discovery, learning, and play.”
The expanded offering also leans heavily on convenience for parents, with offline access, curated content, and robust parental controls designed to ensure a safe and tailored viewing experience. Features such as profile locks, content filters, and activity tracking aim to give families greater control while allowing children to explore independently.
The timing is strategic. Kids and preschool content has emerged as one of Netflix’s most-watched categories in recent years, making it a key battleground in the streaming wars. By combining games, education, and entertainment, the platform is looking to deepen engagement and build long-term loyalty among younger audiences.
With interactive play now joining its content arsenal, Netflix is not just streaming stories but inviting kids to step inside them, turning screen time into something a little more hands-on.
