Canada’s Shaw Rocket Fund signs on as Presenting Partner of the International Emmy® Kids Awards

New York, February 6th, 2012 – The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced today that Shaw Rocket Fund- thenot-for-profit corporation focused on stimulating excellence in the Canadian children’s production industry has signed on as a presenting partner for the recently announced International Emmy Kids Awards. This new competition and stand-alone ceremony will be solely dedicated to recognizing excellence in children’s television programming produced and initially aired outside of the United States.

“The Academy thanks Agnes Augustin for her leadership in getting the Shaw Rocket Fund on as presenting partner for our new kids awards ceremony.” said Academy President & CEO Bruce L. Paisner. “Agnes has been an active member of our organization and we are delighted that she is embarking with us on this new initiative to promote excellence in international children’s television programming.”

“As part of our ongoing commitment to champion Canadian children’s programming throughout Canada and across the globe, we are pleased to be a presenting partner for the International Emmy Kids Awards,” said Agnes Augustin, President and CEO of the Shaw Rocket Fund. “Canada is known worldwide for its creativity and commitment to quality in children’s television and we are pleased to support an opportunity where Canadians are encouraged to showcase their talent internationally through this partnership.”

Six new categories have been created for this event: Kids: Preschool; Kids: Animation; Kids: Factual; Kids: Non-Scripted Entertainment; Kids: Series, and Kids: TV Movie/Mini-Series. The inaugural awards ceremony is scheduled for February 2013 in New York City. Entries into the kids competition will run concurrent with The International Emmy Awards competition which opened December 6th and closes February 15th, 2012. Rules and regulations for the competition can be found on the Academy’s website at http://www.iemmys.tv/awards_entry.aspx.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is a membership based organization comprised of leading media and entertainment figures from over 50 countries and 500 companies from all sectors of television including internet, mobile and technology. The Academy’s yearly schedule of events includes the prestigious International Emmy® Awards Ceremony held in New York, The International Digital Emmy® Awards at MIPTV and a series of industry events such as Academy Day, The International Emmy® World Television Festival and Panels on substantive industry topics. The Academy was chartered with a mission to recognize excellence in television produced outside of the United States and it presents The International Emmy® Awards in the following twenty categories: Arts Programming; Best Performance by an Actress; Best Performance by an Actor; Current Affairs; Comedy; Digital Program: Children & Young People; Digital Program: Fiction; Digital Program: Non-Fiction; Documentary; Drama Series; Kids: Preschool; Kids: Animation; Kids: Factual; Kids: Non-Scripted Entertainment; Kids: Series; Kids: TV Movie/Mini-Series News; Non-Scripted Entertainment; Telenovela; TV Movie/Mini-Series. For more information go to www.iemmys.tv.

ABOUT SHAW ROCKET FUND
The Shaw Rocket Fund is a forward-thinking, not-for-profit corporation that focuses on stimulating excellence in the Canadian children’s production industry through investment and various initiatives. We support Canadian children’s programming, recognized worldwide for its creativity and commitment to quality. We are strong believers in the ability of quality programming to fuel the young, imaginative minds of our kids and enrich their lives through interaction with creative content on all platforms. Contributors to the Fund are Shaw Communications, Shaw Pay Per View Ltd., and Shaw Direct. For information about the Shaw Rocket Fund, visit www.rocketfund.ca.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Eva Obadia, Communications Director
eva.obadia@iemmys.tv
1-212-489-6969

Shaw Rocket Fund
Lisa Menara
lmenara@colorshadow.com
1-416-642-6330