V I D E O • A G E Ja n u a r y 2 0 1 1 30 (Continued from Page 30) Miami gives NATPE hope sister companies are collectively taking lots and lots of space so we absolutely believe in this market,” he said. Where new product is concerned, Iacono, like many other execs VideoAge spoke to, did not want to “ruin the surprise” of what the company will unveil at the market. From Los Angeles, Irv Holender, director and principal of Toronto-based The Fremantle Corp. has his heart set on Latin co-productions. “We have quite a few meetings for co-productions with companies from Colombia, Argentina and Brazil,” he said. Holender also expressed concern that the new venue will discourage buyers from Asia and Australia. Overall, expectations for the trade show are running high, especially where attendance is concerned. At press time, NATPE’s Feldman reported a dramatic increase in registration from the same calendar date in years past. However, he was quick to predict that enrollment would die off, bringing attendance totals close to what they were last year. Nevertheless, exhibitors have their fingers crossed. Susan Bender of New York-based Bender Media Services said, “Having NATPE in Miami should greatly enhance attendance.” Bender described NATPE as the most important market of the year for her company, and plans to hit the ground running in Miami. “My primary goal is naturally to sell,” she said. “We already have brand new films, new documentaries, and new animation that we will be offering at the market. Also, this year we have decided to exhibit from the convention floor instead of the suites. We are hoping this new location will bring our company even more visibility and attract new customers that might be passing by.” Jon Kramer and Tomas Silva, CEO and International Sales executive respectively, for Los Angeles-based Rive Gauche, likewise listed NATPE as one of their company’s most important events, along with the L.A. Screenings. “It gives you a perspective for the rest of the year,” said Silva. Kramer added that he’d like to see the new location “reenergize and refocus the market.” FremantleMedia’s Sheila Hall Aguirre also has great expectations, but reported that some buyers were at first a bit confused about where meetings were taking place. Once they were assured that they all were to be held at the Fountainebleau, the confusion disappeared. In addition to its hotel suite, FremantleMedia is expanding its presence by taking a cabana by the pool as well, as done by all major companies. Aguirre expects that, except for the evenings, participants will not be leaving the market compound. Her schedule is packed with appointments, which, traditionally, are fully confirmed. Even though NATPE tends to report some no-shows, appointments are usually respected, with the exception of cancellation due to protracted previous meetings. But, in that case, cancellations affect mainly distributors with product of little interest to the buyer. Another widespread hope amongst sellers is that NATPE 2011 will see the revitalizationof theEuropeancontingent, whose presence has flagged over the past few years. Saralo MacGregor, the Los Angeles-based executive vice president of Worldwide Distribution for London-based Fireworks International pointed out, “If the buyer’s list is any indication, there will be a good cross section of attendees from across the major international territories.” MacGregor also suggested thatmarkets like NATPE are no longer reliant on the traditional sales cycle. Asked how important themid-season is toFireworks’ annual sales cycle, MacGregor replied, “With the diversification in media, sales are no longer as cyclical as they have been in the past. For example, multiplatform markets are becoming increasingly important and a valuable outlet to do business across the whole year.” What this says about the future of NATPE remains to be seen. But, while the outcome of the market’s move is still up in the air, one thing is for sure: the Latins will be in their element. Argentina-based Telefe Internacional will be on hand with a slate of telenovelas. Michelle Wasserman, the firm’s head of International Distribution Programming, Formats & Production Services remarked that she had very high hopes for the market, and “[her team’s] aim is to close deals we have been working on and to show some of our new programming.” TV Azteca/Comarex’s Marcel Vinay described the event as “an opportunity to meet with a lot of clients.” In addition to an overall global focus, Vinay will be targeting “looking at Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador, specifically.” Sellers from all over the globe will be tailoring their slate with the Latins in mind. New York-based AETN, for example, will be highlighting original series and specials from its Latin America joint venture, A&E Ole Networks. Mayra Bracer, a Content Sales executive for the company will be catering specifically to the Latin crowd. She noted that a presence at NATPE is important to AETN because “Many Latin American broadcasters do not attend MIP-TV or MIPCOM due to the long distance, [so] NATPE is a very important market for us. While business can be done by email and phone, there’s nothing like meeting clients face to face.” When it comes to sessions, activities will be, as previously noted, reduced. Martin Sorrell, chief executive of WPP will give a keynote on Monday, and John Hayes of American Express will speak on Wednesday. Other highlights include a session from Lionsgate’s Kevin Beggs, as well as seminars devoted to branding, the future of syndication and, of course, the ongoing struggle to master the digital realm. Where parties are concerned, festivities will kick off before the official start of the market with a Sunday night bash hosted by Venevision, which will follow the welcoming party hosted by NATPE at the Eden Roc Hotel, next to the market headquarters. Monday promises an opening night cocktail around the hotel’s picturesque fountain, while Tuesday’s big event is the traditional Tartikoff Legacy Awards, which this year will honor Dick Ebersol, Mary Hart, Regis Philbin and Gerhard Zeiler. Additionally, the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce is putting on a cocktail on Wednesday. And, perhaps as part of the push to keep everyone happy and relaxed this time around, a yoga class will be conducted around the pool every morning. Fireworks’ Saralo MacGregor FME’s Sheila Aguirre CABLEready’s Gary Lico
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