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News & Views

Observations

 

 

 

 

 

Many thanks to all of you who attended the 24th Annual NAMIC Conference, 3D: Diversity, Digital, Demographics during Diversity Week in New York City last week.  Once again, attendees enthused that “this year’s content was the best-ever and is among the most relevant offered in any forum.”

It takes “a village” to pull together an event of this magnitude and complexity.  Our success would not have been possible without our Honorary Co-chairs, Cesar Conde, President, Univision Networks; and Scott Mills, President & COO, BET Networks; our planning committee co-chairs and members; our presenters; and NAMIC staff and volunteers. We also thank our Conference sponsors: A&E Television Networks, BET Networks, Cox Communications, ESPN Deportes, HBO, Motorola, NCTA, The Nielsen Company, Rainbow Media, Scripps Networks, Showtime Networks, Suddenlink, Time Warner Cable, Turner Broadcasting, TuTV, TBS, Univision and WeTV.

If you haven’t done so already, please be sure to give us your feedback and keep the buzz alive by contributing to our Conference blog.  Dr. Leobardo Estrada’s presentation, 21st Century Challenges to Diversity, is now available to NAMIC members at www.namic.com and click on "resources (links)".  In early October, content from the Annual NAMIC Conference general sessions and luncheons will be available on DiversityLive, the NAMIC video network.  Stay tuned.

And, be sure to mark your calendars for the 25th Annual NAMIC Conference on October 4-5, 2011 in New York City. 

Regards,

Kathy A. Johnson
President

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Attendees Were Catapulted into Another Dimension at the 24th Annual NAMIC Conference

“This year’s content was the best-ever”

Those words were frequently uttered during the 24th Annual NAMIC Conference held September 14-15, 2010 at the Hilton New York.  With nearly 600 professionals in attendance, this year’s conference, themed 3D: Diversity, Digital, Demographics, returned to New York City during Diversity Week. 

From the opening keynote by The Honorable Mignon Clyburn, Commissioner, Federal Communications Commission; to the Mentorship Luncheon speaker Eric Liu, Author/Former Clinton Speechwriter/Creator, Guiding Lights Network; to the Conference close with Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award Honoree, MTV Networks, and all of the sessions in-between, attendees came away energized, informed and impressed. 

However, don’t just take our word for it.  Visit the 24th Annual NAMIC Conference blog at www.namic.com for participant commentary on:

• The (sold out) breakfast honoring the CableFAX Most Influential Minorities in Cable and panel discussion, “Building the Diverse Pipeline” with Seth Arenstein (CableFAX Group); Michael Grebb (CableFAX Daily); Rosalyn Durant (ESPNU); Berto Guzman (SiTV, Inc.); Pragash Pillai (Bresnan Communications); Ron Phillips (Comcast Cable); and Loretta Walker (Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.)
• Popular break-out sessions including, Out of Character; The Fresh Starters; The Content Passport; Puddle Jumping: Taking Your Leadership Brand Global; and our plenary sessions 3D: Digital, Diversity, Demographics and The New Original
• Key observations from the panel of EMMA judges at the Excellence in Multi-cultural Marketing Awards (EMMA)

Highlights from this year’s conference are below.

(L-R) – NAMIC Board Chair, Mark Garner of A&E Television Networks; Kathy Johnson, President, NAMIC; Don Lemon, Anchor, CNN Newsroom. Lemon served as moderator of The New Original, a General Session panel focused on television programming diversity

 

Key cable industry executives comprised the Opening General Session panel, 3D: Diversity, Digital, Demographics. The panel discussion focused on the results of the 2010 Census, while addressing the implications of this data for the communications industry, its workforce and consumer base. (L-R) - Juju Chang, News Anchor, ABC’s “Good Morning America” (moderator); Cesar Conde, President, Univision Networks, Pat Esser, President, Cox Communications; Kyle McSlarrow, President & CEO, NCTA; Scott Mills, President & COO, BET Networks; and Laureen Ong, President, Travel Channel.

 

(L-R) -- NAMIC Board Chair, Mark Garner of A&E Television Networks; Judy McGrath, Chairman & CEO, MTV Networks. McGrath attended the 24th Annual NAMIC Conference to accept the 2010 Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award on behalf of MTV Networks during the closing luncheon on September 15, 2010.

(Pictured) -- Eric Liu, author, former Clinton speechwriter and creator of the Guiding Lights Network delivers a keynote address at the L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program Luncheon held on September 14, 2010.

Be sure to visit www.namic.com and click on "resources (links)" to find a copy of Dr. Leobardo Estrada’s Census presentation on 21st Century Challenges to Diversity. In early October, visit www.diversitylive.net to view content from the general sessions and luncheons.

We look forward to seeing everyone back in New York October 4-5 for Diversity Week 2011.

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Raymond Gutierrez to Chair NAMIC Board of Directors

The results of the 2011 NAMIC Board of Directors elections are in. Four new officers were elected to serve two-year terms commencing on November 1, 2010. Seven new directors were also elected.

