14 Ruediger Boess, SVP of Group Content Acquisitions at German commercial network ProSiebenSat.1, acknowledged that the business of buying and selling television content is changing. “The biggest single change is that it is now a 24/7 business. Buyers and sellers are in constant touch and it is no longer the case that we only meet at markets and conventions.” Yet, despite this assertion, Boess also noted that, “markets and conventions [like MIP-TV] are still very important because meeting face-to-face and getting to know each other is a crucial way to build trust between yourself and partners with whom you have to do business.” Since face-to-face meetings are so important, all attendees are looking to maximize their time at MIP-TV this April 13-16. “We typically put even more effort into this market as compared to the May L.A. Screenings,” said Gene George, EVP of Worldwide Distribution at Starz Worldwide, “as we can get our buyers much more focused to our content.” Starz is so busy at MIP-TV, in fact, that a month ahead of the market, George reported that his team was already 75 percent booked. And speaking of getting buyers to focus on their content, George also announced that Starz is launching a new STARZ Original limited series, Flesh and Bone with a World Premiere Screening for buyers on the morning of Monday, April 13. MIP is also a big market for A+E Networks. Joel Denton, managing director of International Content Sales & Partnerships, stated, “We do a good amount of business here and it’s crucial for moving business along for the year.” The company is even bringing along members of the creative team to meet with their counterparts at other channels and discuss potential co-productions. Denton is looking forward toMIPDoc to “get more time with people and give them the opportunity to spend more time with our shows, as opposed to just talking about them.” However, despite all the good auspices, changes are being felt. To smaller exhibitors, the four-day market in effect becomes a three-day event and thus harder to amortize, compared to when MIP-TV ran over five days. The late market date (due to Passover and Easter) brings MIP-TV even closer to the L.A. Screenings, with some buyers preferring to skip MIP-TV in favor of the May event. Fortunately, though, nowadays the number of film and TV content buyers has grown larger than the number of sellers. Finally, toplevel executives of the only two exhibiting studios will be in attendance for just two days. To compensate for those drawbacks, MIP-TV organizers are packing the event withmore features than ever. Organizers have put together a very busy schedule indeed. TheMIP Digital Fronts will be held April 15-16 in the Grand Auditorium. For the second consecutive year, MIP-TV will also feature Junior at MIP-TV, though this year the event will be held for only one day in the Palais during MIP-TV on April 14. The event will focus on new channels around the world and will feature the “Future of Kids TV Summit” and original online video screenings. Held at the Martinez, the two-day MIPDoc (April 11-12) will feature conferences, case studies, screenings, pitching events and more, including one-on-one buyer meetings. Meanwhile, MIPFormats (also April 11-12), brings together industry executives to learn about industry trends and to network.MIP-TV is also launching a new two-day program (April 13-14) that focuses on drama co-production, commissioning and screenings, dubbed Drama at MIPTV. Jeremy Darroch, group chief executive and executive director at Sky, will deliver the MIP-TV Media Mastermind Keynote on Monday, April 13. Other keynote speakers include Modern Family co-creator and executive producer Steven Levitan, who will spearhead the Drama at MIP-TV lineup. Yannick Bolloré, chairman and CEO of French advertising company Havas, will discuss the future of media and entertainment in his keynote, titled “Content Redefined” on Tuesday, April 14. Marriott International was named MIP-TV’s 2015 Brand of the Year in recognition of its innovative all-screens initiative, through its Global Content Studio. This is the fifth edition of Brand of the Year. For the special focus on the Nordics, over 20 of the top broadcasters, producers, distributors, digital media pioneers and creatives from Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden will participate in various conferences, showcases and networking events. The main “Focus on the Nordics” event will be held on Tuesday, April 14. MIP-TV organizers hope that all these side activitieswill benefit themarket portionof the event, at least for small- andmedium-sized exhibitors. Arabelle Pouliot-Di Crescenzo, managing director at French firm KABO International, said that MIP-TV is the company’s “biggest event so far this year,” and she will take part in MIPFormats as well because the event gathers a “smaller group that focuses on exactly what I do. Format sales are very active in Europe, and KABO also aims to meet with clients from Australia, North America and Asia, though Pouliot-Di Crescenzo added, “Europe is the biggest focus at this event.” Berta Orozco, Sales executive for Western Europe and Africa at Caracol Television said, “MIP-TV is the perfect place to reach clients in France, Germany, Portugal or the U.K., yet we reach clients from around the world, particularly the Middle East and Africa.” Europe and Latin America are the key focuses for Damaris Valer, founder and executive producer at Miami-based Animus Productions. “We expect to meet a growing number of independent production companies looking to partner up in other regions to adapt formats we are currently producing for some countries in Latin America,” he said. “There’s a renaissance in the assembly of co-productions and new investors willing to invest in the right content. Brands and advertisers are also coming to MIP-TV to learn more about content partnerships, so this is great for us.” Esther van Messel, CEO of Switzerland-based First Hand Films, explained, “Because of MIPDoc preceding MIP-TV and our focus on non-fiction, this market is more of a priority for us than MIPCOM. MIP-TV markets never disappoint, and we bring enough staff to handle all the requests that come in during the run-up to MIP.” MIP-TV is also a key event for producers. According to Kate Beal, CEO of Woodcut Media, which specializes in the production of documentaries and other factual content, “As a producer…it is important for me to go to see what ideas are new and what people are talking about. It’s important to be there to get the vibe and find out what’s happening even if I’m not making a sale myself.” MIPDoc has piqued Beal’s interested, though she admitted that it may be hard to find time to attend any of the other activities organizers have put together, as she will be busy with meetings. By Sara Alessi Expecting Déjà Vu All Over Again April 2015 MIP-TV Preview Joel Denton, managing director of International Content Sales & Partnerships at A+E Networks Gene George, EVP of Worldwide Distribution at Starz Worldwide Distribution Ruediger Boess, SVP of Group Content Acquisitions at ProSiebenSat.1
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