Event Preview: MIPTV

MIPTV
March 30-April 3
Cannes, France

"Can you afford not to be there?" is the question posed on some of MIPTV’s promotional ads this year. The sentiment on the part of organizers Reed MIDEM is clear: in these challenging times, attending the market in Cannes is more important than ever. And the conference schedule is peppered with sessions designed to "bring new business opportunities to everybody," says Laurine Garaude, the acting director of the television division at Reed MIDEM. "We want to make sure that when you come to MIPTV you leave with real business, plus the added ideas and insights to help go forward and do some really exciting things."

That has included bringing out more buyers, of both traditional and digital content, as well as investors, so that producers can continue to get programs made. MIPTV has also expanded the lineup of MIP Accelerators, introduced at MIPCOM, which are events intended to "accelerate matchmaking," Garaude says. The sessions are themed around topics such as broadband video, film commissioning and video games. "We’re looking at different ways of connecting people to create potential business partnerships."

As part of these efforts, MIPTV has expanded its focus on the so-called "METRIC" countries—the Middle East, Turkey, Russia, India and China. At MIPTV, China and the Middle East, in particular, will take center stage. There is a Focus on China planned, on March 31, with the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television’s (SARFT) Vice Minister, Tian Jin, leading a Chinese industry delegation. SARFT will focus on encouraging international companies to engage in more factual co-productions with Chinese organizations at a dedicated seminar, while the China United Pavilion will host entities such as China International TV Corp, CTV Media and Hunan Satellite TV, among others. "The Chinese numbers are very high for us this year," says Garaude. "There are a lot of opportunities in China right now."

From the Middle East, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Joint Program Institute, representing the public broadcasters in the Arab Gulf states, has become a partner of the Content 360 cross-media festival at MIPTV 2009. "They have pledged $200,000 in production financing for some of the best pitches over the next year."

In all, there is over $300,000 being offered up in financing at Content 360, with GCC being joined by Korea’s KCC, Microsoft’s MSN, TF1, founding partner BBC and, as part of MIPTV’s new focus on the advertising and branded-entertainment sectors, Ogilvy.

"As we all know, TV is very much evolving, being consumed in many different ways, so the links between TV, digital and advertising are closer and closer," Garaude says. "We have a real star lineup." This includes WPP chief Sir Martin Sorrell, with a speech titled "What screens will they watch—and what will be on them?"

Also part of the advertising lineup of keynotes are Chuck Porter, the chairman of Crispin Porter + Bogusky MDC Partners, and Christophe Lambert, the co-founder of the Blue agency with Luc Besson. These keynotes kick off the first Creative Summit on the theme of "Reinventing Storytelling."

"More and more advertising agencies will be at MIPTV, a trend that’s going to continue," Garaude adds.

Another highlight is the MIP Digital Forum, replacing MILIA, an event that Garaude herself ran for ten years before taking on oversight of MIPTV following Paul Johnson’s departure to assume a post at Endemol.

"This is a very large part of the conference program, focusing on innovation and creativity, bringing together thought leaders from digital content creation with broadcast, mobile and Internet distribution platforms," Garaude explains.

The MIP Digital Forum will feature keynotes by Patrick Barry, the VP of Connected TV at Yahoo!, and Dr. Jeffrey Cole, the director of the Center for the Digital Future at USC’s Annenberg School. In addition, Endemol’s CEO, Ynon Kreiz, will deliver a 3-D keynote presentation called "Our Best Kept Secrets."

Rounding out the highlights under the new-media theme will be the fourth annual International Digital Emmy Awards, in conjunction with the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. "There will be some big stars appearing" at the event, Garaude says.

MIPDOC, meanwhile, on the weekend before MIPTV, will feature the fourth edition of the International Trailblazer Awards, celebrating factual filmmakers from around the world, as well as keynotes from award-winning producers Liz Garbus and Rory Kennedy.

With several weeks to go before registration closes, Garaude notes that attendance numbers so far for MIPTV are "looking very good. Certain countries are up in attendance, particularly from Asia and the Middle East. Overall, we expect MIPTV 2009 to be pretty stable in terms of participants, which is excellent news in the current economic climate."