Events | NAMIC | National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications

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Downsized, But Not Out

With the economy in a tailspin, and entire industries facing uncertain times, there’s a new round of layoffs every day. Even if you are doing a great job, you could still get called into the corner office for some gut-wrenching news. It may be helpful to remember that workforce reductions often are a numbers game, not a commentary on performance and that even good people are let go in a bad economy.

What’s really critical is what happens next if you are laid off. How can you remain relevant in these extraordinary times, when you are no longer employed? Here are a few tips:

Set the right tone. Don’t play the blame game. Being downsized is a deep and traumatic experience, but especially now, you need to put yourself on a positive path and build momentum for landing the next gig as you climb your career ladder. Downsizing can strike anyone, even top talent. After all, those employees with the biggest packages (salaries and benefits) become prime targets. When cutbacks must be made, they’re often the most logical employees to consider letting go.

Get what’s due. Ask about a severance package, any accrued vacation and sick pay benefits. If you have stock, find out about unvested options. Don’t neglect to file for unemployment benefits. Ask for a reference letter. Keep it on file, just in case.

Budget. Create a new budget and curtail all unnecessary expenses. Frugality has become the new chic, so don’t be concerned with how your cutbacks will be perceived.

Keep your health benefits, if you can. Get information on continuing your health and life insurance benefits. Chances are, if your company had more than 20 employees, you can continue coverage through COBRA at your own expense.

Stay relevant. Here is where job candidates have the most difficulty, but this step is as vitally important as all of the above -- because your career is considered your biggest asset and your best investment. So do the following:

Rewrite your resume. Create one that really highlights your accomplishments and demonstrates your value as a safe ROI on your salary.

Inquire about outplacement resources. Set the wheels in motion for an aggressive job search on all fronts, including job search websites. Make it a point to apply for 30 job openings per day, interview for as many job openings as you can. And be patient. The Department of Labor estimates that on average, it takes four to five months to find a job. As a rule, the more experience you have, the longer it takes.

Network. Network. Network. This is as crucial for industry veterans as for newcomers. It places you, and keeps you, on people’s radar screen. So grow your network. Connect with contacts, and reconnect with people you haven’t spoken to in awhile. And never underestimate anyone’s ability to put you back on track to career success.

Polish your credentials. As a NAMIC member, remember you have resources you can use to land a job. Visit the Job Bank. Network with other NAMIC members. Attend workshops and take advantage of all NAMIC educational offerings.

Reassess your goals. You now have an opportunity to consider a new or different path up the career ladder. So transform this so-called setback into an opportunity to refocus on your goals and perhaps an even more rewarding career choice.

Most importantly, stay positive. Adopting a positive outlook is one of the surest ways to improve your prospects and convince others that you are a great candidate for an opening.

Kathy signature
Kathy A. Johnson
President

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NAMIC to Honor 2009 Next Generation Leaders at Annual Awards Breakfast

NAMIC will celebrate a trio of outstanding future leaders as it presents the NAMIC Next Generation Leaders Awards to executives from Bright House Networks, Cox Communications and Univision Communications on Friday, April 3 at our Annual Awards Breakfast. The event is scheduled from 7:00 – 8:30 am at the Grand Hyatt Washington in Washington D.C.

T.J. Holmes, anchor of the weekend edition of CNN Newsroom and one of today’s most respected young journalists, will serve as host of the Annual Awards Breakfast. Robert J. Miron, chairman of Advance/Newhouse Communications, will serve as honorary chair.

Robert J. Miron, chairman, Advance/Newhouse Communications; T.J. Holmes, anchor for the weekend edition of CNN Newsroom

Two exciting guest speakers will be joining us: Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), who serves as Vice Chairman of the Energy and Environment Subcommittee, and who is serving his second term as Chief Deputy Whip after being appointed to this leadership post by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the 110th Congress. Also, Jorge Ramos, co-anchor of Univision Network News and one of the most eloquent, credible and powerful voices of Hispanic America, will speak. Named one of “the 25 most influential Hispanics in the United States” by both Time and People magazines, he has received many accolades in his distinguished career, including eight Emmy awards and the Maria Moors Cabot award from Columbia University.

Jorge Ramos, co-anchor, Univision Network News; Congressman G.K. Butterfield, D-N.C.

The event is being held in conjunction with the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) Cable Show as part of Cable Connection - Spring.

The Next Generation Leaders nominees are-- Cesar Conde, chief strategy officer & executive vice president at Univision Communications, Inc.; Kashif Haq, strategic execution officer at Bright House Networks; and Toni Stubbs, vice president, Field Information Technology at Cox Communications -- were selected by NAMIC and editors of Multichannel News for the award, which recognizes executives who embody the professionalism that reflects NAMIC’s mission to educate, advocate and empower for multi-ethnicity in communications.

The award, first presented in 2006, widely considered a prestigious industry honor and premier platform for recognizing outstanding business achievements, honors executives of color, age 45 and under. It is presented in three categories. Conde won for the Cable Programmer category; Haq won for Cable MSO; and Stubbs won for Technology.

“We are delighted to honor this group of future leaders, who personify NAMIC’s vision and are helping to shape the future of communications with their outstanding achievements and their commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Kathy A. Johnson, president of NAMIC.

In addition to honoring the Next Generation Leaders, NAMIC will recognize an auxiliary group of executives as NAMIC Luminaries for their commitment to advancing the NAMIC mission by promoting multi-ethnic diversity within their companies and giving back to the communities in which they work and live.

