November/December 2007

Issue Archive

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In This Issue

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President’s Message

Dear NAMIC Members:

Welcome to a new edition of InTouch, featuring the latest NAMIC national and local news.

On behalf of NAMIC, I would like to express gratitude to all who supported and contributed to the incredible success of the 21st Annual NAMIC Conference! This year’s conference, Diversity 2.0: The New Protocol, achieved record attendance with nearly 800 attendees, showcased powerful keynote speakers and top industry leaders, and delivered winning diversity strategies, unique insights and powerful tools to help companies and employees achieve business success.

To help guide our plans for the 2008 Conference, please click here and take a few minutes to complete the Online Conference Survey. Save the date for the 22nd Annual NAMIC Conference on September 14-16, 2008 at the New York Marriott Marquis.

In addition to the national Conference, our chapters have produced exceptional events and programs. "Chapters In Action" features an exciting recap of local activity. Also, be sure to mark your calendar for upcoming 2007/2008 events and programs listed in the “NAMIC Calendar.”

Should you have questions about any events or educational offerings featured in this issue of InTouch, please contact the NAMIC national headquarters at (212) 594-5985 or email us at info@namic.com.

Kathy A. Johnson

President

NAMIC Newsflash

Annual NAMIC Conference Buzz

Diversity 2.0: The New Protocol

Dynamic and insightful, the 21st Annual NAMIC Conference was bolstered by record-breaking attendance with nearly 800 professionals on-hand.

Click here to review the Annual NAMIC Conference Blog and recapture many of the exciting moments such as Anderson Cooper, host of CNN’s "Anderson Cooper 360" and the 2007 recipient of NAMIC’s Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award, as he accepted his honor; Author and journalist, Mariane Pearl’s inspiring keynote address; presentation of NAMIC’s Excellence in Multi-cultural Marketing Awards (EMMA); highlights of NAMIC’s inaugural Television Writers’ Workshop; General and Educational Track Sessions which featured an impressive roster of top executives, business leaders, media icons and more!

Pictured above: CNN’s Anderson Cooper

Pictured above (left to right): Alicin Reidy-Williamson, Chair, NAMIC National Board of Directors and SVP, Corporate Responsibility and Public Affairs, MTV Networks; Author and Journalist, Mariane Pearl; Kathy A. Johnson, President, NAMIC; and David M. Porter, Jr., Executive Director, Walter Kaitz Foundation.

Pictured above (left to right): David L. Cohen, EVP, Comcast Corporation and Conference Honorary Co-Chair; Kathy A. Johnson, President, NAMIC; Charisse R. Lillie, VP, Human Resources, Comcast Corporation, SVP, Human Resources, Comcast Cable Communications and Conference Planning Co-Chair; Alicin Reidy-Williamson, Chair, NAMIC National Board of Directors and SVP, Corporate Responsibility and Public Affairs, MTV Networks; Marsha J. Conaway, Regional VP, Human Resources, Midwest Region, Time Warner Cable, Conference Planning Co-Chair and NAMIC National Board of Directors; Sandra Murillo Weber, VP, Multicultural Market Development, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., NAMIC National Board of Directors and Conference Planning Co-Chair; and Andrew T. Heller, President, Domestic Distribution, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and Conference Honorary Co-Chair.

SAVE THE DATE for the 2008 Annual NAMIC Conference - September 14-16, 2008 at the New York Marriott Marquis!

2007 Hispanic TV Summit

NAMIC’s own Multicultural Marketing Committee produced one of the most dynamic panels at the Fifth Annual Hispanic TV Summit. Titled "Audience Promotion and Marketing — Attracting Audiences to Programs on New Media Platforms," this panel focused on how programmers are increasingly utilizing alternative distribution platforms and how these options bring a host of unique marketing challenges for TV promotions and advertisers.

The Fifth Annual Hispanic TV Summit, produced by Broadcasting and Cable and Multichannel News, included a gathering of top-level television executives at New York’s Marriott Marquis on October 3-4, 2007 to explore the most exciting developments in the Hispanic television market.

Moderated by Sandra Murillo Weber, VP, Multicultural Market Development, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and a member of the NAMIC National Board of Directors, NAMIC’s engaging panel consisted of some of the industry’s top executives in the multicultural marketing arena: Lucia Ballas-Traynor, SVP and GM, MTV Tr3s; Mauro Panzera, Senior Director, Multicultural Marketing, Comcast; Arminda Figueroa, President, Latin2Latin; Ralph Rivera, VP and GM, AOL Latino; Michael J. Steinwender, VP and CTO, POP Solutions; and Caleb Windover, SVP/Managing Director, MV42.

