• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, March 16, 2009

Univision, known for some of the flashiest upfront galas, has decided to forgo the fandango this year. Gone will be CEO Joe Uva taking a turn as a would-be Broadway star, or executives making an entrance by being lowered from the ceiling.

The network instead said it would hold a series of client meetings next month in several regions, tabbed "Partnership Forums." New York, Los Angeles and Miami will be among the five sites.

Univision, which also operates TeleFutura and cable network Galavisión, indicated that it would look for discussions to focus on ways for advertisers to use its multiple properties. In addition to the three networks, those include local TV and radio stations and Web properties, including a Spanish-language NFL site.

Word of Univision's decision to hold more intimate client meetings rather than a New York upfront presentation comes after competitor Telemundo said last week it would do the same. It said it would hold meetings this month in Miami, perhaps looking to establish dialogue before some shows go into production.

Univision has not announced results for the October-December 2008 quarter, but it saw a slight revenue drop for the previous quarter--and at the time, Uva said the decrease was far less than the TV industry at large.