Water Cooler

By Dom Serafini

Have you noticed that at this MIP-TV, VideoAge isn’t carrying its usual “Seminars 4 U” feature? It had become a tradition for us to list those seminars that our editorial staff deemed worthwhile to attend. Lately, however, this particular feature has become a source of aggravation for all of us at VideoAge. Market organizers tend to object to it, and they let us know in no uncertain terms.

The most recent market organizer to blast us for our seminars review was NATPE president Rick Feldman during the Las Vegas-based NATPE 2009. “How could you possibly comment on seminars before they actually take place?” he objected. And my response was: “How could you possibly have a seminar called ‘International: No Longer An Ancillary Business.’ VideoAge didn’t go negative, but doesn’t that title say it all? International has not been an ancillary business for over 20 years now! It’s the business.” Plus, it was pointed out that the seminars review had to be published in the market’s first day Daily if it was to be of any help to the Daily publication’s readers. To review seminars after the fact doesn’t bring back the time wasted attending them.

My explanations must have convinced him of our good intentions because thereafter Feldman gifted me with two lunch tickets for Table X, the newly inaugurated (and rather expensive) restaurant on NATPE’s convention floor.

Nonetheless, despite the fulfilling ending, that latest encounter left me somewhat shaky. Deep inside me there was the feeling that it reflected the underlying and seemingly universal thinking, which is: Big trades like The Hollywood Reporter and Variety don’t bother with controversy, why on earth does VideoAge? Who do you think you are, The New York Times?

And to think that we honestly believed we were providing a service to our readers and, by prodding the market organizers, pushing them to improve the quality of their seminars! How naïve on our part!

The more my mind went back to it, the more agitated I got: “All that work and it isn’t in the least bit appreciated.” Granted, we at VideoAge tend not to favor seminars because, in our view, they get people off the exhibition floor and into dark rooms where all kinds of things go on, apart from pure buying and selling, which is the raison d’etre of a market.

Nevertheless, loathe to have our feelings interfere with our editorial integrity, in writing that NATPE “Seminars 4 U” review feature, we had to go through 57 seminars (that’s about 30 printed pages), carefully read all the synopses, evaluate the panelists by their accompanying bios, assess the seminars’ pertinence to our core readers and make a list based on potential interest (would we cover it? is it newsworthy?), assess panelists’ experience in the field, whether it is a sleep-inducing PowerPoint presentation, whether it has the right mix of topic and panelists, whether there are too many panelists on the dais and check the moderators’ credentials. We don’t have any qualms praising moderators from competing publications, like we often did with THR’s Elizabeth Guider or WSN’s Anna Carugati, and we’re never decidedly negative. In other words, we just list the seminars deemed noteworthy, rather than dissing or mentioning the others.

The exercise with seminar review taught us several lessons. It reinstated what the evergreen 90-year-old Italian politician, Giulio Andreotti, always believed and lived by:

1. “Power wears out who doesn’t have it.” Indeed, we have to face the reality that the trade press has no power whatsoever, and this could be one of the reasons we trade journalists are worn out.

2. “To assume the worst about someone isn’t holy, but often it’s the right surmise.” This is a take on Intel’s Andy S. Grove’s book, Only the Paranoid Survive. The premise is that rules have changed. In our case, a publication that is able to spot this and act upon it will be the one moving forward. The most successful ones are those that are always questioned and are looking over their shoulders.

3. “A rebuttal is the same news given twice.” This is why very few TV executives comment publicly on stories that are not too flattering. On the other hand, pressures are applied on several levels.

Now, for a grandiose closing. If seminars at TV and film markets end up becoming mere trampolines for entertainment executives to promote their companies and products, go ahead and blame VideoAge.

Posted by watercooler at 10:54 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

By Leah Hochbaum Rosner

With this edition, we’re concluding the Road to MIP-TV series, since next week, TV executives from around the globe will get the real McCoy when they descend upon Cannes. By this time next week, MIP-goers will be reading all the news that’s fit to print before they get bored, directly from VideoAge Daily at MIP. For those who were left behind because of the recession, the news will be available online at this same URL.

Despite some dire predictions, many executives are expecting a good market, and, like many others, David Ellender, CEO of U.K.-based FremantleMedia Enterprises (FME), will be in the Palais des Festivals ready for deal-making. He spoke with VideoAge about the types of shows he believes will draw buyers to his booth, why he’s not letting the economic climate get him down and why an earlier than-usual MIP-TV and a later-than usual L.A. Screenings won’t affect the way he plans to do business in Cannes.

VideoAge International: What product are you bringing to this year’s MIP-TV?

