It’s been more then a week since MIPCOM ended and I am only now getting around to doing my client reports and following up on the many meetings that I had. And this week, I am starting to hear from those I met.
“How was MIPCOM?” everyone asks, from friends, family and colleagues. My answer is circumspect this time. “OK, I guess.” It finally is hitting me that I go each year with lofty goals to meet people, do deals and get business, but my business model of consulting generally doesn’t result in instant deals. So my heart dropped a bit when I finally realized this fact. Then again, my sister, who knows little about what I do, said I must be a “player” if I go every year and I know so many people. That made my heart lift.
What is being a “player” in this industry? My definition is when you walk down La Croissette, the main boulevard in Cannes on a Sunday morning and immediately bump into people you know and do business with regularly. As I strolled down the street, I continually bump into people, one after another until I got to Hotel Martinez where MIPCOM Jr. was being held.
MIPCOM Jr. is a conference or market that precedes MIPCOM and is dedicated to children’s entertainment, which I have a firm foundation in. Walking into the lobby was like walking in to a familiar room. One out of every three people I knew and we spoke.
This was wonderful because I didn’t make the types of appointments I usually do this year. I was able to connect with so many of the people I wanted to meet with this time. In two minutes we caught up. They knew what I was doing and I knew their missions. It was ideal. Along the way, I was introduced to new people and introduced myself to perfect strangers who I knew where there with the same mission – to meet people and do business.
Because it was Sunday, I had leisurely appointments. Meetings with people I wanted to get to know better and old friends that I only see a couple of times a year but I still feel close with
With one Australian friend we talked about the markets and the importance of them. I thought I was the only one who came to the realization that I’m not coming home with signed contracts. As a successful producer and creator of content, she said that her expectations are the same as mine. But would she miss a market? No. She said that it is the time to get together with old friends, make new friends and to be able to get in front of those people she can reach in Australia. Does she bring home signed contracts? Only once and that was beginners luck at her first market. It was a pre-sale for the show, but it still took 5 years to get enough financing to make the show. Since then she realized like me, that she will do the business when she gets home. The markets are her chance to meet, solidify relationships and make new connects. The deal will come later.
But what was the business like at MIPCOM this year?