The 2009 Luminaries are:

Bernadette Aulestia, senior vice president, Affiliate Marketing & Product Strategy, Home Box Office, Inc.
Wally Bakare, vice president & general manager, Time Warner Cable Mid Ohio Division
Brenda Freeman, chief marketing officer, Turner Broadcasting
Glenn Goldsmith, vice president, Programming, Mediacom Communications Corporation
Naz Haider, vice president, Business Management, ABC Family
Juan Herrera, vice president, Office of Global Inclusion, MTV Networks
Susan Jin Davis, vice president, Corporate Development & Voice Services, Comcast
Flavio Morales, vice president, Programming, mun2
Michael Parker, area vice president, Connecticut and New York, Comcast
Michael Smith, senior vice president, Marketing, Creative & Brand Strategy, Food Network

Event sponsors include NCTA; Bright House Networks; Mediacom; Suddenlink Communications; Williams & Jensen; The Sportsman Channel; A&E Television Networks; Ensequence; Food Network; Bloomberg Television; ECI Telecom; Retirement Living TV; Mintz Levin; Comcast; Scripps Networks.

Planning co-chairs are Mark Kang, vice president, Affiliate Relations, The Sportsman Channel and NAMIC Board Director; and Danielle Wade, vice president, Customer Service and Marketing, Bright House Networks and NAMIC Board Director.

Tickets for the 2009 NAMIC Annual Awards Breakfast, set for April 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Grand Hyatt - Washington, DC., will be sold onsite.

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NAMIC & Creativity, Southern California-Style

At the 2009 West Coast Creative Summit, Expect Business Not as Usual

Imagine a summit where ideas are generated at every turn, power players who are often unreachable are approachable and eager to discuss new concepts, and professionals of all levels are trading insider tips at must-attend breakout sessions attended not only by industry veterans but aspiring newcomers. Now, add an awards ceremony that rivals Hollywood’s finest ... and you’ve imagined the 2009 West Coast Creative Summit and NAMIC Vision Awards.

The summit, a highlight of NAMIC’s signature conference series, will take place on Friday, April 17 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. It will be anything but business as usual. In fact, the summit this year is themed “Business Not as Usual.”

Presented annually by NAMIC-Southern California, the West Coast Creative Summit includes an educational forum focused on creating, delivering and marketing content across multiple platforms for the multi-ethnic consumer. The agenda is rich and rewarding: an opening general session, panel discussions and networking opportunities. Attendees will gain direct access to top executives in the entertainment arena.

For lunch -- an awards ceremony, hosted by one of Hollywood’s brightest journalists -- Access Hollywood’s Emmy-winning Shaun Robinson, a celebrity in her own right. NAMIC’s 15th Anniversary Vision Awards is the only competition recognizing outstanding achievement in original, multi-ethnic programming. Stars and industry leaders will turn out for this annual ceremony. The presenting sponsor for the summit is Warner Brothers.

Finally, there’s the NAMIC Writers’ Workshop, a two-day seminar at which writers get to hone their craft. The 2009 workshop’s lead facilitator will be Carole Kirschner, veteran television executive and producer. The workshop is sponsored by a grant from the Walter Kaitz Foundation.

If you have questions about registration or if you are interested in purchasing a table or tickets to the Vision Awards Luncheon, contact Sandra Girado at (212) 594-5985, or email her at Sandra.girado@namic.com.

To register for the 2009 Creative Summit, click here.

Shaun Robinson to Host NAMIC Vision Awards for Second Year

In a repeat performance of last year’s successful award show, Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson will once again host the NAMIC Vision Awards.

Robinson, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and soon-to-be author, is a weekend co-anchor and correspondent for “Access Hollywood,” among the most popular entertainment newsmagazines on television.

“We are excited to welcome Shaun back as host of this year’s milestone presentation of the NAMIC Vision Awards,” said Debra Langford, vice president, Inclusion and Business Diversity, NBC Universal, and President of NAMIC-Southern California, which presents the NAMIC Vision Awards. “She is one of television’s most talented, respected and charismatic journalists.”

Robinson has interviewed many of the brightest stars in Hollywood, and her resume includes multiple years as either a host or co-host of top shows. She has covered the red carpet for every major award show, including the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes, the Emmy’s and the Grammy’s. She has co-hosted NBC’s “Miss Teen USA Pageant” (2006), and anchored NBC’s coverage of the 2004 “Tournament of Roses Parade.”

In addition, she served as a presenter for the Latin Grammy’s, “Soul Train Music Awards,” “Stellar Gospel Awards,” “Lady of Soul Awards” and the UNCF’s “An Evening of Stars” celebration, and has been a guest co-host on “The View.”

She has contributed reports for NBC News’ “Today” show, MSNBC, CNN, and “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams.” She won an Emmy for her live coverage of “A Grand Night in Harlem” for the Black Sports and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Before joining Access Hollywood, Shaun was an anchor and reporter for WSVN-TV in Miami, Florida, where she anchored coverage of the Clinton impeachment hearings and Hurricane Georges, which devastated the Florida Keys. Her book, “Exactly As I Am: Celebrated Women Share Candid Advice with Today’s Girls on What It Takes to Believe in Yourself,” is due for release this spring.

