Merci and mercy for MIP-TV '94.

For some it was merci MIP, the recession is over! Buyers were upbeat. Distributors were lining up for more exhibition space or simply for a booth--anywhere, any size. It is possible that next year these poor souls will be accommodated by the Palais' indoor parking lot. Reportedly, MIP organizers, pressed for space, are exploring the possibility of opening up parts of the parking area. It's inevitable: First the press was dislodged from the Palais into an outside tent, now go the cars. After all both are considered moving targets. For others, though, the conclusion of MIP last month in Cannes, France, was more like a "mercy"!

Glitches on the map made this MIP problematic. Turkey and Italy were having payment problems that required unpleasant re-negotiating meetings. Some U.S. studios were upset with the Czechs over dubbing rights. America's mega mergers created some uneasiness among the companies involved, and talk of "selling" few U.S. indies were re-emerging. Finally, France began aggressively showing its intransigence over "American cultural imperialism" (France's cultural minister at MIP refused unmannerly to answer our reporter's question). The U.K. is seeing the PBS market in the U.S. closing up on them, while Thames was said to be looking for an American acquisition and Italy's SACIS was looking to be sold. And, how can one forget the chilly winter-like weather: wet, windy and wry.

Plenty of the top echelons were on the floor: from Disney's Rich Frank to Viacom's Kerry McCluggage, Blockbuster's Ron Castell and [F.sub.2]/[F.sub.3]'s top man Jean-Pierre Elkabbach. Also seen were USA's Kay Koplovitz, and Nickelodeon's Gerry Laybourne. The Mayor of Cannes honored MIP boss Xavier Roy for his contribution to the city of Cote d'Azur. In addition, plenty of parties, press conferences and mega luncheons, like the one given by Germany's Beta, were also on the agenda.

This MIP was also rich in royalties: The Duchess of York peddling her Budgie (distributed by Westinghouse) and Prince Edward plugging his new TV company Ardent. The Prince, fifth in line for the U.K. throne, was refused a table at a restaurant in old Cannes because he and his entourage of six did not have a reservation. At a dinner honoring the Duchess (the former wife of Prince Andrew, and sister-in-law of Prince Edward) Xavier Roy, ever the world diplomat, did not show up despite an invitation.

Peter Davis, the chairman of Reed, the U.K. owner of MIP (plus Broadcasting and Variety), was also at MIP. It was speculated that, perhaps, Reed being closer to the house of Windsor, found it appropriate to distance itself from the controversial Duchess.

Ultimately, the business of MIP wasn't as much as programming as it was of the business of doing business. The lack of shows wasn't an inhibiting factor as well as the proximity of the L.A. Screenings: Attendance registered at a record 9,500 participants (9,164 in '93), exhibitors totaled 400 (388 in '93) and trade publications took more space than ever at the hotels' display tables.(*)