NATPE - National Association of Television Program Executives

“NATPE 2011 / CONTENT FIRST” MARKETPLACE PACING FAR AHEAD

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 10:33:39 +0100

Confirmed Exhibitors for Miami Market Booking Earlier than ever Before

LOS ANGELES, August 23, 2010 – NATPE, the only U.S. professional video media marketplace, has commitments from more than 50 exhibitors in less than one month, it was announced today by NATPE President and CEO Rick Feldman. The market — under the conference theme “Content First” — will be held at the luxurious Fontainebleau Resort on Miami Beach, January 24 to 26, 2011.

“The move to Miami in 2011 has been incredibly well-received, resulting in quicker sales than ever before. The fact that all buyers and sellers will be in the same location and easily accessible has garnered great enthusiasm for the market. And, for the European and Latin companies, Miami is certainly appreciated,” Feldman noted.

Among the companies confirming early are BBC, Televisa, Venevision, Twentieth TV, NBC Universal, Disney, CBS TV Distribution, Lionsgate, HBO, Debmar-Mercury and Globo TV. Exhibit space will be available on the NATPE floor and in suites, all under one roof within the Fontainebleau complex. NATPE will take over the entire hotel footprint.

“NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution is happy to support NATPE’s move to Miami,” added Barry Wallach, president of NBC Universal Domestic Television Distribution. “We believe that the location and timing of NATPE 2011 will be a great way to start the year. We are encouraged by conversations we have had with our clients and expect NATPE in Miami to be robust and productive.”

Attendee badges can be purchased at a discounted rate of $500 until September 10, 2010. Visit www.natpemarket.com for more information on conference, registration and accommodation details.

NATPE is a global, nonprofit organization committed to serving as a catalyst for the content revolution. Evolving to meet the needs of a changing media landscape, NATPE through its many activities, including exclusive videos, live streaming events and vibrant annual market, is at the nexus of the multiplatform content world. NATPE 2011, January 24 to 26, is where creativity meets connectivity and commerce.

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PRESS CONTACTS

Cassy Salyer
csalyer@lippingroup.com
323.965.1990

Leela Veeravalli
lveeravalli@lippingroup.com
323.965.1990

ANTI-PIRACY BODY TO LAUNCH AT DISCOP AFRICA

Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:15:24 +0100

Los Angeles/Paris, 20 August 2010 – Organisers of DISCOP AFRICA, which takes place 1-3 September 2010 at the Hilton Nairobi in Kenya and is already the most established TV market in Sub-Saharan Africa, today announced that the AFRICA MEDIA RIGHTS WATCH initiative, an anti-piracy body monitoring the region, will officially launch next year.

Following a series of meetings that have taken place during the last two DISCOP AFRICA markets, many of the leading broadcasters and content suppliers involved in Sub-Saharan Africa have come together to form AFRICA MEDIA RIGHTS WATCH. The initiative is supported by international key players such as CANAL+ OVERSEAS, M-NET and COTE OUEST as well as by African associations of broadcasters and content producers.

As an anti-piracy body standing against audiovisual piracy across that region, AFRICA MEDIA RIGHTS WATCH’s objective is to help establish and promote a business environment that is respectful of copyright laws and of measures to enforce these laws. Participants believe the timing is right considering the speed at which the Sub-Saharan African television marketplace has grown over the last two years.

Since its inaugural edition back in 2009, the DISCOP AFRICA market has brought together more than 300 companies from 59 countries eager to buy and sell regional distribution rights. Close to 220 companies are already registered for the Nairobi edition which takes place from 1 to 3 September 2010.

Commenting on the AFRICAN MEDIA RIGHTS WATCH initiative, Bernard Azria, Founding Manager, COTE OUEST, Africa’s largest independent distributor noted, “It is vital that the problem of piracy be eliminated, or at least significantly reduced in Sub-Saharan Africa. If the theft of intellectual property is allowed to continue at its present levels it will be a very severe blow to the possibility of building a flourishing audiovisual business with a secure long-terms future in the region”.

Benedicte Cheneut, General Manager, CANAL+ OVERSEAS, agreed, saying, “For all those legitimately concerned with the audiovisual business in Sub-Saharan Africa, content piracy is robbing them of their future. We have to put an end to this theft, and we will”.

