IATAS Announce Ambassador Program Outreach Initiative

The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced the launch of its newest outreach initiative, the Ambassador Program.
Ambassadors are active members who volunteer on behalf of the Academy to act as representatives in their respective countries. The program aims to raise the profile of the Academy globally and encourage local producers and broadcasters to submit entries into the International Emmy Awards competition. It also hopes to increase existing member participation and encourage new membership.
“This initiative is a new way for the Academy to reach out internationally by encouraging participation in each country where we have members,” said Academy Senior Vice-President & Executive Director, Camille Bidermann-Roizen. “We are honored to have such a distinguished group of Ambassadors representing the Academy.”
“As the largest global organization of broadcasters, The Academy has the mandate to be representative of all the television cultures in the world”, added Academy President & CEO Bruce Paisner. “Our Ambassadors will help us to achieve that by promoting membership and educating producers worldwide on how to enter the International Emmy Awards competition and get recognition from their peers.”
Nine Ambassadors are confirmed to date, they are: Australia: Gai Dunlop, CEO, Festcom; France: Steven Bawol, Managing Director, Helion Pictures; Germany: Leopold Hoesch, Managing Director, BROADVIEW TV GmbH; Hungary: Gabor Banyai, Producer, Interaktiv Ltd; Israel: Gabriel Rosenberg, President & CEO, Jerusalem Capital Studios Ltd; Mexico: Alejandra Leon de la Barra, Founder & CEO, ALB Communications; Norway: Hans Rossiné, Head of Drama, Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK;) Russia: Alexander Shustorovich, President, Fashion TV Russia, Ltd; and United Kingdom: Simon Pollock, VP Managing Director Asia and Europe, AETN.
The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences is the largest organization of global broadcasters, with 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 fourteen 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; News; Non-Scripted Entertainment; 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. The International Emmy World Television Festival to be held Saturday and Sunday, November 17 and 18, will feature unique screenings, panels and presentations from around the world.
The International Emmy Awards Gala, to be held November 19, in New York City attracts 1,200 international figures in broadcast, entertainment and media.
More information can be found online at www.iemmys.tv
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