Raymond Gutierrez, EVP, Human Resources & Administration, CBS Television Networks will serve as Chair. Joining him on the NAMIC, Inc. Executive Committee are: Lucinda Martinez-Desir, VP Acquisitions & Multi-cultural Marketing, HBO (Vice-Chair); Marsha J. Conaway, Regional VP, Human Resources, Midwest Region, Time Warner Cable (Secretary); and Danielle Wade, VP, Customer Service & Marketing, Bright House Networks (Treasurer). Mark Garner, SVP, Distribution, Marketing & Business Development, A&E Television Networks will now serve as Immediate Past Chair.

The newly-elected NAMIC Board Directors are: Rosalind Clay Carter, SVP, Human Resources, A&E Television Networks; Timothy Goodly, SVP, Human Resources, CNN Worldwide; Rishi Malhotra, Managing Partner, 212Media; Diana Mogollon, General Manager, mun2 Television; Meeri Park Cunniff, SVP, Programming Strategy, MTV; Donna Rattley Washington, VP, Government Affairs, Comcast; and Wanda Townsend, VP Government Relations, NCTA.

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Time Warner Family of Companies Lead in 2010 Excellence In Multi-Cultural Marketing Awards (EMMA)

Time Warner Cable was the big winner at the NAMIC EMMAs ceremony on September 14.

Time Warner Corporate won two first place awards in the Case Studies and Campaigns category for the entries “Lo Mejor On Demand” and “timewarnercable.com/espanol Web Rebuild;” and first place in the Marketing Tactics Digital category for “timewarnercable.com/espanol Web Rebuild.” They also won first place in Marketing Tactics Direct Mail for “GMA Pinoy and GMA Life Launch Postcard.”

It was also a home-run for Time Warner Cable-Los Angeles as they won first place awards in the following categories: Marketing Tactics Direct Mail - “Filipino Package Upgrade Direct Mail; ” in Grassroots for “TWCLA HD Outreach Program – Retail Events;” in Print for “Filipino Package Launch Print Ad;” and in Television for TWCLA HD Outreach Campaign – Media Interviews.”

HBO and Turner Entertainment Networks led the Networks/Industry Suppliers division with three first place finishes each with HBO’s “Unmistakable Campaign” win in Digital and Direct Mail, and “Epitafios Season 2 Press Kit” in the All Other Media category.

Turner won first place in: Diversity Awareness for “TNT Hawthorne Inspired Connections; ” in the Grassroots category for “TNT Hawthorne Mocha Moms Screenings;” and in the Out of Home category for “TBS Lopez Tonight Out of Home”

Ernesto Jerez, baseball play-by-play commentator for ESPN Deportes, served as host of the EMMA award ceremony held on Tuesday, September 14 at the Annual NAMIC Conference. In addition to the EMMA winners’ presentation, this “Hot Topics” session of the Annual NAMIC Conference featured a panel of 2010 EMMA judges including, Will Arredondo, Director, Consumer Marketing, Fuse TV; Vicky L. Free, VP, 360 Consumer Marketing, Cartoon Network & Adult Swim; Philip Polk, Director, Segmentation Marketing, Cox Communications; and Lisa Skriloff, President, Multicultural Marketing Resources, Inc. Moderated by Seth Arenstein, Assistant VP and Editorial Director of CableFAX Group, the discussion focused on marketing expertise, highlighting EMMA successes and identifying areas of opportunity in producing culturally-relevant marketing programs that achieve results.

The EMMA competition recognizes the cable industry’s commitment to maintaining best practices, while developing creative, strategic and innovative approaches to ethnic-targeted marketing. The competition is comprised of two award categories: Marketing Tactics and Case Studies/Campaign. Entries submitted within each category were judged within two divisions: Cable Companies/Distributors and Networks/Industry Suppliers. A judging panel of independent industry experts evaluated entries and selected all winners based on sound and innovative strategy, strength of execution against the strategy, evaluations of strategy, implementation and results. Deviating from the traditional “best of” competition method, each entry was judged against a standard of excellence and not against other entrants, resulting in the potential for zero to multiple winners in each category.

Click here to view a full list of winners
Click here to view the video of 1st place winners

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With Leadership Comes Fellowship.  Become a NAMIC Member Today

It just so happens that some of the biggest communications companies also have some of the brightest leaders.  Coincidence?  Perhaps.  But for the last 30 years, there’s one group that guides and gathers all the pacesetters – and that’s NAMIC. 

Great leaders are made, not born.  They’re shaped through a never-ending process of self-study, ongoing education and training, as well as, the advancement of nurturing people skills. 

The best advice for career success from some of the brightest leaders is to foster fellowship.  And when it comes to the communications industry, there’s no better place to get connected than NAMIC.

