Ernst & Young LLP Conducts Final Ballot Count for 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards(R)

Ernst & Young LLP Conducts Final Ballot Count for 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards(R)

A numerical view of the Emmy Awards' behind the scenes balloting process

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Ernst & Young LLP's Emmy team is finalizing ballot tabulations for the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards to be telecast live from Los Angeles on CBS, Sunday, September 20, 2009, beginning at 8 pm ET.

For the 21st year, leaders from Ernst & Young's Global Media and Entertainment Industry Center will walk the envelopes containing the results down the red carpet in locked briefcases. A series of security measures are taken throughout the balloting process to keep the voting tally confidential until show time. The results are known only by three Ernst & Young representatives until the envelopes are opened on stage during the telecast.

"The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences has relied on Ernst & Young LLP to oversee the voting and safeguard the accuracy and confidentiality of the results for over 20 years," said John Nendick, Ernst & Young's Global Media and Entertainment Leader. "We take great pride in securing the balloting process and maintaining the secrecy of the results as viewers await the outcome. A majority of the Ernst & Young LLP professionals involved with the balloting process are not even aware of who the winners are until they are publicly announced on stage."

Ernst & Young LLP manages multiple aspects of the Emmy ballot process for the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences -- from the nomination process to hand delivering the winners' envelopes to the presenters seconds before they step on stage.

"We work very hard to safeguard the entire voting process and take the appropriate measures to preserve the accuracy and confidentiality of the awards," explained Andy Sale, Ernst & Young LLP Lead Partner for the 2009 Emmy Awards. "Our team uses a combination of technology and traditional hand-counting methods to deliver accurate results."

   By the Numbers: Ernst & Young LLP and the Emmy's Ballot Process     --  6 - number of categories and awards in 1949     --  103 - number of categories on the ballot in 2009 (a more than 1,500%       increase over the first year)     --  15,000+ -- number of ballots Ernst & Young LLP tabulates each year     --  16,500+ - number of ballots received during the nomination and final       balloting process     --  3 - number of people at Ernst & Young LLP who memorize the list of       winners     About Ernst & Young's Global Media & Entertainment Center  

Whether it's the traditional press and broadcast media, or the multitude of digital media, audiences now have more choice than ever before. For media and entertainment companies, integration and adaptability are becoming critical success factors. Ernst & Young's Global Media & Entertainment Center brings together a worldwide team of professionals to help our clients achieve their potential -- a team with deep technical experience in providing assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The Center works to anticipate market trends, identify the implications and develop points of view on relevant industry issues. Ultimately it enables us to help our clients meet their goals and compete more effectively. It's how Ernst & Young makes a difference.

About Ernst & Young

Ernst & Young is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. Worldwide, our 135,000 people are united by our shared values and an unwavering commitment to quality. We make a difference by helping our people, our clients and our wider communities achieve their potential.

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Ernst & Young refers to the global organization of member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity.

This news release has been issued by Ernst & Young LLP, a U.S. client-serving member firm of Ernst & Young Global Limited.

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Source: Ernst & Young LLP

CONTACT: Samantha Sims of Ernst & Young LLP, +1-201-872-1683,
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Profile: International Entertainment