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Elaine Bedell appointed as MGEITF Executive Chair.

The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival today announced that ITV’s Director of Entertainment and Comedy, Elaine Bedell, is to replace Tim Hincks, CEO of Endemol, as the Executive Chair of the festival.

Bedell, who worked as the Advisory Chair of the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival last year, will succeed Hincks when his four year stint ends after the 35th annual festival this year.

elaine bedell

Bedell is now in charge of some of the highest-rating entertainment shows in the UK after moving from her role as the BBC’s Controller of Entertainment Commissioning in March 2009.  She oversees a range of hit shows from the X Factor, Dancing on Ice, Britain’s Got Talent and I’m A Celebrity, to Benidorm, Piers Morgan’s Life Stories and The Brits.

Hincks, who took over the role in 2006 from Dawn Airey, said: “Running the TV Festival for four years had been a privilege and a pleasure. The team around me have been fantastic and Elaine will be a superb executive chair. The festival is in the safest of hands, allowing me to gracefully retire and spend more time with my shareholders.”

Bedell said: “Tim has consistently succeeded in making this the media event of the year and I will endeavour to ensure that it remains this way.  I want to make sure the Television Festival provides an irresistible invitation for all the key figures in our industry.  And that Edinburgh at the end of the summer is the place and the time for all the crucial debates and conversations about the future of television and new media. As well, of course, as offering the opportunity for some fun…”

Hincks will hand over at the end of the 2010 festival.

MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival 2010 will take place 27-29 August 2010. For further details visit http://www.mgeitf.co.uk/home/mgeitf.aspx

 Note to Editors:

A unique opportunity for individuals from across the media to share ideas, make new contacts and reconnect with friends and colleagues, the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival offers delegates a varied programme of topical debates, one to one networking opportunities, master classes and keynote lectures from leading UK and international media figures. The Festival programme is developed by an Advisory Committee made up of individuals from across the industry.

The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival is a delegate entry event which annually attracts over 2000 delegates from all sectors and levels of the industry.  To find out more, and to register, please visit www.mgeitf.co.uk

MGEITF is a charitable organisation which supports and develops new talent from all backgrounds through its two talent schemes, The Network and Fast Track.  Approximately one third of the delegate fees go towards supporting these initiatives.

MGEITF Press Information:

Taylor Herring PR Tel: 0208 206 5151

 

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