MIPCOM Sees Increased Attendance from Kids’ Companies

PARIS: MIP Junior and MIPCOM have a number of new exhibitors on board from within the kids’ entertainment arena, including Skechers Entertainment, Technicolor, CreaCon Entertainment and 41 Entertainment.

Saban Brands returns to MIP Junior and MIPCOM with international distributor MarVista Entertainment, as part of a major re-launch of the Power Rangers brand. The MIPCOM Opening Night Party and Internet Zone sponsor, Saban Brands is showcasing the 18th season of Power Rangers, along with MarVista, the sponsor of the MIP Junior Networking Lunch. “We are thrilled to have Saban Brands at this year’s MIPCOM," said Elie Dekel, the president of Saban Brands. "The wideworld of television comes to MIPCOM every year—it’s where we can meet our partners and forge new alliances. And especially this year, as we re-launch the Power Rangers, there is no better place to do business than MIPCOM.”

The 13th edition of MIP Junior will host more than 1,000 new programs in its digital library. “The screening process and facilities at MIP Junior are so important for both broadcaster and rights owner, providing quality comprehensive screening time for the buyer and for the vendor and real-time feedback on who has viewed the series and their reaction,” commented the creator of kids series City of Friends, Carl Christian Hamre, the CEO of Norwegian company CreaCon Entertainment.

Produced by Method Animation, Le Petit Prince will make its world premiere before MIP Junior’s Closing Cocktail on October 3. “The kids’ animation market has gone through tremendous changes over the past years. Kids watch more and more high-quality programs while overall quality of the programs is increasing,” said the president of Method Animation, Aton Soumache. “MIPCOM is a must-be place for the animation market and for Method Animation. It is the perfect place to feel new trends, the shape of the market and the financing opportunities.” Also on October 3, Sesame Street’s Bert and Ernie are inviting MIP Junior’s attendees to a special presentation of ARD/NDR’s Sesamstrasse’s Carrot for Two, co-produced with Sesame Workshop.

“The kids’ entertainment sector is extremely dynamic,” commented Laurine Garaude, the director of MIPCOM. “The number of animation exhibitors at MIPCOM has risen 12 percent in five years and we will welcome over 680 exhibiting companies this year, new sponsors and key newcomers. We are thrilled to see so many animation and kids’ programming companies attending MIPCOM and MIP Junior this year.”

With 95 years of experience in entertainment innovation, Technicolor is a newcomer company at MIP Junior 2010. “Technicolor is so excited to enter the original content business that we proudly plan to showcase our very first property, Pete & Pickles, at this year’s MIP Junior,” said Steven Wendland, Technicolor’s VP of animation. “MIPCOM and MIP Junior allow us to reach a global and dedicated audience of market participants unlike any other market and this means that we all have a fair chance to succeed based on the quality of our brands,” added Allen Bohbot, the president and CEO of 41 Entertainment.

Twelve of Korea’s leading kids’ entertainment companies, including Roi Visual and SAMG Animation, will be present at MIP Junior. The inaugural “What’s new in Korea” venue, sponsored by Korea Culture and Content Agency, will provide MIP Junior delegates with the opportunity to discover new partnership, co-production and content opportunities with Korean companies.

In the way of conferences, co-creator, writer and executive producer of Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, Michael Poryes will give a keynote address at MIP Junior on October 3. Kristen Van Cott, the senior VP of creative development at Skechers Entertainment, will lead the Case Study conference “Creating a Family Brand,” held on October 2. “For a producer to be able to grab the attention of today’s kid viewers, content needs to tell a good story, offer compelling graphics and be interactive,” said Van Cott. “The programming at MIPCOM is remarkably diverse, yet the most successful shows all share those qualities. This market is essential to Skechers Entertainment as we introduce our branded content to the world.”