contributed by MJ Sorenson
From my recent experience, the answer is "Yes".
As the frequency of face to face meetings is on the decline with the use of social media tools like Skype and Linkedin, in the flesh networking opportunities are more valuable than ever before. As evidenced by the large turnout in Cannes this April, people relish seeing past and current colleagues and hearing from industry experts in person. It was the 50th anniversary of MIPTV and the conference/market has evolved over the past 12 years, most noticeably in the talent that it attracts to the Palais des Festivals stage.
This April edition had industry leaders Sophie Turner Laing/BSkyB and David Zaslov, President/CEO of Discovery Communications; The Dark Knight Triology (Batman) writer David S Goyer; entertainer Gene Simmons, as well as non-industry figures on the global stage. Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was on hand to inspire broadcasters to rise up to the challenge of addressing social ills through entertainment. He isn't alone: Beyoncé is headlining the June 1st “Chime For Change” Concert in London to raise awareness of gender equality and education.
Also on stage was Felix Baumgartner, who broke the sound barrier in his much-publicized freefall from space for Redbull last October. Clearly, Red Bull TV is a disruptive force in the PR world, with innovative stunts replacing tired advertising tactics.
From my recent experience, the answer is "Yes".
As the frequency of face to face meetings is on the decline with the use of social media tools like Skype and Linkedin, in the flesh networking opportunities are more valuable than ever before. As evidenced by the large turnout in Cannes this April, people relish seeing past and current colleagues and hearing from industry experts in person. It was the 50th anniversary of MIPTV and the conference/market has evolved over the past 12 years, most noticeably in the talent that it attracts to the Palais des Festivals stage.
This April edition had industry leaders Sophie Turner Laing/BSkyB and David Zaslov, President/CEO of Discovery Communications; The Dark Knight Triology (Batman) writer David S Goyer; entertainer Gene Simmons, as well as non-industry figures on the global stage. Former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown was on hand to inspire broadcasters to rise up to the challenge of addressing social ills through entertainment. He isn't alone: Beyoncé is headlining the June 1st “Chime For Change” Concert in London to raise awareness of gender equality and education.
Also on stage was Felix Baumgartner, who broke the sound barrier in his much-publicized freefall from space for Redbull last October. Clearly, Red Bull TV is a disruptive force in the PR world, with innovative stunts replacing tired advertising tactics.
Gordon Brown shared the stage with education activist Ziauddin Yousafza, the father of Malala, the global face of gender equality and human rights for girls.
The weekend before MIP offered great stage presence as well. At MIPFormats: Global Formats expert, the inimitable Patty Geneste, CEO of Absolutely Independent and recently annointed President of FRAPA (Format Rights & Protection Agency), moderated a discussion on the lucrative Formats’ business with the entertaining David Lyle, co-founder of FRAPA and current CEO of National Geographic Channels; global format expert Michel Rodrigue, CEO of The Format People (and co-founder of FRAPA) along with Danish formats producer Jan Salling, COO of Nordic World. Formats have exploded around the world, especially in China where Michel worked with Enlight Media who produces “X Factor” China - one of China’s top rated shows. Michel moderated a China Format panel which filled the auditorium with 280+ producers and tv execs interested in the lucrative Chinese market. The panel featured head of formats from major Chinese players from Endemol (Fotini Paraskakis) and Star International (Vivian Yin) and ZJTV (Summer Zheng) as well as Red Arrow/Germany (Michael Schmidt) who sold formats into China. Many more companies in the western formats’ industry are now ready to do business with China, seeing the successes of formats in just the past three years as well as the growing trust to work with Chinese tv companies. Format prices have risen from just $500 per episode just 4 years ago to $25K per ep! China’s version of “The Voice” reaches 200 million viewers
MIPTV continued its new Monday evening tradition – premiering a major TV show, this time by screening “Davicni’s Demons” being sold by BBC Worldwide and airing on Starz in the US. Writer David S. Goyer and lead actors Tom Riley, Laura Haddock, Lara Pulver and Blake Ritson appeared for a Q & A after the screening. A shout-out to my good friend Angie Stephenson of the BBC who is a co-producer. A very interesting and fun take on a young Davinci!
We would love to hear about your MIP experience in the comment section!
MIPTV continued its new Monday evening tradition – premiering a major TV show, this time by screening “Davicni’s Demons” being sold by BBC Worldwide and airing on Starz in the US. Writer David S. Goyer and lead actors Tom Riley, Laura Haddock, Lara Pulver and Blake Ritson appeared for a Q & A after the screening. A shout-out to my good friend Angie Stephenson of the BBC who is a co-producer. A very interesting and fun take on a young Davinci!
We would love to hear about your MIP experience in the comment section!
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