Entertainment, said that his main priority in Vegas was, of course, to see as many clients as possible. “Lots of U.S. cable buyers and cable development people and quite a few South Americans” were present at the market, DuBow said. “There are never that many Europeans at NATPE — except the big broadcasters. But any time you have the ability to see your clients, you must.” When asked if NATPE is still an important annual appointment to keep, DuBow was ambivalent. “My first NATPE was in 1980,” he said. “I’ve watched it transform a lot over the years. It was a different business back then. Syndication, which it used to be about, is virtually nonexistent here now. But NATPE still has a place.” Marielle Zuccarelli, senior vp, International Distribution at Sherman Oaks, California-based GRB Entertainment, concurred. “We took a stand at NATPE this year,” she said. “We didn’t last year. But we’ve found that it’s really cost-effective. It’s much cheaper than MIP or MIPCOM and we’re able to follow up with everyone we met with at MIPCOM.” Out of the 61 seminars that were offered, VideoAge Daily at NATPE identified a number of worthwhile sessions, including, “Reshaping the Advertising Measurement Ecosystem,” which examined advertising industry trends; “How to Make IPTV Work,” which featured Gilles BianRosa, CEO of Vuze, Inc.; “The New Distribution Model for Local Television,” which took an in-depth look at recent, sweeping changes in local TV; and “Beyond the Telenovela: Original Latin American Programming,” which invited speakers such as Dori Media’s Jose Escalante and Globo TV’s Flavio Rocha to discuss the other forms of programming that Spanish-speaking countries have to offer. In terms of recreational activities, there were a few small parties in suites, a big one sponsored by Israel’s Dori Media at THEhotel’s Mix Lounge, and a breakfast organized by Brazil’s Globo TV International. In terms of stars, Howie Mandel of NBC’s Deal or No Dealwas on hand to meet and greet. AP R I L 2 0 0 8 American Sales teams to its NATPE contingent. Chris Philip, Power’s president of Worldwide Sales, cited NATPE’s placement at the start of the new year as one of its most attractive features. “It’s essential,” said Philip. “The timing is just right.” Canadians were also out in full force in Las Vegas, with 26 firms exhibiting at the event. “I love NATPE,” said Jill Keenleyside, evp, Distribution for Toronto-based independent production and distribution company CCI Entertainment. “It’s a really concentrated market that focuses on the U.S., Latin America and, of course, Canada.” The company opted to take a suite at the venerable THEhotel, but didn’t completely abandon the convention floor. “The suite works well for us,” said Keenleyside, “but it’s important to have a presence on the floor, too, so we also took a table at the Canadian Pavilion.” While most market attendees were either on the floor or in the suites, Doug Murphy, president of Canada’s Nelvana Enterprises, was, as he put it, “hoofing it.” Said Murphy: “I don’t have a booth or a suite, just a very busy schedule. I’ll bounce around and go fishing for more meetings. I’m the only person from Nelvana here. It saves money.” He went on to say that he’d set up a number of meetings with folks from Asia and South America, because, as he said, “Europeans don’t find Vegas appealing.” But it wasn’t just a market for Brits and Canadians. Ken DuBow, president, Worldwide Distribution for Los Angeles, California-based Porchlight N A T P E R e v i e w ( c o n t ’ d ) Jeff Zucker’s opening day keynote address (Continued from Page 32)
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