Anne Sweeney Named MIPCOM 2011 Personality of the Year

PARIS: Reed MIDEM has named Anne Sweeney, the president of Disney/ABC Television Group and co-chair of Disney Media Networks, as the MIPCOM 2011 Personality of the Year, marking the first time a woman has received the accolade.

Sweeney will accept the award on October 5 during a special gala. She will also deliver a keynote address that same day, as part of the Media Mastermind series of presentations. Sweeney is responsible for The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment and news television properties globally. She joined the company in 1996 as president of Disney Channel and executive VP of Disney/ABC Cable Networks. Before that she was the chairman and CEO of FX Networks.

“We are extremely pleased to honor Anne Sweeney as our MIPCOM 2011 Personality of the Year in recognition of her unparalleled contributions to the global entertainment industry,” said Paul Zilk, the chief executive of Reed MIDEM. “Of special note is her contribution to the expansion of Disney’s portfolio of channels, brands and programming worldwide, as well as her visionary leadership in fostering content on emerging digital platforms.”

“I am so very honored to be the recipient of MIPCOM’s 2011 ‘Personality of the Year,’" commented Sweeney. “However the accomplishments which have led to this honor are not mine alone. They are the result of the tireless efforts of so very many talented colleagues. This event will allow me to acknowledge and celebrate everyone on the Disney/ABC Television Group and Disney Media Distribution teams, who not only create some of the most acclaimed and popular programming around the globe, but also continually develop new, innovative distribution methods that meet the ever-evolving needs of consumers.”