NATPE Appoints Gary Mitchell In Europe

Television distribution specialist Gary Mitchell has been appointed as NATPE's European Business Development Executive based in the UK.
Rick Feldman, NATPE's President commented: "We're pleased to invite Gary to join us at NATPE as our Development Executive in Europe - he has a great deal of experience in the international distribution business and has been attending NATPE events for many years.
"In these difficult times it is vital that content owners take advantage of every opportunity to meet buyers and potential partners. Our association continues to host one of the key events of the distribution calendar and we have created a number of cost effective ways for distributors of all sizes and countries to exhibit in Las Vegas in 2010."
Gary Mitchell added: "I am delighted to join NATPE at this important time. Through its international events, NATPE has a lot to offer companies looking to do business in the US and Latin America. It is increasingly hard to get programming noticed, but by being at NATPE in January, content owners are making an important first step in getting their shows in front of the right people and making crucial contacts and sales."
Before launching his own company, Gary Mitchell was Vice President International Sales at DLT Entertainment UK in London. Prior to this, he was Director of Sales at Portman Entertainment Group and Sales Manager at Chatsworth Television Distributors. He was also Sales Manager at Primetime and had an earlier stint at Portman Entertainment as Sales Manager. Alongside his new role at NATPE, Gary will continue to represent his existing clients.
Mitchell's appointment follows Pam Smithard's departure from NATPE, after 15 years as its European Director, to pursue other projects.
Pam started her career in ITV, first in programme planning and moving to film acquisition for the regional companies. In 1976, she was instrumental in establishing the ITV Network Films Centre. Subsequent key appointments include Director Administration for the international distribution company AML and later General Manager for Portman Entertainment.
NATPE is a global non-profit organisation, dedicated to the creation, development and distribution of televised programming in all forms, across all mature and emerging media platforms. NATPE 2010 takes place at the Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas, from January 25 to 27, 2010.
Further details are available at: www.natpe.org.
(KMcA/BMcC)