FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:   Elissa Ruffino (NIAF) 202/939-3106 or elissa@niaf.org

**Robert Pisano to Present NIAF Jack Valenti Institute Award**

* Anna Maria Alberghetti, Dana Brunetti, Giuliana DePandi-Rancic at Gala*

(WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 13, 2011) Frank G. Mancuso Sr., former chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio, will be honored at the National Italian American Foundation’s (NIAF) 36th Anniversary Awards Gala in Washington, D.C. Robert Pisano, chairman for the Motion Picture and Television Fund and former president of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), will present Mr. Mancuso with The NIAF Jack Valenti Institute Award on October 29, 2011, at the Washington Hilton. The gala begins with a 6 p.m. reception followed by dinner and an awards ceremony.

Celebrities Frankie Avalon, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Dana Brunetti, Giuliana DePandi-Rancic, Deana Martin, Joe Pantoliano and Mike Piazza will join House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi as well as senior White House and Administration officials at the black-tie gala. Maria Bartiromo, Emmy Award-winning journalist and a member of the NIAF Board of Directors, will serve as the gala’s mistress of ceremonies.

Honorees joining Mancuso include Claudio Bozzo, president of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA) Inc.; Hon. Capri Cafaro, minority leader of the Ohio Senate; Dion DiMucci, rock and roll hall of famer; Hon. Frank J. Guarini, former U.S. Congressman and NIAF chairman emeritus; Emma Marcegaglia, president of Confindustria; Paolo Scudieri, CEO of Adler Plastic S.p.A.; and Hon. Santo Versace, president of Gianni Versace S.p.A. and chairman of the Board of Fondazione Operation Smile Italia Onlus.

Mancuso has had a career in the entertainment and communication industry spanning four decades, culminating with his leadership of Paramount Pictures Corporation and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. During his tenure as chairman and CEO of MGM, he successfully revived the renowned studio by rebuilding both its film and television operations, acquiring Orion Pictures Corporation and PolyGram Filmed Entertainment.

Mancuso came to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. from Paramount Pictures Corporation, where his career spanned nearly 32 years culminating with him becoming Chairman of the Board and CEO. While at Paramount, Mancuso partnered with MCA/Universal to build the USA Cable Network into one of the most watched cable networks in the country. He also established Paramount Broadcast Group with the acquisition of the six TVX television stations.

The NIAF gala is one of the premier annual events in the nation’s capital, attracting more than 3,000 guests from the United States and Italy. Tickets to Saturday’s gala begin at $400 per person. Proceeds benefit NIAF’s educational programs. For tickets or sponsor information, contact Jerry Jones at 202/939-3102, jerry@niaf.org, or register online www.niaf.org/gala.

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the heritage and culture of Americans of Italian descent.