Jane Root to Keynote WCSFP

TORONTO, September 29: Jane Root, the executive VP and
general manager of Discovery Channel in the U.S., will be one of the keynote
speakers at the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers (WCSFP), set
for November 11 to 14 in Manchester.

Root will discuss the challenges of running Discovery and
will highlight some of the channel’s most successful shows. She will also
explore the importance of market research in shaping what goes on air and the
opportunities for international producers to work for the channel.

Also set to speak at the event is Professor Richard Dawkins,
currently the Charles Simonyi Chair in the Public Understanding of Science at
the University of Oxford.

Alison Leigh, the editorial director of WCSFP, notes, “These
two speakers are exactly what the World Congress of Science and Factual
Producers is all about—bringing together like minds from both sides of
the broadcasting sphere to debate the issues surrounding our industry at the
moment to challenge, inform and inspire delegates. We’re delighted to have them
as part of this year’s program.”

The WCSFP, now in its 14th year, is expecting more than 400
international broadcasters, producers and distributors of factual and science
television from more than 20 countries.