Video: TMG’s Herbert Kloiber Discusses Career Legacy at NATPE

MIAMI: Herbert Kloiber, the chairman and shareholder in Tele München Group (TMG), took part in a Coffee With… session this morning at NATPE, in conversation with World Screen’s Anna Carugati.

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Kloiber, who received a Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award last night, began by recounting how he got started in the industry and the many milestones that he has reached and relationships he has formed on his way to making TMG a leading media company in Europe. In particular, Carugati pointed out how his being forward thinking and not afraid to take risks has greatly contributed to the company’s success.

The media landscape has undergone many changes, though, since Kloiber first established TMG. He said that 20 years ago “business was more balanced, in a sense, because you had three or four big deals, with a lot of pushing and shoving, then a handshake…. Today you have to do [many] little deals that can take a year.” He brought up how digital platforms have complicated matters because of new issues with windowing. “The business was more fun [20 years ago] because we had more play time!” he joked.

Carugati asked if there was any particular deal, from his years of negotiations, that he was particularly proud of having secured. Kloiber shared a story about a deal that took place just one year ago, at NATPE, involving the Charlie Sheen comedy Anger Management. At the time, it had seemed a bit risky, because of the 10-90 model being used, that said that if the first 10 episodes did well, 90 more would automatically be ordered. “Normally these deals get pushed around…but this time we did it the old fashioned way—[with a simple] ‘You got it!’” In the end, TMG secured the rights in German-speaking Europe for the show, much to the dismay of its competition.

As Kloiber’s son Herbert L. Kloiber—who was among the attendees this morning—recently took over as managing director of TMG, Carugati asked what advice he had given when “passing the baton.” Kloiber replied, “We are one of those odd-couple father-son duets. I’m trying to convey by showing, not just saying.” He said that he began taking him to markets and meetings many years ago, “so he has seen what I do and how I do it, and I don’t think the way I do it is the [only] way to do it.”

Kloiber’s son also shared a few words for his father about carrying on the legacy at the company. “I have been involved in the business for the last 18 years, and kindly you took me along to all these conventions and meetings. You’ve shown me by example how this business works, and that’s the most amazing education that someone can give.”