Press Release Archive: GW Alumnus Jon Helmrich to Speak on Today’s Television Landscape and the Challenges of Entering the Workforce October 31

GW News Center:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2002	MEDIA CONTACT: Eric Solomon (202) 994-3087 CONTACT: Tracy Cook Pannozzo
	(202) 994-4750

GW ALUMNUS JON HELMRICH TO SPEAK ON TODAY’S TELEVISION LANDSCAPE AND THE CHALLENGES OF ENTERING THE WORKFORCE
OCTOBER 31

EVENT:	The George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs will host a conversation with Jon Helmrich, founder and president of International Broadcast Communications and member of E! Entertainment Networks original programming team. Helmrich will speak on today’s rapidly changing television landscape and the new challenges of entering the workforce.
WHEN:	Thursday, October 31, 2002 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE:	Media and Public Affairs Building, Classroom 307
COST:	805 21^st Street, NW, Washington, D.C.

BACKGROUND:

Jon Helmrich is founder and president of International Broadcast Communications (IBC), a global programming distribution and channel development company. Launched in 2001, IBC distributes reality and entertainment news programming, and develops satellite and pay TV channels worldwide. Helmrich is also a consultant on channel format development and international partnerships to Chum Television, one of Canada’s leading media companies.

A member of E! Entertainment Television’s original programming team, Helmrich prepared for the company’s 1990 launch in the United States. As a senior executive for E!, Helmrich was responsible for the company’s expanding global business, including international channel development and co-productions, program sales and distribution, and channel services and operations. In 1993, Helmrich created the company’s international development department, establishing E! Network’s presence in more than 120 countries. He also oversaw joint venture operations of 24-hour, E!-branded channels in Latin America, Spain and Poland, Scandinavia, Turkey, and Asia and negotiated licensing agreements with such key international networks as Canal + and Premiere in Europe, HBO Ole and Televisa in Latin America, Network 10 in Australia, BSkyB and Granada in the U.K., and STAR-TV and TV Asahi in Asia.

Prior to E!, Helmrich was production manager for HBO talent and entertainment features in New York. He oversaw post-production and financial operations for HBO and Cinemax short features and entertainment news, including the Emmy Award-winning “James Stewart’s Wonderful Life.” He also was assistant director of research at the National Cable Television Association in Washington, D.C. and served as a congressional staff member for two years.

Helmrich holds an M.A. in Social and Behavioral Sciences from New York University and a B.A. in Communications from The George Washington University. He is a charter member of the National Academy of Cable Programming and serves on the board of the International Emmys.

-GW-