32 Out of 22 Latin American countries, six will be exhibiting at MIPCOM 2014, representing over 60 companies (excluding those Latin American companies exhibiting under their U.S. offices), with Mexico acting as the master of ceremonies, having been named Country of Honor. Not only will Latin companies be selling content, but a large contingent — some 300 Latin executives — will also be buying content from program distributors from the U.S., Canada and Europe, among other territories. MIPCOM has become such a magnet for Latin American content creators and TV outlets that Reed MIDEM, the market organizer, has had no problem getting first Argentina, and now Mexico, to underwrite a number of activities, which this time around include a showcase of Mexico’s newest scripted programming in “Fresh TV From Mexico,” an exploration of how Mexico has become the sixth largest exporter of media content in the world in “Mexico Media & Entertainment Landscape,” programming trends from major broadcasters in Mexico in “The Broadcasters Superpanel,” a chance for Mexican producers and distributors to meet with international buyers during “Mexico Matchmaking” and “View From the Top,” during which Emilio Azcárraga Jean, chairman of the board and CEO of Mexico’s Grupo Televisa, shares his insights about what drives the Mexican television industry. Underscoring the importance of Latin America, Reed MIDEM recently announced that it is launching MIP Cancun, the first-ever LATAM TV Buyers Summit, which will be held November 19-21. Out of approximately 80 official program events, some nine focus on Latin America and are organized in partnership with ProMexico, the government agency that supports Mexican exports and is in charge of attracting investments in the country. From Argentina, Telefe Internacional’s Content Distribution manager Daniel Otaola commented, “The fact that Mexico is the country of honor [has] a very positive impact for all of the content providers from Latin America. Besides the fact that it puts all of Latin America into the spotlight, it is recognition for a great country like Mexico, and the television industry in that country, which is one of the leaders in the region in content development.” Indeed, there are 1,500 production companies in Mexico that employ 30,000 people and some 50 small and medium-sized Mexican companies are expected to attend MIPCOM in some capacity. Asked why she thought Reed MIDEM has bestowed the “Country of Honor” title on two Latin American countries in the past two years, Estefanía Arteaga of Colombia’s Caracol Internacional explained that “Latin American content has always proven to be original and creative enough to travel [well and] without a doubt major power players from Mexico have helped pave the way for the success and growth we are experiencing in the market today.” Telefe’s Otaola stated that it is a “wide recognition for a region that has provided for many decades — and continues to provide — great content across many different genres and brings a lot to the entertainment industry in general, and the television industry in particular.” Also from Argentina, Ledafilms’ Pedro Leda said, “Latin America is an expanding market and Mexico, as a leading Latin American market, well deserves being the focus this year. There is no doubt that Brazil deserves [the honor] next year.” Fox’s Elie Wahba in São Paulo also supports the recognition of Latin American countries because, as he said, “Latin America is always important and both Mexico and Brazil are my best clients.” Esperanza Garay, SVP of Sales and Acquisitions, Latin America for Miami, Floridabased Telemundo Internacional added: “The fact that Mexico is being honored at a European market is a distinction for us as well. Mexico is the home and setting of many of our productions… Additionally, Telemundo Internacional content is part of Mexico’s permanent programming lineup with a minimum of four daily time slots on free-TV year-round, in addition to our pay-TV channel.” On Tuesday, along with ProMexico, Telemundo will sponsor the third edition of the LATAM Global Dealmakers Lunch, which will place a special focus on Mexico. Outside official sponsored events, companies such as Disney Media Distribution Latin America organized press conferences showcasing their new productions and co-productions for LATAM. In addition to Mexico, another topic on the minds of Latin American exhibitors is the digital market. Cesar Diaz, vice president of Miami-based Cisneros Media Distribution (CMD) anticipated “a greater turnout this year, due to the steady and continuous growth of the digital platforms and their demands for content. Added to the steady attendance of television industry executives, there’s no doubt there will be an [increase] in the amount of buyers at MIPCOM.” According to Diaz, “Although we are always keen on meeting with our regular clientele from Eastern Europe during MIPCOM, in today’s industry, many of the rights we negotiate are not dependent on geographic territories, but rather on the type of platform and the media that it covers.” To that end, CMD “hopes to establish as many new contacts as possible with entities that are searching for product.” With Mexico under the spotlight, the Latin companies are enthusiastic about business. “Without any doubt, we hope that this MIPCOM will be a big market for everyone,” said Telefe’s Otaola. By Sara Alessi Cannes in October: Playa-ground For Latin American Television October 2014 MIPCOM Preview Last year’s Country of Honor Luncheon for Argentina Fernando Barbosa and his Disney Media Distribution Latin America team A large Latin American press contingent was on-hand last year
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