In a session entitled Behind The Curtain – A Conversation With Marc Anthony, the six-time Grammy and Latin Grammy Award winner will reflect on his incredible 30 years in entertainment.
In addition to discussing his stellar career, Marc Anthony will explore the impact of Latino culture on the music and entertainment industries. Of particular interest to MIPTV delegates, he will also set out the global ambitions of his production company, Magnus Studios. Part of Anthony’s entertainment firm, Magnus Media, the Studios division focuses on the development, creation and production of digital video content, film and television production, as well as the creation of original music for advertising, film and TV from recording artists and composers.
Anthony will be interviewed by JC Acosta, president, ViacomCBS International Studios & Networks Americas (VIS). As part of the keynote, they will discuss a first-look deal that the two outfits signed in February 2021. At the time of the deal, Anthony explained why the new venture made sense for Magnus:
“ViacomCBS is one of the world’s leading producers of premium entertainment content, reaching billions of people around the world. Their diversified portfolio of global brands checks every box for us, and it provides us with the opportunity to continue to create content that has an appeal for audiences everywhere.”
From ViacomCBS’s perspective, the deal is part of VIS’s global strategy of “establishing alliances with best talents in the entertainment industry to create and produce entertainment content for global audiences”. At the time, JC Acosta said: “At the core of our studio are content creators that can bring voices, cultures, and stories that resonate with global audiences. We are excited to work with Marc Anthony and the entire Magnus team to bring these stories to life.”
During the course of their conversation, Anthony and Acosta will shed light on some of the projects the partners are developing. While music seems like an obvious path for Magnus to pursue, the first-look deal came hot on the heels of a development deal between Magnus and VIS for the animated children’s series Gloria Wants To Know It All. A pre-school with diversity at its heart, Gloria tells the story of an eight-year-old alpaca from the big city who spends her vacation at her grandfather’s house in Pueblo Lanugo, a small town that is a vibrant example of the richness of Latin American culture.
Marc Anthony was born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents. While he is best known for his music, his first taste of film and TV came when he appeared in the 1995 movie Hackers. More recently he worked on Simon Fuller’s LatAm talent series O’Viva! The Chosen with his ex-wife Jennifer Lopez, and was a guest mentor on The X Factor US in 2012. He is also well known as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, opening schools and orphanages in the Americas.
Anthony formed his entertainment vehicle Magnus Media in 2015. At the time he said: “Magnus is a company that is long overdue. Latino artists are among the world’s biggest brands. Unfortunately, though, many of my colleagues — and new artists coming up, too — haven’t had the support to turn that influence into long-term businesses that build value. We’re going to change the game.”
Behind The Curtain: A Conversation With Marc Anthony, hosted by JC Acosta, president ViacomCBS International Studios & Networks Americas, will take place on Wednesday, April 14 at 18.00 CEST, and will be available on catch-up until May 14.
This article originally appeared in the MIPTV 2021 Preview magazine, which you can read in full once registered for Digital MIPTV. Find out how, here!