Pictured above (left to right): Sandra Murillo Weber, VP, Multicultural Market Development, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and NAMIC National Board of Directors; Mauro Panzera, Senior Director, Multicultural Marketing, Comcast; Arminda Figueroa, President, Latin2Latin; Daphne Leroy, Director, Marketing and Communications, NAMIC; Lucia Ballas-Traynor, SVP and GM, MTV Tr3s; Kathy A. Johnson, President, NAMIC; Ralph Rivera, VP and GM, AOL Latino; Michael J. Steinwender, VP and CTO, POP Solutions; and Caleb Windover, SVP/Managing Director, MV42.

Career Corner

Participate in NAMIC's Mentorship Program

NAMIC is currently recruiting mentors and mentees for the January 2008 cycle of the L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program. NAMIC’s mentoring program was established in 1993 and renamed in 1997 in honor of the late L. Patrick Mellon, one of NAMIC’s founding members. The goal of the program is to facilitate diversity in the communications industry by pairing NAMIC members with professional mentors who will assist them with their career advancement strategies.

"I have served as a mentor and mentee and it was extremely gratifying from both perspectives. As a mentee, I had tremendous experience with a very senior-ranking executive that helped make a difference in my career," said Douglas Holloway, President, Cable Investments, NBC Universal. "As a mentor, I received a lot of fulfillment in knowing that I was giving someone insight into their career that they may not have received from anyone else. In the end, I found that information makes a difference."

To learn more about the L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program, please visit our website by clicking here. If you have questions, please contact please contact NAMIC at 212.594.5985 or via e-mail at info @ namic.com.

Looking For Diverse Candidates? Looking For Your Next Big Career Move?

The NAMIC Job Bank is the leading resource for connecting employers and highly qualified diverse job candidates in the communications industry.

Job Seekers: The NAMIC Job Bank provides you with access to the best employers and jobs in the communications industry.

• Advanced job searching options
• Control over your career advancement
• Increased exposure for your resume
• Optional email alerts of new jobs

Employers: Access a diverse talent pool of nearly 2,000 professional NAMIC members and their networks by listing your job openings in the NAMIC Job Bank.

• Quick and easy job posting
• Quality candidates
• Online reports to provide you with job activity statistics
• Simple pricing options

NAMIC members may search the Job Bank for FREE.

Click here for more information.

Special offer for employers! Use the promotion code AAB07 to receive a 10% discount on the job posting package of your choice. Offer good through 12/31/07.

NAMIC On the Scene

NAMIC-Denver Wins First Annual Cable Center Showdown

Congratulations to NAMIC-Denver - Cable 411 Bowl Champions!

NAMIC-Denver has bragging rights as the winner of the first annual Cable Center Showdown held on Wednesday, October 10, during "Cable Days" at the Cable Center in Denver. The trivia challenge brought together teams of four from each local cable organization (Cable Positive, CTAM, NAMIC and WICT) to battle it out in game show format for $1,000 for their organization and the Cable Center Showdown trophy.

NAMIC-Denver’s winning team members included:

• Eric Brown, EVP, Affiliate Sales, The Africa Channel
• Maura Fried, Director, Affiliate Strategy and Planning, The Sportsman Channel
• Paul Maxwell, Writer, Journalist (CableFAX, CableWORLD, The BRIDGE, MaxBLOG) and the team’s illustrious coach
• Tom Southwick, SVP, Corporate and Government Relations, Starz LLC and author of Distant Signals
• Tracy Jenkins Winchester, President/CEO, CoLours TV

In addition to taking home the check and coveted trophy, Tracy Jenkins Winchester was named the Most Valuable Player. Way to go NAMIC-Denver!

Pictured above (left to right): Joanne Dant, October Strategies; Lela Cocoros, October Strategies; Diane Schieman-Christman, The Cable Center; Tom Southwick, SVP, Corporate and Government Relations, Starz LLC and author of Distant Signals; Maura Fried, Director, Affiliate Strategy and Planning, The Sportsman Channel; Tracy Jenkins Winchester, President/CEO, CoLours TV; Eric Brown, EVP, Affiliate Sales, The Africa Channel; and Paul Maxwell, Writer, Journalist (CableFAX, CableWORLD, The BRIDGE, MaxBLOG)

Chapters In Action

NAMIC-Carolinas

Membership Mixer

October 18, 2007

Capital City Club

Raleigh, NC

NAMIC-Carolinas continued their North and South Carolina membership mixer series in Raleigh where members had the opportunity to meet the chapter board and network with other members.

