MIPCOM, the international content market for TV, video, cable and satellite was held in Cannes from October 2 to 6, 2000, with 11,762 people converging on the Palais to meet, discuss and conduct business. While business has seemed in recent years sluggish, this market had an energy that was based in real television and Internet business; and when speaking of the Internet it was for the first year real business and not dot.com hype. The talk was of taking characters from one medium to the next, using both as a tool to raise awareness and profitability.

There were a lot of first timers at this market with the total number of stands (494) increasing in excess of 7.15% since last year’s edition (461 stands), while the number of companies registered at the show (2,924) grew by 11.90% (2,613 companies at MIPCOM 1999). The number of buyers reached an all-time record as well with 2,895 executives (up 11.75%). This included a significant increase in Asian buyers, proving that their economic crisis is over. The record number of visitors was up 11.45% from last year’s 10,555, and was attributed to the addition of new media companies.

"With 22% of the companies involved in new media activities, MIPCOM 2000 has clearly demonstrated its ability to address the way broadband and convergence are impacting the media industry," explains Xavier Roy, Chief Officer, Reed Midem Organisation. "If content is still king, the context in which it is produced, branded and delivered is now playing an essential role. With MIPCOM, and MIPTV next April, we are determined to offer industry professionals a key opportunity to take on this new challenge." Focused on television in the new economy, the various MIPNET panel discussions further enhanced the growing importance of convergence as nearly 2,000 international television executives gathered at the sessions which were spread over three-days. On the floor one could hear people discussing the issues raised at MIPNET, especially the worries of ownership and copyright infringement in this digital age…

MIPCOM 2000 was Momentum Animation Studios first market, and what an experience it was. We made the decision to attend a mere 6 weeks before it began, and by the time we arrived in France we were exhausted. What followed was five days of intense learning. We had no real idea of what to expect, and meeting with the main players in the animation game -- whether it be TV stations, heads of acquisitions, distributors or other companies interested in co-productions -- was great. The feedback from the people we met with was invaluable and being able to wander around and see what other companies were producing was interesting. One of the main points highlighted was how necessary it is to go to the markets, meet people face to face, and see what the buyers are buying. We had wondered if we were throwing ourselves in the deep end, and we were, but with fabulous results. It is true the only way to learn is by doing, and we now have several parties interested in a couple of our products and a possible co-production deal. None of this would have happened if we had stayed at home. Compared to how I had envisioned it, the market was surprisingly relaxed and casual, despite the huge deals being negotiated and signed, and everyone was happy to help in any way they could.

Lisa Zerbe, Producer
Momentum Animation Studios