Mike Dearham, Head of Sales and Acquisitions, M-NET, underlined the necessity of the initiative, observing, “It is not enough merely to frame rules, it is also necessary to construct a mechanism capable of ensuring that the rules are enforced”.

Patrick Jucaud, Founding Manager, DISCOP Organization, “As the only market at which the continent’s entire audiovisual business gathers, DISCOP AFRICA has a key role to play in providing the means for all the major players of Sub-Saharan Africa to unite and defeat the pirates, and we are very pleased to host the launch of the AFRICA MEDIA RIGHTS WATCH initiative”.

AFRICA MEDIA RIGHTS WATCH will be officially launched on Friday 11 February, during the 5th edition of DISCOP AFRICA to take place in Accra, Ghana from 9 to 11 February, 2011.

Close to 2500 participants are expected to take part in the various DISCOP events organised in 2010, demonstrating the growing importance of world regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East for audiovisual content business.

After 15 years of operating independently, DISCOP events have now partnered with the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) since 2005. A global content marketplace for the digital world, NATPE is the only U.S. based destination for buyers and sellers. Now in Miami Beach, NATPE is a catalyst in the content revolution – providing thousands of chances to make one good deal. NATPE 2011, January 24-26 -- Content First. www.natpemarket.com

For further information contact:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group – London
T: +44 203 008 5406
E: dlawrence@lippingroup.com

Cassy Salyer or Michael Samonte
The Lippin Group – Los Angeles
T: +1 323 965 1990
E: csalyer@lippingroup.com msamonte@lippingroup.com

NATPE HONORS NEXT TV AWARD WINNERS AT FOURTH ANNUAL LATV FEST

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:00:39 +0100

Multiple Web Series Genres Recognized at Annual Confab

LOS ANGELES, CA, July 15, 2010 – Professionally-generated web programming spanning multiple genres, from showcasing the life of an independent casting director to a Hollywood trivia game show, were among the winners of the National Association of Television Program Executives’ (NATPE) third annual Next TV Award Competition, hosted by Shira Lazar of CBSNews.com.

“This year’s Next TV competition showcases the impressive strides produced web series have made this year,” said NATPE President & CEO Rick Feldman. “We are happy to give the growing web series community the platform and recognition it deserves.”

The competition seeks to discover the best pilot for a new web series or best episode from an existing Internet show. Screening and judging were facilitated by WithoutABox, while finalists were determined by professional industry judges. Winners were selected by the sponsoring company in each category or by industry judges.

The 2010 winners are as follows:

Branded Entertainment: Directed by Kostas Metaxas, “The WC” reveals the amusing world of the real international fashion business through the eyes of Brit-born 80's fashionista and now real Australian fashion icon - Wayne Cooper.

Comedy: In this Janice Dickinson meets “The Office” faux reality web series, “NEXT!” follows the trials and tribulations of real-life casting director John Jackson (“Sideways”) as an independent casting director. Directed by Heather Laird and shot on RED.

Drama: Two years after a global catastrophe and economic collapse, a group of survivors struggle to develop community amidst a harsh world emptied of material resources and rife with social conflicts both new and old. Created for the web, “the_source” is a pilot for a serial narrative which will include participation and input from viewers and create an immersive, interactive experience. Directed by Marc D’Agostino.

Reality/Unscripted: “Red Carpet Run” is an entertainment trivia game-show that puts celeb-obsessed contestants through the ultimate trivial pursuit, challenging their knowledge of all things Hollywood as they run their final round — high speed! — on a moving treadmill. Directed by Daryl Goldberg; submitted by Michael Todd Cohen.

Winners were announced during the Next TV Competition Award presentation and celebration on Wednesday, July 14 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel. Each will be awarded a one year NATPE membership, complimentary registration to the annual NATPE Market & Conference in January 2011, a development meeting or a mentorship with executives from the sponsoring companies and a Vado HD Pocket Video Camera.

The competition and event were made possible thanks to the following category sponsors: Ogilvy Entertainment (Branded Entertainment), Comcast-E! (Reality/Unscripted), and Lionsgate (Drama); and Stickam.com, who provided all of the necessary technology to facilitate the competition.

