Alexandre Raposo Reflects on 60 Years of Record

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NEW YORK: Alexandre Raposo, the president of Record, talks to TV Latina about the company’s 60-year legacy of providing news, novelas, series and sports programming for Brazilian and global audiences.

TV LATINA: Brazilian television is gearing up for some big sporting events in the next few years, such as the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics in 2016. Technology will play an important role. How are you preparing? What alternatives are you offering advertisers?
RAPOSO: Record will cover these events. We will have different types of coverage and alternatives for advertisers, just like everyone was able to see last year with the London Olympics when Record was the official broadcaster in Brazil. It had more than 165 hours dedicated to sports, presenting the most important sporting moments from this event.

TV LATINA: How has a growing middle class and economy benefited your business in the region?
RAPOSO: The growth of a class has a direct impact on any kind of business. We are prepared for this growing middle class, but we’re also looking at every Brazilian, thinking and producing responsible quality television.

TV LATINA: How does Record manage to reach such a huge audience, while continuing to make quality content? How do you balance things out?
RAPOSO: All of our audiences are important, regardless of class and level of education. We have diverse programming with journalism, entertainment programs, novelas, movies, series and mini-series.

TV LATINA: The company has also invested in RecNov, one of the top production studios for novelas and series in Latin America. How are you positioned among novela producers in the international market?
RAPOSO: Record is the second largest novela producer in Brazil. This type of program has certain benefits with audiences and advertising. We currently produce three novelas and one mini-series per year, but the trend is to expand those numbers.

TV LATINA: What are Record TV Network’s expansion plans for the first half of the year and what growth expectations do you have?
RAPOSO: We’ll invest in production, equipment and personnel. We will also invest in expanding the digital feed in Brazilian states.

TV LATINA: Record TV Network has had strong sales in finished product. Have you considered entering the formats market?
RAPOSO: Record TV still doesn’t sell its own formats, but has already launched new ideas for Idols, such as Ídolos Kids, as well as O Aprendiz (The Apprentice) and A Fazenda (The Farm).

TV LATINA: What role has new media played in Record’s expansion?
RAPOSO: The R7.com site that launched three years ago is an important tool at Grupo Record and its expansion in new media. You can watch part of Record’s programming on the site, as well as access news and various entertainment sections.

TV LATINA: Record’s international channel reaches five continents and 150 countries. What plans do you have in store for the channel?
RAPOSO: We will continue to invest in international programming, on feed quality and events for the Brazilian communities in many countries as well.

TV LATINA: What challenges will you face in 2013?
RAPOSO: Although there are daily challenges, we believe the convergence in media will be a challenge in the next few years. We’ve been doing research and we already have some business in place, like the R7.com site, one of the biggest news portals in Brazil.