TORONTO — Brunico Communications, the company that stages such events as the Banff World Media Festival and is the publisher of four screen and production-focused titles, on January 3 received judiciary approval of its previously announced purchase of the assets of NATPE, which declared bankruptcy in 2022 after nixing a January 2023 Bahamas conference.
On May 17, Brunico revealed that the NATPE Global conference would be returning, with a downtown Miami venue rather than the familiar Fontainebleau Miami Beach, which reportedly refused to engage in a force majure contract rewind with NATPE regarding its pandemic-era event cancellations, costing the organization thousands of dollars.
Now, Brunico is sharing that it has assembled an “all-star advisory” board ahead of NATPE Global’s 2024 affair.
Claire Macdonald, Executive Director for NATPE Global, shared that “foundational elements” of NATPE Global, scheduled for January 16-18 at the Intercontinental in downtown Miami (not to be confused with Doral, Fla., host of the Hispanic Radio Conference in 2023), will remain core to the event. Yet, she shares, “We are committed to shaking things up and addressing key and current trends and issues across the global content business.”
The advisory board is comprised of top executives representing all genres and a broad swath of disciplines across the international business.
The NATPE Global advisory board includes:
- Sheila Aguirre — EVP/Co-Production & Distribution, International, Latin America and Hispanic U.S.: FremantleMedia International
- Beth Anderson — SVP/GM FAST Channels, VOD Sales: BBC Studios
- Ilan Arboleda — Co-Founder & Producer: CreativeChaos vmg
- Matthew Ashcroft — CEO: Parade Media Group
- Jeff Clanagan — President/Chief Distribution Officer: Hartbeat
- Elif Dagdeviren — Managing Partner: Calinos Films
- Kelly Day — Vice President: Amazon Prime Video International
- Bobby Friedman — CEO: Bungalow Media + Entertainment
- Elaine Frontain Bryant — EVP and Head of Programming Genres for A&E, Lifetime and LMN
- Ava Greenfield — Scripted Television Agent: CAA
- Lisa Hamilton Daly — EVP of Programming: Hallmark Media
- Samuel Harowitz — VP of Content Acquisition and Partnerships: Tubi
- Bruce David Klein — President & Executive Producer: Atlas Media Corp
- Lisa Kramer — President of International TV Licensing: Paramount Global Content Distribution
- Hannah Pillemer — EVP of Creative Services: MarVista Entertainment
- Jamie Schouela — President of Global Channels & Media: Blue Ant Media
- Nick Smith — EVP/Formats: All3 International
- Courtney Thomasma — EVP/Streaming: AMC Networks
As of today, more than 200 buyers are registered for the Miami affair, which in the recent past has served as an important marketplace for syndicated programming and acquiring territorial rights to unscripted programs airing in prime-time. Given the ongoing WGA East and West and SAG-AFTRA work stoppages, this perhaps elevates the return of NATPE Global under Brunico ownership.
“The reimagined conference and marketplace will feature keynote presentations, thought-leadership panel discussions addressing industry issues on a global level, regional buyer spotlights, exhibition pavilions and suites, screenings, and exclusive networking opportunities,” Brunico says of NATPE Global. “Delegates will have unique and powerful opportunities to build and cultivate the domestic and international relationships that will drive their businesses forward.”
— With reporting by RBR+TVBR in North York, Ontario
