Sony’s Kazuo Hirai Set for MIPCOM Keynote

PARIS: MIPCOM has added Kazuo Hirai, president and CEO of Sony Corporation, to its Media Mastermind Keynote lineup as part of the market’s celebration of Japan.

MIPCOM has selected Japan as this year’s Country of Honour. Hirai will deliver the opening keynote on Monday, October 17, at 11:30 a.m. in the Grand Auditorium. He leads a company that is involved in all segments of the entertainment value chain, from hardware to content creation, production and distribution. Sony marks its 70th anniversary this year.

“With Japan featuring as MIPCOM 2016 Country of Honour, it’s exciting to welcome Mr. Hirai who represents Sony, the best in the entertainment industry originated in that country,” said Laurine Garaude, director of television at Reed MIDEM.

The theme of the MIPCOM conference schedule is “The New Television.” Other Media Mastermind Keynotes are slated with Disney’s Ben Sherwood, Participant Media’s David Linde and STX’s Sophie Watts. The MIPCOM Personality of the Year is Shonda Rhimes.