Nigel Lythgoe to Receive Award of Excellence at BANFF/nextMEDIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 30, 2010 -- Nigel Lythgoe to Receive Award of Excellence at BANFF/nextMEDIA
“So You Think You Can Dance” executive producer to also deliver a BANFF keynote address

Banff, AB – The Banff World Television Festival is pleased to announce that Nigel Lythgoe will be presented with the Award of Excellence at the 2010 Banff World Television Awards . The co-creator and Executive Producer of the ratings phenomenon “So You Think You Can Dance” will also give a Keynote address at this year’s highly anticipated joint event with Canada’s premier digital media marketplace nextMEDIA June 13-16 at the Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta. Lythgoe will share his experiences working in Hollywood and the UK as a passionate supporter of the arts, as well as successful reality television shows.

Co-founder and president of Big Red 2 Entertainment, which he formed with 19 Entertainment founder Simon Fuller, Nigel Lythgoe has been the driving force behind many of television’s most-watched reality shows including “Survivor”(UK), “Pop Idol”(UK), and the famed “American Idol,” which he executive produced for seven highly successful seasons. In front of the camera, Lythgoe is most well known as executive producer and judge on the Emmy award-winning “So You Think You Can Dance?” which he recently brought to the UK.

“Nigel Lythgoe is one of television’s best weapons when it comes to creating a hit reality TV series both in Hollywood and the UK,” said Peter Vamos, Executive Director of the Banff World Television Festival. “We are delighted to be presenting him the Award of Excellence as well as hearing some of the secrets behind his tremendous success.”

As a choreographer, Nigel Lythgoe has worked with stars such as Gene Kelly, Bing Crosby, Shirley Bassey and, most prestigiously, the Muppets. Developing an interest in dance at an early age, his first professional job was with the Corps de Ballet. He later went on to choreograph the BBC’s Young Generation dance troupe for more than 500 shows and became the only person to dance in, choreograph, direct, and produce the Royal Variety Performance for Her Majesty the Queen of England.

This year’s Banff World Television Festival announced a strategic partnership that will combine nextMEDIA and the Banff World Television Festival (BANFF) into a joint event at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel on June 13–16, 2010.

During the enhanced four-day event in Banff, some of the biggest international names in broadcasting, television production, distribution and digital media will come together to experience industry insight, learn, strategize and network with the media community. Over 1,500 delegates are expected to attend.

Delegates will have the opportunity to build the indispensable relationships required to succeed in the international marketplace through shared BANFF and nextMEDIA networking, social events, and our prestigious awards ceremonies. Delegates can continue to expect the high-quality programming, ground-breaking speakers, high level participants, facilitated networking sessions and new initiatives dedicated to generating business opportunities and building relationships that continue to make Banff the most important event in the world that is specifically dedicated to media content production and development.

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About the Banff World Television Festival
The 31st Banff World Television Festival will take place June 13-16, 2010 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, Banff, Canada. International broadcasters, producers, writers, directors, distributors and industry executives from over 25 countries will be attending. A core feature of the festival is the prestigious Banff World Television Awards (“The Rockies”). In 2009, 130 programs from over 30 countries were chosen as finalists in 23 program categories. www.banff2010.com


About nextMEDIA

nextMEDIA is North America’s premier digital media conference, opening up opportunities for delegates to access multi-platform partnerships and learn about key technology trends. nextMEDIA places attendees at the forefront of the evolving media marketplace. For companies in Online Content & Publishing, Digital Advertising, Mobile, and Technology that support these areas, nextMEDIA Banff is the ultimate gateway for connecting the mainstream media with the emerging digital ecosystem. nextMEDIA Banff will take place concurrently with the Banff World Television Festival from June 13-16, 2010 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. www.nextmediaevents.com/banff

About Achilles Media
The Banff World Television Festival and nextMEDIA are produced by Achilles Media Ltd., an international business-to-business media and facilitation company serving the media and investment industries. Achilles Media communities include: History Makers: International Summit of History & Current Affairs Producers, nextMEDIA World events, Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX) and the Canadian New Media Awards. For more information, visit www.achillesmedia.com


Media contact:
Almira Bardai
Jive Communications

Tel: 604-568-7214
Email: almira@jivecommunications.ca

More information can be found online at http://www.banff2010.com

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