All winning content will play on the NATPE Web site, Stickam.com, NATPE’s YouTube Channel and other video sharing outlets. More details on the Next TV Competition can be found at www.latvfest.net/latvfestival/natpes-nexttv-competition. The footage can be found at www.stickam.com/natpe and NATPE’s YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/user/natpe.

NATPE is a global, nonprofit organization committed to being a catalyst for the content revolution. Evolving to meet the needs of a changing media landscape, NATPE through its many activities including exclusive videos, live streaming events and vibrant annual market is at the nexus of the multiplatform content world. Moving to Miami, a major international destination, NATPE 2011, January 24 to 26 is where creativity meets connectivity and commerce.

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Press Contacts:

For NATPE:
Michael Samonte/Cassy Salyer
The Lippin Group/LA
323.965.1990

LEADING GROUP OF BRAND EXECUTIVES TO DISCUSS HOW CONTENT CREATORS CAN CAPITALIZE ON POPULARITY ...

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 22:03:23 +0100

LOS ANGELES, CA, July 1, 2010 – A leading group of brand executives will explore the future of brand integration and how content creators can capitalize on it at the fourth annual NATPE LATV Fest July 12-15. NATPE President & CEO Rick Feldman disclosed today.

The new brand related panel sessions will be held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel. They will be comprised of “In Bed with a Brand”; “Mastering Mobile Commerce: Bringing Audiences and Advertisers Together”; “PepsiCo and the Media: Transforming the Relationships Between Brands and Media Companies”; “Licensing: No Longer an Afterthought”; and “All-Access Mentor Round Robin: Talk to the Brands.”

Speakers and panelists include Jeffrey Hayzlett, Celebrity CMO and Author; Dino Bernacchi, Director, Marketing Communications North America, Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Magnus Gustafsson, Head of Digital Media, IKEA; Eric Day, Senior Strategist, Branded Entertainment, Microsoft; Bryan Biniak, VP, Head of Ovi Publish, Nokia; Chad Stubbs, Senior Manager, Media Strategy & Investment, PepsiCo North America; Andrew Koven, President, E-Commerce & Customer Experience, Steve Madden Ltd.; Rob Maresca, Brand Integrations, SUBWAY®; and Porter Gale, VP, Marketing, Virgin America.

“With the multi-billion dollar brand integration business growing at an incredible pace, there has never been a better time to examine what is fast becoming a fundamental component in the development and execution of content,” Feldman said. “We’ve assembled this impressive list of panelists and speakers to share directly with the audience where branded content is headed, as well as ways in which content producers can capitalize on creative interdependence.”

“In Bed with a Brand” will tackle how creators are inking deals directly with brands and advertisers. Executives will share brand-creator relationship success stories, including how their digital content built an audience and grew revenue for both players. The panel will also look at what is needed from a brand's perspective, what brands want and are willing to invest in, as well as how content creators can get them to agree to their projects.

“Mastering Mobile Commerce: Bringing Audiences and Advertisers Together” is an informative session on how to provide more value to sponsors by using mobile to create a bridge between advertisers, audiences and retailers.

“PepsiCo and the Media: Transforming the Relationships between Brands and Media Companies” will take a behind-the-scenes look at PepsiCo’s Media Strategy and Investment group’s recently re-engineered approach to creating true partnerships with the media industry.

“Licensing: No Longer an Afterthought” will focus on the critical role brand licensing plays in today’s most successful TV shows and why production companies need to start bolstering their brand relationships. Reveille’s Vice President of Brand Development and Production Chad Bennett will discuss Reveille’s approach to licensing at the production level with successful shows like THE BIGGEST LOSER and the upcoming MASTERCHEF with Gordon Ramsay.

“All-Access Mentor Round Robin: Talk to the Brands” is a unique face-to-face experience for attendees to interact with national brand leaders and have the opportunity to present their unique professional background; get insider tips, how-to’s and forecasts of future trend. Admission to all “All Access Mentor Round Robin” workshops requires a separate fee of $125 per seat. Advance sign-up is recommended as space is limited. Additional seats may be available onsite. Please check in at advance registration for availability.

