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Mipcom veterans pay tribute as Xavier Roy, former Reed Midem CEO, dies

Xavier Roy, who led Mipcom organiser Reed Midem as CEO for more than a decade through the 1990s, has died.

Xavier Roy

Roy took over as CEO of Reed in 1989 having previously been director of sales and stayed in the role until 2003 when he stepped down to be replaced by Paul Zilk.

Roy was born in Bize in the south-west of France, the son of an artist mother and a father in advertising. He began his career at music publishing company Vogue and joined what was then called Midem in 1968.

In all, he spent 33 years with Reed, helping to launch annual Cannes-based conferences Mipcom and Mipim among others. He then retired to focus on his love and passion for photography.

During his career he was made an Officer of the Ordre national du Mérite, a Knight of the Legion d’Honneur and Commandeur des Arts et Lettres.

Tributes were paid on the Mip veterans Facebook group by Peter Rhodes OBE, who headed up Reed Midem’s UK arm from 1988 and worked alongside Roy.

Rhodes said: “A marvellous personality and inspiring leader, he had that certain ‘Je ne sais quoi’. We worked together for over 20 years, during which time we launched Mipcom and Mipim among others. After his retirement he became a tremendously successful photographer with several exhibitions and books to his credit. We had some great times, and even greater memories. A man of true style and elegance. RIP.”

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