MUMBAI: NATPE||Content First has launched Annual Hollywood Player Pitch Contest for PitchCon 2013 which has moved PitchCon 2013 to SLS Beverly Hills Hotel from 9-10 May.

PitchCon 2013 provides independent content producers with unparalleled access to influential, multi-platform media executives.

Attendees can expect two full days of clinics and educational sessions, pitch critiques and networking opportunities centered on this year?s theme, "Where Dreams Meet Deals."

Natpe has partnered with Sell Your TV Concept Now, a mentoring service led by development and pitch experts Mark and Jeanne Simon, to establish the Hollywood Player Pitch Contest that is open to all PitchCon attendees at no additional entry cost, and to unregistered pitchers for a small fee.

The top 25 pitches will have the chance to go before a panel of judges at the event, with four finalists selected to pitch to the entire audience. The finalists and the winner will receive meaningful prize packages, which will be announced in the coming weeks.

PitchCon is the place where independent content producers can take their ideas to a whole new level, benefiting from critiques and hands-on advice from decision makers spanning major agencies, broadcast, cable, digital and studio development executives.

Attendees also can receive more help with additional pitch prep packages. Once pitches are polished, the Pitch Pit guarantees face-to-face meetings with influential "catchers" from the multi-platform world, as well as targeted conference sessions and speakers offering guidance on getting those ideas sold.

PitchCon?s schedule will feature a diverse slate of speakers, master classes, workshops and hands-on sessions with hot topics ranging from crowd funding and developing reality TV ideas to business integration and story analysis for independent producers operating in a multi-platform world.

MUMBAI: Rod Perth has been named as the new NATPE Content First president, CEO.

The association?s co-chairs Jordan Levi, Chris Grant made the announcement.

Perth has overall responsibility for the vision, strategic evolution, marketing, programming and financial/administrative operations of the organisation. Reporting to the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors, he will also lead a senior management team made up of six direct reports and a total staff of 20 people.

Bill Simon and Nicola Shocket of Korn/Ferry conducted the search on Natpe?s behalf.

Levin and Grant commented, ?After an expansive executive search process, where there were many highly qualified candidates, we concluded that Rod?s broad range of experience reflects the diverse influences shaping our industry and Natpe?s role in bringing together its various constituencies. Combined with his vast network of relationships and senior management skills, we believe Rod is ideally suited to evolve Natpe into a dynamic global organisation relevant to all who touch content. His imprint will be on next year?s conference in Miami, which marks Natpe?s 50th anniversary. It will recognise the considerable milestones in our business and serve as a springboard into our new initiatives for the future.?

Prior to joining Natpe, Perth was RHP Media Consulting founder, president specialising in strategic consulting and planning for digital media, broadcast, cable and new media initiatives.

He said, ?I have grown up professionally knowing and experiencing what NATPE has to offer, and find the prospect of developing and implementing a path for its future to be an extremely exciting and challenging one. NATPE?s Executive Committee and Board represent many of the top leaders in our business and, with their support, I believe that we can accomplish a great deal together for the benefit of our members from around the world?.

Natpe Content First is a global, nonprofit organisation committed to serving as a catalyst for the content revolution. Natpe operates and manages a US-based global content marketplace, a destination event where creativity meets connectivity and commerce.

MUMBAI: Rick Feldman, who has served as Natpe president, CEO for the past nine years, will segue, as planned, from his post at the end of his contract on 30 April into a three-year consultancy with the organisation, it was jointly announced by Natpe co-chairmen Jordan Levin and Chris Grant.

Natpe has retained Korn Ferry to administer an executive search to select a new operating chief for it. Feldman will assist with the transition.

Levin stated, "We deeply appreciate the contributions Rick has made to Natpe including his work most recently on our very successful Miami Conference, which grew in all key categories for the second year in a row. His knowledge and experience will continue to be put to good use as a consultant to the person we select and to the organization as a whole."

Grant said, "Our goal now is to find an individual who can oversee the proposed plans we have for our 50th Anniversary celebration and can help implement the ideas we have discussed to grow Natpe and solidify its position as the premier content association in the world across all platforms, both traditional and emerging."

Celebrating nearly 50 years of service to the ever-evolving television industry, Natpe continues to redefine itself and the services it provide to meet the needs of its members. In light of the changing dynamics of the global industry, Natpe has remained flexible in an effort to encourage and support the progress of the industry and all of the platforms it now serves.