ESPN Networks and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. Top NAMIC Vision Award Nominations

NEW YORK, April 6, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --The National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), today announced the nominees for the 2011 NAMIC Vision Awards.  ESPN Networks and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. led all nominated networks and distributors vying for NAMIC Vision Awards honoring original, multi-platform programming that depicts the lives, spirit and contributions of people of color and best reflects the diversity of the global viewing audience.

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With a boost from the 2010 FIFA World Cup programming, ESPN and its brand of networks, E:60, ESPN Deportes and ESPN International garnered a collective 12 nominations to lead all others vying for this year's NAMIC Vision Awards.  Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., encompassing CNN, TBS and TNT, garnered 11 nominations.  HBO was the third leading network earning a total of eight nods.

Founded in 1994 by NAMIC – Southern California, the NAMIC Vision Awards are presented in 16 categories: Animation, Best Performance – Comedy, Best Performance – Drama. Children's, Comedy, Digital Media – Short Form, Digital Media – Long Form, Documentary, Drama, Foreign Language, Lifestyle, News/Informational, Original Movie or Special, Reality, Sports and Variety/Talk Show.  Commencing with the presentation of this year's winners, NAMIC has announced plans to transition the recognition to an online event format with the unveiling of the new 2011 NAMIC Vision Awards Winners Gallery.  Starting in early May, :60 second clips of the winning entries in each of the 16 categories may be viewed at http://www.namic.com.

"The transition to the online awards format is a direct response to the emergence of digital media and its reach to a broader audience across the communications industry as well as the global marketplace," said Marco Williams, director - Talent Sourcing, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. and president, NAMIC – Southern California.  "We are excited to continue our tradition of honoring achievements in multi-ethnic and cultural programming diversity by showcasing Vision Award winners in this optimal digital environment."  Williams added: "On behalf of the NAMIC - Southern California Chapter, I'd like to congratulate all of this year's nominees and thank them for their resolute commitment to creating multi-ethnic and culturally-relevant original programming."  

Also new this year, is the launch of the first-ever NAMIC Members' Choice Award.  For the first-time in the 17-year history of the Vision Awards, NAMIC members will have the opportunity to cast their votes and select their favorite program from the field of winning entries.  Clips will be available for viewing and voting for the NAMIC Members' Choice Award as of mid-May.

The NAMIC Vision Awards competition extends eligibility to national broadcast and cable networks; local affiliates; local origination programs from cable operators; and VOD content produced for digital platforms.  Entries were judged by a distinguished panel of entertainment industry executives.  Judging is focused on overall imagery (creative merit, originality, and presentation quality), sensitivity (the consideration given to cultural nuances), writing (the depiction of issues relevant to people of color) and the quality of acting in the performance categories.

A complete list of nominees for the 2011 NAMIC Vision Awards follows.  For more information, visit www.namic.com or contact Sandra Girado, director of Meetings and Events, at the NAMIC national headquarters, 212-594-5985.

2011 NAMIC Vision Awards Nominees:

ANIMATION

BEST PERFORMANCE - COMEDY

BEST PERFORMANCE - DRAMA

CHILDREN'S

COMEDY

DIGITAL MEDIA - LONG FORM

DIGITAL MEDIA - SHORT FORM

DOCUMENTARY

DRAMA

FOREIGN LANGUAGE

LIFESTYLE

NEWS / INFORMATIONAL

ORIGINAL MOVIE OR SPECIAL

REALITY

SPORTS

VARIETY / TALK SHOW

NOMINATIONS BY NETWORK/DISTRIBUTOR

ABOUT NAMIC

NAMIC (National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications) is the premier organization focusing on multi-ethnic diversity in the communications industry. Founded in 1980 as a non-profit trade association, today NAMIC comprises over 2,200 professionals belonging to a network of 16 chapters nationwide. Through initiatives that focus on education, advocacy and empowerment, NAMIC champions equity and inclusion in the workforce, with special attention given to ensuring that the leadership cadres of our nation's communications industry giants reflect the multi-ethnic richness of the populations they serve. For more information, please visit www.namic.com and stay connected to NAMIC on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and DiversityLive: The Business > Social NAMIC Network.

SOURCE NAMIC