Becoming an industry speaker
The TV and film industry is made up of all sorts of talent – not just the actors. Producers, directors and creators from all walks of life bring a vast breadth of perspectives and experience.
As the global market navigates shifts, financing barriers and tighter budgets combined with a tumultuous geopolitical landscape, there is a huge need to evolve models of production and packaging – e.g. coproducing with new territories – and making informed creative decisions – e.g. staying updated with changing audience behaviours – is paramount.
It’s in need of wisdom and practical insight from experienced producers who have successfully navigated these challenges and can offer clarity, direction and leadership at a time of continuous change.
So how can experienced industry creatives become thought leaders and help shape the conversations that define the sector? How can you as a filmmaker or professional in the industry become visible for your exact combination of expertise, skills and experience?
Strategic industry PR creates a platform to profile expertise, amplify opinions and insights and even influence the direction of the industry (or just the response to your pitch deck).
Here’s how you can start to use PR to transform you into a thought leader.
From perceiver to thought leader
Thought leadership PR helps to position people as contributors to important industry conversations. This helps to shape and amplify perspectives on critical issues such as global co-production partnerships, access to funding, diversity behind the camera, and the need for stronger creative industry support from local and national governments.
Producers, distributors and film and TV creatives sit on a wealth of practical knowledge, from structuring deals to navigating international markets.
PR translates this experience into insight-led content (features, interviews, podcasts, keynotes, panels, webinars and more) that has an impact on the market, shaping how the industry thinks, collaborates and evolves.
Interviews, features and podcasts
Industry features like podcasts and long-form interviews provide space for deeper, more nuanced perspectives on a next-to unlimited array of topics. PR that targets these competitive slots and appearances that allows industry speakers to go beyond surface level commentary and engage in meaningful discussions around the realities of the industry.
This format is particularly effective for demonstrating personal experience and knowledge, unpacking complex topics, sharing first-hand experience, and exploring ideas in a way that feels authentic and accessible. They also usually generate a piece of coverage that will sit in its magazine or YouTube channel for a long time – positioning you longterm in front of the right people and building your PR paper trail next to news items.
Panels and speaker appearances
Panel slots and speaking appearances at festivals such as Marche du Film, EFM, Content London, Broadcast Summit, NEM and Series Mania are highly competitive, with a growing pool of experienced voices competing for these limited but high-profile appearances that are in high demand.
A strong PR strategy plays a critical role in securing these opportunities by clearly positioning individuals as informed, relevant and authoritative voices on key topics. Being visible on these platforms not only elevates personal and company profile, but also signals expertise to peers, partners and decision-makers.
Strengthening influence and commercial opportunity
Positioning you and your team as thought leaders has tangible commercial benefits. Increased visibility can lead to stronger relationships with partners, access to new markets, and greater influence in local and international policy conversations.
Being recognised as a leading voice not only elevates individual profiles but also enhances the strategic positioning of the businesses they are part of. This is all attainable as part of committed, long term PR strategy that incrementally builds your legitimacy, authenticity and visibility.
Anyone can be a thought leader – you don’t need decades in the industry or friends in high places – talk to us today about your work, experience and views and we can curate a strategy with you that actually gives the impact you need.
Contact Percy & Warren today
Get in touch with us at Percy & Warren to talk about how to meet international partners, explore global co-pros, and use PR to position your company and content on an international level – no matter the language, format or stage.