David Ellender: FME will be offering a range of high-caliber new productions across the genres of drama, comedy, factual, entertainment and pop culture. We are very excited about the launch of Jamie Oliver’s new series, Jamie’s America, which will see him go on the ultimate road trip — traveling around the U.S., trying real American food and meeting its unsung chefs and producers. Also of great importance are the launches of the second seasons of the outstanding drama, Merlin, elite music show Live From Abbey Road, newly launched primetime hit True Beauty and the upcoming entertainment variety show, The Osbournes Reloaded, which will also air in primetime on Fox in the U.S.

VAI: Why does MIP-TV continue to be such an important market for FME?

DE: MIP-TV is a great opportunity for us to meet with both buyers and programmers around the world to showcase a variety of new content across a range of genres from producers FME represents spanning the U.K., U.S., Canada and Australia.

VAI: Are you focusing on any specific territories?

DE: For every property we have a specific sales strategy so everyone will be working very hard at the market. FME operates 12 international offices servicing 150 territories worldwide. Our content pretty much works in every continent. However, we do favor mixing our programming portfolio with content that is originated in more than one market. We have dramas available that have been produced in the U.S., Germany and South America, and lifestyle content from Canada, the U.K. and Australia. We have a pretty diversified slate.

VAI: What are the main issues facing MIP today and how will the state of the economy affect the market?

DE: Broadcasters will have a more difficult time attracting and retaining viewership with reduced advertising revenue available. But given the number of surefire hits we distribute, we will be especially committed to listening to and working with our partners to find ways to succeed during these challenging times. As for the economy, it’s extremely likely that the climate will make buyers more selective, but we’re confident that our existing hit brands and franchises — American Idol, Celebrity Apprentice, America’s Got Talent, Project Runway, The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency, Grand Designs (Kevin McCloud), international drama sensation Merlin, and series from Jamie Oliver, Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse — will carry us through together with the new U.S. hit programs, True Beauty and The Osbournes Reloaded. Plus, we have over 100 hours of new content coming from Thom Beers’ Original Productions, the U.S. Travel Channel, plus three new series and two returning series from Spike TV.

VAI: Since the L.A. Screenings are later this year, do you think this allows executives to be more focused on the business at hand at MIP-TV? Why/why not?

DE: While the entire landscape within the industry is evolving, we have always found our clients to be very attentive and focused, especially when they are seeking the latest reality or entertainment series… which they won’t find during the L.A. Screenings.

Posted by watercooler at 11:04 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

By Leah Hochbaum Rosner

With just two weeks left before the entertainment industry descends upon the resort town of Cannes, France for the 46th annual MIP-TV, industry executives are hoping for some good weather, generous buyers, fewer problems and a chance to meet with those friends who were lucky enough to make the trip.

We didn’t ask, if in the midst of her market preparations, Andrea Stokes, International Sales and Acquisitions manager at Toronto-based Canamedia, is packing a bathing suit or a rain coat, but Stokes spoke with VideoAge about her company’s content at MIP, if the unfortunate state of the worldwide economy might somehow be a boon to her firm and why MIP-TV continues to be a must-attend event every year.

VideoAge International: What product are you bringing to this year’s MIP-TV?

Andrea Stokes: Canamedia is focusing on high-quality HD content this year — in particular, travel/lifestyle programming such as our new series Soccer Shrines and Planet Luxury as well as unique documentaries such as Andy Warhol’s Factory People.

VAI: Why does MIP-TV continue to be such an important market for Canamedia?

AS: MIP-TV (and MIPCOM) are essential for the growth of Canamedia — in securing new international deals and clients and also in acquiring diverse new programming for both TV and DVD sales. Being based in Canada, MIP-TV is the focal meeting point of our year that connects us to the worldwide market… and our friends.

VAI: Are you focusing on any specific territories?

AS: Canamedia always spreads our programming as wide as possible throughout the worldwide broadcasting market — no stone goes unturned. Our series and documentaries all have an international flavor to them that translates well in every territory. This year in particular we have more HD programming than ever before, so we’ll be focusing on those channels that are hungry for quality HD content.

VAI: What do you expect from MIP-TV 2009?

AS: I expect that MIP-TV will be a brisk and busy market — with more companies spreading their interests to include all forms of new media offerings. With the economy in a downward spiral, we all need to diversify to tap every market, especially with the onslaught of shrinking license fees.

VAI: How will the state of the economy affect the market? How will it affect Canamedia specifically?

