Lex Witness successfully completed The 8th Annual Media, Advertising & Entertainment Legal Summit 2019 at The Four Seasons Hotel, Mumbai on 10th October 2019. Here's an overview.

According to EY, with a population of more than 1.3 billion, India represents a prime destination for M&E companies looking to expand. India is one of the most diverse and vibrant media markets in the world. For media and entertainment (M&E) companies looking to expand geographically, opportunities for growth in India are extensive and exciting.

As per A Billion Screens of Opportunity report by EY, The Indian M&E sector reached INR 1.67 trillion (US$23.9 billion), a growth of 13.4% over 2017.With its current trajectory, it is expected to grow to INR 2.35 trillion by 2021 (US$33.6 billion).

A growing economy, combined with a positive M&A environment, make India an attractive destination for M&E investment- but there are risks. The M&E sector witnessed an interesting mix of deal activity in 2018, both on the traditional as well as the new media front. It's a sector ripe for consolidation. Digital media, multiplex, radio and TV distribution segments will continue acquiring strong business verticals to expand and complement their existing businesses. This is a trend likely to continue going forward as large media companies look to further strengthen their positions in this fast-growing sector.

Lex Witness since the last 7 years has been organizing a dedicated platform for the M&E sector's legal professionals to get together and brainstorm on various topical issues. This edition 8th Edition proved out to be one of the most critical paradigms shifts in the way the sector will transition in terms of legal, regulatory and risk related aspects. With the second screens taking charge over the idiot box and royalty rhymes taking a new tone altogether, the summit brought out a major conversation platform.

Here is a visual summary of the proceedings at the summit:

Session Theme - ENOUGH IS NOT ENOUGH! FIREWALKING THE COPYRIGHT CRIES

Ayan Roy Chowdhury, Vice President, Legal, Saregama – MODERATOR
Abhishek Malhotra, Managing Partner, TMT Law Practice
Sanjay Tandon, CEO, ISRA
Sankalp Dalal, Head Legal, Zee Music
Vishnumohan Rethinam, Partner, Remfry & Sagar

THE IDIOT BOX STILL RULES THE GAME. KEEP TRAI-NG – A REGULATORY CENTRIC CONVERSATION

Ajay Sharma, General Counsel, IndusInd Media & Communications – MODERATOR
Natasha Fernandes, Director & Head – Legal – India, B4U
Prathamesh Mestry, Head Legal, Reliance Big Synergy
Subodh Prasad Deo, Partner, Saikrishna & Associates
Tejveer Bhatia, Partner, Singh & Singh Law Firm LLP

FOCUSSED PRESENTATION – THE IMPORTANCE OF CONTENT DISCOVERABILTY

Sandeep Ramesh, Head – Media & Entertainment, Google

FOCUSSED PRESENTATION – ARBITRATION OF MEDIA CONTRACTUAL DISPUTES – RECENT GLOBAL TRENDS

S. Ravi Shankar, Sr. Partner, Law Senate

IS IT STILL THE SECOND SCREEN? THE BAKING HOT WORLD OF OTT

Aamod Gupte, Group General Counsel, Eros International – MODERATOR
Ajay Chacko, Co-Founder, Arre’
Alok Shah, Head Legal, OML
Ashish Malushte, Chief Financial Officer, UFO Moviez
Persis Hodiwalla, Senior Manager Legal, Reliance Big Entertainment
Tanu Banerjee, Partner, IndusLaw

NOW THAT’S GETTING PERSONAL CONTENT STILL RULES THE GAME

Pankaj Vasani, Executive President & Group CFO, South Asia, Publicis Groupe – MODERATOR

Bhavya Nidhi Sharma, Director, Writer, Owner, B Company
Ghanashyam Hegde, Director & General Counsel- Indian Sub- Continent, Procter & Gamble

K.P.S Kohli, Partner, Dhir & Dhir Associates

Rajinikandh ARS, VP Legal, BARC India

The Summit concluded with an exciting gala lucky draw as Boult Audio Wireless Bluetooth Speakers, Fire TV Stick with all-new Alexa Voice Remote and a Gala prize as Amazon Echo Dot (3^rd Gen).

AND THE WINNERS WERE:

2nd Runner Up

Gaurav Sarin, Partner, Kochhar & Co.

1st Runner Up

Rajeev Venkat Rambhatla, Head – Hyderabad, King Stubb & Kasiva, Advocates and Attorneys

Gala Prize Winner

Tanu Banerjee, Partner, IndusLaw

The Media, Advertising & Entertainment Legal Sagas 2019 – A Gathering of Elite Professionals in the M&E Space

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