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Bertram van Munster | ASIA

Director

Bertram van Munster is a veteran Dutch-American television producer. He is no stranger to the Emmy award-winning television series as he is Executive Producer/Co-Creator behind The Amazing Race with his wife, Elise Doganieri. 

Previously Bertram was a field producer on the hit tv series - COPS during its early years up to season nine. Bertram developed and brought to television the critically acclaimed reality series "Profiles From the Front Line," about the U.S. men and women fighting terrorism in the Middle East. On both of these series, he has also partnered with film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer (CSI: CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION). He is also the creator and executive producer of "Wild Things," Paramount Television's hit adventure series that ran from 1997-2000, and is still in syndication around the world. 

Elise became a television producer after having worked as an executive in the advertising industry in New York and Los Angeles. She has served as a producer for both "Profiles From the Front Line" and "Wild Things. "Earlier, Elise was a partner in New York-based Open-i-Media, a cutting edgeInternet consulting firm that developed strategies, design and interactive solutions for several Fortune 500 companies. Elise is also Executive Producer and a partner with Oprah Winfrey and her Harpo Productions forth coming reality series for ABC, "The Big Give." 

THE AMAZING RACE was born out of a "wager" between Elise and Bertram. After the two attended a boring, uneventful industry trade convention, Bertram bet Elise that she could not come up with an idea for a new TV series in five minutes. Elise took the challenge and suggested a show about a trip around the world. They pitched the idea to CBS, who bought it on the spot. 

This last consecutive Emmy win (at the 59th Annual Emmys in 2007) placed this unique reality series in the ranks of such legendary and prestigious Emmy winner shows as "Cheers," "Frasier" and "West Wing." The hit reality series continues on CBS in 2007- 2008.

The launch of the 12th season posted its best delivery ever for a first episode of any edition of the show inhouse holds and viewers, with 13.72 million people tuning in. It was also its best delivery in the 18-to-49 demo since 2005. The ratings success came on the heels of the show winning its fifth consecutive Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Competition Program. "And people still tell me I'm doing it wrong! "quips the show's co-creator and executive producer, Bertram van Munster".

In addition to shoring upslots on broadcasters around the world, The Amazing Race has also spawned a successful pan-Asian version, which is heading into its forth season of production on AXN Asia.