AS: Canamedia as an independent distributor has just celebrated 30 years in the business, and while we provide a top-notch service to our producers and broadcasters, we keep our costs low. We are proud to offer a catalogue featuring new lifestyle series (travel, sports, home design, health, arts, etc.) that have many continuous seasons so we are always ready for bulk deals and other license initiatives that keep us popular with both large and small broadcasters worldwide. We anticipate that our quality brand of niche factual programming will keep us strong in 2009 and well into the future.

Posted by watercooler at 01:19 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

By Leah Hochbaum Rosner

With just three weeks to go until MIP-TV, TV execs are preparing themselves for a market that might be more business-focused than in years past, but that doesn’t mean that they’re ready to sacrifice a good coupe de champagne. Liz Cook of London-based Eaton Films will be on the convention floor at the market — which will take place March 30-April 3 in sunny Cannes, France — ready for anything and everything. She spoke with VideoAge about why MIP-TV continues to be so important, why it’s always hard for her to find time to attend any of the many seminars offered by MIP-TV and how the sad state of the world economy might actually give Eaton a leg up on the competition.

VideoAge International: What product are you bringing to this year’s MIP-TV?

Liz Cook: We are focusing on season three of The Saddle Club series. Although we introduced it at MIPCOM, we only had a promo at the time and we have now just taken delivery of all 26 episodes. It has a brand new cast and lots more songs. Incidentally, the song “Hello World,” which features in all three seasons, is currently number eight in the French music singles 100. The Saddle Club girls are higher on the charts than [musicians like] Beyonce, Rihanna, Franz Ferdinand and Pink!

VAI: Why does MIP-TV continue to be such an important market for Eaton? What territories are you focusing on?

LC: MIP is still the best opportunity for us to meet people from around the world under one roof. We are not focusing on any specific territories, but we hope to see lots of sales.

VAI: Will you be attending any of the panels or sessions or do you not usually have time for them? What topics would you like to see offered?

LC: We don’t have much time, but if there is anything of interest, one of us tries to make it. We would, however, like to see more seminars discussing the myriad of ever-increasing new rights.

VAI: What are the main issues facing MIP-TV today?

LC: From speaking to people in the industry it seems that some companies have decided to attend only one of the Cannes markets this year instead of both. But we haven’t seen any figures on this yet, so we will have to wait and see.

VAI: How will the state of the economy affect the market? How will it affect your company specifically?

LC: The downturn in ad revenue is obviously creating some belt tightening. Although, at the same time, less production money available could lead to the necessity to buy more finished product. We have a large back catalogue that might generate increasing interest in these difficult times.

Posted by watercooler at 09:17 AM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)

By Leah Hochbaum Rosner

With MIP-TV 2009 approaching faster than usual, buyers and sellers the world over are prepping for a market that’s sure to be a little bit out of the ordinary — what with the worldwide economic crisis having firmly taken hold. But some executives feel that things at the Cannes market, which will be held March 30-April 3, will be business as usual. VideoAge spoke with one such exec, Patrick Elmendorff, managing director of Munich, Germany-based Studio100 Media, to find out what new product he’s bringing to the Palais, why he’s continuing to focus his energies on the countries he knows best and how he feels the global recession will impact those in Cannes.

VideoAge International: What product are you bringing to this year’s MIP-TV?

Patrick Elmendorff: We are focusing on shows for preschoolers and character-driven stories with strong storylines targeting both girls and boys. Our aim is to provide programming that has international appeal, high merchandising potential and broad exploitation opportunities throughout the value chain. Programs include multiplatform quiz show Kerwhizz, puppetry series Big & Small, 3D-animated comedy Zeke’s Pad and children’s telenovela Amika.

VAI: Why does MIP-TV continue to be such an important market for your company?

PE: MIP-TV is important as it enables us to continue with networking opportunities and sales activities and to touch base with new customers as well as to extend existing partnerships that have been fruitful in the past. MIP-TV enables us to present new productions to a large audience, establish customer needs and identify what kinds of programs clients are demanding for the rest of the year and what their plans are for the coming year.

VAI: Are you focusing on any specific territories?

PE: We will be focusing mainly on our key territories, German-speaking countries, including Germany, Austria and Switzerland. We will also focus on the Benelux, and on France, Spain, Italy, Eastern Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

VAI: What do you expect at this year’s MIP-TV and how will the state of the economy affect the market?

PE: As usual, our goals are to maximize revenue, to initiate new deals and to follow up with customers. But buyers and sellers will be cautious this year.

VAI: Finally, do you ever have any time to attend any of the sessions/panels offered at MIP-TV?

PE: Due to our extensive meetings schedule, we usually do not have time to attend. However, we will endeavor to attend some panel sessions during the course of this year’s market.

Posted by watercooler at 05:09 PM | Permalink | TrackBacks (0)