VideoAge International: What’s new at this year’s market?
Laurine Garaude: There are a number of new innovations at this MIP-TV, namely the launch of our new event, Connected Creativity in partnership with GSMA, the leading mobile association, but also the World Premiere TV Screenings with, Camelot presented by GK-tv, the Branded Entertainment Summit sponsored by Ogilvy with the first Brand of the Year Award and our Spotlight on 3D in partnership with Sony Corporation.
We decided to launch Connected Creativity because of the new content opportunities created by changing consumer habits and connected devices. It is the global forum bringing together the worlds of technology and mobile media with the entertainment industry.
The Connected Creativity Forum, held at the Majestic Hotel on April 5-7, is a new conference experience featuring keynotes, closed-door executive sessions, exclusive demos and targeted collaborative meetings.
There will also be a unique area where participants can touch, see and explore the connected innovations of tomorrow called the Experience Hub. Also, as part of Connected Creativity we are introducing the CC Venture Competition to help start-ups introducing new mobile content, apps and technological solutions find the financing necessary for their development. In addition, our Content 360 Digital Creativity Festival is also now a part of Connected Creativity with a new set of categories and held in partnership with FremantleMedia, the National Film Board of Canada and Yahoo!
VAI: Does MIPTV 2011 have a theme?
LG: This year we will highlight a number of significant themes, all of which are extremely important to the industry. In addition to Connected Creativity, there are four other key themes that stand out: formats, co-production, a spotlight on 3D and branded entertainment.
VAI: How many attendees are you expecting?
LG: MIP-TV 2011 is shaping up very well and promises to be a very busy and vibrant market. We expect some 11,500 professionals. We are currently tracking above last year in terms of buyers and expect over 4,000 international buyers and a total of some 1,500 exhibiting companies.
Among new exhibitors this year are new pavilions from New Zealand, Morocco, and China, as well as Fox Look, Technicolor, Sketchers, Turner Broadcasting, 100% Distribution, Tele Munchen, GK-tv, Red Bull, A Squared Entertainment.
VAI: In your view, what will the highlights of the market be?
LG: Among the highlights will be The World Premiere TV Screenings held on Monday, April 4, which will feature the Irish-Canadian co-production Camelot presented by GK-TV.
We are delighted to welcome the series’ stars Eva Green and Joseph Fiennes who will participate in a Q&A following the screening. We are also extending the concept through a series of fiction and animation screenings during the week. Screenings include Telemunchen and TM International’s Moby Dick, a Nordic Screening featuring independent fiction series from Finland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden and Asian Animation Screenings presenting programs from Japan, China, Korea, Malaysia and India.
The International Digital Emmy Awards are returning to MIP-TV with 12 productions from eight countries — including Lebanon, Turkey and Brazil — up for awards in three categories. The event, on April 4, will also present the Pioneer Prize to Jon M. Chu for creating The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers.
VAI: Will all the U.S. Studios be in attendance this year?
LG: We look forward to welcoming representatives from the studios from the U.S., including CBS, NBC, Sony Pictures Television, Disney and Warner Bros., as well as other key players including HBO, Lionsgate, MGM, MTV, RHI, Starz Media, GK-tv, and Entertainment One among others.
VAI: Finally your prediction: Is it going to rain?
LG: I predict sun, so make sure to bring your sunglasses!
