Disney Channel's Ross to deliver keynote at Mipcom Jr. in France

[ALIASd]

Ross to speak at Mipcom Jr.

Disney honcho to appear Oct. 7



Ross

By Alison James
Variety
September 13, 2007

PARIS — Rich Ross, president of Disney Channel Worldwide, will give a keynote speech at Mipcom Junior Oct. 7, organizers said Wednesday.

Ross, in charge of Disney's 67 feeds around the world, will share the secrets of the Mouse House's global success with attendees of the two-day kids' programming mart.

Mipcom Junior runs Oct. 6-7 at Cannes' Carlton Hotel, while the main Mipcom programming mart runs Oct. 8-12.

Event organizer Reed Midem, a sister company of Variety, unveiled other details of the upcoming Mipcom Junior program, including a panel on kids' programming in India. The subcontinent is the subject of a bigger focus, Oct. 8, during Mipcom.

Also during Mipcom Junior, Leigh Anne Brodsky, president of Nickelodeon and Viacom Consumer Products, will head a jury of experts evaluating five non-aired projects for their licensing potential in the Mipcom Junior Licensing Challenge.

Last year's Mipcom Junior drew 829 participants and 562 new kids' shows received their market preem on the Croisette.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=18&cs=1

[mouseinphilly]

And that should be enough to puke on for Disney traditionalists like us.

[merlinjones]

Mr. Ross, tear down that wall between the people and Walt Disney's film library!

[mouseinphilly]

And stop doing my Ronald Reagan impression on the subject of that astrosity known as Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat at Disney Hollywood Studios, please!

And besides, those comments should be pointed at Bob Iger and Anne Sweeney.

[ALIASd]

Mipcom Jr. in tune with 'Musical'

'High School' hits a high note at confab

Disney-ABC Intl. Television has sold hit tuner
'High School Musical 2' to broadcasters in more than 40 countries.

By Ed Meza
Variety
October 8, 2007

Nature conservationism, live-action romance and Islamic-friendly animation were among the highlights at this year's two-day Mipcom Jr., which wrapped Sunday with the announcement of major deals for Disney's "High School Musical 2."

Disney-ABC Intl. Television sold the hit tuner ahead of the main Mipcom mart, which kicks off today to broadcasters in more than 40 countries, including the BBC in the U.K., RTI in Italy, ProSieben in Germany, M6 in France, RTE in Ireland, Russia's Channel 1, SABC in South Africa, CCTV6 in China, Australia's Seven, TVNZ in New Zealand and Studio 23 in the Philippines.

On the receiving end, Germany's Super RTL, co-owned by Disney and RTL, picked up "Famous Five -- On the Case," Marathon Intl.'s animated series based on British writer Enid Blyton's successful children's books, plus the French distrib's "Monster Buster Club," a CGI series about kids who protect the local town from aliens.

While animation remains an integral part of Super RTL's programming, Frank Dietz, the channel's head of acquisitions and co-productions, said there was growing interest among young auds for live programming, as shown by the web's success with Disney shows "Hannah Montana"and "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody."

Disney Channel Worldwide prexy Rich Ross echoed that sentiment, saying in his keynote address that young auds around the globe were embracing live-action fare including the "High School Musical" franchise and "Hannah Montana."

"We thought it would bring a contemporary look to Disney," Ross said of the decision to beef up live action programming at the web. "We have shown now that live action is what talks to you -- it speaks to you about your life, about your family."

Disney was among 315 sellers represented at Mipcom Jr. While that figure remained unchanged over 2006, the mart did see a slight increase in the number of buyers to 465. The number of programs on offer dropped 2% to 919, while the number of screenings was up nearly 7% to 45,747.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...goryid=14&cs=1