Youku president to speak at MipTV

The president of Alibaba-backed Chinese streamer Youku Tudou is set to deliver a keynote address at the MipTV market in Cannes next month.

Yang Weidong

Yang Weidong will outline the importance of providing a bridge between the internet and broadcast channels, and the need to create brand-defining content.

He will also share the international partnership strategy of Youku, which appointed a former Endemol Shine Group executive to oversee its scripted acquisitions last week, as revealed by C21.

Weidong has been president of Youku since October 2016 and president of Alibaba Digital Media and Entertainment Group since December 2017.

He previously headed the operations of the Youku business group and other digital media and entertainment businesses in various senior executive roles, having joined the company in May 2016.

MipTV organiser Reed Midem has also included an Asian TV drama strand within the event’s programme that will showcase new producers from the region.

There will also be a panel exploring the new breed of local dramas with regional reach and global ambitions coming from Asian OTT platforms, with speakers from regional operators including Hooq, HBO Asia and Viki.

MipTV runs from April 9 to 12 with an estimated 10,000 attendees, while drama-focused event Canneseries will take place between April 4 and 11.