The Latino television executive, who was recently named Banijay’s Chairman of the Americas and president and CEO of Endemol ShineHoldings, has been elected chair of the Television Academy Foundation.
Abrego becomes the first Latino to hold the office; his two-year term will begin January 1 and run through December 31, 2022.
Other officers elected to serve two-year terms at the Television Academy’s charitable arm include Vice Chair Jonathan Murray, Bunim/Murray Productions co-founder; Treasurer Deborah Bradley, president of Bungalo Homes, Amherst; and Secretary Billie Greer, a public policy advisor and consultant.
Abrego succeeds Madeline Di Nonno, the CEO of the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, who served two consecutive terms. She’ll remain on the Foundation’s board of directors, and with Thomas Sarnoff will continue to serve on the foundation’s Executive Committee as Chair Emeritus and Founding Chair Emeritus, respectively.
“I am thrilled and honored to serve as Foundation chair and look forward to working with the board and staff as we build a more inclusive entertainment business,” Abrego said. “During these unprecedented times, we are expanding our reach to serve an even greater number of diverse students from across the country, advancing the Foundation’s goals of helping to shape the careers of the next generation of television professionals.”
Abrego’s oversight includes Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Authentic Entertainment, Truly Original, 51 Minds Entertainment, Stephen David Entertainment and Yellow Bird U.S.
In Latin America, Abrego also oversees Endemol Shine Latino, the company’s Spanish- and Portuguese-language sales and development division.
The Latino entertainment executive has been appointed as the head of Banijay across the U.S. and Latin America.
The 51 Minds Entertainment co-founder scored the top job after Banijay closed its acquisition of Endemol Shine. He becomes Chairman of the Americas, Banijay and President and CEO, Endemol Shine Holdings, reporting to CEO Marco Bassetti.
Abrego, who was previously CEO, Endemol Shine North America and Chairman, Endemol Shine Americas, will oversee companies including Endemol Shine North America, Bunim/Murray Productions, Authentic Entertainment, Truly Original, 51 Minds, Stephen David Entertainment and YellowBird US as well as Endemol Shine Latino.
Banijay Studios North America will continue to be run independently by President and CEO, David Goldberg.
The Television Academy Foundation has added four new members to its board of directors, including the Latino television executive at Endemol Shine.
Abrego will be joined by fellow newcomers to the board: Bunim/Murray Productions co-founder Jonathan Murray, OWN president Tina Perry and composer Rickey Minor.
Abrego is chairman of Endemol Shine Americas, and CEO of Endemol Shine North America. He oversees shows in the U.S. including Big Brother, MasterChef and Lego Masters.
The Television Academy Foundation is the charitable arm of the Television Academy. Its board of directors also includes Netflix’s Cindy Holland, Nina Tassler, Epix’s Michael Wright and Suzanne de Passe.
“Our incoming board members bring extensive business and creative acumen in key sectors of our television industry,” said Madeline Di Nonno, chair of the Television Academy Foundation. “We welcome their thought leadership, strategic guidance and support as the Foundation expands its educational programs and community outreach, which are designed to promote diversity and inclusivity within the television industry and deepen support for the next generation of entertainment leaders.”
This year’s Imagen Awards were doled out over the weekend, with the 28-year-old half-Puerto Rican actress taking home one of the night’s awards.
Rodriguez was named Best Actress – Television for her role as Blanca Rodriguez-Evangelista on the FX groundbreaking television drama Pose, which was named Best Primetime Program – Drama alongside CBS’ Magnum P.I.
Pose, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Afro-Latino television writer/producer Steven Canals, features the largest cast of transgender actors to be starring as series regulars in a scripted show. In addition to Rodriguez, the series also stars 23-year-old Dominican actor Angel Bismark Curiel.
Anthony Ramos won the Best Actor – Feature Film prize for his role in Monsters and Men, which was named Best Feature Film, while Isabela Moner was namedBest Actress – Feature Film for her role inInstant Family.
Jon Seda was named Best Actor – Television for his role in Chicago P.D., while Wilmer Valderrama was named Best Supporting Actor – Television for his role on NCIS.
Rita Moreno was named Best Supporting Actress – Television for One Day at a Time, while Anthony Gonzalez was named Best Young Actor – Television for HBO’s Icebox.
Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the Imagen Awards were established in 1985 from a suggestion by veteran television producer Norman Lear to encourage and recognize the positive portrayals of Latinos in media. The winners were judged and selected in 18 categories by an independent panel of entertainment industry executives and Latinx community leaders.
