NATPE Global, North America’s premier content marketplace, is proud to unveil the NATPE Honors Awards Gala, a new celebration recognizing trailblazing individuals whose creativity and visionary leadership are reshaping the entertainment industry. Hosted by Emmy Award-winning

Entertainment Tonight anchor Nischelle Turner, the gala will take place on February 5th , 2025, as part of the NATPE Global conference at the InterContinental Miami.

“Following in the footsteps of the longstanding Brandon Tartikoff Awards, the NATPE Honors were created to celebrate the people who are pushing boundaries,” says Mary Maddever, NATPE Executive Content Director and EVP Realscreen. “Each year, we’ll recognize individuals who not only challenge the status quo but also inspire change through their creative work and business leadership.”

“The NATPE Honors is a celebration of the extraordinary talent and leadership driving our industry forward,” said NATPE Global Executive Director Claire MacDonald. “These recipients inspire us with their bold ideas and unwavering commitment to excellence, and we’re thrilled to celebrate their contributions at our inaugural gala in Miami.”

The inaugural NATPE Honors awardees include: 

North Star Award: Recognizes career achievements of individuals whose strong leadership has had a bar-raising impact, providing guidance as the industry navigates change.

• PAUL BUCCIERI (President & Chairman, A+E Networks Group) – Celebrated for evolving A+E’s position as the home of premium cable channels to a global content powerhouse and digital ecosystem, ready for the new economics of the TV market.

• LUIS FERNÁNDEZ (Chairman, NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises) – Honored for transforming Spanish-language television with groundbreaking programming and expanding Telemundo’s reach through innovative storytelling and news initiatives.

Shift Disturber Award: Honors individuals whose bold ideas and leadership are driving transformative change. 

KELLY DAY (Vice President International, Prime Video) – Recognized for her visionary leadership at Prime Video, scaling its global footprint while maintaining local relevance and advancing new content and monetization strategies.

SHONDALAND / Betsy Beers – The creative powerhouse of Shonda Rhimes and Betsy Beers redefined television storytelling, raising the bar and expectations with complex female protagonists, inclusive casting and reimagining the period drama with hits like Bridgerton.   Shondaland Creative Partner and Executive Producer Betsy Beers will be inducted and accepting the award.

New Establishment Award: Celebrates emerging leaders whose new ideas and creative endeavors are shaking things up and charting a new path. 

• BRIAN TANNENBAUM (Head of Originals, Roku Media) – Recognized for playing a vital role in establishing Roku as a major player in AVOD with an engaging and strategic lineup of originals, sports, and Spanish-language content.

Cause + Action Award: Celebrates a purpose-led champion of change for their social good impact.

• RI-KARLO HANDY (CEO & FOUNDER, HANDY FOUNDATION) – Recognized for his commitment to opening doors to create greater diversity and inclusion within the industry through The Handy Foundation. By rallying partners to create tangible pathways through training, mentorship and career opportunities, his efforts have not only changed individual lives but enriched the industry with fresh perspectives and voices that might have otherwise gone unheard.

The NATPE Honors Awards Gala will become an annual tradition, celebrating the most visionary leaders in entertainment and media.

In addition to the awards gala, NATPE Global 2025 will bring together key buyers, sellers, and decision-makers from across the media ecosystem, featuring top international studios such as Amazon MGM Studios Distribution, BBC Studios, FOX Entertainment Global, Lionsgate, NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, Paramount Global Content Distribution, Sony Pictures Television, and Warner Bros. Discovery Content Sales. With 300+ buyers from 35 countries already registered, the conference is set to be a premier hub for deal-making and innovation.

For the first time, Realscreen Summit, the world’s largest and most influential gathering of the global unscripted industry, will co-locate with NATPE Global. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity for participants to connect with industry leaders and innovators across the full spectrum of entertainment and media. Throughout the week spanning NATPE Global and Realscreen Summit, the agenda centres on bringing the Future of Media into sharper focus – what to expect in 2030. That lens will inform the events’ signature formats, from Realscreen’s 30 Minutes With Programmers series to NATPE’s Streaming+ strand.