NATIONAL ACADEMY OF TELEVISION ARTS & SCIENCES
HEARTLAND CHAPTER
NATAS Heartland Region

Colorado Markets

- Denver
- Colorado Springs/Pueblo
- Grand Junction/Montrose
- Durango

Nebraska Markets

- Omaha
- Lincoln/Hastings-Kearney
- North Platte

Oklahoma Markets

- Oklahoma City
- Tulsa

Kansas Markets

- Wichita/Hutchinson
- Topeka

Wyoming Markets

- Cheyenne/scottsbluff
- Casper/Riverton

About Us

Founded in 1947, the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) and the Emmy® Award stands for the best in television and allied media.

NATAS is the only non-profit organization dedicated to recognizing outstanding achievement, raising industry standards, and improving the quality of what we watch.

The Heartland Chapter was formed in 1986, to honor work produced and intended for an audience in our region.

Contact Us

Please email office@emmyawards.tv

Board of Governors

The Heartland Chapter’s Board of Governors is comprised of members of our industry who are committed to furthering the interest of the Heartland Chapter and the Emmy® Awards. They meet monthly and volunteer their time; most are elected by the membership to a 3-year term.

Any Heartland chapter member in good standing may apply for a position on the board; elections are held in the fall.

Officers are elected by the board members to a 2-year term of office. Chapter Council Representatives represent our chapter in the business of the national NATAS organization and between the other regional NATAS chapters nationwide.

Board Members
ELECTED

Andrew Barker - KJRH, Tulsa
Joanna Kail - Wyoming PBS, Riverton
Sarah Klinger - KETV, Omaha
Annette Lawless - KWCH, Wichita
Travis Lupher - KMGH, Denver
Ali Meyer - KFOR, Oklahoma City
Mark Pinkerton - KOTV, Tulsa
Paula Roth - Freelance Producer, Denver
Amy Sabreen - Sabreen Media, Denver
George Taylor - KWCH, Wichita
Valerie VanDerSluis - KTWU, Topeka

Board Members
APPOINTED

Dago Cordova - KCNC, Denver
Nathan Higgins - KUSA, Denver
Tony Kovaleski - KMGH, Denver
Isaias Medina - KDVR, Denver
Jeremy Moore - KRMA, Denver

Emeritus

Bill Perry - Oklahoma City

Officers

Nathan Higgins - President
Annette Lawless - 1st VP
George Taylor - 2nd VP
Val VanDerSluis - Secretary
Tony Kovaleski - Treasurer

Chapter Council Reps

Carl Bilek
Traci Bilek
Nathan Higgins

Committee Chairs

Annette Lawless - Awards/PR
George Taylor - Programs
Paula Roth - Sponsorship
Drew Barker - Education
Nathan Higgins - Silver Circle
Tony Kovaleski - Finance
Drew Barker - Education

Office

Traci Bilek - Executive Director

Help & FAQs
So, what goes in that description section on the entry form?

1. Definitely explain:

- Any edits that you made and where they are and why you made them
- The segments in your composite, their first air date, and where they are in the video
- Any footage that is not original to the entry video - that aired someplace else first
- Any footage in the video for which you don't own the rights, and where it occurs

2. And:

- The description is for those who will be judging your video. They do what you do. Target your message to them, not to the general public
- The judges will be watching the video, you do not need to tell them What it's about
- Rather, describe Why it was produced, and issues with How it was done, and Who is the audience
- Also, any interesting producer-stories around the production that have a bearing on Content, Creativity or Execution
- Try to keep it under a hundred words

One-minute FAQ Videos

What's new for 2021 (still relevant for 2025!)

What’s the Scoop on Judging?

Two Statues for the Same Work?
No Way!

Time is Relevant... What time is it?

Can Managers Enter?
Nope.
(except in a few categories)

Your Video – ALL Video – Must Be Produced and Intended for a Local Audience

Submit the Entire Series or Several Episodes, Not Both

History
National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences

The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences was founded in 1955. It is dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News, Sports, Daytime, Public Service and Technology.

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a professional service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy® Award for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime Entertainment, Daytime Creative Arts & Entertainment, Public & Community Service, Technology & Engineering, and Business & Financial Reporting. Regional Emmy® Awards are given in 19 regions across the United States. NATAS also presents the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Global Media Awards™ which recognizes excellence in the world-wide intersection of digital entertainment and technology. Emmy® Awards given out for primetime programming are presented by our sister organization, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS). Beyond awards, NATAS has extensive educational programs including Regional Student Television Awards for outstanding journalistic work by high school students, as well as scholarships, publications, and major activities for both industry professionals and the viewing public.

