FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 11, 2015
National Hispanic Media Coalition Announces Honorees for 18th Annual NHMC Impact Awards Gala
NHMC to Honor Outstanding Contributions to Positive Media Portrayals of Latinos
Late Actress Elizabeth Peña to be Commemorated in Special Memorial Tribute Presented by Andy Garcia
Roselyn Sanchez and Lisa Vidal to Co-Emcee
PASADENA, Calif. -- On Wednesday, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) announced its first round of honorees for the 18th Annual NHMC Impact Awards Gala, which will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
The NHMC Impact Awards Gala recognizes the outstanding achievements and contributions to positive portrayals of Latinos in media. The annual gala is one of the premier Latino entertainment events in the country, hosting Hollywood's most influential figures.
The evening's co-emcees will be Roselyn Sanchez, star in Lifetime's Devious Maids, and Lisa Vidal, star in BET's Being Mary Jane.
NHMC also announced it will commemorate the life of actress Elizabeth Peña in a special memorial tribute presented by her dear friend, Academy Award-nominated actor, director, film and music producer Andy Garcia (Rob the Mob, Rio 2, The Lost City). The late actress, who died at 55 last year, was best known for her work in La Bamba, Modern Family, and Rush Hour. In 2000, Peña received an NHMC Impact Award for her trailblazing achievements that paved the way for Latinos in Hollywood.
Among the honorees is international star Carlos Ponce, who will receive an Outstanding Performance in a Television Series award for his work on ABC's comedy series Cristela. Ponce's long entertainment career as a film and television actor, show host, and double platinum award-winning singer has included leading roles in popular telenovelas such as Televisa's Sentimientos Ajenos, work as an Entertainment Tonight correspondent, and host of Univision's Control.
Jon Seda will receive an Outstanding Performance in a Television Series award for his role in the NBC drama Chicago P.D. His acting career spanning more than two decades includes prominent roles in the hit NBC series Homicide: Life on the Street and in films such as Selena and I Like It Like That.
Jorge Gutierrez, director of 20th Century Fox's hit animated fantasy-adventure film The Book of Life, will receive an award for Outstanding Direction in a Motion Picture. His career has also included creating the multiple Emmy and Annie winning Nickelodeon series El Tigre, The Adventures of Manny Rivera.
MiTú, Inc., a media company and digital multi-channel network operator, will receive the inaugural Outstanding Innovation in Social Media award for its leadership in captivating Latino audiences through high-quality and culturally-relevant content, and opening doors for Latino talent to advance their careers in a fast-changing media industry. MiTú Network Founding Partner and President Beatriz Acevedo will accept the award.
Golden Globe-winning actress Gina Rodriguez has been invited to receive an award for her leading role in CW comedy-drama Jane the Virgin.
Additional honorees will be announced.
"This year's honorees are proving that audiences want to see more multi-dimensional Latino stories and performances," said NHMC President and CEO Alex Nogales. "We are proud to celebrate outstanding Latino talent and innovation that is paving the way for Latino inclusion in media."
For tickets and additional information about the 18th Annual NHMC Impact Awards Gala, visit: www.nhmc.org/ImpactAwards.
Follow @nhmc and hashtag #ImpactAwards on Twitter for the latest updates on the 18th Annual NHMC Impact Awards Gala.
Past honorees include Eva Longoria, Demian Bichir, Robert Rodriguez, Diego Luna, Michelle Rodriguez, America Ferrera, James Cameron, Lana Parrilla, George Lopez, Cesar Millan, Zoe Saldana, Mario Lopez, Gina Torres, Rosario Dawson, and the late Lupe Ontiveros.
The NHMC Impact Awards Gala also raises important funds to support NHMC's efforts to increase positive media portrayals of Latinos, expand Latino employment in media and telecommunications, push for federal media and telecommunications policies that advance Latinos and other people of color.
The 18th Annual NHMC Impact Awards Gala is supported by The Walt Disney Company and Disney ABC Television Group. Other sponsors include Comcast NBCUniversal, Davila Multicultural Insights, Univision Communications, Inc., CBS Corporation, Southwest Airlines, NUVOtv, SOS Global Express, HBO, BabyFirst, Bright House Networks, Entravision Communications Corporation, Sprint, Warner Bros. Entertainment, and Google. Moët et Chandon is the champagne reception sponsor.
For information about becoming a sponsor or placing an ad in the 18th Annual NHMC Impact Awards Gala program book, please visit www.nhmc.org/ImpactAwards.
Please direct event media credential requests to:
American Entertainment Marketing
press@aem-la.com
Please direct all other media inquiries to:
Brian Pacheco
NHMC
bpacheco@www.nhmc.org
(626) 792-6462
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About NHMC
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is a media advocacy and civil rights organization for the advancement of Latinos, working towards a media that is fair and inclusive of Latinos, and towards universal, affordable, and open access to communications. Learn more at www.nhmc.org. Receive real-time updates on Facebookand Twitter @NHMC.
La Coalición Nacional Hispana ante los Medios (NHMC, por sus siglas en inglés) es una organización de abogacía en los medios de comunicación y de derechos civiles que impulsa el avance de latinos a través de la nación. NHMC trabaja para lograr medios de comunicación justos e inclusivos de latinos, así como acceso universal y abierto a las redes de comunicaciones. Para más información, visite: www.nhmc.org. Conéctese con NHMC en Facebook y Twitter @NHMC para recibir actualizaciones.
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