14-17 October 2019, Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France
Press Release
HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVE ROBERT GREENBLATT NAMED MIPCOM 2019 PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR
Paris, 5 September 2019 – Robert Greenblatt, Chairman, WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer, has been named MIPCOM 2019 Personality of the Year. The internationally renowned entertainment executive and producer will be honoured at a gala dinner for leading international television executives at the Carlton Hotel, Cannes, France, and will take part in a keynote interview on Tuesday 15 October bringing his unique perspective to this year’s theme “The Streaming Offensive”.
MIPCOM, the world’s entertainment content market, takes place in Cannes from 14-17 October 2019.
“Robert Greenblatt is one of the most respected entertainment executives in our industry,” said Paul Zilk, CEO of Reed MIDEM, organiser of MIPCOM. “His passion for creative excellence, his pioneering spirit and ground-breaking approach to programming have changed the face of the industry and in recognition we are honoured to welcome him to Cannes as the MIPCOM 2019 Personality of the Year.”
In a career spanning three decades, Robert Greenblatt has earned a reputation as one of the most successful entertainment executives of his time, credited with network turnarounds, a string of ground-breaking programmes, award-winning producing roles and Tony Award-winning Broadway hits.
In his current role, which he took up in March this year, he oversees the much-anticipated launch of WarnerMedia’s new direct-to-consumer service HBO Max, as well as HBO, TNT, TBS, truTV and Otter Media, with responsibility for all creative and operating decision across the portfolio worldwide.
Prior to this, Greenblatt served as Chairman of NBC Entertainment, where he was credited with putting the network back at the top of the ratings after a decade with a line-up of hit programming that included “This is Us”, “Will and Grace”, “The Voice” and “The Good Place”. Whilst at NBC, he also led the way on live television events like the “The Sound of Music Live!” which was watched by 21 million viewers.
He started his career as a producer of award-winning shows including HBO’s “Six Feet Under” for which he won the 2002 Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Series, the 2003 Producers Guild Award, three GLAAD Media Awards and the Peabody Award. Moving to Showtime Networks, Inc., he drove up subscription rates with a slate that included “Weeds”, “Dexter” and “Shameless”, doubling profitability during his seven-year tenure.
Past MIPCOM Personality of the Year honourees include: Issa Rae, Creator, Producer and star of HBO’s “Insecure” (2018) David Zaslav, President & CEO, Discovery Inc. (2017) Shonda Rhimes, Founder, Shondaland (2016) Dana Walden & Gary Newman, Chairmen & CEOs, Fox Television Group (2015) Simon Cowell, TV & Film Producer, SYCO (2014) Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO, DreamWorks Animation (2013)
About Reed MIDEM - Founded in 1963, Reed MIDEM is an organiser of professional, international markets that are essential business platforms for key players in the sectors concerned. These sectors are MIPTV, MIPDOC, MIPCOM, MIPJUNIOR in Cannes, MIP China in Hangzhou and MIP Cancun in Mexico for the television and digital content industries; MIDEM in Cannes for music professionals; Esports BAR in Cannes and in Miami for the esports business; MIPIM in Cannes, MIPIM UK in London, MIPIM Asia Summit in Hong Kong and MIPIM PropTech Summit in New York for the real estate industry; MAPIC in Cannes, MAPIC Russia in Moscow, MAPIC Italy in Milan, MAPIC China Summit in Shanghai and IRF brought by MAPIC in Mumbai for the retail real estate sector.
About Reed Exhibitions - Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading event’s organiser, with over 500 events in over 39 countries. In 2017 Reed brought together over seven million event participants from around the world generating billions of dollars in business. Today Reed events are held throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 38 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of RELX Group, a global provider of information and analytics for professional and bus iness customers across industries. www.reedexpo.com
REED MIDEM PRESS CONTACTS: Jane GARTON, Entertainment Press Director: +33 1 79 71 94 39 > [email protected] Philippe LE GALL, Press Manager: +33 1 79 71 96 48 > [email protected] Yassia FEKIR, PR: +33 1 79 71 95 82 > [email protected] Edith YAHIAOUI, Press Officer: +33 1 79 71 94 34 > [email protected]