Copyright and Trademark
EMMY® NAME AND EMMY® STATUETTE POLICIES

The Emmy® name and the Emmy® statuette are the trademarked property of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“NATAS”) and The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“ATAS”). Additionally, the Emmy® name, logo and statuette are licensed to the International Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (“International Academy”) for International Emmys®.

  1. Emmy® honorees or those congratulating them may at any time refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that the honoree has received an Emmy® award and may for one (1) year after an award is made, use a replica of the statuette in advertising and publicity which appears in print, by broadcast or over the Internet.
  2. During each year Emmy® nominees or those congratulating them may refer in advertising and publicity to the fact that the nominee has been nominated and, provided that such nominees are clearly identified as such, may during the period from the announcement of nominations until the following awards presentation use a replica of the statuette subject to the requirements set forth below.
  3. Broadcasters, cable services and Internet sites may use the Emmy® name and statuette in connection with promotional announcements for programs or broadcasters (or the like) which in fact have been awarded an Emmy® as long as it is done within one (1) year after the awarded has been awarded and not thereafter.
  4. Subject to obtaining specific authorization from the chief operating officer of the appropriate Academy (i.e. the NATAS for Daytime Emmy®, Sports, News & Documentary, and Technology & Engineering Emmy® presentations and other regional Emmy® presentations and ATAS for Prime Time Emmy® and Los Angeles Area Emmy® presentations), sponsors of Emmy® Awards presentation may use a copy of the Emmy® statuette and the Emmy® name in advertising provided that (i) the advertising occurs at or near the time of the presentation of the Awards show and (ii) advertising makes specific reference to such sponsorship of the show. No other commercial use of the Emmy® name or statuette is permitted.
  5. In the case of DVDs, videos and electronic productions, Emmy® honorees and/or producers of Emmy®-honored programs may reference the fact of their receiving an Emmy®; however the statuette may not be used unless it is capable of being removed from all copies or transmissions within one year after the award is granted.
  6. Whenever the statuette is used it should appear facing left and must be accompanied by ® at its base (denoting trademark protection). The word “Emmy” is also trademarked and whenever possible its use should appear as follows: “Emmy®“. Any deviation from these instructions must be pre-approved. A copyright notice for the statuette is no longer mandatory, but when used should read “©ATAS/NATAS”.

The Academies have adopted the following rules concerning use of clips from their respective Emmy® awards presentations:

  1. Use of Excerpts from Emmy® Award Presentations in News Programming and Similar Programming:
    Audio and audiovisual excerpts from Emmy® Award presentations may be used in news broadcasts (Including Internet transmissions) about these events which occur within two (2) days from the time the presentations are initially presented, except that excerpts may be used in week-end-type news shows during the weekend following the initial presentation. Exceptions to the two (2) day limit must be approved in writing by the chief operating officers of the applicable Academy. In the case of news reports in foreign countries, excerpts may be used during a reasonable period (to be approved by the chief operating officer of the Academy involved) following the presentation or the first broadcast of the event in the foreign territory, if later. In addition to uses described above, and, subject to clearance as outlined below, the policies governing use of excerpts for other news purposes are as follows:
    • Excerpts may be used in current news stories which relate to a recipient of an award, e.g. a current news story regarding a recipient (such as a death or marriage);
    • Excerpts may be used in retrospectives and similar programs and documentaries dealing with the career or history of recipients;
    • Excerpts may be used in another awards show.
    In all cases, the user of the excerpt must assume (and will be deemed to have assumed) all clearance obligations, i.e. clearance of individuals (other than uses in current news shows), union clearances and music clearances. In no event may the clip contain excerpts from another production (e.g. an excerpt from a program receiving an Emmy®) unless the copyright owner of the other production consents on terms acceptable to such copyright owner. Each Academy reserves the rights to (i) limit the period of time during which an excerpt may be used and (ii) charge a fee for the uses of excerpts described in subclauses a. – c. above.
  2. Use of Excerpts in Entertainment and Other Programming:
    Excerpts of the presentation of an award may be used in a promotional announcement for a period of one (1) year following the granting of the award, provided that the primary purpose of the promotional announcement is to congratulate the program or individual so honored:
    • Excerpts of Emmy® Award presentations may be used in DVDs, videos and Internet uses of both pre-existing productions and of new productions provided that the primary purpose of the use is to honor the awardee (e.g. a DVD containing a year’s series of a show that received an Emmy®). Additionally, with authorization from the appropriate Academy, excerpts may be shown at non-broadcast public events (e.g. a dinner) provided the primary purpose of use of the excerpt is to honor the individual or program honoree who/that is the subject of the excerpt.
    • Excerpts may be made available to individual and program Emmy® honorees for personal and Internet use. In the case of Internet use, excerpts may be furnished digitally, or when possible, from a hosted site whereby the excerpt may be embedded. In any case, the digital excerpts shall be non-broadcast and not capable of redistribution or download. Internet license is limited to one hosted source, embedding can be enabled, but all other forms of redistribution including downloading are not allowed.
    • In all cases, the user of the excerpt must assume (and will be deemed to have assumed) all clearance obligations, i.e. clearance of individuals (other than uses in current news shows), union clearances and music clearances.
    In no event may the clip contain excerpts from another production (e.g. an excerpt from a program receiving an Emmy® unless the copyright owner of the other production consents on terms acceptable to such copyright owner.) Each Academy reserves the right to limit the period of time during which an excerpt may be used, except that in the case of DVDs and similar product this limitation shall apply to the period of manufacture, with recognition that items may be sold off subsequent to the end of the license. Each Academy reserves the right to charge a fee for the uses of excerpts described in this paragraph 2.
  3. Use of Excerpts in Commercials.
    Except as provided above for promotional announcements, excerpts from an Emmy® awards presentation may not be used in commercial advertising.

