The 6th MEDIA CONVENTION Berlin: „Playing for Keeps“

MEDIA CONVENTION Berlin (MCB) will take place for the sixth time in cooperation with re:publica from 6 to 8 May 2019 at STATION BERLIN. As one of Europe's leading media congresses, #MCB19 raises critical questions, provides impulses and promotes lively discussion. The guiding theme “Playing for Keeps” points to the enormous economic and societal changes brought about by digitalisation. It is time to act, since digitalisation is happening right now and not in a distant future. 

The time for playing around is over. Where the beginnings of digitalisation concerned a few millions of venture capital, today entire corporations, careers and democracy itself are at stake. Media corporations are merging to stay competitive. Networks increasingly rely on their own streaming services, as with Disney’s own stream “Disney+”, or British media corporation Sky’s acquisition by US cable giant Comcast. In addition, platforms are under increasing political pressure to achieve more transparency in terms of user data handling. It is time to raise the stakes. For companies, there is a lot more at risk than developing and marketing new products. Only those who manage to change employees, the company and the ecosystem and to implement new, sustainable business models achieve the necessary impact to hold their own in the future.

Achieving more sustainability requires responsible thinking and clear rules, also in terms of politics. Efforts to find an appropriate framework and answers for digital challenges to safeguard the raised stakes range from copyright to competition law to digital taxes. Media consumption, our jobs and the society we live in are all affected.

But what does the media industry actually bring to the table? What is it willing to risk? How does regulation need to work in order to ensure a level playing field for everyone? And what are all of us willing to ante?

Three stages showcase a diverse programme surrounding current issues in media and Internet policy, market trends and developments in digital media society. Besides first-rate speakers and numerous controversial discussions it also features comprehensive networking opportunities for all target groups. MCB and re:publica are once again expecting about 9,000 visitors from over 80 countries. The ticket for both events costs 210 euros (standard ticket, reduced rate 105 euros) and 680 euros (business ticket).

More information about the MCB19