Warner Bros. Discovery’s Gerhard Zeiler to Deliver Mipcom Cannes Opening Keynote — Global Bulletin

MIPCOM KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Gerhard Zeiler, president of international at Warner Bros. Discovery, will give the opening keynote at the 39th edition of TV market Mipcom, which runs Oct. 16-19 in Cannes.

Zeiler is expected to share insight into WBD’s transformation post-merger as well as lay out the company’s worldwide content and streaming strategy.

More from Variety

• 'Heavens: The Boy and His Robot' to Premiere in Japan - Global Bulletin

• Leonine CEO Fred Kogel to Be Honored at Zurich Film Festival - Global Bulletin

• India Strikes Blow Against Film Piracy, Streamlines Certification System - Global Bulletin

Zeiler’s responsibilities for WBD span strategic oversight of brands and joint responsibility for direct-to-consumer activity (including streaming service Max) across more than 220 markets. He is also responsible for local theatrical production, acquisitions, and country and region-specific networks and businesses in Latin America, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and the Asia Pacific.

Zeiler said: “Our industry is facing heightened disruption and undergoing a process of transformation. These are times of change but it’s also a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to architect the media ecosystem for the next generation. I’m looking forward to speaking at Mipcom about how WBD is putting storytelling first and refining and innovating to drive agility and flexibility to emerge in an even stronger position.”

More than 250 exhibitors from over 40 countries are confirmed for Mipcom. These include Disney, MGM, NBCUniversal, Paramount, WBD, Fox, Fremantle, All3Media, Banijay, Federation, ITV, ZDF and Studiocanal.

HOT LIST

Kelly Day, head of international and VP of Amazon Prime Video, Kevin Mayer, co-CEO of Candle Media, and WBD’s CEO and president of streaming JB Perette are among the headline speakers set to present at APOS, the annual media, entertainment and finance conference. Organized by consultancy firm Media Partners Asia, the conference this year returns to Bali, Indonesia, for the first time since the pandemic and will be held Sept 26-28.

Other speakers announced at this stage include Uday Shankar (Bodhi Tree Systems), Mike Sneesby (Australia’s Nine Entertainment), Patrick Delaney (Foxtel), Ajit Mohan (president of Snap), Manoj Punjabi (Indonesia’s MD Pictures), Phil Hardman (BBC), Rob Gilby (Dentsu), Harit Nagpal (Tata Play), and Janice Lee (Viu). From the finance sector speakers include Joe Ravitch from specialty investment bank Raine and Wall Street analyst Michael Nathanson. Sports will be represented by Anurag Dahiya of the International Cricket Council and Laliga president Javier Tebas.

STREAMING

Babil Khan, Amrith Jayan and Bollywood veteran Juhi Chawla star in Netflix India’s sibling bonding film “Friday Night Plan,” directed by Vatsal Neelakantan and produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Kassim Jagmagia and Farhan Akhtar for Excel Entertainment.

Khan told Variety: “‘Friday Night Plan’ is a heartwarming tale that beautifully captures the bond between two brothers. Playing this role brought back cherished memories from my childhood. This film also marks my debut collaboration with Excel Entertainment, and the journey has been incredibly fulfilling. Additionally, it’s my second venture with Netflix after ‘Qala,’ which makes it all the more special. I hope that audiences connect with the story and characters, and shower their love and support as they did with ‘Qala.'”

“It’s our first high school film and all the fun, mischief and growing pains that come with it. It was exciting to work with the stellar cast, led by Babil Khan, and we hope that our labour of love reaches audiences far and wide with Netflix,” added Akhtar and Sidhwani.

Ruchikaa Kapoor Sheikh, director, original films, Netflix India, said: “After the immense love for young adult content like ‘Mismatched’ and ‘Class,’ we are thrilled to bring together an exciting, fresh cast for this novel, promising tale of two brothers which is sure to strike a chord with audiences as it celebrates the universal theme of sibling love and misadventures on a fateful Friday night.”

Best of Variety

• Emmy Predictions: TV Movie - Sci-Fi Prequel 'Prey' Brings Jhane Myers, First Indigenous Woman Nominated for Producing, and She Could Win

• ‘90 Day Fiancé': Which Couples Are Still Together and Who Got Divorced?

• Oscars Predictions: Best Actress - Margot Robbie's 'Barbie' Performance Is Worthy 'Kenough' for Awards Consideration, but Will Voters Agree?

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.