The 15th Anniversary NAMIC Vision Awards luncheon will take place on Friday, April 17 1:00 pm-2:30 pm, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

For tickets and more infomation click here

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Nominees Named for 15th Anniversary Vision Awards

Nearly three dozen nominees are contenders for the 15th Anniversary Vision Awards, which is widely hailed as the communications industry’s most prestigious competition for achievement in television programming diversity.

The 15th anniversary is a landmark year, notable for an expansion of the field of competition to include newly-eligible national broadcast networks, local affiliates, local origination programs from cable operators, and VOD content produced for digital platforms. The expansion greatly increases the range of possibilities for quality programming that reflects America’s changing cultural and demographic landscape.

“By expanding the Vision Awards competition to ensure greater inclusiveness, our goal is to honor the growing number of creators fostering diversity across digital entertainment platforms,” said Kathy A. Johnson, president of NAMIC.

The awards will be presented at a luncheon ceremony on Friday, April 17, 2009, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, in conjunction with the NAMIC-Southern California West Coast Creative Summit.

The competition this year is particularly heavy. Judges received 248 entries for 16 award categories: Animation, Children’s, Comedy, Documentary, Drama, Foreign Language, Lifestyle, News/Informational, Original Movie or Special, Reality, Sports, Variety/Talk Show, Best Performance - Comedy, Best Performance - Drama, Digital Media (Short Form), and Digital Media (Long Form). Eligible programs aired between October 1, 2007 and September 30, 2008.

Entries were judged by a panel of industry professionals, who focused on overall imagery, sensitivity to cultural nuance, writing or acting.

Click here for a complete list of 2009 Vision Award nominees

To purchase a table ($1,000) or buy tickets ($125 each), click here.
Click here to view past Vision Awards winners

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NAMIC Moves to New HQ

NAMIC has moved its national office.

As of 2/17/09 NAMIC’s new headquarters address is:

320 West 37th Street
8th Floor
New York, NY 10018

NAMIC’s telephone number and fax remains the same: phone (212) 594-5985 fax (212) 594-8391.

We appreciate your patience during this transition.

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Apply Now For The NATPE Diversity Fellowship Program

Now in its fourth year, the NATPE Diversity Fellowship Program provides a small group of emerging television and video content creators of color with the next step in their career development. The Fellowship offers a series of mentoring meetings, workshops, networking and educational opportunities. The program occurs Tuesday, July 7 through Thursday, July 9, 2009 at The Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Century City, California. At least one NAMIC member will be chosen.

Application Deadline: April 28, 2009

Click here for an application

Click here for more information

Guest Column

7 Principles of Multicultural “Digital” Communication
By Clayton Banks
President, Ember Media

The Diversity Economy is defined as a Diverse Workforce using an inclusive approach in business to produce economic benefit.

Digital Media has ushered in new avenues of interaction and our multicultural society is driving a new “Diversity Economy”. According to Multichannel News, Asian Americans are leading the charge in digital media adoption with 57% having broadband access. A comScore survey reported that Hispanic Internet usage now outpaces television with 56% reporting to spend at least one hour per day online vs. 50% that reported spending one hour per day watching television. The percentage of African-Americans who use the Internet increased to 64% as of December 2008, up from 56% in December 2007, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Are companies considering the subtleties for a multicultural audience to accommodate for the opportunities that exist with the increased penetration of broadband users? Specifically, how is the information getting shared online being transformed into knowledge that leads to company growth? How do you measure your success in the Diversity Economy?

Getting users and building usage leads to making money. ROI in the diversity economy is the same as measuring any digital media initiative (page views, time on site, clicks, referrals, etc.) with one exception; it is imperative to share your diversity with your users and reflect the people you serve. Without that diversity, the relationship with the user is fragile.

Digital media solidifies the fact that growth within the Diversity Economy has never been more important and more accessible.

The Seven Principles
Respect is a unifying force that flows through all humanity but it is especially pertinent to multicultural communication. As such, the 7 principles are based on respect.

Remember, Reach, Reality
Easy, Episodic, Exceptional
Share, Social, Special
Profile, Performance, Priority
Engage, Empower, Enlist
Change, Creative, Current
Trust, Tools, Test

Click here for more

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Career Corner

NAMIC to Co-Sponsor “Cable Cares About Diversity,” Reaching Out to Millennials

NAMIC and the Walter Kaitz Foundation will reach out to Millennials in a novel program, "Cable Cares About Diversity," designed to introduce them to career opportunities in the cable industry.

This joint initiative, presented by NAMIC and the Walter Kaitz Foundation, will occur on Thursday, April 2, during the NCTA Cable Show in Washington, DC.

In addition to educating college students about the cable industry, the program will expose them to business trends and opportunities in telecommunications and digital media, and help them to understand how to decipher current trends that promise to shape future business strategies.

Communications executives will also be on hand to connect with students as they seek to build a talent pipeline for the industry.

“While it’s no secret that the future of our industry lies with the bright young minds in college today, it is the responsibility of industry leadership to reach out to this future workforce in order to welcome them and provide meaningful direction,” said Kathy A. Johnson, president of NAMIC.

Candidates currently enrolled in four-year, accredited institutions of higher learning with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 were invited to apply to participate in Cable Cares About Diversity.

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NAMIC to Host Spring 2009 Writers’ Workshop

As part of its ongoing effort to expand the diversity pipeline with qualified, talented writers of African American, Asian and Latino descent, NAMIC will present its Spring 2009 Writers’ Workshop on April 16-17 at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. The workshop will be held in conjunction with the NAMIC-Southern California West Coast Creative Summit.