Pictured above (left to right): Ann Buford, VP, Human Resources, Time Warner Cable; Tom Adams, Division President, Time Warner Cable; Stacy Kline, Director, Human Resources, Time Warner Cable and NAMIC-Carolinas President; Alana Moton, Director, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Discovery Networks; Mae Douglas, SVP and Chief People Officer, Cox Communications and Vice Chair, NAMIC Board of Directors.

NAMIC-Mid-Atlantic

Diversity Luncheon

October 19, 2007

Grand Hyatt Hotel

Washington, DC

Seventy participants attended the luncheon and panel discussion. Moderated by Debbie Smith Rayford, VP, Diversity and Human Resources at Discovery Communications, the discussion delved into diversity hiring practices within the communications industry.

Pictured above (left to right): Benita Fitzgerald-Mosley, President and CEO, Women in Cable Telecommunications; Peter Keeble, Director, Human Resources, Sprint Nextel; Debbie Smith Rayford, VP, Diversity and Human Resources, Discovery Networks; Kyle McSlarrow, President and CEO, NCTA; Andrea Agnew, Director, Diversity and Inclusion, Comcast Corporation; Nissa Copeman, VP, Program and Development, T. Howard Foundation; and Lenore Washington-Graham, VP, Strategic Resourcing, Scripps Networks and NAMIC National Board of Directors.

NAMIC-Mid-Atlantic

A Look into the Future: New Media and Technologies

September 5, 2007

Tower Club

Vienna, VA

Featured speaker Daryl Ladd, VP, Network Development, Cox Communications explored how media consumption will change for Generation Next and the impact on existing business models.

Pictured above (left to right): Simone Alexander, Marketing Coordinator, Next Generation Awareness Foundation, Inc.; Dianne Earley, VP and GM, Cox Media; Tamara Robinson, Marketing Representative, C-SPAN; Darryl Ladd, VP, Network Development, Cox Communications; Garnett Campbell, VP, Human Resources, Cox Communications; Stacey Simmons, Senior Marketing Manager, TV-One; Kimberly Smith; Public Relations Chair, NAMIC-Mid-Atlantic; and Pamela Ford, Assistant Director, Communications, National Cable and Telecommunications Association and NAMIC-Mid Atlantic President.

NAMIC-Tennessee

You 2.0: Making the Connection

October 16, 2007

The Foundry

Knoxville, TN

Forty persons attended a mentoring luncheon moderated by Bernard Guinyard, NAMIC’s Education Manager. Participants received advice from industry executives, and learned success stories from participants in the NAMIC L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program.

Featured Mentors:

• Mae Douglas, SVP and Chief People Officer, Cox Communications and Vice Chair, NAMIC Board of Directors
• Harold Lewis, VP and GM, The Weather Channel Radio Network and Newspaper Syndication
• Christy Pruitt-Haynes, SPHR, Director, Human Resources, CMT and MTV Networks
• Patricia Robledo, Owner, Robledo Translations, LLC
• Alvin Williams, Senior Director, Music Industry Development, Gospel Music Channel

Pictured above (left to right): Bernard Guinyard, Education Manager, NAMIC; Sarah Trahern, SVP-Programming, GAC; Christy Pruitt-Haynes, SPHR, Director, Human Resources, CMT and MTV Networks (Nashville); Harold Lewis, VP and GM, The Weather Channel Radio Network and Newspaper Syndication; Mae Douglas, SVP and Chief People Officer, Cox Communications and Vice Chair, NAMIC Board of Directors; Patricia Robledo, Owner, Robledo Translations, LLC.; Hana Kim, Reporter, WATE-TV; Jonathan Palmer, Senior Account Director, Scripps Networks and NAMIC-Tennessee President; and Alvin Williams, Senior Director, Music Industry Development, Gospel Music Channel.

Membership Spotlight

Member of the Month: Marco Williams

Marco Williams

NAMIC-Southern California

VP, Affiliate Marketing

The Africa Channel

Los Angeles, CA

How long have you been a NAMIC member?

I have been a member since 1992 and must say the organization's growth has been tremendous.

Why did you join NAMIC?

The original name as the National Association for Minorities in Cable was the initial appeal to interact with other minorities via a vehicle that had a nationwide presence. Although my employer, BET Networks, was unique and embraced diversity, NAMIC also provided me a great opportunity to contribute to the industry at-large. I especially enjoy the organization’s commitment to broaden its scope but keep its vision by renaming itself the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications - a true commitment to NAMIC’s mission to educate, advocate and empower for multi-ethnic diversity in the communications industry.

How are you involved with NAMIC?

