Paris – MIPCOM is launching the inaugural Diversity Summit, which includes a series of talks and panels to explore issues of diversity in entertainment, both on-screen and in the boardroom. The inaugural event will be held in partnership with A+E Networks as the premium sponsor and additional sponsors include Afrostream and Sonar.
The inaugural Diversity Summit is expecting 100 leading international content creators and talent. The board of Diversify TV, a group that champions and promotes diversity in all its forms across the international television industry, is working with Reed MIDEM on the programming of this event. The board includes David Cornwall, MD of London-based production and distribution company Scorpion TV, Nick Smith , SVP Format Production at all3media international, Bunmi Akintonwa, CEO of distribution and production company Little Black Book, and Liliane Da Cruz of MIPCOM organisers, Reed MIDEM.
The full line-up of speakers will be announced shortly. The MIPCOM Diversity Summit sets out to develop concrete and measurable outcomes regarding inclusion of under-represented groups in television, and not simply to identify issues already known to exist. This will encompass exploring areas such as the business case for diverse content and how diverse programming can be made more commercially successful on a global level; and ways to identify, cultivate, encourage, and promote diverse and recognisably talented individuals both on-screen and at all executive levels.
“Audiences have more choice than ever before. When people don’t see themselves represented on TV, they turn elsewhere. The commercial imperative for diverse content has never been stronger,” said David Cornwall.
“The first edition of this Diversity Summit is a key step for the industry, and MIPCOM can build on its position as the largest international business platform for the television industry to drive this agenda forward. The content industry should reflect the reality of our societies, and provide opportunities for each individual, for every talent to find his or her place,” said Laurine Garaude, Director of Television Division at Reed MIDEM.