Twenty writers of color will participate in the intensive two-day workshop. A panel of judges selected the participants upon review of the writing samples submitted by a field of applicants by the February 20th application deadline.

“The semi-annual NAMIC Writers’ Workshop has evolved as a leading conduit for multi-ethnic writers in the communications industry,” said Jim Jones, vice president of Education Programs. “It presents the perfect opportunity to meet other writers, hone their craft, and learn how to create, package and sell a script, whether for a television drama, feature film or comedy for television or film.”

This year’s workshop will be led by Carole Kirschner, veteran television executive and architect of the CBS Diversity Institute Writers’ Mentoring Program. The program includes professional coverage of submitted material, a one-day, hands-on writing class, a self-marketing seminar, and guest speakers from the entertainment industry and new media.

The Writers' Workshop is made possible by a grant from The Walter Kaitz Foundation.

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Develop Your Potential
Attend the NAMIC Leadership Seminar

One of the biggest mistakes a company can make is to empower ineffective leaders. Are you as effective as you need to be?

Consider sharpening your skills by attending a NAMIC Leadership Seminar.

Launched in 2005, NAMIC’s Leadership Seminar was created specifically to transform high-potential middle managers of color in the communications industry into effective leaders. This program moves to multiple cities making it more convenient for members in every region of the country to take advantage of a powerful resource that can improve your prospects and put you on the ladder to career success.

The next Leadership Seminar Class Session XIII is April 30 - May 1 in Atlanta, Georgia by invitation only. Class Session XIV will take place in Fall 2009 in Denver, Colorado.

The program, limited to 40 applicants per session, brings top academics and practitioners from across the country to provide leadership development for participants. It is designed it to increase participants’ effectiveness at work and strengthen self-awareness and strategic career planning while taking cultural context into account.

Participants must be nominated by their company and selected by NAMIC for this prestigious opportunity.

The ideal candidate for the NAMIC Leadership Seminar is:

A manager, supervisor, coordinator, or relatively new director
A strong performer
On track for promotion or mentioned in the company's formal/informal succession planning
Motivated to succeed and aspiring to higher, more responsible positions
Nominated and supported by his/her supervisor and by senior management for participation in the NAMIC Leadership Seminar

Tuition is $2,500 per person and includes books, materials, and meals. Expenses for travel, lodging, and incidentals are the responsibility of the sponsoring organization.

For more information visit the Leadership Seminar page on our website, email info@namic.comor call the NAMIC National Office at (212) 594-5985.

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The L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program is GOING GREEN!!!

NAMIC is excited to announce the arrival of new, paperless, interactive mentorship software available to our entire membership. With the generous support of the Walter Katz Foundation, NAMIC has secured the service of Mentor Scout to develop a program that streamlines the mentorship process and facilitates member participation in selecting their mentors.

With the new application database, participants will be able to:

Complete their profile and submit their application online
Do a Quick or Advance Search for available participating mentors or mentees
Submit your top three choices of available mentors or mentees
Download NAMIC’s Mentor’s or Mentee’s Guide to Power Mentoring
Submit and complete assignments online
Send private communications to one another
Share positive stories, ideas, articles and good practices with one another

To participate, please visit our website now at www.namic.com or contact Faride Precil, manager of education programs at (212) 594-5985, if you have any questions.

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Step Into the NAMIC Leadership Suite Webinar Series

In an effort to provide access to rich, timely content without the usual expenses, NAMIC is expanding its Leadership Suite to all members. This is an especially attractive option for companies with limited training and education budgets as the global economic crisis continues.

The 2009 series will consist of eight provocative, interactive webinars conducted by experts from academia, the communications industry, and consultants nationally known in their field and experienced at delivering rich content via the Internet.

“These live online workshops offer the best of both worlds -- the ability to participate in intriguing, lively seminars, and the flexibility to learn from experts without the hassles, time-draining constraints or expenses of travel,” said James Jones, vice president of Education Programs for NAMIC.

“Our webinars provide rich learning in a cost effective way one wouldn’t ordinarily be able to access any other place unless they did travel,” Jones said. “And it’s all driving the NAMIC mission of making sure that our multicultural constituencies have the tools that they need to both enrich their current work lives and also to build their asset value to their companies so that they are in line for promotions and enriched job opportunities.”

The webinars are an hour each, many with streaming video or audio. Each offers audience participation, and a chat environment with Q&A opportunities and polling capabilities. Participants can gain access to the archived webinar as a reference tool for relearning.

To participate, all you’ll need is an Internet connection, a phone line, and 60 minutes to spend gaining new knowledge, refreshing your skills, joining in stimulating discussion, and connecting with colleagues old and new.

Planned 2009 NAMIC Leadership Suite Webinars (Tentative)

"INTRA-preneurship: Igniting Your Insider Power"

'"The State of the Media Democracy: Generational Shifts in Media Consumption & Creation"

"Why Good People Make Bad Decisions"

"Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling"

"Swimming In Turbulent Waters: Becoming Your Own Stimulus Package"

"Cultural Scripts At Work"

"Brand Strategies and the Fragmented Media"

"Emotional Intelligence: Harnessing Your E-IQ"

The webinar series is funded by the Walter Kaitz Foundation.

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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 résumé
Optional email alerts of new job

Employers: Access a diverse talent pool of 2,000 professional NAMIC members by listing your job openings on 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 to access the Job Bank.

