The Turkish distributor introduced its new music competition format at Cinema Olympia, featuring a twist that allows contestants to change partners throughout the show. The exclusive event, held ahead of Mipcom 2026, also marked the company’s 20th anniversary, with an emotional tribute from İzzet Pinto to his late sister, Gila Kantar.
*with reporting by Carolina Mussio and Ana Paula Carreira from Cannes, France.
Global Agency unveiled its new entertainment format, The Greatest Duo, on Sunday during an exclusive event at Cinema Olympia in Cannes, ahead of Mipcom 2026. The presentation brought together a select group of international buyers for a first look at the Turkish company’s latest project, whose name and concept had been kept under wraps until the event.
The Greatest Duo is a reality singing competition in which duos perform before a four-member jury. The format’s main twist is that partnerships are not necessarily permanent: contestants can decide to change partners if they believe teaming up with someone else will improve their chances of progressing through the competition.
The show combines musical performances with the relationships between contestants and the decisions that can determine their future in the competition. Even the winners will face a final choice: continue their careers as a duo or pursue individual paths as solo artists.
Speaking to ttvnews ahead of the launch, İzzet Pinto, founder and CEO of Global Agency, had hinted at the company’s plans to introduce a format with the potential to become a major international franchise.
“It has a unique genre that explores relationships through music,” Pinto said at the time. “We wanted to create a special launch around the format, so we will hold its world premiere at the Olympia Cinema in Cannes, where we will welcome leading format buyers from around the world.”
Pinto is particularly confident in the show’s potential to generate viral moments through its partner-swapping dynamics and the relationships that develop throughout the competition.
The event also held special significance for Global Agency, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this week, at the very market where the company began its journey.
“We are celebrating 20 years this week. Global Agency was founded 20 years ago during Mipcom. When we started, I didn’t know if we would last, and now I can say yes, we made it,” Pinto recalled.
The executive reflected on his early days as an entrepreneur and how a phone call from his cousin, who introduced him to the business of selling television formats, changed his professional life.
“Before that, I was a failing entrepreneur. My cousin told me I had to be in entertainment. She introduced me to format sales, I got help from Google, and I went to Mipcom,” he said.
Pinto also paid tribute to his sister, Gila Kantar, co-founder of Global Agency, who passed away in 2025 and played a fundamental role in building the company.
“I came with my sister as a family company, and it worked perfectly. I want to thank my team, who helped build such a big brand, and all of you for believing in us,” he said.
“My biggest thanks go to my sister. She was the heart and soul of the company. I want to dedicate all of this to her,” Pinto concluded.
