I am still preparing to go to MIPCOM. I have my flight, my apartment and great room mates all arranged. But I got a late start on making appointments. At this time I usually have about 40 or 45 appointments. So far, I have about 30 with 10 days counting. However, I must say, these appointments are ones that want to see me for the right reasons. They have business to discuss, not just a meeting to kiss on the cheeks and pass the time. So quality over quantity is what I am going for.
I am still preparing to go to MIPCOM. I have my flight, my apartment and great room mates all arranged. But I got a late start on making appointments. At this time I usually have about 40 or 45 appointments. So far, I have about 30 with 10 days counting.
However, I must say, these appointments are ones that want to see me for the right reasons. They have business to discuss, not just a meeting to kiss on the cheeks and pass the time. So quality over quantity is what I am going for.
I know that I will pick up other meetings while I am there and I might even have time to attend some of the networking event to meet new people. My expectations are high that this will be a good market.
What really goes on in these meetings? In my case, I am there to seek out producers who have production needs and development people who might like a new series concept. But I am an anomaly at MIPCOM.
Most people attend MIPCOM to buy and sell TV content. That’s why they call it a “market.”
Networks, distributors and sales agents are lined up, stand after stand with posters blazing what they have to sell. Some distributors have a very narrow product line up. They could be specializing in Anime, faith-based content, horror or language specific content.
US networks have their tent-pole prime time shows ready for sale to other countries and territories. Producers like Endemol, Fremantle and BBC are also selling the franchise or “format” for popular shows like “Big Brother,” “Torchwood: Miracle Day” and “Ugly Betty” so territorial producers can localize these shows with indigenous talent for their own audiences.
Buyers and acquisition executives are there from broadcast networks, satellite networks and cable network all looking for the next big hit for their time slots. Some sales agents are looking to producers for new completed series or movies to add to their catalogs so they can sell them to other distributors in territories that they service. Some distributors will even come to the market with content they have created because they know what specifically their clients want and at what price.
Everyone is trying to make a deal and many are trying to make the news. It is loud buzz of activity. I hope I can be heard over the din.