I’m currently the Membership Chair for NAMIC-Southern California and will assume my post as chapter VP in 2008. I’ve participated on the Vision Awards fundraising committee for numerous years along with securing sponsors for local chapter events. I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement as a mentor and most recently I signed up as a mentee for the L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program.

What lead you to seek a career in the cable/communications industry?

In the early 90’s it was a perfect transition for me from a radio account executive to this appealing industry, and with that, my career began. It was new and provided endless possibilities as seen with VOD/ SVOD offerings, HDTV, PPV appeal, enhanced channel selections and a plethora of marketing tactics.

Tell us a little about your position at the Africa Channel?

As VP of Affiliate Marketing I’m primarily involved in both national and local branding efforts including: third party sponsorships, Africa trips and other sweepstakes, securing radio/ print interviews, planning new launch event activities, identifying booth presence opportunities for the network, maintaining an affiliate database, building network presence via panel involvement, working with production for cross channel creative/ marketing collateral and updating portions of our website, www.theafricachannel.com.

What's the one thing about you that's not on your resume that you are willing to share with other members of NAMIC?

I really enjoy reading and landscaping — both allow me to unwind and literally smell the roses!

Favorite Quote:

"Nothing can dim the light that shines from within." — Maya Angelou

Movers and Shakers

Elle Butler of Scripps Networks has been promoted to Public Relations Manager.

Kerry Chandler, a former member of the NAMIC National Board of Directors, has been named SVP, Human Resources for the National Basketball Association (NBA). Prior to that, Chandler was SVP, Corporate Responsibility for the Walt Disney Co.

Congratulations to Charmaine Chapman and her colleagues at Beyond the Box Communications on being granted certification as a Minority Business Enterprise by the Southern California Minority Business Development Council, a regional division of the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

The October issue of Essence magazine features 11 Women of Influence, including Alicin Reidy-Williamson, Chair of the NAMIC National Board of Directors and SVP, Corporate Responsibility and Public Affairs for MTV Networks. Also included are Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO of BET Networks, and Paula Madison, NBC Universal’s EVP for Diversity.

Rachel Vassel, ELDP alumnae and former The Weather Channel executive, has a new book in stores now... Daughters of Men: Portraits of African-American Women and Their Fathers.

Share your goods news with us via email at info@namic.com for inclusion in the next issue of InTouch.

NAMIC CALENDAR

2007

Nov 13

NAMIC-Chicago

Unlocking Your Leadership Potential: Overcoming Barriers to Successful Leadership

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Comcast

Main Conference Room — Second Floor

1255 W. North Ave.

Chicago, IL

Registration
Members	Non-Members
$20.00	$25.00

Workshop facilitated by NAMIC’s Director of Education, James Jones.

Beverages, hors d’oeuvres and door prizes!

RSVP to as_amores @ cable.comcast.com.

Nov 15

NAMIC-Minnesota

Career Development 2.0 Forum

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

St. Thomas University Minneapolis Campus

Room MOH451

1000 LaSalle Ave.

Minneapolis, MN

A distinguished panel of business leaders will discuss career diversity, preparation, networking and mentoring.

Special Invited Guest: Don Selby, WCCO TV anchor

Light appetizers will be served.

Registration
Members and Students	Non-Members
$5.00	$10.00

RSVP to diana_hawkins @ cable.comcast.com or 952-607-4221 by November 11th.

Dec 5-7

Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP)

Class VII, Session II

By invitation only

UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management

Los Angeles, CA

2008

Feb 12-15

Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP)

Class VII, Session III

By invitation only

UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management

Los Angeles, CA

Spring

NAMIC-Southern California

West Coast Creative Summit/NAMIC Vision Awards

Los Angeles, CA

For information about sponsoring this event, please contact Danny McGlone at (212) 594-5985, ext. 13.

For general information about this event, please contact Sandra Girado at (212)594-5985, ext. 23.

April 16-18

Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP)

Class VII, Session IV

By invitation only

UCLA Anderson Graduate School of Management

Los Angeles, CA

May

Annual Awards Breakfast (at the NCTA Cable Show)

New Orleans, LA

Sep 14-16

22nd Annual NAMIC Conference

New York Marriott Marquis

New York, NY

NAMIC STAFF

Kathy A. Johnson

President

James C. Jones

Director of Education

Daphne Leroy

Director of Marketing and Communications

Daniel J. McGlone

Director of Fund Development

Stana Fields

Chapter and Membership Services Manager

Sandra Girado

Meetings and Events Manager

Bernard Guinyard

Education Manager

Susan Waldman

Research Manager

Roxann Remekie

Project Coordinator

Michelle Lewis

Office Administrator