MIPCOM has announced that Jim Packer, president of Woldwide Television and digital distribution of Lionsgate, will hold a keynote conversation with Hulu CEO Mike Hopkins on the opening day of MIPCOM.
Part of the official MIPCOM 2015 conference programme ‘A New Creative Excellence,’ the keynote conversation is scheduled to be held on Monday 5 October in the Grand Auditorium of the Palais des Festivals, Cannes.
The conversation, structured as a Fireside Chat, will cover Hulu’s rapid growth in the US, the changing distribution landscape for digital programmes in the US, the future of television and the continued evolution of content.
Hopkins is a media veteran who brings more than 20 years of video experience to Hulu and has an accomplished track record of both building innovative television products and negotiating landmark distribution agreements. While president of distribution for Fox Networks, he oversaw Fox Networks’ broadcast distribution, and the strategy, sales and marketing for Fox’s 45 linear and non-linear US cable networks. His team also developed many of the television industry’s leading authenticated and digital video products, including BTN2Go, FXNOW, FOX Sports Go and FOX NOW.
Packer, a 25-year entertainment industry veteran, as head of Lionsgate’s global television distribution operations and architect of many of its digital initiatives, he directs the Company’s strategies for capitalising on evolving distribution opportunities in a fast-changing marketplace. He also spearheads the Company’s rollout of streaming platforms around the world, including Lions Gate Entertainment World with The Alibaba Group in China, the Tribeca Shortlist platform with Tribeca Enterprises and the Comic-Con SVOD service with Comic-Con International. His career also spans senior executive positions at Disney and MGM.