Band Internacional visits Atlanta
- June 17 2014
This is the English translation of an editorial that was published in the May issue of VIVER Magazine. Read the original editorial in Portuguese by clicking here.
With the purpose of expanding its programming in the southeastern region of the United States and to also better meet the Brazilian demand, the General Director of International Channels of Group Bandeirantes, Band Internacional and BandNews, Silvia Saad Jafet, arrived in Atlanta, on April 25, for a strategic meeting with the community leaders in the region. The General Consul of Brazil, Ambassador Hermano Telles Ribeiro, the President of the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce - Southeast (BACC), Lucia Jennings, the Executive Director, Fabiana Di Pietro Xavier and the representatives of Band in the US, Fernando Polar and Adriana Maniscalco from Castalia Communications, were all a part of this meeting.
Silvia explained that Brazil has a prominent place in the world economy and that the demand of the Brazilian community abroad is no longer restricted only to sports, as observed by the broadcaster in the past. According to her, there are more than 1 Million Brazilians who live in Africa, South America and the United States, that subscribed for BandNews and Band International.
“This is a fact, which should not be ignored, because it shows that they are also interested in news of economy and culture,” she added. “They want to know what happens in their own country, to feel closer in general, and Band is committed to bringing Brazil to these Brazilians that are so far away from home.”
Atlanta has one of the largest Brazilian communities of the southeastern United States, leaving behind only the neighboring state of Florida. It is estimated that approximately 30,000 Brazilians live in the Atlanta Metro area, and that the vast majority watch only Brazilian channels, which makes Atlanta the strongest market for Brazilian TV in the US.
Also present at the meeting, was the Coordinator of International Relations for the City of Atlanta, Bettina Gardner, who was recently in Brazil, as part of the staff of Mayor Kasim Reed, on a mission trip organized by the Brazilian-American Chamber of Commerce. This trip included a visit to Band studios in the city of Sao Paulo.
For more than 20 years the Chamber has been working in strengthening the trade relations between Brazil and the United States, promoting Brazil and its opportunities, in addition to providing businesses and Brazilian professionals who want to come to Atlanta or Americans interested in Brazil, the support in the development of their businesses, key information and strategic connections in both countries.
“To take the mission of Mayor Reed to Brazil is concrete proof of his interest in our country, and a great achievement for the work of promotion that the Chamber has been developing, since Atlanta is an international city, and there is always China and other large markets at the top of the list of countries to be visited,” said Lucia. “However, I believe that, with the arrival of large Brazilian companies in Atlanta, like Band, our work becomes relatively easier and the Brazilian community gets stronger.”
During the meeting new projects were discussed. One of the projects was the sponsorship of an event called SoccerFest, a soccer tournament to be held on June 7 in Atlanta in commemoration of the beginning of the World Cup FIFA 2014 that counts with the support of the Consulate General of Brazil in Atlanta, the Chamber of Commerce and the soccer team Atlanta Silverbacks among others. The goal was to expand resources for the awareness about SOS Children's Villages, a non-governmental organization and non-profit organization that promotes the protection and guarantee of the rights of children, adolescents and young people through a business development partner community throughout the world.
For more information about the event SoccerFest 2014 and how to participate please visit the website: www.atlsoccerfest.com
For more information on the Band channels Internacional and BandNews, please visit the website: band.com.br/internacional
