NEW YORK: The International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced today the appointment of Bruno Wu, group CEO of Sun Media China and director of the Academy Board, as chairman of the iEMMYs Festival, an initial mandate of two years, renewable.
Bruce Paisner, president of Hearst Entertainment and the chairman of International TV Academy, has been the iEMMYs Festival chairman since its inception in 1999.
"We are very pleased to announce that Bruno Wu, long-time friend of the International TV Academy, is taking over the role of iEMMYs Festival Chairman. Bruno's support of the Academy for the past several years has been enormous. He helped to create, and currently chairs, the iTVi (Interactive Television International), which now publishes the world's most extensive weekly newsletter on interactive television. Bruno's dedication and international broadcast experience will enhance the iEMMYs Festival, where we present the latest trends in global programming as well as feature our International Emmy-nominated producers and directors with their world-class programs," said Paisner.
"Sun Media has been a major supporter of the iEMMYs Festival events, and I was given the opportunity to offer input for the direction of the Festival. I am honored to succeed Bruce Paisner, who built the iEMMYs Festival from the ground up into a world-renowned and prestigious event. It is now a core event of the International TV Academy and I will aim to make the Festival even more extended in scope, bringing new initiatives and concepts to the Festival," said Wu.
The 5th iEMMYs Festival is scheduled to take place at the Sofitel Hotel New York on Sunday, 23 November, 2003. The 31st International Emmy Awards Gala will take place on Monday, 24 November, 2003. Both events will take place in New York City. The 2003 International Emmy Award Gala will also honor Greg Dyke, director-general of the BBC with the International Emmy Directorate Award and honor HBO with the International Emmy Founders Award for their original programming.