PRESIDENT LULA DA SILVA INAUGURATES INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY DAY IN RIO

Over 300 International Media Executives Participate in Networking Event Hosted by TV Globo & Sony Corporation

NEW YORK, September 16, 2008 — Over 300 international television professionals joined TV Globo, Sony and The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in Brazil last week for International Academy Day in Rio, a three-day networking event inaugurated by Brazil’s President, Lula Da Silva.

In his welcoming speech, the President acknowledged the importance of democracy in media and the growing force with which television contributes to a national culture.  He also talked about how many International Emmy nominations Brazil had received the last three years and expressed a hope there would be more.

The opening dinner was held at the Copacabana Palace Hotel and officially launched the first Academy Day held in South America with speeches from the President, the Governor of Rio, Sergio Cabral, the President of TV Globo, Roberto Irineu Marinho and the President & CEO of the International Academy, Bruce L. Paisner.  Participants included International Academy Members, and government officials as well as television executives and producers from around the world.

“Over the last few years, The International Academy has grown in stature to become a representative of the world’s media interests and a place to learn and understand,” said Mr. Paisner,  “I am delighted that the President of Brazil is keeping track of how many International Emmy nominations the country receives. We are grateful to TV Globo and especially to Roberto Irineu Marinho and Octavio Florisbal for making this event possible.”

Program highlights of the three-day event included three keynote speeches and four panels.  The keynotes were given by Helio Costa, the Brazilian Minister of Telecommunications; Octavio Florisbal, the CEO of TV Globo and Flavio Ferrari, the CEO of ratings bureau IBOPE Media.  The first day sessions presented a CEO overview of the Latin American television industry and a discussion on telenovelas, while the second day addressed the use of new technologies in the region and the crucial role of socially responsible programming.  Panelists included Marcos Santana, President, Telemundo International; Nadav Palti, CEO & President, Dori Media; Hugo Gaggioni, Chief Technology Officer Broadcast, Sony Corporation and Stephen Massey, Global Media Aids Initiative/Senior Program Officer. All panels took place at PROJAC, Globo’s production center and studio back lot.

This was the third International Academy Day to be organized by the International Academy after Mexico City in 2005 and Beijing in 2006.

ABOUT TV GLOBO
TV Globo is the largest network in South America and one of the leading producers of content in the world. Founded in 1965, the Globo Network owns five stations and 116 affiliated stations that bring information, education, and entertainment to more than 99.9% of Brazilian municipal areas, uniting the country and strengthening both its culture and its people.  Globo’s productions have been exported to more than 130 countries worldwide.  In 2005, Globo’s programs were sold to over 50 countries, with an average audience of 100 million viewers per day. Brazil is the main inspirational theme for Globo´s high quality production. Throughout the years, the network has produced the equivalent of more than 2000 full-length movies.  This fact contributed to Globo´s recognition in the Guinness World Records 2005 and 2006 as the biggest drama producer in the world.  Globo maintains the largest studio complex in Latin America, the Central Globo de Produção (Globo Production Center) in Rio de Janeiro, which occupies an area of almost 18 million square feet (1.65 million square meters). Since its opening, the studio’s facilities has helped to double the volume of content produced by the network.  

In the news area, Globo spares no effort to always keep viewers up to date. It has around 2000 professionals ready to cover local, international, and sports events in live news broadcasts, and also produces other programs and documentaries that have won several international prizes. TV Globo´s social responsibility is an important factor contributing to its success.  The company develops educational and public service campaigns, and has won the BitC Awards of Excellence.

ABOUT THE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY
Founded in 1969, the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is the largest organization of global broadcasters, with over 500 members from nearly 70 countries and over 400 companies. The Academy was chartered with a mission to recognize excellence in television programming produced outside of the United States, and it presents the International Emmy® Award to programs in fifteen categories: Arts Programming; Best Performance by an Actress; Best Performance by an Actor; Children & Young People; Comedy; Current Affairs; Documentary; Drama Series; Interactive Channel; Interactive Program; Interactive TV Service; Non-Scripted Entertainment; News; TV Movie/Mini-Series.

The Academy is a unique, independent organization comprised of the world’s top television and media leaders who come together to exchange ideas, discuss common issues and promote new strategies for the future development of quality global television programming. Each year, the Academy produces the International Emmy® World Television Festival and the International Emmy® Awards Gala in New York City. The Festival screens programming from around the world, featuring leading producers and directors who speak about their work. The International Emmy® Awards Gala attracts over 1,000 international figures in broadcast, entertainment and media. More information can be found online at www.iemmys.tv.

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Media Contact:
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Eva Obadia, Director, Marketing & PR
eva.obadia@iemmys.tv
1-212-489-6969