For Ignacio Meyer, Univision’s Executive VP of Music and Non-Scripted Entertainment, one of the greatest things he has learned in his career is understanding the true power of entertainment.
“Beyond the lights and glamor of the industry, in 2020, during the hardest moments of confinement, we were able to bring together our community using the power of music, to deliver a message of resilience and hope. Understanding that we have the ability to ease pain, even in the most difficult moments, is a responsibility and a privilege. My advice to those who are starting out in this world would be to take on this responsibility and allow themselves to be guided by their passion,” he said.
Among the projects with the greatest impact that he has executed is the production of the international reality show Tu Cara me Suena, which was broadcast for the first time on US Hispanic TV in 2020. “The new format debuted on the Domingos en Familia strip and despite the challenges, the audience was able to enjoy the show where celebrities impersonated music artists. To this, I add the production of three music award programs – Premios Juventud (2020 and 2021) and Premio lo Nuestro2021 – and the special Latin GRAMMY Celebra Ellas y Su Música, where a tribute was paid to their trajectory, and to recognize present and future influence of women in music with a two-hour television special,” he mentioned.
Meyer noted that before the pandemic, the music and TV industries were evolving rapidly. “Our innovations during the lockdown to ensure that our audience will never lose their front-row seat – even remotely – have changed audience expectations. Now, new trends lead us to continue innovating with strategies and technologies to ensure that our viewers, wherever they are, remain at the center of our programs.”
One of these innovations was applied during Premios Jóvenes 2020, which became the first live awards event during the pandemic, regardless of language. “With the audience as our priority, we included a ‘virtual wall’ where the audience could be seen during the broadcast. Times continue to change, so we adapt to the new rules,” he concluded.