Although the Academies will permit certain uses of the Emmy® name and statuette in other contexts, the unrestricted use of the same violates both the value and stature of the Emmy® and may serve to dilute the marks. Therefore the following uses, although permitted under some circumstances, always require prior express written authorization from the chief operating officer of the Academy from which authorization is sought:

  1. Use of Emmy® Statuette or Certificate as a Prop in a Production. If authorized, the Emmy® statuette or a replica of a nomination certificate may be used as a prop in a production provided that (i) the use is in no way derogatory to the Emmy®, (ii) the use is incidental to the primary story of the production, and (iii) the script and other detail regarding the use has been submitted as a precondition to the Academy’s consideration of its authorization.
  2. Use of Emmy® Replicas; Re-Creations of Emmy® Awards Presentations. Requests for use of replicas of the Emmy® and requests to recreate or simulate an Emmy® Awards presentation must be submitted to the Academy from whom authorization is sought; each request will be considered by the chief operating officer (in consultation with counsel); in cases where authorization is denied, the applicant may request re-consideration by the Executive Committee of the Academy from which authorization is sought.
  3. Use of Emmy® Name or Statuette in Published Works, Websites, and the Like.
    • If approved, the Emmy® name and/or statuette may be used in connection with printed works, websites and the like, provided that the work is of an educational or informational nature and the reference to the Emmy® name or statuette is non-derogatory and is reasonably related to the purpose of the work.
    • With prior approval, Emmy® honorees may from time to time use pictures of themselves receiving the Emmy® statuette or otherwise holding the Emmy® statuette in personal resumes and the like. Pictures of Emmy® winners receiving their Emmy</s statuettes or otherwise holding the Emmy statuette may also be used in printed materials and websites and the like featuring biographical material about such honorees, provided that the use is reasonably related to the biographical material.
    • With prior approval, the Emmy® name, logo and/or statuette may be used on DVDs or similar productions that include programs that have received a program category Emmy® award, indicating that the program has been so honored. Except in unusual cases, as determined by the appropriate Academy, approval for such uses for programs for which individual achievements (but not program category awards) were given will not be allowed.
  4. Uses on Stationery, Business Cards, and the like: Nothing shall preclude an individual or entity from stating the fact that such individual or entity is an Emmy® honoree on their/its stationery or business card, provided that neither the Emmy® logo nor the statuette is used in connection with such factual statement, it being understood that any such use of the logo or the statuette is specifically prohibited.
  5. Use of Emmy® Name or Statuette in Merchandising Prohibited: The Emmy® name and/or statuette may not be used on commercial products or in connection with any merchandising items except with prior approval of the Boards of the Academies. This restriction does not apply to branded merchandising given away at an event with an Academy’s approval, e.g. an Emmy® name or logo on a give-away gift.

These provisions apply to NATAS; readers should contact each of the other Academies to determine their applicable rules as to sponsor identification and Emmy® show activities

  1. Consistent with the Trademark policy prohibiting use of the Emmy® name and logo for advertising and merchandising, the following applies to corporate sponsorship partners of NATAS:
    • Sponsorship partners may, clearly, identify themselves as associated with NATAS; however they may not use the Emmy® name and logo on their products or in advertising material unless specified in the sponsorship contract with NATAS. NATAS’ marketing department or chief operating officer must approve all graphics.
    • Sponsorship partners that get tickets for a show/dinner may use them for employees and clients, but may not offer to re-sell them. Use of tickets for contests must be specifically approved by NATAS.
    • The same rule applies to broadcasters of the shows or their affiliates.