International Academy Expands Ambassador Program

NEW YORK: The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has announced the addition of Brian Seth Hurst and Tarif Sayed to its Ambassador program, which now includes a total of 15 executives.

Hurst is the CEO of The Opportunity Management Company, a strategic consultancy and cross-media production company, and is considered a pioneer of next-generation entertainment. Sayed is the owner and managing director of Dubai-based production company The Frame, which specializes in documentaries, reality shows and formats. They join a list that includes Sebastian Darcyl from Telefilms in Argentina, Steven Bawol from Helion in France, Andy Hadjicostis of Sigma Television in Cyprus, Gai Dunlop of FestcomAr in Australia, Leopold Hoesch from Germany’s BROADVIEW TV, Talal Fattal of Ghana’s Metro TV, Hungarian producer Gabor Banyai of Interaktiv, Jerusalem Capital Studios’ Gabriel Rosenberg, Alejandra Leon de la Barra of ALB Comunicacion y Relaciones Publicas in Mexico, Hans Rossiné from the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation, Alexander Shustorovich of Fashion TV Russia, Roberta Durrant from South Africa’s Penguin Films and Jose Escalante from Dori Media America/Dori Media Distribution.

“Part of The International Academy’s strength lies in its membership, and we are confident that Brian and Tarif will further expand our international outreach in their respective industries and regions,” said Bruce Paisner, the International Academy’s president and CEO. “We look forward to having them join the distinguished group of Ambassadors already representing us throughout the world.”