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Joint Communiqué
World Congress of History Producers and World Congress of Science Producers ANNOUNCE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT |
| 2005-06-13 - Banff, Alberta, Canada |
The World Congress of Science Producers (WCSP) and the World Congress of History Producers (WCHP) today announced a joint strategy that will see the two organizations cross-promoting their events in 2005 with a view to further collaboration in 2006.
The announcement was made at the 26th annual Banff World Television Festival.
The Science Congress is taking place in Tokyo, November 6 – 9, 2005 and The History Congress is taking place in Rome, December 1 – 4, 2005.
“The World Congress of Science Producers is committed to working with the History Producers and Achilles Media to ensure that both events are successful and that they benefit delegates and the television industry we serve,” said Paul Lewis, President and General Manger of Discovery Channel Canada, and a WCSP Director.
It was agreed that having two complimentary events in different countries and at different times was not ideal, so the two organizations have agreed to work together to select a city, host broadcaster(s) and hotel/conference facilities for a joint event in 2006.
“We’re pleased we have reached this agreement with our colleagues at Science,” said Tom Koch, Director of WGBH International, and Board Chair of the WCHP. “Given the occasional blurring of genre boundaries between science and history programming, this collaboration will inspire creative ideas, benefit delegates and strengthen our business.”
The strategy involves the close cooperation and collaboration in the planning, marketing, promotion and administration of both events which, for the first time ever, will be taking place in different cities and at different dates. It also recognizes that WCSP and WCHP are complementary rather than competing events with unique content, guest speakers and business opportunities. Both events will address the changing market reality for factual programming that has resulted in much broader definitions of history and science content.
As part of the agreement delegates who attend both events will qualify for a special registration rate.
“We are confident that our shared delegates will experience fresh and original sessions at both events,” said Lewis. “We look forward to continuing our efforts to cross-promote and work together to find cost efficiencies and reduce costs for each of our organizations.”
The WCSP was founded in 1993 as a member-run organization dedicated to celebrating the best in science production. It is administered by a Board of Directors and a Steering Committee, both elected by the membership at large and comprised of leading international broadcasters and producers in science programming.
The WCHP was successfully launched in 2001 and is presented by Achilles Media, a Canadian-based organizer of international media events, including the world-renowned Banff World Television Festival. The WCHP is managed with the advice and leadership of a Board of Directors elected by delegates and made up of leading international broadcasters and producers in history programming. |
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| For Information: |
Paul Lewis
Director, WCSP
plewis@discovery.ca
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Craig Thompson
Executive Producer, WCHP
cthompson@achillesmedia.com
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