In Partnership With

IVOR PETRAK ROOM

Canadians have a long-standing love affair with all things mobile. As Canada boasts some of the fastest and most reliable networks in the world, consumers have gotten used to enjoying content on all their screens.

The telecommunications sector is preparing to implement 5G, the next generation of wireless networks, which among many other technology enhancements will allow consumers to download high definition feature films in a few seconds.

This roundtable will discuss the public policy measures best suited to support 5G infrastructure and nurture the growth of 5G technology’s adoption.

Featuring:

Robert Ghiz

President and CEO

Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association

Chris Jones

Director of Regulatory Affairs, Policy and Research

Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association

In Partnership With

IVOR PETRAK ROOM

Content is King…if it can be monetized. New technological developments and delivery platforms have disrupted the traditional value chain for content creation which has now challenged creators’ ability to protect and monetize program rights both territorially and globally. Leaky geo-gates and the increased presence of pirated content sites that have driven consumers’ appetite for “free” content have made it increasingly difficult for the creative sector to recoup their content investments and build the strong well capitalized businesses that are needed to compete on a global scale. This panel will take stock of the latest trends in online piracy and distribution and discuss the implications for the both the Canadian and global media sector of having to compete with “free.”

• What is driving consumers to pirated sites? Lack of access or the price point?
• Are the current legislative tools available in Canada sufficient for stemming piracy? (e.g. notice and notice; the right of civil action) Would enhanced tools lead to better outcomes in going after online pirates? (e.g. site blocking; impugning unlawful streaming; or expanding criminal prohibitions)
• What have other jurisdictions done by way of legislation on piracy that Canada can consider?
• What are the long-term implications for the Canadian content sector of failing to address piracy and illegal access to content? Will less content get made or just less quality content?
• What are distributors doing to compete with pirate sites?

Moderating:

Jonathan Taplin

Director Emeritus

USC Annenberg Center For Digital Future

Featuring:

Damon Berger

EVP, Business Development and Operations

Fullscreen Media

Erin Finlay

Partner

Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA)

Rohit Puri

Associate Partner

ERNST & YOUNG LLP

In Partnership With

IVOR PETRAK ROOM

Canadian content has flourished over the last 30 years thanks in large part to the Government’s cultural policy objectives that were achieved through a labyrinth of regulations and quotas. Technology has quickly made this successful model obsolete leaving many Canadian creators and cultural entrepreneurs wondering how they will be able to find an audience in an increasingly crowded content market dominated by US-based multi-national conglomerates. Europe is facing similar challenges in that traditional players have long been the sole source of support for domestic content yet more and more audiences are migrating to large digital players like Netflix and YouTube. Data from Europe suggests that Netflix now accounts for nearly half of subscription video on demand services.  In response to this trend, the EU is moving vigorously to support domestic content markets and to require OTT services to meet domestic policy objectives. Join international delegates and experts to discuss whether similar policy tools make sense for Canada and will help promote Canadian cultural product worldwide.

• Identify and assess the effectiveness of policy measures designed to protect domestic cultural services and products from Europe.
• Is there a “right balance” of national and "foreign" imported cultural products available for domestic consumption in a given country? If so, what does that look like?
• Are there elements of the EU approach that may make sense for Canada?

Moderating:

Bill Brioux

TV Columnist

The Canadian Press

Featuring:

Dave Forget

National Executive Director

Directors Guild of Canada

Vanessa Steinmetz

President/Executive Producer

Entertainment One Television

In Partnership With

IVOR PETRAK ROOM

The recent controversy about cultural appropriation is only the latest flashpoint in a long-standing issue.  Can it be used as a catalyst to create constructive change?  Indigenous stories are finding audiences in Canada and around the world.  How can we work together to engage audiences with these stories while also respectfully engaging their source?  Australia’s ‘Pathways and Protocols’ is one model that resulted in Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners creating some of the biggest hits in the history of Australian television.  Can it work here, and what would that look like?

Moderating:

Tina Keeper

Producer

Kistikan Pictures

Featuring:

Kyle Irving

Co-Owner and Executive Producer

Eagle Vision Inc

Michelle Latimer

Executive Producer, Director, Trickster

Streel Films

IVOR PETRAK ROOM

Meet the mind behind Cartoon Network’s hit comedy Mighty Magiswords, an adventure series that follows Prohyas and Vambre, a sibling team of “warriors for hire” who embark on heroic quests using outrageously funny swords called Magiswords. Building on the original 15-second series that launched on the CN Anything app, Mighty Magiswords is part of a rich connected world of more than 500 pieces of original content. Accompanied by an immersive app Magimobile and the mobile game Surely You Quest, fans can earn Magiswords and grow their collection, further heightening the interactivity of Mighty Magiswords. Carrozza will discuss how he conceived the idea and the development process behind creating a truly multiplatform success that is unlike anything else in the kids marketplace. 

Moderating:

Natalie Dumoulin

VP of Creative Affairs

9 Story Media Group

Featuring:

Kyle Carrozza

Creator, Mighty Magiswords

Cartoon Network