Los Angeles – Basic Lead, organiser of DISCOP Istanbul 2015, announced the launch of The Format Day and a special two-hour presentation from VICE Media editors during the annual market which will take place on 24 – 26 February 2015 in Istanbul at the Lufti Kirdar International Convention and Exhibition Center.
The Format Day will run parallel to DISCOP Istanbul on 26 February and will feature a morning presentation of today’s most adaptable dramas with international appeal. This will be followed by a discussion and analysis of eclectic, under-the-radar and innovative, unscripted TV format concepts. The afternoon will host a format pitching competition for independent international producers, who will present their original non-scripted TV format concepts to a panel and audience of TV executives looking for the next big talent. The Format Day will close with an award ceremony and will conclude DISCOP Istanbul 2015.
Employees from VICE Media will make their second DISCOP appearance with a highly anticipated two-hour presentation for DISCOP Istanbul 2015 on 24 February. VICE Media’s Ryan Grim, Managing Editor, and Benjamin Shapiro, Senior Editor and on-screen reporter, will share their experiences working at the global media phenomenon. Grim and Shapiro will provide a unique view of what it’s like to work at the successful media outlet and what it takes to engage the current youth generation.
Patrick Zuchowicki, CEO Basic Lead, said, “Turkey and its surrounding regions are populated with large, educated, influential youth demographics and VICE Media knows how to engage them. Traditional media outlets have struggled with new forms of consuming media, making this a priority session for most executives and companies in attendance.”
With the continuing growth of free-to-air and pay-TV business across key Middle Eastern markets, DISCOP Istanbul has already registered a record number of companies from the Middle East, including the continued participation of acquisitions teams from Turkey’s main public and commercial broadcasters, pay-TV operators, online distribution platforms and Turkey’s main content producers.