First Two Speakers Announced For MIPCOM 2017

The first two keynote speakers have been announced for MIPCOM 2017, which takes place in Cannes from 16-19 October.

Chef and TV host Gordon Ramsay and National Geographic's Global Networks CEO Courteney Monroe will both make keynote addresses.

2017 sees Studio Ramsay, represented by all3media international, producing the new 'F Word' and 'Culinary Genius', whilst Ramsay's enduring brands such as 'Hell's Kitchen', 'MasterChef' and 'Kitchen Nightmares' are playing across the continents. It's been quite a journey from his first visit to Cannes, where he was invited by Australian TV impresario, Reg Grundy, to be the chef on his yacht, back in the heyday of 'Neighbours'. During his keynote, scheduled for Monday 16 October, Ramsay will reveal the motivation behind the TV personality, his views on enduring appeal for audiences around the world, how he maintains his brand across restaurant and media empires – and his plans for the next 25 years.

From her position as CEO of National Geographic's Global Networks, Courteney Monroe will look at the group’s scripted content, its strategy, and why its high-end slate of new drama resonates with a global audience, dramatising factual events in an innovative and unique way. To illustrate this strategy, Monroe will showcase some of National Geographic’s new dramas, including 'The State', a four-part event series on so-called Islamic State from award-winning executive producer Peter Kosminsky; 'The Long Road Home', based on Martha Raddatz's book on the events of the 'Black Sunday' ambush of US forces in Baghdad starring Michael Kelly and Sarah Wayne Callies; and the hit series 'Genius', executive produced by Ron Howard and Brian Grazer, starring Geoffrey Rush, Johnny Flynn and Emily Watson in season one, which chronicled the life of Albert Einstein, plus a preview of the just-announced season two, which will focus on the life of Pablo Picasso. Finally, Courteney will discuss the network’s hybrid series 'MARS', which was also renewed for a second season. She will be joined at her keynote on Tuesday 17 October by some of the leading talent from these stand-out shows in an up-close and personal look at the strength of National Geographic's slate.

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