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Natpe buzz creates positive waves Natpe may have done enough to sustain a comeback after a positive outing in Las Vegas last month, prompting at least one major European distributor to consider a return to the floor in 2005. Reporting attendance and exhibition space slightly up on the 2003 event, Natpe ceo Rick Feldman told C21: "The mood on the floor was much more positive this year. Attendance was up at just over 7000, and we had the same number of exhibiting companies at 360. But more importantly, there was a lot of action on the floor as the majors were back and everything was happening in one place." Several distributors reported brisk business at the market. Armando Nunez, president of CBS Broadcast International told C21: "It was certainly better than expected, and I'm glad we went back on the floor this year. To CBS Enterprises' credit the show was done properly. Roger King was there, and he didn't go about it in a half-hearted way. When you have the king of syndication on the floor, there's bound to be a buzz." The Natpe 2004 buzz also impressed Christina Willoughby, Channel 4 International's head of sales and coproduction. C4I has not exhibited at the show for the past five years, but Willoughby told C21, the upswing may bring the company back in 2005. "I only joined C4I in December, so Natpe was my first outing in the new position. One of the reasons I went was to review market attendance to see if it is worth C4I coming back on board. I certainly think it was a lot buzzier, and while we are a long way from making a decision, we may consider a stand as part of The British Pavilion next year." Willoughby believes international exhibitors can make a success of the US market if they manage expectations and plan a focused approach: "When I was at Chrysalis we always treated Natpe as an international market, and didn't just focus on the Americas. "Planning meetings in advance and focusing on what you are getting out of it, with a small team and well prepared brief, it can be a success. The future of international television is as much about coproduction and development as sales, and this should also be factored into attending." Natpe has not yet confirmed Vegas will be the venue for the 2005 show: "We're considering all the options," said Feldman. "Having everyone at The Venetian, with suites near to the floor and better traffic between venues, certainly made a difference. We are in negotiations, but nothing will be confirmed until we get feedback from the delegates." David Jenkinson 18 Feb 2004 © C21 Media 2004 
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