Discop on despite Istanbul bombing

The organisers of Discop Istanbul say the event will go ahead in early March despite recent terrorist activity in the Turkish capital.

They released a statement saying more than 500 buyers had registered for the sixth edition of the trade market, and that they had made “host of measures designed to facilitate attendance following recent events in the region”.

A bomb in central Istanbul killed ten tourists last week, an incident that came after more than 100 died in a separate bombing in Ankara in October. This led to several delegates cancelling plans to attend.

It is understood several security measures have since been taken, and that Turkey’s export association, the TET, has agreed to fund a ‘Hosted Buyers’ programme that makes last-minute invites to 100-plus acquisitions executives from “strategic countries” such as Indonesia and Iran.

Event operator Basic Lead has also moved to combat rumours it is no longer in control of Discop Istanbul. “Rumours to the contrary are unfounded,” Basic Lead’s CEO, Patrick Jucaud-Zuchowicki, told TBI.

“We are still in full control of the organization of Discop Istanbul, and we have partnered up with a local company, Globus Fairs, in order to comply with local obligations.”

The organisers said registrations were tracking “above last year”, with a number of exhibitors booking “increased stand space” in response to more expected buyers.

“Recent events in the region have presented some challenges in organising such an internationally facing market, however, we have put into effect a range of measures to ensure that this sixth edition offers attendees the strong and successful Discop Istanbul they have come to expect,” said Jucaud-Zuchowicki in a statement.

“It is true that we have had a few cancelations, especially from companies based in Asia due to travel restrictions issued by several embassies representing countries from that region in Istanbul,” he added.

The event takes place at the International Convention and Exhibition Center in Istanbul on March 1-3.

Turkish TV series exports reached US$250 million last year, according to recent data, as the territory’s content continued to resonate in territories such as the Middle East, the Balkan region and Latin America.