Disney|ABC Television Group received the 2017 “Company of Distinction” honor at the 38th Banff World Media Festival taking place June 11–14 at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel in Banff, Alberta, Canada. The award recognized outstanding creativity and storytelling across the entire Disney|ABC Television Group’s brands and channels.
In accepting the award, Ben Pyne, president, Global Distribution, Disney Media Networks, noted, “We have a simple but profound mantra at Disney|ABC—and it’s that we win as a team. So, it’s a privilege not just to accept this distinction, but to do it on behalf of the entire organization… a group of thousands of incredibly committed, talented individuals who, day in and day out, are dedicated to telling captivating, connective stories.”
Disney|ABC series also shined in the spotlight. Unlike the Emmy® Awards, the fierce competition for the Banff Rockie Awards features U.S. TV shows competing against international offerings from more than 40 countries worldwide. On June 12, ABC’s anthology series American Crime won for best drama series, while long-running powerhouse Grey’s Anatomy won for best melodrama. Howard Davine, executive vice president, ABC Studios, accepted the award for American Crime while Patrick Moran, president, ABC Studios, accepted the award for Grey’s Anatomy.
The Banff World Media Festival serves as an idea incubator where professionals from across the world discuss and debate the future of an industry navigating continued disruption. Pyne drilled down to the core of Disney|ABC’s success: “While times may change, technology may advance, means and methods of distribution may evolve… great storytelling is timeless.”