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Chapter News

NAMIC 2009 Chapter Officers Announced

NAMIC's chapter's actively engage in keeping NAMIC's mission alive at the local level. Newly elected and incumbent chapter officers, representing many of the communications industry’s leading corporations are now serving one-year terms.

NAMIC-Atlanta
President - Lynnette Smith, manager, Specialized Advertising, The Weather Channel; Vice President - Quincy Johnson, director, Technical Operations, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.; Secretary - Anya Johnson, account executive, The Weather Channel; and Treasurer - William Cossey, director, Supply Chain, Cox Communications.

NAMIC-Carolinas
President - Stacy Kline, director, Human Resources, Time Warner Cable; Vice President - Alana Moton, account director, Domestic Distribution, Discovery Networks; Secretary - Kristina Hill, manager, Media Relations, The Inspiration Networks; and Treasurer - Brian Hoffman, regional director, Talent Acquisition, Time Warner Cable.

NAMIC-Central Pennsylvania
President - Markeshia Moore, student, Pennsylvania State University; Vice President - Omar Lewis, student, Pennsylvania State University; Secretary - Amber Mills, student, Pennsylvania State University; and Treasurer - Bryant Powell, student, Pennsylvania State University.

NAMIC-Chicago
President - Carla Moore, director, Affiliate Sales, North Central Region, HBO Services, Inc.; Vice President - Ricardo Sanchez, regional sales manager, Business Services, Comcast Cable; Secretary - Angelynne Amores, director, Regional Corporate Communications, Comcast Cable; and Treasurer - Roger Williamson, manager, Collections, Comcast Cable.

NAMIC-Denver
President - Eric Claytor, vice president, Western Region Sales, TV One;
Vice President - Janice Turner, vice president, Human Resources, Wide Open West; Secretary - Barbara McCoy, coordinator, Corporate Communications/Publicity, Starz Entertainment; and Treasurer - Dawn Bowen, senior planning analyst, PBS Kids Sprout.

NAMIC-DePaul University
President - Tiffany Saxon-Davis, student, DePaul University; Vice President - Andre Bobb, student, DePaul University; Secretary - Evagrace Torres, student, DePaul University.

NAMIC-Houston
President, Dale Elifrits, area vice president, Comcast Cable; Vice President, Zinah Mineyahl, vice president, Technical Operations, Comcast Cable; Secretary, Marisa Bongiovanni, account executive, Univision; Treasurer, Nikia Green, senior manager, Business Operations, Comcast Cable.

NAMIC-Mid-Atlantic
President - Jaye Linnen, manager, Public Relations, Comcast Cable; Vice President - Stacey Simmons, senior manager, Senior Marketing, TV One; Secretary -Orlena Blanchard, vice president, Strategic Marketing, TV One; and Treasurer - Vonya Alleyne, director, Human Resources, Cox Communications.

NAMIC-Minnesota
President - Mohammed Haroon, director, Telephony Operations, Comcast Cable; Vice President - Tom McNeal, supervisor, Inbound Sales, Comcast Cable; Secretary - Kellie Maw, supervisor, IT Support, Comcast Cable; and Treasurer - Chris Wong, supervisor, Sales, Comcast Cable.

NAMIC-New England
President - James Rollins, account executive, Affiliate Sales & Marketing, Disney & ESPN Networks; Vice President - Laura Husband, supervisor, Customer Retention, Cox Communications; Secretary - Nicole Porter, coordinator, Affiliate Marketing, Disney & ESPN Media Networks; and Treasurer - Clyde Lee, senior manager, Sales & Marketing, Comcast Cable.

NAMIC-New York
President - Juan Herrera, vice president, Office of Global Inclusion, MTV Networks; Vice President - Dhanusha Sivajee, director, Affiliate Marketing, HBO; Secretary - Denise Bennett, manager, Integrated Marketing, MTV Networks; and Treasurer - Monica Pons, director, Strategic Sourcing, NBC Universal.

NAMIC-Philadelphia
President - Barbara Gee, vice president, Strategic Sales Alliances, Comcast Cable; Vice President - Deborah Buhles, director, Corporate Travel & Relocation, Comcast Corporation; Secretary - Rakia Reynolds, publicist/producer, Skai Blue Media; and Treasurer - Lea Satterfield, manager, Contract Administration & Service, Comcast Cable.

NAMIC-San Francisco
President - Cheryl Chambers, director, Government Affairs, Comcast Cable; Vice President - Sandra Varner, consultant & founder, Media Relations, Varner PR Agency; Secretary - Mitzi-Givens Russell, manager, Franchise Compliance, Comcast Cable; and Treasurer - Kim Jackson, manager, Employee Development, Comcast Cable.

NAMIC-St. Louis
President - Cheryl Manley, vice president & senior counsel, Charter Communications; Vice President - Aaron Ireland, coordinator, Quality Development, Charter Communications; Secretary - Chandni Thakrar-Ochoa, senior manager, Corporate Voice Operations, Suddenlink Communications; and Treasurer - Dave Bradley, coordinator, Marketing Communications, Charter Communications.

NAMIC-Southern California
President - Debra Langford, vice president, Inclusion and Business Diversity, NBC Universal
Vice President - Marco Williams, vice president, Affiliate Marketing, The Africa Channel; Secretary - Karen Robinson-Hunte, vice president, Program Planning & Development, KECT-TV; and Treasurer - Roger Lewis, manager, Finance Capital, Time Warner Cable.

