By Victoria Ahearn

Toronto-based B2B publishing and events producer Brunico Communications, the parent company of brands such as Playback, strategy, Media in Canada, Realscreen and Kidscreen, has acquired the assets of the National Association of Television Programming Executives (NATPE).

The sale includes the U.S.-based trade body’s international content markets, conferences and events NATPE Global, NATPE Budapest, NATPE Streaming+ and the Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Awards, according to a news release issued by Brunico. The news comes a few months after NATPE announced plans to restructure and file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

The United States Bankruptcy Court has approved the acquisition, which is expected to close before the end of January, said the release.

Brunico, which produces international events including the Banff World Media Festival (BANFF), Realscreen Summit and Kidscreen Summit, became the stalking-horse bidder for certain NATPE assets and the assumption of certain liabilities in November with an offer of US$150,000 (approximately C$200,000). 

“Brunico holds a strong interest in NATPE because we feel we have the knowledge, expertise, and reach to grow and elevate this unique and storied brand,” said Brunico Communications president and CEO Russell Goldstein. “We also share so many of the same loyal customers that it seems like a natural extension of the business we are already doing across BANFF, Realscreen and Kidscreen. We are very bullish on the future of NATPE.”

NATPE said it was filing for bankruptcy in October due to significant revenue loss from pandemic-related cancellations of its events. The global content association and professional membership organization is known for its large-scale TV trade shows and has a history spanning six decades.

Brunico plans to launch “a full-scale return of NATPE’s annual slate of events,” starting with NATPE Budapest from June 26 to 28 at the Intercontinental Hotel, said the release. The company also “plans to invest significant resources in building the NATPE brand, in particular NATPE Global,” the flagship U.S.-based content marketplace set to unfold in early 2024. 

In a statement, Goldstein said the company “will be reaching out to all NATPE partners in short order to discuss the transition and our plans for the future.”

He adds that the company is “expecting key members of the board of directors to play an important role in helping us plan for the future of NATPE, and Brunico is moving forward with this acquisition with its full support and backing.”

Once the sale has closed, Brunico hopes to secure a venue for NATPE Global 2024 “as quickly as possible,” says Goldstein, adding that “Miami has always been a popular location for NATPE and its attendees, so we will be giving that strong consideration in our search.”

Goldstein touts NATPE as “one of the world’s largest and most important markets for content.”

“Firmly secured on the global TV calendar, it has always been a vital gathering of premium buyers and distributors from around the world looking to do business, with a particular focus on the U.S. and LATAM regions,” he says. “NATPE has a tremendous heritage that is recognized and respected globally. It’s a must-attend event, where buyers, rights holders, producers and creative talent, from across all genres, come together to network, get business done, and discuss the most pressing issues confronting the industry. Pre-pandemic attendance has been reported at 3,500 delegates and we are very excited to welcome everyone back.”

Andy Kaplan, chair of NATPE’s board of directors, said in a statement that they “could not be more pleased with this outcome,” adding that “with the board’s full support, Brunico is ideally positioned to elevate NATPE to new heights.”

Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images