MIPCOM & MIPTV organisers Reed Midem replace CEO

Zilk (left) and Filzi

MIPCOM and MIPTV organisers Reed Midem has appointed a new CEO to lead the business, with incumbent Paul Zilk stepping down.

Zilk, who had been president/CEO at Reed Midem for more than 17 years, will step down in October and be replaced by Michel Filzi, who is president/CEO of sister company Reed Expositions France (REF).

Zilk joined Reed Midem in 2001 and has overseen its business in the real estate, television, music and esports sectors. He will take on an advisory role to Dominic Feltham, the EMEA president for Reed Exhibitions, for the next 12 months.

Filzi has more than two decades of experience at REF, including six years as CEO, and oversees more than 30 events in 15 different sectors, ranging from building to hospitality and transport.

He will remain president/CEO of REF and will continue to report to Feltham.

“We are grateful to Paul for his leadership and success in building strong brands that have served customers worldwide in continuously-evolving industries,” Feltham said. “Michel Filzi is an experienced leader, and I am confident he will do an excellent job as the new head of Reed Midem.”

Zilk added: “We have a talented multicultural team and many wonderful partners and clients. The past 19 years have been terrific, but this is the right time to refocus my interests and energies. Following lots of preparation in recent months, I look forward to helping Michel with our transition.”

Filzi said: “With Paul’s support, I am really looking forward to working with the outstanding Reed Midem team to create new opportunities to deliver exceptional value for our customers.”

Reed Midem was forced to cancel MIPTV earlier this year as the impact of Covid-19 spread, while the pandemic has also claimed the physical version of MIPCOM in October, with the event becoming online-only earlier this month.