Living Legends, Veterans and Icons.

Reviewing the active life of pioneers in our biz 

Celebrating the lives of veteran executives who are active in our part of the television business was an idea that came from Anita Gershman. (Among the many executives she suggested, she did not mention her husband and business partner Larry.)

Subsequently, an informal survey among many television executives produced the names of the pioneers we're featuring. Indicatively, many of the same pioneers suggested one another!

The project took five months to execute and now reads like the ultimate book on the development of international television.

We formulated our questions after scavenging old press clips, questioning insiders and reviewing various bios. Michael Johnsen, our assistant editor, recorded the telephone interviews (in one case, the discussion lasted over two hours and resulted in a 20-page transcript!). Our writers also flew to Argentina and Los Angeles to fine tune the stories face-to-face with these veterans.

Once the basic article was laid out and edited by Dom Serafini, Johnsen again got in touch with everyone to ask additional questions. At that point, the articles went to staff reporter Bianca Strul, a Columbia University graduate, for proofreading and fact-checking consistency. The idea and execution for the front cover art came from Art Director Tommaso Giannotta, who's also responsible for the magazine's overall design.

One of our criteria was that the executives featured would be currently active and in leadership roles at their respective companies, since there are many pioneers who are retired or are acting as consultants or have simply changed careers. The seven executives chosen represent four continents: North America, South America, Europe and Australia. All told, these veterans average 46 years in the television business, mostly in the international arena.

To put it in perspective, Armando Nunez, Jr. was asked to write the introduction. Not only is he the youngest president of a major distribution and production company (CBS), but he has also followed in the footsteps of his father, a TV executive for 44 years. Also commenting on the television pioneers is Russ Kagan, who has conducted business with all of them in the capacity of both buyer and seller. Finally, NATPE's Bruce Johansen will be honoring these industry veterans with a cocktail reception at MIPCOM in association with the Sunset Marquis. Story begins on page 36; interviews run in alphabetical order.