Producers’ Forum: Formats Superpanel

In the last of a series of articles on MIPCOM’s Producers’ Forum—organized in association with World Screen—we look at the Formats Superpanel on Monday, October 4, at noon in Conference Room Esterel, Level 5.

MIPCOM and World Screen have lined up an array of heavy hitters for the Formats Superpanel, which will shed light on some of the key issues facing this ever-growing segment of the business. Topics scheduled to be on the table during the panel discussion, moderated by Anna Carugati, World Screen‘s group editorial director, include the keys to using production models that ensure quality shows produced in a cost-effective manner, finding appealing ideas that will travel and the benefits of having a broad network of production companies worldwide. Indeed, the executives lined up to participate represent some of the format business’s biggest players: Endemol Group, FremantleMedia, Sony Pictures Television, Shine Group and Banijay Entertainment.

“My hope is to set off a lively conversation with some of the most experienced executives in the formats industry,” says Carugati. “By sharing their knowledge of rolling out successful formats in multiple territories, they will undoubtedly provide useful information and valuable insight into their businesses.”

Tom Toumazis, chief commercial officer at Endemol, will be offering examples of successful production models, including the use of production hubs. “By using one production set and flying in people from different countries, we can offer economies of scale and make it possible to create a huge show that is more affordable,” Toumazis recently told TV Formats.

At FremantleMedia, Rob Clark, president of worldwide entertainment, continues to drive the worldwide exploitation of mega-hits like American Idol, The X Factor and Got Talent. Clark’s team will be introducing a fresh new crop of entertainment, game show and factual-entertainment formats at the market, including My Name Is… and Total Blackout. FremantleMedia is also going outside of its global network for ideas—following its rollout of Fuji TV’s Hole in the Wall, the company is introducing another title from the Japanese broadcaster: Face It.

Michael Davies was a pioneering force in the development of the U.S./U.K. format trade route at the start of this century, having imported such British hits as Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? and Wife Swap. Today, Davies runs Embassy Row, a prolific unscripted entertainment producer that last year was snapped up by Sony Pictures Television. At the time, Sony Pictures Television’s president, Steve Mosko, called Davies "an incredibly savvy producer who was an architect of the alternative-series business. He has a unique understanding of formats and how to make these shows work in network, cable and syndication."

Shine Group will be represented on the panel by its president, Alex Mahon. The company continues to expand its global presence, which includes a host of production entities in the U.K., Reveille in the U.S. and operations in Australia, France and Germany. Shine is using this reach to further the rollout of such hits as MasterChef, which was recently renewed for a second season in the U.S.

The format business’s newest major is Banijay Entertainment, which has grown substantially in the two years since its formation in France. At the heart of the company’s success, says François de Brugada, executive VP of creative and commercial affairs, is its entrepreneurial spirit. "We often call ourselves a ‘confederation of entrepreneurs,’ de Brugada recently told TV Formats. "We really trust our local companies to do the job."

The Formats Superpanel: Formulas for Success takes place Monday from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in Conference Room Esterel, Level 5, Palais des Festivals.

Want more formats coverage? Click here to see the MIPCOM edition of TV Formats and here to look at World Screen‘s inaugural TV Formats Distributors Guide.