IBC’s conference sessions are never less than compelling. Past events have seen Will.I.Am and Professor Brian Cox captivate audiences. 2016 promises to be another record-breaking year for both entertainment and information, with Keynote VIPs such as the always entertaining Sir Martin Sorrell, head of advertising giant WPP, who will discuss ‘The Global View’ (Friday, 9 September, 14:00, Forum).
Erik Huggers, who until 2010 headed up the BBC’s Future Media & Technology division, will address ‘Online & Broadcasting: How the online players are evolving and what it means to broadcasting’ (Saturday, 10 September, 15:00, Forum).In 2011 he joined Intel Media as VP/GM of its Digital Home Group, and since April 2015 has been president/CEO at Vevo. He also sits on the board at ProSiebenSat.1.
Other Keynote sessions come from Oscar-winning screenwriter, producer and director, Ang Lee (Monday 12 September, 10:00, IBC Big Screen Experience); and Dominique Delport, global MD/chairman of Havas Media/Vivendi (‘MadMen, Mobile and Media: How today’s changing media landscape is affecting advertising, distribution and content strategies in TV and beyond’, Thursday, 8 September, 09:00, Forum).
Other sessions guaranteed to attract audiences include Tom Toumazis MBE, chairman of TVbeat and Tagsmart, (‘Futureproofing Your Business’, Thursday, 8 September, 17:15, Forum. In addition, Thursday’s all-day New Broadcasters stream includes NBC Universal International’s Hendrik McDermott (SVP-Branded on Demand) talking about the ‘Rise of Internet TV Networks’ (Forum, 10:45) and in particular NBCU’s Hayu service.
At 11:30 Christopher Whiteley (VP/EMEA, at Netflix) talks about Netflix’s distribution plans and challenges, while at 12:00 the discussion moves into ‘From Bricks to Clicks’ and how traditional players are adopting digital distribution and reaching new audiences and even
cinema distribution.
IBC’s Thursday Content & Production sessions also include a fascinating panel (10:45 in Room E102) on recent trends in high-end scripted drama as part of the ‘Golden Age of Content’ theme. At 11:30 there’s a close-up look at Deutschland 83, a true ratings phenomenon and the first German-language production to be co-funded by a US channel (AMC Networks, and screened on its Sundance TV channel).
IBC’s delegates will hear from the show’s writers. At 14:00 (in Room E102) Paul Robinson of Creative Media Partners will talk to Heidi Blake, investigations editor at Buzzfeed UK. ‘Breaking News at Buzzfeed: A conversation with Heidi Blake’ will discuss some of the changes in investigative journalism and what impact social media and citizen journalism is having on her work.
High-profile names continue to be added as we go to press.
