• by Melynda Fuller , May 21, 2020

For the first time in its nearly century run, the 45^thFIPP World Media Congress is taking the event digital, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the physical event was slated to take place in Estoril, Portugal September 15-16, the digital event will take place from September 2-30 online.

The month-long event incorporates three content channels and an online meetings platform, which includes Digital Innovators’ Summit (DIS), the Worldwide Media Marketplace (WMM), FIPP Rising Stars and FIPP Insight awards presentations.

The three channels feature more than 70 international speakers and networking platforms for virtual meet-ups. A dedicated Congress channel focuses on challenges and opportunities facing media today, along with strategies to meet them. The DIS channel turns attention to digital innovations in the media landscape.
 
The WMM channel features sessions with publishers and service providers or exhibitors, allowing exhibitors a place to display their brand, content and technology solution.

One-to-one virtual meetings are available via the Dealroom-powered WMM meeting platform for the months of September, October and November.

Participants can choose the online sessions they prefer, which will take place as standalone events during the conference’s four weeks, and submit questions before the event or ask a question live.

Those that sign up for the full Congress can access recordings of all sessions, presentation slides, the WMM meetings platform which will remain open for three months and special reports and "how-to" case studies from the event.

FIPP president-CEO James Hewes wrote: “We would have loved to hold a physical event this year, but as that’s not possible, we’re embracing the opportunity to use digital platforms to bring our unique knowledge sharing and networking experience to media businesses, partners and suppliers across the world.”