Brunico, Natpe ban Russian delegates as event circuit backs Ukraine

Demonstrators in New York protest against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

The content business’s events circuit has declared its support for Ukraine by banning Russian delegates and companies en masse.

Event organisers Brunico Communications in Canada and Natpe in the US have both ruled out any Russian presence at their conferences.

Toronto-based Brunico, which owns and operates industry events and publications including Kidscreen, Realscreen and Banff World Media Festival, said it was “immediately suspending business relations with Russian-based companies, including advertising, sponsorship and attendance at our conferences and events, until its state-led campaign of aggression against Ukraine is halted.”

This encompasses all branded publications, events and activities related to Kidscreen, Realscreen, Playback and Strategy, including Kidscreen Summit, Realscreen Summit and Banff World Media Festival.

Brunico’s statement added: “While we understand that Russian companies operating within the media and entertainment communities we serve might not be supportive of this military campaign, we firmly believe that the collective sanctions imposed by various governments, including our leadership in Canada, can make a meaningful difference in helping to bring this war to a conclusion.”

Natpe has taken similar moves over its annual get-together in Budapest, which is currently scheduled to take place from June 27 to 30.

Its statement read: “The Ukrainian people have our full support over the barbaric and horrific invasion of their homeland by the brutal dictator Putin and his surrogates. We wish we could provide more tangible assistance, but what we can do is join the world community and prevent Russian presence from conducting commerce.”

France-based MipTV organiser RX (formerly known as Reed Midem), meanwhile, said it stood “in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”

The European Commission has shut down the continent’s airspace for all Russian-owned, registered or controlled aircraft following the invasion of its neighbour last week. RX says it is “following government sanctions and policies in each territory where we operate,” which means no Russian delegates or companies will be able to attend MipTV when it returns in physical form for the first time since 2019 from April 4 to 6.

“RX stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, particularly with our employees around the world who have family and friends in the Ukraine,” the RX statement reads. “We also stand in solidarity with our Russian employees working in challenging conditions.”

RX has yet to formally announce that it will not do business with Russian companies.

C21Media has also suspended all business with Russian companies with immediate effect.

Russian companies are now barred from using C21’s digital platforms and magazines and from attending C21Media events including Content London, Content LA and Content Canada. All current Russian marketing content has been removed from C21 sites.

Russian companies will also be banned from entering C21Media-owned and -operated awards, including The International Drama Awards, The International Format Awards and The Rose d’Or.