Bob Bakish, the president and CEO of Paramount Global, has been announced as the Personality of the Year for the upcoming Mipcom Cannes television conference. This prestigious event, held from October 16 to 19, celebrates outstanding individuals in the global television industry. Bakish will receive the honor on October 17 at the Grand Palais des Festivals in Cannes.
During the conference, Bakish will participate in a keynote session where he will discuss Paramount Global’s strategy and the major trends shaping the industry. This provides an opportunity for attendees to gain insights into the vision and direction of the studio under Bakish’s leadership.
Bakish has been at the helm of Paramount since 2019 and has played a crucial role in overseeing the studio’s transformation through the Viacom and CBS merger. Under his guidance, Paramount has become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, managing a portfolio of companies across more than 180 countries. This portfolio includes Paramount Pictures film studio, CBS, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Channel 5 in the UK, Network 10 in Australia, Telefe in Argentina, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and the Paramount Pictures film studio.
One of the challenges faced by studio heads like Bakish is navigating through strikes in Hollywood. In May, following the Writers Guild of America strike, Bakish shared his preparedness for labor action during a company earnings call. He outlined how Paramount’s diverse slate of new releases, extensive content library, and strong offshore production operations would mitigate the impact of the work stoppage. This demonstration of strategic foresight and planning showcases Bakish’s ability to navigate challenges in the industry.
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Lucy Smith, the director of Mipcom Cannes, praised Bakish’s exemplary leadership during these transformative times. Smith highlighted that Paramount’s market-leading growth strategy, which emphasizes streaming and third-party international licensing, positions the company for success as a global media entity. This recognition of Bakish’s contributions to the industry is timely and relevant for the conference attendees.
Upon receiving the Personality of the Year honor, Bakish expressed his gratitude, stating that he is deeply honored to receive the award during what he considers a watershed moment in the media landscape. He is excited to share how Paramount is positioning itself for continued growth and success in entertaining audiences worldwide.
The Mipcom Cannes conference has a tradition of honoring visionaries, icons, and innovators in the television industry. Since 1989, the Personality of the Year award has recognized individuals who have made groundbreaking contributions to the industry. Past recipients of this prestigious honor include Bob Greenblatt, Issa Rae, David Zaslav, Shonda Rhimes, Dana Walden, Simon Cowell, and Jeffrey Katzenberg.
The selection of Bob Bakish as the Personality of Year for Mipcom Cannes serves as a testament to his leadership and strategic vision for Paramount Global. His role in navigating the challenges of the industry, overseeing the studio’s transformation, and positioning the company for growth demonstrates his impact on the entertainment landscape. As the conference approaches, industry professionals and enthusiasts eagerly anticipate Bakish’s keynote session and the insights he will share about the future direction of Paramount and the evolving television industry as a whole.
