GMA Pinoy TV bags two special awards in US

GMA Network’s flagship international channel, GMA Pinoy TV received two valuable citations during the recent 2011 Excellence in Multicultural Marketing Awards (EMMA). The EMMA, given by the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), recognizes the members of the television cable industry for reaching different cultural segments through their creative and innovative print, TV commercials, and other marketing materials. In this year's EMMA, GMA Pinoy TV received:

• 2nd Place in Marketing Tactics, grassroots category: GMA Pinoy TV’s “Kapuso Abroad" magazine, and
• 2nd Place in Marketing Tactics, diversity awareness category: “Manila Jeepneys." The awarding ceremony for the 2011 EMMA will take place during the 25th Annual Conference of NAMIC on October 5 at Hilton New York. “We are very honored that a renowned body like NAMIC has again recognized our efforts, this time for the "Kapuso Abroad" magazine, which continues to be an effective communication tool among Filipinos living abroad, and the ‘Manila Jeepneys,’ which boast highly of the Pinoy identity," said Joseph Francia, Vice President and Head of Operations for GMA International. "This inspires us to continue reaching out to our kababayans in the country and around the world by tapping means which do not only speak of Pinoy creativity and innovativeness, but also that which are relevant to the larger community," Francia said. He explained that this was the third year that GMA Pinoy TV was cited by NAMIC. In 2006, the “Comcast San Francisco Bay Area GMA Pinoy TV Launch" was awarded 1st place in the Case Study Cable category for being “the most successful cable network launch in Comcast Bay Area history, dramatically exceeding goals." The Kapuso international channel also bagged the 1st place award that same year in Marketing Tactics for Network Internet/New Media category for its website www.gmapinoytv.com. In 2010, GMA Pinoy TV, together with GMA Life TV, again garnered 1st Place in Direct Mail Marketing Tactics for “Time Warner GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV launch postcard" and 2nd Places in both Direct Mail and Print Marketing Tactics for “Comcast GMA Life TV Upsell." Kapuso Abroad magazine The “Kapuso Abroad" is GMA International’s glossy magazine targeting Filipinos all around the globe. The magazine keeps Filipinos abroad to updated about their favorite Kapuso stars and provide them more stories behind the most anticipated programs from GMA's two international channels -- GMA Pinoy TV and GMA Life TV. GMA will soon have a third international, all Filipino news channel, the "GMA News TV International." The "Kapuso Abroad" magazine is distributed in Filipino community events, consulate offices, and Filipino establishments. Due to its popularity, GMA International has produced a digital counterpart of “Kapuso Abroad" available to its online audiences. The magazine can now be viewed online via www.gmapinoytv.com. It provides information about the latest events and activities of the Filipino communities worldwide. Manila Jeepneys Meanwhile, as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, GMA Pinoy TV partnered with the non-government organization "Tahanang Walang Hagdanan" (TWH) – the Filipino counterpart of "House with No Steps" in Australia. GMA Pinoy TV contracted the services of TWH in the manufacture of hundreds of "Manila Jeepneys," or miniature wooden replicas of the iconic Pinoy vehicle. The "Manila Jeepneys" project became a means for GMA International to raise money for the livelihood, medical, and educational efforts of TWH. The "Manila Jeepneys" were used to promote GMA's international channels Part of the sales of the wooden jeepneys abroad was also allocated for the special education program for children with special needs. - RJMD/VVP, GMA News