Society gives award to CNNTürk venture

Razi Canikligil NEW YORK / Hürriyet

Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ (3rd R) received CNNTürk’s award in New York. Company photo

The New York-based American Turkish Society (ATS) has given this year’s award to the broadcaster CNN Türk, which celebrated its 13th year of partnership with media giant Turner. The annual award is given to successful partnerships between American and Turkish firms.

The award was presented at a ceremony in New York to Doğan TV Chairwoman Arzuhan Doğan Yalçındağ by American businessman Donald Trump. Turner Broadcasting President and Chief Executive Officer Philip Kent received the award from Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s chief international correspondent.

“We started negotiating for Cartoon Network so that Turkish children would be able to watch Johnny Bravo, but thanks to the broad vision of my father we decided on CNN Türk,” Doğan Yalçındağ said in her speech at the event.

“The cooperation and cultural exchange between Turkey and the United States is very important. I believe that both nations have many values to add to global life. And I believe this venture [CNN Türk] serves this cause,” she said.

Ivanka Trump, IMF head Chrsitine Lagarde, Coca Cola President and Chief Executive Office Muhtar Kent and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright all sent congratulatory messages to celebrate the event. “14 years ago we had a dream to establish a CNN that would bear the same standards in another country. We materialized that dream with you,” said Philip Kent.

Amanpour said CNN had received significant support from CNN Türk during the events of the Arab Spring.