MIPCOM CANNES has announced the return of Merzigo as Headline Partner of the MIPCOM CANNES Opening Night Party, renewing the collaboration launched at the 2025 edition.The official opening event will take place on Monday, 12 October 2026 at 19:00 at the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes and will be co-hosted in partnership with YouTube. Media Cartographer Evan Shapiro will also join the evening as Merzigo’s special guest.The Merzigo x YouTube x MIPCOM Cannes Opening Night Party will bring together senior executives from television, streaming, digital media, technology, brands and the creator economy, officially kicking off the international market, which runs from 12 to 15 October 2026.
The partnership also reflects YouTube’s expanded presence at MIPCOM CANNES 2026, as the platform strengthens its connections with traditional television, digital-native intellectual property and the rapidly growing connected TV ecosystem.
Yigit Dogan Celik, Chairman & CEO of Merzigo, said:"Our global audiences demand control and crave great entertainment. Working with many of the world's leading rights holders, and as one of YouTube's leading monetisation partners, we have a unique perspective across our 6,000 channels on how premium content is evolving in this platform era. Building on our positive partnership with RX France in 2025, we're thrilled to once again co-host the 2026 Merzigo x YouTube x MIPCOM Cannes Opening Night Party alongside YouTube and continue this conversation at such a pivotal moment in our industry."Pedro Pina, Vice President of YouTube in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa said:“Co-hosting the MIPCOM Cannes Opening Night Party alongside Merzigo is a celebration of where the media business is heading: one driven by fandom-fueled IP, global audience scale, and sustainable commercial partnerships across screens of every size.”
Lucy Smith, Director of MIPCOM CANNES and MIPJUNIOR, said:“As the official opening of MIPCOM Cannes, the Opening Night Party sets the tone for the week ahead and reflects the breadth of today’s global entertainment business. We’re delighted to welcome Merzigo back as headline Partner alongside YouTube and Evan Shapiro, to celebrate an industry that continues to evolve through collaboration between broadcasters, streamers, creators, technology companies and brands.”
Merzigo will return to the market in 2026 with a dedicated presence at Stand C16.