NATPE delivers real tools, real access, real pitches… for real producers with its fourth annual LATV Fest. The four-day conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles from July 12-15. High-level TV and digital content producers, development executives, agents, advertising and brand executives, software solutions, technology and equipment providers will be key participants.

Registration information and additional details are available at www.latvfest.net.

NATPE is a global, nonprofit organization committed to serving as a catalyst for the content revolution. Through diverse and far-reaching activities including exclusive videos, live streaming events and its vibrant annual market, NATPE is at the nexus of the multiplatform content world and is evolving to meet the needs of a changing media landscape. Moving to Miami, a major international marketplace, NATPE 2011 is where creativity meets connectivity and commerce.

# # #

Press Contacts:

Michael Samonte/Cassy Salyer
The Lippin Group/LA
323.965.1990

DISCOP EAST CONTENT MARKET IN BUSINESS MODE WHILST DISCOPRO PITCHING SESSIONS REVEAL FUTURE ...

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:13:36 +0100

Paris/Los Angeles, 30 June 2010 -- Organisers of international content market DISCOP EAST, which wrapped last week in Budapest, reported a very successful 18th edition as new dates are announced for 2011, with two exciting new fiction projects selected as winners of the DISCOPRO 2010 pitching sessions.

The three-day DISCOP EAST market saw a blend of major local and international companies in attendance, with a number of deals concluded and announced at the market. 304 companies participated as sellers from 36 countries, including 12 CEE countries alongside 406 companies participating as buyers from 31 countries, including 26 CEE countries. Of these, 265 companies represented TV stations and Pay-TV platforms with additional representatives from territorial agents, home video distributors and alternative new media platforms.

Organisers have already confirmed details of the 2011 event, which will again take place at the Sofitel Hotel, Budapest. The market will be held from Tuesday 21st June to Thursday 23rd June and the DISCOPRO conference and pitching sessions will now take place after the market on Friday 24th June.

Training and pitching program DISCOPRO saw delegate attendance up by 20% in 2010. A highlight of the schedule included co-production pitches from Serbia, Hungary, France and the US for television drama projects all with a connection to the region. Six short-listed producers pitched their projects to a panel of commissioning executives, including Emmanuel Eckert (M6, France), Katalin Schulteisz (HBO Holding, Hungary), Philipp Kreuzer (Bavaria Fernseh Produktion, Germany) and Helge Koehnen (Bavaria Media Television, Germany).

The two winning projects were announced as Paradis Perdu (Lost Paradise) from Shooting Prod in France and The Institution from Szupermodern Studio in Hungary. Six-part mini series Paradis Perdu, written by Suzanne Fenn, centres on the story of two blood brothers growing up in Beirut whilst TV Movie The Institution, written by Krisztina Goda, is a comedy drama portraying a group of young men fighting addiction. These two projects will benefit from further development and visibility support at other major pitching events.

Patrick Jucaud, general manager of DISCOP commented today, “The 18th edition of DISCOP highlighted the increasing importance of the region’s local programming both on the domestic and international stage. All attendees reported strong business activity on the market floor and we also saw more attendance from the production community looking for investment opportunities. DISCOPRO also continues to grow in popularity, with the pitching sessions proving the vibrancy of the region’s production sector”.

“We are delighted to be able to respond to attendees comments by moving the 2011 DISCOPRO event to after the market,” he continued, “which many have indicated will be more convenient”.

Close to 2500 participants are expected to take part in the various DISCOP events organised in 2010, demonstrating the growing importance of world regions such as Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Africa and the Middle East for audiovisual content business.

After 15 years of operating independently, DISCOP events have now partnered with the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) since 2005. A global content marketplace for the digital world, NATPE is the only U.S. based destination for buyers and sellers. Now in Miami Beach, NATPE is a catalyst in the content revolution – providing thousands of chances to make one good deal. NATPE 2011, January 24-26 -- Content First. www.natpemarket.com

For further information contact:

Debbie Lawrence
The Lippin Group – London
T: +1 323 965 1990
E: dlawrence@lippingroup.com

Cassy Salyer or Michael Samonte
The Lippin Group – Los Angeles
T: +1 323 965 1990
E: csalyer@lippingroup.com msamonte@lippingroup.com