<\/p>\n
\n\tThis year\u2019s overarching theme for MIPCOM<\/a>\u2018s Women In Global Entertainment Power Lunch? Resilience.<\/p>\n \n\tSome of television\u2019s most senior industry execs flocked to Cannes\u2019 Hotel Majestic on Monday as MIPCOM formally kicks off another year, with the creator economy \u2014\u00a0and YouTube, in particular \u2014 firmly in the spotlight<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tA&E is a sponsor of the annual Power Lunch and The Hollywood Reporter<\/em>, which publishes its\u00a0annual list of\u00a0the most powerful women in international television<\/a>\u00a0to coincide with the event, is the official media partner. Inspiration flooded the room as seasoned professionals reflected candidly on their learnings from working their way up the ladder in a male-dominated industry.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIt is so thrilling and exciting and grateful to be in this room with all of you amazing international<\/a> execs who are driving culture, provoking thought and empathy, which we all need more right now,\u00a0and providing inspiring models of leadership,\u201d began Jeanie Pyun, THR<\/em>\u2018s deputy editorial director.<\/p>\n \n\tBritish comedian, author and former TV exec Cally Beaton was the session\u2019s host, tasked with bringing out the best of her impressive panel that included Lauren Tempest, general manager of Hulu; Kate Phillips, the BBC\u2019s newly-appointed chief content officer; and Justine Ryst, managing director of YouTube France<\/a> and southern Europe.<\/p>\n \n\tThe group covered a vast amount in just under 30 minutes with a sharp focus on the challenges that lay ahead for fellow women and how to remain strong in the face of professional hardship. \u201cWhen you\u2019re a woman in the media industry, you need more resilience than men,\u201d said Phillips. \u201cIt\u2019s just the way we are judged, the things we\u2019ve experienced in our lives\u2026 And I think power is an interesting word, because the more senior you get, yes, technically, I suppose you do have more power. But I worry about the younger people in the industry,\u201d she added. \u201cAnd I think the industry is tough at the moment, it\u2019s tough for freelancers, and I worry people aren\u2019t calling out bad behavior because they\u2019re just scared about losing their jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tPhillips speaks at a pivotal time for the BBC \u2014\u00a0the company has been had to enact widespread change in the face of concurrent scandals, namely Huw Edwards\u2019 sexual abuse conviction<\/a> and MasterChef <\/em>bedlam<\/a>. \u201cAt the BBC, we\u2019ve done a massive piece of work on a culture of encouraging people\u2026 [to] call it out,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIt\u2019s about not being scared, to speak up, having safe places,\u201d said Phillips. \u201cIt\u2019s so important and I always say, everyone is replaceable. Don\u2019t think if you\u2019re treated badly by someone, they are irreplaceable.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tTempest concurred with Phillips, and urged other women in the room to \u201cembrace the hard\u201d moments. When Beaton asked her panel what advice they have for those in the room, she responded: \u201cI do not practice this, but I\u2019m trying to channel it. It is the notion that it is not about trying to make all the moments right and perfect. It\u2019s about the resilience. It\u2019s about how quickly you can respond to the hard and move on.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe panel also spoke extensively about the realities of raising children with being a TV professional deeply committed to their work. Ryst, only recently, has found liberation in setting boundaries with work where her children are involved. \u201cI just took a three-month break to accompany my kids through a very important life moment for each of them,\u201d she told guests. \u201cI said, \u2018Fuck it. I\u2019m gonna take those months off\u2026\u2019 And it was the best decision I\u2019ve ever made,\u201d she said to a round of applause.<\/p>\n