I M E C

IMEC began its work in 1967  under the name of  Grupo Liverpool,  devoted to study possible applications of the THEORY OF THE TONE by Miguel Sabido in mass media.  Its first study analyzed the difference in  the tones of  Mexican “comics” such as "CASOS DE ALARMA", "MEMÍN PINGÜIN" and the health brochures of the Mexican Institute of Social Security -IMSS.

        Imec’s President,  Miguel Sabido traveled to Italy to study the differences between the “European” television model, i.e., government monopoly of radio and television, and the “American” model , i.e. free competition. Upon his return,  IMEC proposed to the then President of Mexico Luis Echeverría  the “Mexican Formula for Television”, a unique third alternative designed for Mexico.  

    Under the sponsorship of Emilio Azcárraga Milmo,  IMEC developed theoretical frameworks, production facilities and qualitative and quantitative research for several television formats like telenovellas, teleplay, giant screens, etc, looking for the SOCIAL USE OF COMMERCIAL TELEVISION

IMEC designed the "WORLD ENCOUNTERS ON COMMUNICATION” (ENCUENTROS MUNDIALES DE COMUNICACIÓN) (I) 1974, (II) 1979.

Likewise IMEC developed the theoretical framwork, production procedures and evaluation of a system to preserve the traditional folk cultures of Mexico taking the “Pastorela” (Christmas pageant) as the analysis unit.

 The Telenovella “Ven Conmigo” (Come with me) (1974) designed and written by Miguel Sabido, led almost one million adults to enroll in the Adult Elementary School Program, according to data by the Ministry of Education of Mexico. 

The three telenovellas devoted to Family Planning “Acompáñame” (Come along with me) (1976), “Caminemos” (Let’s walk together) (1978) and “Vamos Juntos” (Let’s go together) (1980) were a key factor in the so called “Mexican Demographic Miracle” in which the growth rate went from 3.7 a 2.4. Without that miracle Mexico would have a population of 140 million people instead of the 98 millions it has now, based on figures certified by agencies such as PCI – Population Communication International.

   

  IMEC designed the theoretical frameworks and production procedures of panel shows  such as “Contra Punto" and “Los Encuentros Vuelta” in 1993 and 1995. The last  social benefit telenovella designed by IMEC, under the sponsorship of Emilio Azcárraga Milmo, was “Los hijos de Nadie”, devoted to street children.

 Thanks to David Poindexter the international work of IMEC has been very ample.  IMEC through its President, Miguel Sabido, was a consultant to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and its methodologies were used for the production of the Indian telenovellas “Hum log” (Acompáñame) y “Hum raavi” (Vamos Juntos), one radio novella in Kenya, another one in Tanzania, a weekly serial in the Philippines and a telenovella in China.

 

Prime Minister Gandhi,  D. Poindexter, CarmenGalindo, S.Alarcón, Miguel Sabido and Amb. De la Lama

 This research work formed by Theoretical Framework, Production Procedures, and Qualitative and Quantitative Evaluation in printed media, radio and television has been widely recognized in the world . IMEC is considered as the world pioneer of the "Entertainment Education" concept, which is now in vogue around the world: to use the large mass communication circuits set by commercial television and radio networks to provide a social benefit for their audiences without jeopardizing ratings, share or sales power. 

In the last two years the IMEC has been studying the SOCIAL USE OF THE INTERNET. Its results will join previous research in order to form the TONAL  MULTIMEDIA MODEL FOR SOCIAL  BENEFIT.

This year we are celebrating our 25th anniversary of continuous free activities.                      

Instituto Mexicano de Estudios de la Comunicación A. C