The Imagen Foundation also honored Chairman of Endemol Shine Americasand CEO of Endemol Shine North America’s Cris Abregowith the prestigious Imagen President’s Awardand Luisa Leschinwith the Norman Lear Writer’s Award.
The complete list of winners can be read below.
Best Feature Film Monsters and Men (NEON/Moviepass Films)
Best Director Reinaldo Marcus Green, Monsters and Men (NEON/Moviepass Films)
Best Actor – Feature Film Anthony Ramos, Monsters and Men (NEON/Moviepass Films)
Best Actress – Feature Film Isabela Moner, Instant Family (Paramount Pictures)
Best Primetime Program – Drama (TIE) Magnum P.I. (CBS; CBS Television Studios, Universal Television, Perfect Storm Entertainment, Davis Entertainment, 101st Street Productions) Pose (FX Networks; Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions)
Best Primetime Program – Comedy One Day at a Time (Netflix; Sony Pictures Television for Netflix)
Best Primetime Program – Specials, Movies & Limited Series Icebox (HBO; HBO Films in association with Gracie Films and Endeavor Content)
Best Actor – Television Jon Seda, Chicago P.D. (NBC; Wolf Entertainment in association with Universal Television)
Best Actress – Television Mj Rodriguez, Pose (FX Networks; Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions)
Best Supporting Actor – Television Wilmer Valderrama, NCIS (CBS; CBS Television Studios)
Best Supporting Actress – Television Rita Moreno, One Day at a Time (Netflix; Sony Pictures Television for Netflix)
Best Young Actor – Television Anthony Gonzalez, Icebox (HBO; HBO Films in association with Gracie Films and Endeavor Content)
Best Variety or Reality Show Hip-Hop Houdini (Fuse; 7Beyond)
Best Children’s Programming The Loud House (Nickelodeon)
Best Documentary – Great Performances John Leguizamo’s Road to Broadway (PBS; NGL Studios & Diamante Content Production in association with THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC for WNET & Latino Public Broadcasting)
Best Informational Program Breaking Big (PBS; Ozy Media)
Best Short-Form Non-Fiction Program SC Featured – A Dreamer’s Path (ESPN Deportes)
The Imagen Foundation has announced that the Latino television producer, writer and executivewill receive this year’s Imagen President’s Awardat the 34th Annual Imagen Awards.
Abrego is the chairman of Endemol Shine Americasand CEO of Endemol Shine North America.
The Imagen Awards were established in 1985 to encourage positive portrayals of Latinos in the media.
“Cris Abrego has embraced his experiences and background which have allowed him to appreciate the value of diversity and inclusion both behind the scenes and in front of the camera,” said Helen Hernandez, president & founder of the Imagen Foundation. “He has understood the importance and the power of the U.S. Latino market and has endeavored to create and inspire content that speaks to our communities.”
Abrego oversees the North American and Latin American divisions of Endemol Shine Group.
“I am truly humbled that the Imagen Foundation has selected me for this incredible honor,” said Abrego. “Norman Lear, who founded the Imagen Awards and is a pioneer of inclusion in entertainment, is someone I have always admired and been inspired by. And the list of former recipients of the President’s Awardis filled with some of the most talented and celebrated writers, producers and actors in our industry, many of whom have helped pave the way for Latinos in Hollywood.”
The 34th Annual Imagen Awards will take place on Saturday, August 10th, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotelin Beverly Hills.
The 46-year-old Puerto Rican radio personality, former rapper and actress has signed her first development deal.
Martinez has entered into a pact with Endemol Shine North America, where she’ll develop television projects, both scripted and unscripted, for traditional and digital platforms.
“Working with Endemol Shine is an exciting first step for me in defining the next phase of my career,” said Martinez. “I’m looking forward to using my voice and platform to develop content that authentically speaks to the culture.”
On the radio for more than 20 years, Martinez is no stranger to television. She’s a fixture on the daytime talk-show circuit and, last year, released her first memoir, which became a New York Times best-seller.
Martinez will pursue TV projects under the Endemol Shine shingle Major TV.
“Angie is undeniably one of the most influential personalities in pop culture,” said Endemol Shine North America president Cris Abrego. “We’re thrilled to be in business with her, and we’re already developing a handful of original, ground-breaking projects with Angie and the team at Major TV.”
