MIPTV: International Entertainment Industry at the EMC Kick-Off

On Monday 7 April, the Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the Entertainment Master Class (EMC) held a reception at MipTV in Cannes to celebrate the official kick-off of the EMC format academy. Guests expected to attend included Julie Bristow (CBC Television, Kanada), Ben Hall (BBC Worldwide), Guillaume de Fondaumière (Quantic Dream), Dr. Thomas Bellut (ZDF), Frank Hoffmann (VOX), Jan Mojto (EOS Entertainment), Dr. Matthias Esche (Bavaria Film International) and many more. EMC is a prestigious event that focuses on building expertise in TV formats within Europe.

Advertisers and brands show increased interest in MIPTV

MIPTV, the international content fair, was traditionally the hunting ground for everything to to with TV programming. But as other "content" fairs have seen over the past few years, there is increasing spillover from other industries - notably advertising. “The growth of advertising agencies and brands participating at Mip TV Featuring Milia 2008 reflects their sincere desire to join the entertainment content production and distribution players—at a development stage—as strategic partners,” said Paul Johnson of Reed Midem, the convention’s organizer. Companies that have confirmed their presence so far include media groups TBWA, Havas Entertainment, Euro RSCG and Ogilvy, as well as global brands Dove, Nike, American Express, Fanta, Ford, BP and Kodak.

Many are looking to the new formats as a way of reaching new audiences using mobile platforms, while investigating cross-marketing possibilities. A number of conferences will be devoted to the subject, under the "Audiences on the move" banner. Amongst the speakers will be Richard Dickson of Mattel. MIPTV will be held April 7-11. For details about the conference programme, see MIPTV.

Canada dominates interactive Emmies at MIPTV

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced the winners for the International Interactive Emmy® Awards, organized for the second year in a row at MIPTV in Cannes, France in partnership with Reed MIDEM and hosted by actor Roger Bart (Desperate Housewives, The Producers).

Canada led the evening with Zimmer Twins and ReGenesis Extended Reality Game in a tie for the Interactive Program category and BITE Television winning the Interactive Channel category, while the Interactive TV Service category went to the UK’s BBCi.

The Pioneer Prize was presented to BSkyB, for their innovative contributions to the field of interactive television and accepted by Sophie Turner-Laing (photo), Managing Director, Sky Entertainment.

The black-tie ceremony was attended by over 250 international executives from the television, broadband and mobile industries including sponsors: AETN, Deutsche Telekom, Intent Mediaworks, MPS Broadband, Nokia and Sky.

The 35th International Emmy Awards Gala will be held in New York, November 19, 2007.

2007 INTERNATIONAL INTERACTIVE EMMY® AWARD WINNERS

INTERACTIVE PROGRAM

ReGenesis Extended
Reality Game
Xenophile Media
Canada

Zimmer Twins
Lost the Plot Productions/
Zinc Roe Design
Canada

INTERACTIVE CHANNEL

BITE Television
BITE Television
Canada

INTERACTIVE TV SERVICE

BBCi
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
United Kingdom

MIPTV announces the Content 360 finalists

MIPTV featuring MILIA, Cannes' audiovisual and digital content market, has just announced the 25 finalists for the second edition of “Content 360,” the international competition to commission innovative, interactive content and applications for mobile and broadband.

“Content 360” is organised in partnership with the BBC, the Korean Broadcasting Commission (KBC), the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) and for the first time WPP’s OgilvyOne Worldwide and Yahoo!

The call for entries received an enthusiastic response from hundreds of international multimedia and application developers. A total of 450 projects from 36 countries were entered compared to 186 projects from 23 countries last year. 240 companies from countries as diverse as Mexico, Australia, Sweden, South Africa, US, France, Canada, Italy, South Korea, UK, India, Singapore… entered projects in this year’s competition. A total of €100,000 in funding will be awarded at MIPTV on April 19. For more details, visit Content 360.

MIPTV: Content 360 pitch deadline

Digital creators, interactive agencies, independent producers, internet and mobile application providers have a dedicated pitching event at MIPTV (April 16-20 2006). Content 360 offers a chance to generate new opportunities with the global entertainment industry and win part of €100,000 in development funding. This year, Content 360 is calling for entries in eight categories. For full details, visit the MIPTV 360 site.

But most importantly, don't forget the deadline: February 9, 2006.

Creator of Goldorak and Power Rangers to be honoured at MIPTV

Originally posted on March 13, 2006. The Japanese company TOEI, known for its successes with the Power Rangers and Goldorak, is to receive a lifetime achievement award at MIPTV in Cannes. TOEI has been active for 50 years already. Most recently, it has produced award-winning features such as the second world war drama "Yamato" that won a prize at Cannes 2005.

Although the MIPTV awards usually go to individuals, "TOEI executives were very insistent that their success has been a collective effort and that the award should go to the whole TOEI team, rather than any one individual,” commented Paul Johnson, Director of the Television Division, Reed MIDEM.

MIPTV will be held in Cannes between April 3 and 7. Details at MIPTV.com.