CMT OFFERS PRE-SHOW INTERVIEW WITH “2010 CMT MUSIC AWARDS” PRODUCTION TEAM
06/04/10
WHO: CMT EXECUTIVE PRODUCER JOHN HAMLIN
PRODUCER JESSE IGNJATOVIC
DIRECTOR HAMISH HAMILTON
WHAT: PRE-SHOW INTERVIEW VIA CONFERENCE CALL
WHEN: TUESDAY, JUNE 8
2 p.m. ET/1 p.m. CT/11 a.m. PT
RSVP: TO CONFIRM PARTICIPATION, PLEASE REPLY “YES” TO THIS EMAIL AND CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION WILL BE SENT PRIOR TO CALL
What makes the CMT MUSIC AWARDS the network’s most successful show year-after-year, and one of television’s most exciting awards shows? Find out this, along with insight into this year’s show, from the innovative talent directly responsible for creating it: John Hamlin, SVP, Music Events and Talent; Executive Producer Jesse Ignjatovic, (“MTV Video Music Awards”); and Director Hamish Hamilton (“The 82nd Annual Academy Awards” 2010). Hamlin, Ignjatovic and Hamilton will participate in a conference call media interview, backstage from the CMT MUSIC AWARDS rehearsals at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Tuesday, June 8 at 2 p.m. ET, 1 p.m. CT, 11 a.m. PT, just one day prior to the Awards Show.
“We’ve struck creative gold with the addition of Jesse and Hamish to the 2010 CMT MUSIC AWARDS,” said Hamlin. “Their incredible expertise in live music and award show production, combined with that of our top-notch, Nashville-based production team sets the stage for what promises to be another wildly original show.”
The 2010 CMT MUSIC AWARDS marks the third collaboration between Ignjatovic and Hamilton, as the duo previously worked together on the 2007 and 2009 “MTV Video Music Awards.” It is the first time either has worked on the CMT MUSIC AWARDS.
Hosted by Kid Rock, the CMT MUSIC AWARDS will broadcast live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, June 9, 2010 on CMT and CMT.com.
CMT, a unit of Viacom’s MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and Heartland entertainment, reaching more than 90 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network’s digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.
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PRESS CONTACT:
Chris Delhomme 310-752-8635 chris.delhomme@cmt.com
Lisa Chader 615-335-8405 lisa.chader@cmt.com
PRODUCTION BIOS:
John Hamlin joined CMT in 2007, and has overseen two years of growth for the “CMT Music Awards,” which garnered distinction as the network’s highest-rated show in both 2008 and 2009. As executive producer of the awards, Hamlin has combined country’s biggest stars with mainstream icons to create memorable moments, including taped appearances at the 2008 awards by all three presidential candidates Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton and John McCain. In 2009, the live awards show once again left its mark on pop-culture with a collaborative performance by Taylor Swift and rap artist T-Pain, and their version of “Thug Story” went on to become the highest-streamed video of the year for CMT.com. An Emmy Award-winning producer, Hamlin has over 25 years of television experience, including 17 years as a producer for CBS News’ award-winning show, “60 Minutes,” where he produced segments on the biggest names in entertainment including the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Faith Hill, Madonna, Paul McCartney, U2 and the Dixie Chicks, Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith. His background also includes posts with CBS Sports, NBC Sports and ESPN, where he worked high-profile events such as the Olympics, World Series, Super Bowls and NBA Finals. Hamlin has received five national Emmy nominations and two wins, and he is a recipient of the esteemed Edward R. Murrow awards for news writing from the Radio-Television News Directors Association.
Since 2007, when Jesse Ignjatovic founded Den of Thieves, he has Executive Produced the MTV Video Music Awards for three successive years. His vision has transformed the iconic show – capturing an astounding 27 million viewers last year alone, and achieving successive ratings increases for the past three years. Ignjatovic also Executive Produced the 2010 Critics’ Choice Movie Awards, which saw a 39% ratings increase, and is currently in production of Season 2 of The T.O. Show for VH1. In the summer of 2008, Ignjatovic served as Executive Producer of F’N MTV – a 10-episode, hourly music series hosted by Pete Wentz, which featured some of the biggest names in music including: Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Rihanna, Lil Wayne, and Snoop Dogg. Ignjatovic spent 14 years at MTV, where he was responsible for developing innovative projects with music talent, as well as long-form, music-based programming for the network. He co-created, produced and developed such memorable programming as “Meet the Barkers,” “Diary,” “mtvICON,” “Dancelife” with Jennifer Lopez, and “Life & Rhymes of...,” which featured profiles of artists including Nas, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Ludacris and Snoop Dogg. In addition, he co-created and executive produced “MTV Ultimate Mash-Ups – Jay-Z/Linkin Park,” which won a Grammy award in 2004.
British creative director Hamish Hamilton is a globally respected, multi-camera award show and concert film director. Most recently he directed “The 82nd Annual Academy Awards”, with this year's show producing its highest ratings since 2005. Just one month earlier, Hamilton created the visually arresting spectacle that was this year’s Super Bowl halftime show featuring The Who. The laser-filled, firework and video spectacular redefined the show and Super Bowl XLIV became the most-watched program in U.S. television history, with over 106 million viewers. Other Hamilton credits include six years on the “The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” and the “2009 Scream Awards,” in addition to his name appearing on over 26 million music DVD covers the world over, including live concert films with Madonna, U2, Rolling Stones, Christina Aguilera and Amy Winehouse.
