Professionals and Talent from Ibero-America Celebrated Their Big Night at the PRODU Industry Awards Gala

The Ibero-American audiovisual industry celebrated its big night during the ninth edition of the PRODU Industry Awards Gala, held at MIP Cancun. The event brought together top executives from networks, platforms, and distributors, as well as producers, talent, and creatives from the Spanish-language content ecosystem, with a gala that blended recognition, high-profile guests, and emotional moments.

This year’s honorees were: Álex Marín, VP of Distribution at Estudios RCN; Ana Celia Urquidi, CEO of Atenea Media; Claudia Triana, General Director of Proimágenes Colombia; Gustavo Grossmann, General Director of Venevisión; Mariana Pérez, VP of Development and Production at The Walt Disney Company Latin America; Pedro Lascurain, Director of Acquisitions at TV Azteca; Roberto Argueta, Founder and President of Grupo Argueta; Kuky Pumar, Founder & Chairman of El Reino Infantil; Valeria Palazio, Director of Acquisitions at NBCUniversal Telemundo Enterprises; and Matilde de Boshell, President of MBA Networks.

The Executive of the Year award went to Vera Buzanello, Country Manager for Brazil and Head of Distribution Revenue for Warner Bros. Discovery in Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic regions. The Advertiser of the Year recognition went to Turismo de Islas Canarias, together with IPG Mediabrands.

Hosts Melina Ramírez and Arap Bethke opened the ceremony with humorous nods referencing nominated series and productions, setting a tone of closeness between the stage and the audience.

Ríchard Izarra, founder of PRODU, and Roko Izarra, who has led the company’s modernization, welcomed the attendees, reminding them of PRODU’s mission: “I’ve covered these pillars for 30 or 35 years. They are the reason we are here today celebrating this content. We were born to tell the stories of those who make television… of all those who work with passion to connect millions of people in Spanish.”

Roko added: “And this year more than ever, we feel the strength of the PRODU community—here in person, and connected from every space where Spanish-language television is created, produced, and imagined.”

Ríchard thanked those who made the Grand Winners Gala possible: Inter Medya; Apple TV, the main sponsor; Marcos Gorban and Sinapsis, the production house; Mediapro, for allowing a return to those superb studios; Rayo en la Botella for supporting the shoots in Peru; and Visceral, for accompanying the production of those wonderful interviews. “And of course, the entire PRODU and Premios PRODU team—none of this would be possible without them.”

Meanwhile, RX Director María Pérez Belliere celebrated the growth of the market: “We’re so glad to be here together. This is talent recognized worldwide, and this year there are many new things, like this venue, which has been extraordinary for welcoming new delegations. Over 47 countries, many digital-first and platform companies, and they’ve all become a family. It is an honor to represent this industry. Thank you, PRODU, for fostering talent.”

PILLARS OF THE INDUSTRY 2025: THE VOICES DEFINING THE PRESENT OF THE BUSINESS

The Industry Pillars received a central tribute during the ceremony. Their words onstage defined the essence of this recognition: vision, career trajectory, and the ability to continue driving the industry in a period of constant transformation.

When Ríchard Izarra asked: “What would you say has been the deepest change the business has experienced?” distribution leader Álex Marín summarized the evolution in one clear phrase: “People consume when, where, and how they want.”

Ana Celia Urquidi, co-founder of Atenea, spoke about perpetual adaptation: “This industry changes every day and we are ready. There’s nothing like being open and flexible and understanding that if things change, you have to change too.”

Claudia Triana, who led Proimágenes Colombia for over 25 years, highlighted her management philosophy: “Patience, listening, and understanding that what governments think is not what matters. What matters are the stories.” She dedicated the recognition to her country: “This award is for Colombia and for all those who have made it possible for the audiovisual sector to move one step higher.”

Gustavo Grossmann, now at Venevisión, addressed the Venezuelan challenge: “The country is difficult, but challenges are accepted and overcome,” projecting the channel’s future: “Whatever needs to be done is to adapt content to what audiences expect.”

Mariana Pérez of Disney moved the audience by reflecting on her professional journey: “I started in 90s television, and we women had to become strong.”

