Hyderabad|India|November'2010: The Media and Entertainment business in Southern India is set to receive a major fillip as the curtains go up on FICCI’s ‘Media and Entertainment Business Conclave (MEBC) 2010’ on December 1, 2010 at Hyderabad.

The two-day Conclave, to be inaugurated by Dr. K Rosaiah, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, will showcase the huge potential for developing the Indian Entertainment market in South India with a view to forging global linkages. The effort would be to expose delegates to the global and Indian developments with regard to trends and opportunities in the entertainment industry, business possibilities and regulatory regimes in different countries.

The Conclave, will bring together over 800 media and entertainment business people from India and overseas, along with officials of the Andhra Pradesh Government and the Central Government in a bid to deliberate on issues confronting the industry across various states. The business sessions at the Conclave will cover the entire gamut of Media & Entertainment like Films, Broadcast (TV & Radio), Digital Entertainment, Animation, Gaming, and Visual Effects.

The inaugural session of MEBC 2010 will be embellished by a Vision Address by Mrs. Ambika Soni, Union Minister of Information & Broadcasting, and a Keynote Address by Mrs. Geeta Reddy, Minister for Information & PR, Cinematography, FDC & Tourism, Archaeology, Museums, Archives & Culture, Government of Andhra Pradesh.

The session would also be addressed by Dr Kamal Haasan, Chairman of FICCI Media and Entertainment Business Conclave; Mr. Yash Chopra, Chairman, FICCI Entertainment Committee; Mr. Karan Johar, Co-Chairman, FICCI Entertainment Committee; Mr. Suresh Babu, Mananging Director, Suresh Productions, Ramanaidu Studios, Allu Arvind, Procducer, Geetha Arts, and Ms. Sangita Reddy, Chairperson, FICCI Andhra Pradesh State Council.

The Valedictory Keynote Address likely to be given by Mr. Subhash Chandra, Chairman, Zee Group.

Briefing media persons here,Dr Kamal Haasan said that MEBC 2010 would identify and find redressal of the challenges facing the industry across states. With an encouraging international participation at the conclave, its content will be diverse and enriching in a variety of ways.

Dr. Kamal Haasan said that the Conclave has a seven-fold objective:

* To work closely and strengthen links with the sizeable and vibrant Indian Entertainment Industry and help develop its rich potential
* To take up regulatory issues with the state and central governments
· Provide a forum for the Government to receive authentic and first hand information on the state of the Indian Entertainment Industry and its problems and prospects
· To be one of the most prestigious conventions on the Business of Entertainment in Asia and the entire world; the entire gamut of the entertainment industry would be covered at the Conclave, over a period of two days and will be addressed by thought leaders in each field.
· To offer an opportunity for the Indian entertainment industry to explore its global linkages
· To expose delegates to the global and Indian developments with regard to trends and opportunities in the entertainment industry, business possibilities and regulatory regimes in different countries
· To bring the varied Indian states and their entertainment industries together under a single platform.

The various sessions, spread over two days will review, analyse and make predictions for the future for the entire gamut of Indian media and entertainment in general, followed by an exhaustive micro-view of South Indian entertainment.

The session on “Is Regional TV the ‘NEW’ National TV? will have corporate honchos discussing the phenomenal rise of regional channels, stepping up to become national enterprises with deeper audience penetration and more advertising opportunities and will analyse whether regional channels are headed the national way?

The session on “The Royal Middle Path: Safeguarding Vernacular Cinema” will have Indian film-makers talking about the insatiable appetite of the Indian audience for entertainment, influx of foreign movies in India and opportunities for international movies dubbed in regional and local languages and strategies and the best practices to adopt to meet the competition?

The session on “Rethinking content: The Holy Grail of a TV Channel's Success” will be a lively discussion between discontent creators, and media industry experts for to learn the secret behind creating winning content!!!

Addressing the gathering at MEBC Press Meet, Mr. C. Partha Sarathi, Commissioner, Information and Public Relation Department, E.O. Secretary, Government of A.P. & MD, AP State Film TV &Theater Development Corporation Ltd said “The Government of AP has been proactive in terms of Infrastructural Development in the entertainment industry, generation of employment opportunities, providing avenues for education, establishment of Institutions offering select programmes relating to M&E segments beside other relating issues. Under the chairmanship of Dr. K Rosaiah, Hon’ble Chief Minister, the state always remains to stand as people friendly.

Addressing the august gathering, Ms. Sangita Reddy, Chairperson, FICCI AP State Council said “I am extremely happy that FICCI’s Media and Entertainment Business Conclave (MEBC) has truly created a wonderful space for legends and leadership from the Indian and especially the mammoth South Indian film and entertainment industry to review, analyse and make predictions for the future for the entire gamut of Indian media and entertainment”.

We take this opportunity to thank specially the Andhra Pradesh Government for their encouragement & support. We would also thank all our Industry partners, Real Image, Prasad Group, Intel, TV 9, Satyam Cinemas, DQ Entertainment, Shaf Broadcasting, who have been a constant support in organsing MEBC 2010.

* Addressing the press Mr. Allu Arvind, Producer, Geetha Arts said "The media industry in AP is worth about Rs 2000 crores and employs thousands of families. A business conclave bringing together the various industries is very essential for the industry, where ideas are exchanged and acted upon. As a growing regional media hub FICCI’s decision to host the MEBC 2010 in Hyderabad is a welcome decision. As an industry member, we extend full support to the event and wish media & marketing professionals from all over the country interested in the regional media turn up in full attendance."