MEF ADDS MOBILE ‘X FACTOR’ TO US TV CONFERENCE

21 December 2006 – The Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Achilles Media and the National Association of Television Program Executives (NATPE) to co-programme the key mobile elements at the NATPE Mobile++ and NATPE 2007 conferences.

The American television market has taken an increasing interest in the mobile platform as a promotional tool, new format and emerging revenue stream. NATPE’s dedication to digital and mobile technologies is evident in the myriad digital panels within NATPE 2007 (16-18 January 2007, Mandalay Bay Las Vegas) and the mobile-focused, pre-conference day, NATPE Mobile++ (15 January 2007).

MEF has officially endorsed NATPE Mobile++ as a Media Partner and co-programmed the panels and keynotes, many of which explore issues being studied in MEF initiatives. “The Future of Digital Content through the World of Advertising,” “Social Media Goes Mobile,” “UGC 2.0 - The User-Generated Content Showcase” and “With the User in Mind….” share common themes with white papers and research studies produced by MEF’s Ad-Funded Mobile Entertainment, Community and Quality of Service Initiatives, respectively.

MEF members participating in NATPE Mobile++ include Peter Cowley (Endemol), Blair Westlake (Microsoft), Roger Wood (Amobee), Adam Kerr (Bango), Jennifer Grenz (Shozu), Rob Hyatt (Cingular), Howard Coonley (Sprint), Jason Rubinstein (Motorola), Daniel West (NellyMoser) and Erik Smith (MobiTV).

Within NATPE 2007, MEF has programmed the “Need for Speed: US Catching Up to Global Mobile” panel. Bringing together leaders in mobile entertainment from around the world, the panel will provide demonstrations and discussion of next generation applications, services and marketing campaigns not yet available in the US.

When: 11am – 12pm, Thursday 18 January 2007
Where: Ballroom I, Mandalay Bay
MEF Americas Emeritus Chairman Ralph Simon leads the panel comprised of MEF members as follows:
Paul Bennun, Director of Strategy, Somethin’ Else
Rocky Wolf, COO, Streamezzo
Matt West, VP Mobile Media Worldwide, Alcatel
Raymond DeRenzo, VP Business Development, MobiTV
Jon Vlassapulos, VP Business Development, Digital Media and Strategic Planning, Endemol

MEF Americas Chairman Ted Cohen crafted and will lead the “Digital 2.01” panel discussion at NATPE 2007 on how business models and consumer usage will evolve as digital and mobile technologies become more sophisticated. Presented in Ballroom I at Mandalay Bay at 10:30 a.m. 17 January, the panel includes speakers from IBM, the American Film Institute, GoFish, PureDigital and the Interpublic Emerging Media Lab.

“MEF’s footprint extends worldwide and includes the largest and most innovative companies in mobile entertainment. Partnering with Achilles and NATPE on their highly influential NATPE conferences is a natural fit and delivers on our goal of bringing the mobile and entertainment industries closer together,” explained Ted Cohen.

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About Mobile Entertainment Forum (MEF)
MEF exists to represent the interests of its global membership across the mobile entertainment value chain.  Our goals are to build awareness, create business development opportunities and facilitate the development of commercial guidelines and best practices to promote a healthy and profitable industry.

With headquarters in London, a Hollywood-based Americas secretariat, an Asia chapter in Hong Kong and the newly established Europe branch, MEF’s network of members represents a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ of mobile entertainment businesses and entrepreneurs. For more information and a full list of members please visit: www.m-e-f.org.

For press enquiries please contact:
Emma Turner, Nelson Bostock Communications
Tel: +44 (0)20 7229 4400   Email: emma.turner@nelsonbostock.com

About NATPE
NATPE is a global, non-profit organization dedicated to the creation, development and distribution of televised programming in all forms across all mature and emerging media platforms.

NATPE develops and nurtures opportunities, both commercial and educational, for the buying, selling and sharing of content and ideas.

About Achilles Media
Achilles Media Ltd. is an international events management company serving the television and digital media industries. Achilles Media Ltd events include: the Banff World Television Festival (June 10-13, 2007); the World Congress of History Producers (November 2007); nextMEDIA - The Future of Digital Content (June 8-10, 2007); and NATPE Mobile++ (Jan 15, 2007).