MIAMI — NATPE Global, which was rescued from death by Brunico Communications following its prior operator’s COVID-era bankruptcy and is seeking to reemerge as a premiere content marketplace for television, has unveiled its NATPE Honors recipients. Among them is a former head of CBS News and Stations.
The NATPE Honors Awards Gala will see Wendy McMahon — former President/CEO of CBS News and Stations and, before that, a key ABC Owned Stations head at The Walt Disney Company — be celebrated as “a purpose-led champion of change for their social good impact.”
McMahon will be presented with the NATPE Cause + Action Award at a gala scheduled for February 5, 2026 during NATPE Global at the InterContinental Miami Hotel. The event is hosted by comedian and actress Dulcé Sloan, of Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.”
McMahon is being recognized for “championing journalistic integrity and leading local and network news businesses forward by reinventing formats, supporting community reporting, and making space for more voices by shaping new independent journalism models.”
The 2026 NATPE Honors awardees also include AMC Networks CEO Kristin Dolan, who will receive the North Star Award in recognition of career achievements of individuals whose strong leadership has had a bar-raising impact, providing guidance as the industry navigates change.
Bell Media President Sean Cohan and Global Agency CEO Izzet Pinto will each earn the “Shift Disturber Award,” which honors individuals whose bold ideas and leadership are driving transformative change.
