16 Market Jitters Preannounce MIPCOM’s Confirmation as Premier Show Party invitations for MIPCOM Cannes — both “Save the Dates” and actual invitations — began arriving in e-mail inboxes as early as August 1 — a whopping 81 days before the market’s opening day, October 21, 2024. Why the early start? Perhaps it’s because RX, MIPCOM’s organizers, began teasing potential participants as early as June with special offers. In addition, MIPCOM’s official site listed its exhibiting companies as early as August, when it was discovered that Paramount was going back to its tent in C14, that Disney would be returning to the third floor of the Palais at P3.C1, and that NBCUniversal was taking its usual stand on P4. There was also the fact that “over 320 stands” would be erected for 1,500 exhibiting companies, with the Riviera Halls sold out by the end of August. RX’s strategy seems to have worked, seeing as how both participants and exhibitors began planning their time in Cannes earlier than usual, and companies’ PR materials quickly made their way to members of the trade press in search of editorial coverage — especially from dubbing studios. Indeed, dubbing studios seem to be invading MIPCOM. VideoAge received an unusually large number of requests to meet representatives of dubbing studios in Cannes. According to Jacques Barreau of Barcelona, Spain-based dubbing company TransPerfect, “it is because during the strike in Hollywood, production stopped and the entire TV season became practically dead. Now, production is back on and there is more content to be dubbed.” Also, he said, “with prices dropping constantly in dubbing (at the request of the big clients), dubbing studios need more volume to survive.” Dubbing is also a key strategy for streamers. Recently, The Wall Street Journal covered Netflix’s new strategy that consists of spending less on original programs, but achieving customer retention through cheaper content. The key element for this strategy is to find a global audience for unscripted reality shows through accurate dubbing. Netflix officials are now educating performers in the U.S. and Europe on the perfect mix of authenticity and nuances. The WSJ reported that Netflix “supports 30 languages with non-English content representing one-third of all viewing on the service.” In terms of production and distribution, Chevonne O’Shaughnessy, CEO of the Los Angeles-based ACI, explained things thusly: “After 25 years in international distribution with ACI, our business is evolving to focus on niche and targeted sectors. Film markets like NATPE Global and MIPCOM align closely with this new direction.” Loni Farhi will travel from Miami, Florida to MIPCOM to present his new company, Cosmo Blue Media, which is set to replicate the success of the company he recently sold, SPI International. Similarly, Solange Attwood will be at MIPCOM to introduce her new company, Toronto-based Maven Studios. Even though Niccoló Messina will not be personally present in Cannes, his distribution staff will be leveraging MIPCOM to launch Messina’s Insurgence International, a Rome, Italy and Los Angeles-based distributor for Messina’s V Channels, which boasts a library of 100 original independent movies and over 60 feature documentaries. Veteran American TV executive Doug Friedman announced that he will return to MIPCOM after a 29-year absence and document the changes he sees in a piece for VideoAge. At the same time, Barry Chamberlain will be returning to MIPCOM for the first time since 2019, this time as COO for the Los Angelesbased Electric Entertainment. Chamberlain previously served as president of Sales for CBS and subsequently for Paramount Global. LatAm companies will have a reduced presence at the market, both for budgetary reasons and the proximity of MIP Cancun (November 19-22, 2024), with the exception of Brazil’s Record TV, which will be at MIPCOM in a big way, in terms of marketing. “Given the current economics and other factors that have been impacting our industry, many LatAm companies are opting for MIP Cancun instead of MIPCOM to close out the year,” commented Cesar O. Diaz, CEO of the Miami, Florida-based 7A Media. He added: “It’s no surprise that many entities are trimming budgets. [Plus] there is still an overflow of the number of conventions, content markets, conferences, summits, and gatherings that are happening throughout the year.” “The focus is NATPE and/or Content Americas [in Miami, Florida] in early 2025,” said veteran Los Angeles-based distributor Ettore Botta, president of SpaceWow. René Leda of Los Angeles-based production company Netminds, explained: “MIP Cancun and Miami in January are more effective for LatAm sales companies. The cost is lower to exhibit and [is more affordable] for buyers too.” Nonetheless, for Jacques Barreau, “TransPerfect sees MIPCOM as the ideal platform to showcase its latest tools and services.” He added: “MIPCOM is the perfect environment for exchanging ideas in both the technical and creative domains, helping us refine our strategy and code of ethics. The latest AI trend, which is taking our industry by storm, is a prime example. This event is also more than just a showcase, it’s a chance for us to deepen our relationships and build new connections within the industry.” This year, MIPCOM’s Country of Honor is going to be Spain, which is also the sponsor for the Opening Night Party on Monday. As for an update on MIP London, that will most likely come on Wednesday, the market’s penultimate day. Meanwhile, according to some preliminary official press releases, as per mid-September, over 80 companies from 30 countries had already confirmed participation at MIP London, to be held February 2327, 2025 (replacing April’s MIPTV in Cannes). Finally, Sony Pictures will have a stand in the Palais, Level 1, Debussy Foyer, and its chairman and CEO, Tony Vinciquerra, will fly to MIPCOM to receive the Variety Vanguard Award. VIDEOAGE October 2024 Market Preview
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