NAMIC-South Florida
President - Helen Miranda Smith, regional vice president, Human Resources, Comcast Cable; Vice President - Allan Navarrete, vice president, Sales, Latin America, NBC Universal International Television Distribution; Secretary - Lucia Rodriguez, manager, Hispanic Marketing, Comcast Cable; and Treasurer - Dwayne Burke, manager, Marketing, Comcast Cable – Southern Division.

NAMIC-Tennessee
President - Lucia Folk, director, Public Affairs, CMT/MTV Networks; vice president - MaryAnne Howland, president & CEO, IBIS Communications; Secretary - Chandra Towler, manager, Public Relations, Scripps Networks; and Treasurer - Andy Atkinson, account director, Affiliate Sales, Scripps Networks.

NAMIC-Western Pennsylvania
President - Dietrich Delaney, customer account executive, Comcast Cable; Vice President - Nicole Caldwell, administrative assistant, Comcast Cable; Secretary - Erika Julian, customer service representative, Comcast Cable; and Treasurer - Charles Pongibove, lead, Resource Center, Comcast, customer account executive, Comcast Cable.

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2009 Chapter Leadership Forum
NAMIC-Atlanta Named Chapter of the Year
Winning Twice Is Twice as Nice

NAMIC-Atlanta was proclaimed Chapter of the Year for the second consecutive year at the 2009 Chapter Leadership Forum, held February 4-6 at the Palms South Beach Hotel in Miami.

The award was presented during a luncheon emceed by National Board Members Kenetta Bailey, senior vice president, Marketing, WE tv and Mark Kang, vice president, Affiliate Relations, The Sportsman Channel.

“As the recipient of the Chapter of the Year award for the second consecutive year, I was humbled and honored,” said Lynnette Smith, manager, Specialized Advertising, The Weather Channel & NAMIC-Atlanta President, who accepted on behalf of the chapter. “I work with a dynamic group of committee leaders who help set the strategy for our initiatives and seek to execute them in excellence.”

“NAMIC-Atlanta consistently delivered valuable, relevant programming which helps members excel in their careers,” said Kathy A. Johnson, president of NAMIC.

In addition to the Chapter of the Year award that went to Atlanta, seven other chapters received recognition for their 2008 efforts.

Executed Flawlessly - NAMIC-Chicago
Executed Flawlessly - NAMIC-Mid-Atlantic
Executed Flawlessly - NAMIC-Philadelphia
Marketing Excellence - NAMIC-New York
Programming Achievement - NAMIC-Southern California
Show Me the Money - NAMIC-The Carolinas
Watch Us Grow - NAMIC-Western Pennsylvania

The annual Chapter Leadership Forum serves as a valuable opportunity for chapter and national NAMIC leaders to gather for two days to plan ways to further build the capacity of chapters. It also gave national leadership a chance to give a special welcome to the newly chartered NAMIC-Houston chapter.

Pictured above (left to right): William Cossey, director, Supply Chain, Cox Communications & NAMIC-Atlanta Treasurer; Anya Johnson, account executive, The Weather Channel & NAMIC-Atlanta Secretary; Lynnette Smith, manager, Specialized Advertising, The Weather Channel & NAMIC-Atlanta President; and Kathy Johnson, president, NAMIC

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NAMIC Announces New Houston Chapter

Dale Elifrits, President, NAMIC-Houston, presented the Houston charter application at the February 5th National Board Meeting, that took place during the Chapter Leadership Forum in Miami Beach, Florida. The board members in attendance voted unanimously to approve the charter, thus making NAMIC-Houston the 18th NAMIC chapter.

President
Dale Elifrits
Area Vice President
Comcast Cable

Vice President
Zinah Mineyahl
Vice President, Technical Operations
Comcast Cable

Secretary
Marisa Bongiovanni
Account Executive
Univision

Treasurer
Nikia Green
Senior Manager, Business Operations
Comcast Cable

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NAMIC Across the Nation

NAMIC chapters started the year with a host of activities. including these:

Atlanta
On January 28, NAMIC-Atlanta hosted its 2009 Membership Open House at the Loft at Castleberry Hill in Atlanta. At the event, more than 100 current and prospective members attended, heard more about NAMIC’s mission of educating, advocating and empowering for multi-ethnic diversity in communications, and discussed new ways to get involved. Speakers at the event were NAMIC-Atlanta Executive Board and Committee Chairs.

NAMIC-Atlanta Sponsorship Committee Co-Chairs Shawnnell Brown, specialist, Customer Experience for The Weather Channel; and Cassandre Bride, senior program manager, Enterprise Performance Officer for Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. were speakers.

Pictured above (left to right): Quincy Johnson, director, Technical Operations, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. & NAMIC-Atlanta Vice President; Lynnette Smith, manager, Specialize Advertising, The Weather Channel & NAMIC-Atlanta President; Anya Johnson, manager, Affiliate Sales, The Weather Channel & NAMIC-Atlanta Secretary; William Cossey, director, Supply Chain, Cox Communications, Inc. & NAMIC-Atlanta Treasurer.

New York
Despite the threat of heavy snow, more than 150 people were on hand for “Your Year to Shine in 2009,” NAMIC-New York’s kick-off event at One Time Warner Center on February 3. The event, sponsored by Time Warner, was designed to give members an opportunity to catch up with colleagues, join a committee and network with some of the best and brightest minds in the telecommunications industry.

