Los Angeles – The National Association of Television Program Executives NATPE has selected Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman and CEO, Sony Pictures Entertainment, and host of Hearst Television’s acclaimed political magazine show Matter of Fact, Soledad O’Brien, to headline NATPE Miami with a keynote conversation on Wednesday, January 17, it was announced today by JP Bommel, President and CEO of NATPE.
The focus of the conversation will be in keeping with NATPE’s overall theme for the conference – A Changing Industry in a Changing World. The annual marketplace and conference will take place from January 16-18, 2018 at the Fontainebleau and Eden Roc Miami Beach Resorts.
Registration for the yearly summit in Miami Beach is pacing well ahead of last year with independent producers and international exhibitors accounting for the increase to date. NATPE will bring together the vibrant independent production community from around the world. This year PactUK, with its powerful stable of production companies, will join the ranks of participants. They will exhibit alongside additional international pavilions, which are seeing new exhibitors join their umbrellas. Pavilions being represented are from China (organized by Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation International), France (organized by TV France International), Spain (organized by ICEX), Korea (organized by KOCCA), Brazil (organized by BRAVI) and Argentina (organized by Argentina Audiovisual).
Joining the programming lineup for the first time this year will be the NATPE Streaming Summit, which will take a holistic look at the current OTT and streaming landscape and its outlook for the future. Facebook’s Head of Global and Creative Strategy, Ricky Van Veen, will be lending his voice to the OTT conversation during NATPE Miami at a session breaking down what is in store for Facebook Watch, their new content platform. The programming throughout the Platforms & OTT track will mirror the mission laid out by the recently formed NATPE NXTGN Advisory Board to help the industry navigate emerging media.
“NATPE has been at the forefront of new developments in the global entertainment industry,” Mr. Bommel remarked. “This year will focus on the future and the changing dynamics of our business around the world and how to prepare and take advantage of the changes.”
Other highlights from the Conference include a planned spotlight conversation with Roma Khanna who was recently named CEO, Revolt TV, as well as multiple sessions covering the topics of diversity, inclusion and empowerment. Panels include one on how innovative creators are engaging the LGBTQ community across multiple platforms and another on the business of inclusivity.
The Station Group Forum will return and cover topics such as how ATSC 3.0 will change the business of broadcasting. An additional session titled OTT and Me: A Station Group Research Report, presented by PromaxBDA is also confirmed for January.
The nine tracks for this year’s Conference include Brands & Advertisers, Music+Vision, Development, Deals & Data, Platforms & OTT, Scripted, Unscripted, Station Groups, Global and Latin America. A full robust group from independents to major studios, networks and broadcast stations will be exhibiting during NATPE Miami.
