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Michael J. Fox
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Actor and advocate Michael J. Fox is sure to bring some of his characteristic warmth, humor and levity to Monday morning's NAB Show Opening.
Fox will attend the event to receive this year's NAB Distinguished Service Award, honoring his many years as a television actor and his commitment to raising awareness and money for Parkinson's disease research through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Presenting the award as well as addressing attendees will be NAB President and CEO Gordon Smith. On the job since November 2009, Smith brings years of leadership skills and knowledge of broadcast issues from his earlier positions as a senior advisor in the Washington office of Covington & Burling LLP, and as two-term U.S. senator from Oregon.
COMMUNICATION FOOD CHAIN
Smith was a U.S. senator from 1996 to 2008, during which time he served on the Senate Commerce Committee, which is responsible for legislating many broadcast-related issues. Other committee assignments included the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Finance Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
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Hiroshi Yoshioka
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His interest in new media and new technology issues was cultivated while serving on the Commerce Committee and as chairman of the Senate High Tech Task Force.
During his first address to NAB Show attendees, Smith will emphasize the important role broadcasters play in the communications ecosystem.
"It's a wonderful place to congregate, to learn what is cutting edge, what will make a difference and what keeps broadcasting's future bright," Smith said of the NAB Show in January during an interview at Digital Vision, a virtual trade show presented by NAB and NewBay Media.
3D ARENA FOR SONY
Hiroshi Yoshioka, executive deputy president of Sony Corp. and president of Sony Consumer Products & Devices Group, will deliver the morning's keynote address.
Yoshioka's address will focus on global and U.S. consumer demand for 3D technology and timing for mainstream adoption. He will further discuss Sony's "lens to the living room" vision for 3D.
Sony 3D video presentation will include highlights from the 2010 Masters Golf and other recent professional sports and entertainment events.
Yoshioka has held this position at Sony for one year, overseeing the Consumer Products & Devices Group, which includes TV, audio and video, digital imaging, chemical & energy, electronic devices and semiconductor businesses.
Prior positions he has held include executive vice president, Sony Corp., senior vice president, Sony Corp.; corporate vice president, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, and president, Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications, Japan Inc. He joined Sony Corp. in 1979.
Distinguished Service Award recipient Fox began his acting career at age 15, co-starring in the Canadian sitcom "Leo and Me" on the CBC. He went on to land a few roles in American TV movies shooting in Canada before Fox moved to Los Angeles at age 18. He had bit parts in TV shows before landing his most famous role of Alex P. Keaton on "Family Ties" in 1982.
"Michael J. Fox is a true role model in every sense of the word, using his fame and influence as a successful actor to help fund nearly $160 million in Parkinson's research," Smith said. "We are proud to honor him for his tremendous contributions to both the entertainment and medical research communities."
Fox has appeared in numerous other films, including the box office hit "Back to the Future" and the two sequels that followed, as well as "The Secret of My Success" (1987), "Bright Lights, Big City" (1988) and "The American President" (1995).
Making his way back to television in 1996, Fox starred in "Spin City," despite already being diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease. The ABC show was based on a fictional local government running New York City, with Fox starring as Mike Flaherty, deputy mayor of New York.
Since leaving the show in 2000, Fox has made many guest appearances on television shows, including "Scrubs" and "Boston Legal," and most recently, during the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver as part of the Closing Ceremonies.
In 2000, Fox launched The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, raising both awareness and much-needed funds for research. His foundation aims to find a cure for Parkinson's through research while also making sure therapies continue to improve for those living with the disease today.
SURPRISE FOOTAGE
The NAB indicated the show's opening event will also include a special welcome message. Event organizers are keeping the surprise under wraps, but NAB Media Relations Executive Vice President Dennis Wharton said, "You won't want to miss it. It's going to be out of this world."