YouTube, Goalhanger, Sidemen Productions to Keynote MIP LONDON

Executives from YouTube, Goalhanger and Sidemen Productions are among those who will deliver keynotes at MIP LONDON, forming part of a two-day creator economy strand.

Pedro Pina, VP of YouTube EMEA, and Tony Pastor, co-founder of Goalhanger, will deliver a keynote on the main stage of the IET London’s Kelvin Theatre on February 23. They will explore their partnership and the rapid evolution of podcast consumption across video. Goalhanger, known for its The Rest Is… series, generated more than 750 million full-episode views and streams across its 14 shows in 2025.

A second main-stage keynote will profile the recently launched Sidemen Productions and explore the plans for the creator-led production company, which was established after over a decade of producing content across YouTube and digital platforms. The company marks a significant stpe for the Sidemen, who have more than 100 million subscribers across their platforms. The discussion will feature Victor Bengtsson, CEO of Sidemen Entertainment, and Adam Cohen, head of Sidemen Productions, with Ian Shepherd, co-founder and co-CEO of Electrify Video Partners, moderating.

Additionally, a showcase titled The Power of Podcast: Global Impact and Multi-Platform Distribution will take place on February 24 in the IET’s Turing Theatre. PodX will draw on the insights of its international network of studios and talent across Europe, North America and Latin America to discuss the ways podcast IP is being redefined through 360-degree distribution, format innovation and cultural reach. Patrick Svensk, CEO of PodX; Darby Dorras, chief content officer of Platform Media; and Julien Neuville, director of continental Europe of PodX, will take place.

The Sports & Creators: Strategic Priorities Shaping Streaming Platforms panel will include David Salmon, managing director of international at Tubi; Olivier Jollet, executive VP and international general manager at Pluto TV; Walker Jacobs, global chief revenue officer and president for the U.S. at DAZN, with Jennifer Batty, media advisor, as moderator. They will explore sport as a strategic growth driver for ad-supported and FAST platforms and how creator-led ecosystems are redefining audience engagement in the genre. It will be staged in the Kelvin Theatre on February 24.

Amie Parker-Williams, Director, Digital Commissioning & Production, MTV Entertainment Group International; Ben Sinden, Senior Vice President, Content and Creators at Electrify Video Partners; Dominic Smales, Co-Founder, GloMotion Studios/WinnieWood; Matt Ford, VP Commercial, Digital, Sony Pictures Television, will take part in a panel moderated by Drew Baldin, CEO of Tubefilter, on February 24 in the Kelvin Theatre. Titled The Masters of Digtial Content, the panel will unpack how premium digital content is being commissioned, produced and scaled.