ENCINO, CALIFORNIA (May 13, 2008) … Paul Petersen, one of
television’s first teen idols andmember of one of America’s first
television families when he starred as Donna Reed’s son, Jeff Stone, in
her mega-hit show of the 1950 and 1960’s, will receive EMA’s Legendary
Television Son Award during EMA’s Home Entertainment Awards ceremony,
show organizers announced today. The presentation will be made on June
24 during EMA’s Home Media Expo 2008, to be held June 24-26, 2008 at
the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, NV.
“Paul
Petersen was one of the most popular stars on television as part of one
of television’s most beloved families,” said EMA President Bo Andersen.
“His personal dedication and his experience as a child star have
provided the groundwork for a lifetime of advocacy dedicated to
protecting the rights of working children. We’re thrilled to honor him
for his contribution to classic TV and the welfare of his fellow
performers.”
Paul Petersen played Jeff Stone, the son
on The Donna Reed
show from 1958-1966. The Stone family epitomized the ideal
of the close-knit wholesome American family that was the focus of
several television series. Americans watched Petersen grow up from age
12-20 on the show which aired every Thursday night. Petersen was soon a
young heartthrob with hit records and lots of screaming fans. The Donna Reed Show will be
available on DVD from Arts Alliance America later this
summer.
Petersen’s acting career continued after
The Donna Reed Show’s
eight-year run with a number of roles in movies and
television shows including Happiest Millionaire, Time for Killing, and
Gidget Grows Up,
to name a few.
Petersen launched second
and third careers as an author and an advocate. In addition to
publishing 16 books, Petersen founded A Minor Consideration, a non-profit
organization designed to give guidance and support to young performers.
However, his advocacy involves all ages, as Petersen has also been
appointed to the California Commission on Aging and, in 2005, received
a Presidential appointment to the White House Conference on
Aging.
EMA’s Home Media Expo 2008, a joint venture of
the Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) and Questex Media Group,
will be held June 24-26, 2008 at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas,
Nevada.
EMA’s Home Media Expo is open to trade and
press only. Individuals interested in attending can register at
www.HomeMediaExpo.com
To exhibit, please contact: Dan
Donati at (714) 338-6726 or
ddonati@questex.com
The Entertainment Merchants Association (EMA) is
the not-for-profit international trade association dedicated to
advancing the interests of the $33billion home entertainment industry.
EMA represents approximately600companies throughout the United States,
Canada, and other nations. Its members operate approximately20,000
retail outlets in the U.S. that sell and/or rent DVDs and computer and
console video games and digitally distributed versions of these
products. Membership comprises the full spectrum of retailers (from
single-store specialists to multi-line mass merchants, and both brick
and mortar and online stores), distributors, the home video divisions
of major and independent motion picture studios, and other related
businesses that constitute and support the home entertainment industry.
EMA was established in April 2006 through the merger of the Video
Software Dealers Association (VSDA) and the Interactive Entertainment
Merchants Association (IEMA).
Questex Media Group, Inc. is
a global, diversified business-to-business integrated media and
information provider that serves multiple industries including
technology, telecommunications, beauty, spa, travel, hospitality,
leisure, abilities, home entertainment, landscape design, building
services and natural resources through a range of well-established,
market-leading publications, events, interactive media, research,
information and integrated marketing services.The company's media
properties include over 100 print and digital media publications, 45
conferences, tradeshows and events, and a range of research, data and
information products. The company’s operations include more than 500
employees in offices throughout North America, South America, Asia and
Europe.
For more information, please visit
www.HomeMediaExpo.com
