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Televisa’s CEO named Mipcom ‘Personality of the Year’

Grupo Televisa chairman and chief executive Emilio Azcárraga Jean has been named as Mipcom 2012’s ‘Personality of the Year’.

Azcárraga Jean will accept the award on October 10 during a gala dinner at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes, held for entertainment industry executives. He will also be giving a keynote address on the same day as part of Mipcom’s ‘Media Mastermind’ series of presentations.

“Emilio Azcárraga Jean is one of the world’s most inspiring entertainment executives and 2012 has proved a banner year for Grupo Televisa under his direction,” says conference organizer Reed Midem chief executive Paul Zilk. “Mr. Azcárraga Jean continues to break new ground in expanding opportunities for international co-productions and distribution across all platforms.”

Under Azcárraga Jean’s tenure as the head of Grupo Televisa, the company has made alliances with Lionsgate, Sony and Nickelodeon. He has also recently been named as co-president of Mexico’s third largest mobile operator Iusacell.

“To receive this award encourages me and all of us at Televisa to continue working on the creation of high-quality content and taking exciting stories all over the world,” says Azcárraga Jean. “It inspires us to keep building alliances with our current partners and those who may join in on this great challenge".

Televisa is currently the largest Spanish-language content provider worldwide, exporting to 56 countries and producing more than 80,000 hours of original programming annually. In July, it began making a push into the English language TV market with the launch of Televisa USA, based in Los Angeles.

Mipcom 2012 will take place in Cannes on October 8-11. It has been organised for TV and film industry professionals to share ideas and insights about the entertainment world.

David Hing, London