NATPE Preps Plans for Upcoming Market

LOS
ANGELES, December 10: Monetizing the convergence of programming, advertising
and emerging media will be the focus of the 2009 National Association of Television Program
Executives (NATPE) Market & Conference, held January 26 to 29 at the
Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.

The
market's theme is "Content—Commerce—Connections," and
panels and sessions will spotlight the changing landscape of programming,
advertising and new media as well as opportunities for new revenues.
Participants include Thom Beers of Original Productions, Paul Buccieri of
Granada America, Cecile Frot-Coutaz of
FremantleMedia, David Goldberg of Endemol USA, Andy Kaplan of Sony Pictures Television International and Andy Bird of Walt Disney
International.

The
recipients of the 2009 Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award—Chuck Lorre, Anne Sweeney, Tyler Perry and Ben
Silverman—are all set to take part in one-on-one interviews. And, as previously
announced, Jon Feltheimer, the CEO of Lionsgate, will present the keynote address, while Tom
Rogers, the CEO and president of TiVo, will deliver the newsmaker address.

"The
caliber and diversity of our speakers and panelists send a clear message that
NATPE is more important than ever to the leaders in all areas of the global
content business," commented Rick Feldman, NATPE's president and
CEO. "There has never been a time when the need to maintain a sharp focus
on both the short and long-term challenges of our business has been more
important. The value of NATPE continues to grow."

Kevin
Beggs, the president of programming and production for Lionsgate and NATPE
co-chair, added, "Quite simply, participating in NATPE is the most
efficient way to do business. Companies
need to find ways to generate revenue, connect with people and exchange ideas.
NATPE is the premier content marketplace and forum to achieve these
goals."

NATPE 2009 will also debut a series of unique original
demonstrations of new digital and mobile video technologies. Participating companies
include MobiTV, NOKIA, Kyte Media, Image Metrics Animation, Loopt.Com, Tapioca
Wireless and CityVoter.Com.

Also
new to the exhibit floor this year is the
NATPE Celebrity Test Kitchen, where chefs will participate in cooking
demonstrations, book signings, wine and food tastings and audience Q&A.

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski