Leaders' Forum: The Search for Growth

The Leaders’ Forum, which takes place under Chatham House rules, allows the most influential and visionary leaders to participate openly in high-level discussions and inclusive debates on critical issues shaping the future of the industry. 

The programme will examine competition for viewers on a multiplatform, global stage, the ways venture capitalist investments are driving an endless quest for the next major disruptor, with disproportionate amounts of money injected into start-ups companies.

The FAANG giants of Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google are re-shaping the rules of the game at all levels, while there is a noted increase in merger and acquisition activity affects the entire value chain.

Designed around the theme The Search for Growth the Forum will examine where the next stage of growth will come from for organisations across the broadcast media ecosystem and explore the vital topics of consolidation, partnerships, industry disruption, innovative finance models and brand safety in the digital age. 

“The level of upheaval we are witnessing across the broadcast and media industry is unprecedented” - Ben Keen, IBC Leaders’ Forum, Executive Producer 

Discovery Network International President and Chief Executive Jean-Briac (JB) Perrette will deliver the keynote exploring ways to engage fans on a global scale as well as a fireside chat with Financial Times Global Editor Matthew Garrahan.  

The panel session: Dealing with disruption and competing with giants – Carving a niche with long term survivability will bring together leader from established players and new entrants to discuss ways to redefine the business brand, value proposition and model when disruption is challenging the relevance of the organisation. 

IBC Leaders’ Forum Executive Producer Ben Keen said: “The level of upheaval we are witnessing across the broadcast and media industry is unprecedented.

“The market is increasingly fluid and dynamic, however, organisations searching for winning collaborative partnerships must look beyond traditional players to new entrants and startups.”

“There are no reliable maps of tomorrow’s media landscape, but the debate and discussion at the Leaders’ Forum will at least provide its attendees with vital strategic insights to help plot their own compass headings for navigating the future.”

This year the Leaders’ Forum sits alongside the Telco & Media Innovation Forum and the Cyber Security Forum to form the Executive Forum programme.