She recognized three key male mentors, especially Leonardo Aranguibel, who—emotional—presented her the statuette. He praised her qualities as a pillar of the industry: “She is the best colleague I’ve had in my entire career, and it’s an honor to give this award to my friend,” to which she added that he is **“one of the three men who have marked my career.”

Pedro Lascurain, Director of Acquisitions at TV Azteca, reflected on his bond with the industry: “This industry has shown me that I care deeply about people, and I feel loved.”

Regional distribution executive Roberto Argueta accepted his award saying: “Thank you for this award. I receive it with great humility and gratitude.”

Roberto “Kuky” Pumar, creator of the world’s largest digital children’s channel, emphasized the bridge between content generations: “We were born on social media and we have reached audiences of more than 250 million. Everything becomes one.”

Valeria Palazio, VP of Acquisitions at Telemundo, a historic buyer, summarized her career: “I’ve had the good fortune to work with colleagues, because without them I wouldn’t have achieved anything.”

Matilde de Boshell, leader of MBA Networks, celebrated 30 years: “I receive this recognition on behalf of all these years together. We will continue generating value for you.” Her sons, Felipe and Carlos Boshell, joined her onstage for a special toast to her trajectory.

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR: VERA BUZANELLO, WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY LATAM

One of the ceremony’s most anticipated moments was the awarding of Executive of the Year to Vera Buzanello.

Onstage, she reflected on her path: “I thank PRODU for this award and my team, my husband; it’s an honor to be here tonight because you all do incredible work for the industry. We continue experiencing changes every minute and this is a special moment. I am not a pillar of the industry, but I’ve been in this business nearly 30 years, and now in streaming and FAST entertainment.”

She added: “The best thing is to know we must face things without fear, be resilient, always think differently, and see what we can learn. As a Brazilian, I’m optimistic, and that’s how we should see it—always having a team with you, because talent is teamwork.”

ADVERTISER OF THE YEAR: TURISMO DE ISLAS CANARIAS & IPG MEDIABRANDS

The Advertiser of the Year award went to Turismo de Islas Canarias, in partnership with IPG Mediabrands Entertainment, for their strategy rooted in narratives and original content.

Marketing Director Elena González emphasized the value of teamwork: “I accept this award on behalf of the Tourism team in the Canary Islands… Projects done with heart are always unbeatable.”

She added a reflection about shared identity: “Politically we are Spain, geographically we are Africa, but our soul is Caribbean.”

Nacho Cámara from IPG added: “Receiving these awards means we are doing things right in content creation.”

The brand also received the PRODU Award for Best Branded Content for Discovering Canary Islands, confirming its leap from advertising to creating its own IPs.

Elena González from Turismo de Islas Canarias; Nacho Cámara and Juan José Marrero from IPG Mediabrands

DIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

The gala included the Diversity category (sponsored by Fremantle) and Sustainability (sponsored by Normmal), highlighting the work of ODA and WAWA.

The annual PRODU initiative was remembered: 500 trees planted in the Colombian Amazon—one for each winner—with geolocated tracking.

OTHER RECOGNITIONS

Melina Ramírez (the ceremony’s host) won Best Game Show Host for Yo Me Llamo by Caracol Televisión.

Johanna Helman from Fremantle also took the stage to present the award for Best Diversity Content.

GLOBO PRESENCE

Nicolás Prattes, Duda Santos, and Alessandra Poggi went onstage to receive their awards and thank Globo and the artistic team in Portuguese.

Finally, Prattes  said: “This is the most important award of my career… it is an immense joy to represent TV Globo.”

After the Executive of the Year award, all winners joined onstage for the photo that will remain not only in their memory, but also in PRODU’s and that of all attendees at the 2025 gala. In this way, the PRODU Awards reaffirmed their position as the must-attend meeting point for the Ibero-American audiovisual industry. The sector’s response, the caliber of the projects presented, and the presence of key industry figures solidify the awards as a platform that recognizes, elevates, and showcases regional talent.

With an increasingly engaged community and an industry undergoing major transformation, PRODU is already preparing a new edition that promises to further elevate the conversation, highlight new trends, and continue celebrating those who shape the future of content in our region.

Globo talent present at the Industry Gala