Attendees were treated to a presentation on “The State of Multicultural Marketing,” given by Lisa Quiroz, senior vice president for Corporate Responsibility at Time Warner Inc., and Stephen Palacios, executive vice president for Cheskin. “The information that Time Warner provided was timely and relevant and, hopefully, people can take that information and use it in their everyday work,” said Juan Herrera, vice president, Office of Global Inclusion MTV Networks and NAMIC-New York President “Among other things, it showed viewing patterns and demographic information on Latinos and African-American. It gave us an opportunity to learn more about a project that Time Warner has been focusing on. It was amazing to be there and digest the information. To hear it first hand from the people that commissioned it was great.”

Pictured right (left to right): Denise Bennett, manager, Integrated Marketing MTV Networks & NAMIC-New York Secretary; and Juan Herrera, vice president, office of Global Inclusion, MTV Networks & NAMIC-New York President

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People

Q&A with Mark Garner
Senior Vice President for Distribution, Marketing & Business Development, AETN
NAMIC Board Chairman

How and why did you first become involved with NAMIC?

I joined in 1994-95 and became a member of the San Francisco chapter. I knew all about NAMIC because my father, Nathan Garner, was one of the founders. I joined because I saw it as an opportunity to meet folks who could guide me in my career [and] because of its educational offerings, and I saw it as an oppurtunity to develop my own leadership skills early on in my cable career.

How has NAMIC directly benefited you?

It’s done quite a bit for me. I’ve taken advantage of every opportunity NAMIC has to offer. It has afforded me an opportunity to meet quite a few people, to network in the industry. It’s also given me exposure to different executives that I might not otherwise have gotten to meet. I’ve had the good fortune of having some very high level executives as mentors in the mentoring program.

The educational opportunities have been tremendous, most notably Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP). I attended Class III, and I still maintain contact with quite a few of the alumni. NAMIC also afforded me an opportunity to have a number of leadership positions. I was president of the New York chapter in 1998-99; treasurer of the national organization; I served on the national board; and now I’m chairman.

Why is NAMIC a valuable resource in light of the current economic crisis?

With companies looking really closely at their resources, and making some very difficult decisions, the importance of keeping a focus and highlight on diversity is more important today than perhaps it was prior to the economic crisis. In light of all the decisions that a company has to make, it can be very easily forgotten that maintaining a diverse workforce, and a diverse perspective on your business, is critical to getting through the economic crisis. Your audience is not changing. The consumers of your product don’t change. They are still just as diverse as they were before, and you need to maintain that in your business perspective, from the point of employment, from the perspective of suppliers, of program content, from all those things. So it is more important now, when it is very easy to start cutting and getting rid of resources and not taking into account those things. It’s important for us to aid the industry in maintaining a focus on those things.

TV viewership is on the rise. What does this mean for people of color?

If you look at some of the research that has been published recently, people of color as well as the mainstream audience are finding more and more ways to watch television. That’s why television viewing is increasing, both television in the traditional fashion, online, and mobile. Latinos have a higher propensity to watch mobile video than any other audience. African Americans have always had a higher propensity to subscribe to cable services or premium service than any other group. As other alternatives for entertainment grow more expensive, the correlation with great quality content, and the availability of that content across platforms provides more opportunities for people to access content and still be able to get quality entertainment.

What does this mean for NAMIC?

It’s yet another opportunity to go back to the companies that we represent and support where our membership comes from and highlight the importance of that audience to their business. Most every major media company is looking to expand their presence across the media landscape, and that goes beyond traditional television and goes into online and to mobile. Continuing to emphasize the importance of those audiences will almost mandate that they have to invest in programming that speaks to those audiences. They have to invest in resources within their companies that understand those audiences so that they can properly reach them. They have to invest in research and intelligence that helps them to reach out to the advertising community who wants to understand and reach those audiences. It opens up a tremendous door for NAMIC to provide greater intelligence for all of its constituents, all of its stakeholders.

In its own sense, it’s a mini-stimulus. If you’re finding that your traditional growth opportunities are limited, here’s an audience that has growth beyond your mainstream audience. So it’s now time to refocus and really serve those audiences that have not necessarily been served in a reasonable fashion in the past.

What does the future hold for NAMIC?

The future of NAMIC is to continue to educate people of color on their issues, on the agendas that are important in the industry. To continue to provide top quality leadership development programs. The future continues to be what its past and present is -- to be the voice that brings diversity as a priority.

What does the Obama presidency mean for multi-ethnicity in communications?

I like what I’m hear coming from the Obama administration about a renewed focus on minority media ownership and diversification of media ownership. That’s a specific agenda item that [Obama] has for the FCC and, hopefully, for the new commissioner. I only look at that as a positive. And I would expect and hope to see NAMIC have an active voice in that arena.

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Movers & Shakers

Eric Claytor, NAMIC-Denver President, has recently re-joined TV One, making him vice president, Affiliate Relations/Western region and National Accounts.

NAMIC Board Chairman Mark Garner has been promoted to senior vice president for Distribution, Marketing & Business Development at AETN.

NAMIC-Atlanta’s Lori Hall, who completed Session XI of NAMIC’s Leadership Seminar in New York last year, has been promoted to senior marketing manager at Turner Entertainment Networks Marketing.

NAMIC-New York Chapter President Juan Herrera was recently promoted to vice president/Office of Global Inclusion at MTV Networks. A member of the current ELDP class who has served on NAMIC’s Diversity Roundtable, he was previously MTV’s senior director of Strategic Partnerships.

