Hannah Montana Co-Creator to Keynote MIPJunior

PARIS: A keynote address by Michael Poryes, co-creator and executive producer on Disney Channel’s Hannah Montana, is one of a number of highlights lined up for MIPJunior this year, which takes place October 2 to 3 in Cannes.

Poryes will discuss the show’s success, as well as his plans for the future now that the series is in its last season. Poryes’ other credits include Disney’s That’s So Raven and the prime-time sitcom Veronica’s Closet, among others.

Licensing and merchandising will be a key focus for this year’s event. A Matchmaking Breakfast will enable delegates to meet with licensing agents, and the Licensing Challenge returns for a seventh edition, with Mattel’s Holly Stein, VP of licensing acquisitions, as president of the jury.

MIPJunior is also promising more insight from key kids’ content buyers. A pitching breakfast is on the schedule, featuring acquisitions executives and commissioners, while another matchmaking event will enable producers to meet with international agents looking to acquire new kids’ programming. In addition, the Buyers’ Summit will offer feedback from acquisitions execs about what their channel needs are, as well as look ahead to trends for 2011. And a How to Pitch Workshop will provide producers and distributors with advice on how to approach buyers.

Other highlights include the return of the Kids’s Jury, in which children select their favorite animated programs in three categories, Preschool, Kids and Pre-teen; as well as a focus on new media. “Games, apps and emerging platforms are fast becoming an integral part of the lifecycle of kids’ programming as they increase audience engagement and provide new revenue streams," said Laurine Garaude, television division director at Reed MIDEM. "We will be focussing attention on this vibrant sector of the industry throughout MIPJunior.”

World Screen and TV Kids are among MIPJunior’s partners this year.