Emmy Award-Winning Don Mischer Productions Selected as Executive Producer for 2002 Opening and Closing Ceremonies

Business Wire,  Sept 9, 1999  

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SALT LAKE CITY--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 9, 1999--

The selection of 13-time Emmy Award-winning Don Mischer Productions to become executive producer for the 2002 Opening and Closing Ceremonies has been approved by the Management Committee of the Salt Lake Organizing Committee for the Olympic Winter Games of 2002 (SLOC).

Don Mischer Productions is a Los Angeles-based production company that has had 20 years of experience producing a wide variety of television specials and live, large-scale major event programs throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.

"Our Olympic Ceremonies will be one of the most widely watched television programs of 2002," said Mitt Romney, SLOC president and chief executive officer.

"Beyond attracting a worldwide audience, the Ceremonies must do more. They should inspire the world audience and create a deeply personal and emotional impact. We believe Don Mischer and his extraordinary team are the best possible group to lead us to our place on the world stage."

"We are honored, and we look forward to working with Salt Lake City in producing Ceremonies that reflect the spirit of the people of Utah, pay tribute to the winter athletes, and reaffirm the fundamental ideals of the Olympic movement," Mischer said.

"Everyone on our team is thrilled, and we feel a great sense of responsibility to the people of Salt Lake to create Ceremonies that are innovative and emotional, as well as spectacular."

"Don Mischer Productions is a proven company with immense creative and production expertise," said Scott Givens, SLOC director of Ceremonies. "Selecting Mischer's team is the first step in the process of creating spectacular Ceremonies. We are excited about the opportunity to involve such a committed team in developing an unforgettable and breathtaking show."

Mischer has captured a record nine Director's Guild of America Awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement, three NAACP Image Awards, a Peabody Award for excellence in broadcasting and Europe's prestigious Golden Rose of Montreaux.

The Opening and Closing Ceremonies for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games in Atlanta were created and produced by Don Mischer Productions. The Opening Ceremony was highly acclaimed around the world, including "stunning and dramatic" by USA Today, "extravagant and enthralling" by Time Magazine and "visually dazzling and hauntingly beautiful" by the Chicago Tribune.

Other major event productions by Don Mischer Productions include:

--   "Carnegie Hall: Live at 100" (1991) -- A four-hour live broadcast
     to Europe and the United States (PBS), celebrating the 100th
     anniversary of America's most prestigious concert hall. "Carnegie
     Hall: Live at 100" was hosted by Peter Jennings and included
     performances by Placido Domingo, Isaac Stern and the New York
     Philharmonic.

--   "The Kennedy Center Honors" (Annually) -- An annual television
     special celebrating the performing arts in America. The New York
     Times has said of "The Kennedy Center Honors" in Washington,
     D.C., that "it maintains its distinguished tradition as the
     nation's most prestigious and elegant celebration of the
     performing arts." Winner of seven Emmy Awards, Mischer produces
     the "Honors" with George Stevens Jr.

--   "Hong Kong '97 Spectacular" (1997) -- An historic event set in
     Hong Kong's famous Victoria Harbor that celebrated the city's
     past, present and future as it reunified with China. Viewed by
     millions on television and along the harbor shores, the "Hong
     Kong '97 Spectacular" included an original symphonic work; 31
     four-story-high decorated electric floats; the largest collection
     of lasers ever assembled; and the largest fireworks display in
     Hong Kong's history.

--   "Michael Jackson's Super Bowl XXVII Halftime Show" (1993) --
     Produced for Radio City Music Hall and the NFL, this historic
     performance by Michael Jackson included thousands of children,
     special effects and a 12-ton stage that was assembled in 3 1/2
     minutes by volunteers.

The Opening Ceremony for the 2002 games will be held on Friday evening, Feb. 8, at Rice-Eccles Stadium on the campus of the University of Utah. The total time for the ceremonial and artistic programs, according to protocol of the Host City Contract, is no more than two hours.

The projected worldwide television audience for the Opening Ceremony is 3.5 billion people. The Closing Ceremony will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24, in a 90-minute production. The stadium will have a capacity of 56,000 in permanent and temporary seating.

Mischer's approval culminated a nine-month open process by SLOC management to identify an executive producer. SLOC began the selection process for an executive producer in December 1998, by issuing "invitations to apply" to 58 entities, including 10 Utah, 45 national and three international companies. Twenty-one candidates submitted applications.