NBA Digital named added NAMIC-Atlanta’s Eric Jackson to vice president for Business Operations.

NAMIC-Chicago President Carla M. Moore, director of Affiliate Sales - Midwest for HBO - Chicago, has been named airector of Affiliate Sales - North Central. She is a 2007 graduate of the NAMIC Leadership Seminar.

NAMIC-Atlanta’s Donna Northington, vice president for Strategic Planning at Turner Broadcasting, has been promoted to senior vice president for Strategic Planning, Turner Broadcasting System. Northington is an ELDP Class V alumna.

NAMIC-Chicago’s Yolanda Peavy, supervisor, Call Center New Hire Supervisor for Comcast’s Chicago Region, was promoted to manager, New Hire.

Congratulations to NAMIC Board Advisor Johnathan Rodgers, TV One president and CEO, for winning the Trumpet Awards Foundation's Corporate Award.

NAMIC-New York’s Karen Williams, associate publisher, Marketing for Essence Magazine and a Class V alumna of ELDP, was just named one of the 25 most influential Black Women in Business by The Network Journal.

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Upcoming Events

NAMIC Annual Awards Breakfast
(as part of Cable Connection-Spring)
Friday, April 3, 2009
7:00am - 8:30am
Grand Hyatt Washington
Washington, D.C.

Presented in partnership with Multichannel News, industry movers and shakers will gather the morning of Friday, April 3 in Washington, D.C. for NAMIC's Annual Awards Breakfast to honor-- for the third consecutive year-- Next Generation Leaders.

Register on-site

To learn more about hotel options/pricing, please visit http://www.ncta.com/ and click on The Cable Show.

Stay Connected to NAMIC at the NCTA Cable Show
Visit us at the Cable Cares Booth (#3201)

CableCares has organized an industry-wide, two-pronged effort to put new books and educational videos on the shelves of Washington, D.C. school libraries. Thanks to the donations from Cable Show attendees, CableCares is providing thousands of books to Washington, D.C. school children.

Bring a new copy of your favorite elementary or middle school level book to the Cable Show and drop it off at the CableCares and NAMIC Booth #3201 on the exhibit floor.

Click here for more information

NAMIC-Southern California
West Coast Creative Summit/Vision Awards Luncheon
Friday, April 17, 2009
The Beverly Hilton
Beverly Hills, CA

Since 1995, the NAMIC Vision Awards has been our annual salute and primary vehicle to recognize original cable programming that is reflective of the depth and breadth of the lives, spirit and contributions of people of color.

NAMIC-New York
Tuesday, April 21st
Expect To Win: Success & Staying Power in Tough Economic Times
Serafina at the Time Hotel
224 West 49th Street (between Bdway & 8th Aves.)
New York, NY 10019
7:30am – 9:30am

Via an intimate presentation from, Carla Harris, Managing Director at Morgan Stanley will share her authentic and hard-earned insight on charting the path to success. Carla will discuss related topics from her book Expect To Win: Proven Strategies for Success from a Wall Street Vet, including tips on how to secure advisors, sponsors and mentors, branding one's self, getting promoted and ultimately fulfilling your true potential. A dynamic speaker, Carla's straightforward approach and expertise will provide the answers to many of today's tough economic career development questions.

This Harvard Business School alumni will undoubtedly ensure the event’s success, while providing members and non-members with an invaluable opportunity to receive both professional and personal inspiration in today’s economy.

Member Rate: $30.00
Non-Member Rate: $50.00

To register, click here

Breakfast will be served

Voz Latina
The Latin Download: Innovations & Trends
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Eden Roc Hotel
Miami Beach, FL

With the digital revolution changing the way content is developed and distributed across digital media platforms to reach 46 million Hispanic consumers, are you capitalizing on the most effective methods? Understanding the value and importance of Hispanic consumers today creates a fascinating opportunity to increase your market share and learn the best way to reach this extremely influential segment!
For more information or to register, go to www.marketingtohispanics.com

NAMIC members - Use Promo Code NAM449 to SAVE $350 off the full conference rate! This reduced rate is available only for new registrations.

NAMIC-San Francisco
Multi-ethnic Marketing: Trends. Challenges, Successes
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Contra Costa College
Fireside Room
2600 Mission Bell Drive
San Pablo, CA 94806
10:30am – 2:00pm

You are invited to hear a panel of industry executives discuss the current state of multi-ethnic marketing. Lunch will be served.

Members: $10.00
Non-Members: $20.00
Students: $10.00

To RSVP, please email Jada Roseman at Jada_Roseman@cable.comcast.com

NAMIC Western-Pennsylvania
Women of Power
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Comcast
2nd Floor Conference Room
300 Corliss Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15220
3:00pm – 4:30pm

Join NAMIC-Western Pennsylvania to hear a panel of women executives at different levels discuss their careers in the communications industry.

Free admission.

Non-Comcast employees that would like to RSVP, please call 412-875-1348

23rd Annual NAMIC Conference
(as part of Cable Connection-Fall)
Monday, October 26-Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Grand Hyatt
Denver, CO

Multi-ethnic diversity and inclusion are top of mind in progressive companies and the Annual NAMIC Conference offers some of the best educational content.

The conference focuses on business issues related to diversity ranging from programming, marketing, operations, technology and professional development to managing cultural differences in the workplace.

Take advantage of super-early bird pricing. Group registration is back by popular demand for companies wishing to send multiple employees.

Click here to register