|
|
 MIPCOM
Oct 13-17, 2008, Cannes, France |
Pioneering Digital Content: Michael Eisner's Keynote at MIPCOM 2008
14 April 2008
Michael Eisner, the former CEO of the Walt Disney Company and now the driving force behind on-line content companies Vuguru and Veoh, will deliver an exceptional keynote at the upcoming MIPCOM, which takes place in Cannes from 13 to 17 October 2008.
In his speech, Michael Eisner will share his vision of a digital entertainment industry that brings the consumer, the producer and the distributor closer together. With his new ventures, Vuguru, a production and distribution company for videos on digital platforms, and Veoh, an Internet TV broadcasting system, Michael Eisner is aiming to foster innovation, to launch new talents, to produce new quality scripted content, and to distribute short formats sold direct to the consumer.
"We are delighted to host a visionary leader like Michael Eisner at MIPCOM. His 40-year career and past experience in entertainment content at the head of the Walt Disney Company, in addition to his pioneering work in digital content production and distribution will be one of the highlights at MIPCOM this October", said Paul Johnson, Director of Television at Reed MIDEM.
Michael Eisner began his career at ABC, where he helped take the network from number three to number one in primetime, daytime and children’s television with such landmark shows as Happy Days, Barney Miller, Rich Man Poor Man and Roots. In 1976, he became president of Paramount Pictures, turning out such hit films as Raiders of the Lost Ark, Saturday Night Fever, Grease, and Terms of Endearment. This string of critically acclaimed and blockbuster films led the studio to become number one in box office and profitability in both theatrical movies and network television production. In 1984 he assumed the position of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company and, in the ensuing 21 years, transformed it from a film and theme park company with $1.8 billion in enterprise value into a global media empire valued at $80 billion.
In 2005, Michael began the "next act" of his career, by founding the Tornante Company; a privately held company that makes investments in and incubates companies and opportunities in the media and entertainment space. Through the Tornante Company, he created Vuguru, a new media studio that produces world class content for the internet and emerging digital platforms. Vuguru’s first production, "Prom Queen", quickly became an internet sensation and was later nominated for a Broadband Emmy. The series was such a huge success it spawned a fifteen episode spin-off series, "Prom Queen: Summer Heat" which combined, garnered 20 million views over the course of its initial run. "Prom Queen" is now available in multiple territories and languages globally, including Australia, Brazil, France, Japan, New Zealand, Russia (including the Commonwealth of Individual States), Scandinavia and The United Kingdom.
The Tornante Company holds an ownership stake in Veoh Networks, Inc., an innovative, new independent Internet television broadcasting system and wholly owns Team Baby Entertainment, the premier producer of an award winning series of officially licensed sports themed children’s DVD’s.
In October 2007, The Tornante Company and Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC. acquired The Topps Company, Inc., a leading creator and marketer of sports and related cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery items. Under Michael’s vision and leadership, he plans to transform Topps, through the media of filmed entertainment, Internet and television, into a full-fledged sports media company. Michael and Topps are presently developing a film featuring the iconic eye-patch wearing comic hero Bazooka Joe.
In January 2008, Vuguru announced a ground-breaking partnership with world-renowned author Robin Cook. A 50-episode on-line prequel series will account for the days leading up to the launch of his new novel, "Foreign Body", a first-of-its-kind collaboration which will debut in May 2008. In addition, Vuguru recently launched its second original web series "The-All-For-Nots", a comedy that follows a documentary crew filming a fictional indie rock band as they travel the U.S. on an under-funded and poorly planned tour.
About MIPCOM
MIPCOM is the global content event for co-producing, buying, selling, financing and distributing entertainment content across all platforms. It provides the key decision-makers in the TV, film, digital and audiovisual content, production and distribution industry with the only market conference and networking forum to discover future trends and trade content rights on a global level.
MIPCOM
www.mipcom.com |
|
|
|