Fellowship creates a sense of belonging – a collective of brotherhood and sisterhood – that builds a strong foundation for meaningful relationships that can last a lifetime.  You feel united through camaraderie, sociability, and solidarity. 

By joining NAMIC, you’ll learn, network and thrive with powerful industry insights that keep you ahead of the pack. Now is the time for NAMIC. The influence is everlasting – not just on you – but on those you impact. 

Click here to join or renew now!

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The Paley Center for Media Offers Special Discounted Membership For NAMIC Members

Special Promotion for NAMIC Members-Only!
Join the Paley Center as a $70 Individual Member for $50.
Promotion expires October 31, 2010.
Call the Membership Department at 212 621 6780 or email membership@paleycenter.org and mention NAMIC.

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Career Corner

NAMIC Announces Class X Roster for Executive Leadership Development Program

NAMIC is pleased to announce the 2010-2011 class roster for its prestigious Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) presented in partnership with UCLA's Anderson Graduate School of Management. This 11-day program is tailored specifically for the empowerment and advancement of executives of color. ELDP graduates are equipped with a competitive advantage that bolsters career success in a dynamic global industry. More than 300 industry executives have completed the program since its inception in 2001.

ELDP Class X participants are: Sissy Abraham, Sr. Director, Human Capital Management Solutions, Comcast ; Justin Antony, VP, Music and Talent, MTV Networks; Lourdes Arocho, VP, Toys and Games, Nickelodeon Comsumer Products; Carlos Astolfi, SVP and Regional Controller, Turner Broadcasting; Kenetta Bailey, SVP, Marketing, WE tv (Rainbow Media); Armando Benitez, Sr. Director, Production, ESPN; Paul Biava, Area VP of Operations, Comcast; Alvin Bowles, SVP, Bet Brand Solutions, BET Networks; Brian Broughton, Sr. Production Counsel, BET Networks; Selina Campbell, Director, Customer Care, Cox Communications; Roxanne Cloutier, VP, Corporate Applications/Enterprise Applications, Turner Broadcasting; Lynne Davis, Director, Public Relations and Talent Development, Scripps Networks/HGTV; Geoffrey Wayne Davis, RVP, Human Resources, Comcast ; Marina Escobar, Sr. Director, ESPN Creative Technology, ESPN; Monica Franklin, Director, Human Resources - Michigan Region, Comcast; Lino Garcia, General Manager, ESPN Deportes, ESPN; Rachel Gehrls, Director, Partner Marketing, MTV Networks; Terrill Gosa, Sr. Director of Operations, Time Warner Cable; Renita Griskel, Project Director, Emerging Media Content, Scripps Networks; Camille Hammond, Sr. Director, Field Sales, Disney & ESPN Networks; Abe Jennings, VP of Operations, Comcast of Northern Virginia, Comcast; Ajamu Johnson, Director, Supplier Diversity, Comcast; Walter Jones, Director of Field Services, Cox Communications; Abu Khan, VP/General Manager, Comcast ; Andy Ko, Finance Director, MTV Networks; Alana Moton, Director, Field Marketing, Discovery Communications; Takashi Nakano, Director, National Accounts, Scripps Networks Interactive; LaTanya Newt, Director, Orginal Programming, BET; Juan Otero, Sr. Director & Policy Consultant, Comcast ; Janet Parker, VP, Human Resources, Time Warner Cable; Lavatus Powell, VP and Senior Counsel, MTV Networks; Tamara Ratliff, Director, Spike & Comedy Central Partner Marketing, MTV Networks; Sharmila Ravi, Sr. Director, Communications Product Management, Comcast; Teasa Reeves, Director, Learning & Development, Operations - Southeast, Comcast; Janelle Rodriguez, Director of Programming, CNN; Armando Ruiz, VP, Engineering, Time Warner Cable; Lateef Sarnor, Director, BET Networks; Dhanusha Sivajee, Director, Advanced Products & Online/Digital Marketing, HBO; Julie Sun, Sr. Director, Digital Marketing, MTV Networks; Lanze Thompson, VP, Finance, Turner Broadcasting; Vineet Wadhwa, VP, Finance, Time Warner Cable; Raymond Wong, Finance Director, Cox Communications; William Wong, Account Director, National Accounts Fields Ops, Scripps Networks; Meesun Woo, Sr. Director, Sales/Finance and Media Systems, A&E Television Networks; and Meghann Wu, Sr. Director, Strategy and Business Development, MTV Networks

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NAMIC’s Job Bank has Open Positions – Even in this Economy!

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

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Leadership Seminar Produces a New Crop of Leaders

Congratulations to the newest class of Leadership Seminar graduates!  They participated in the two-day program, targeted to supervisors, managers and newly-minted directors, in Houston, Texas, July 29 - 30. 

The graduates are: Bola Akinola, Senior Training Specialist, Mount Sinai Medical Center; Rod Bourn, Process Manager, Cox Communications; Ty Brewer, Associate Manager, HBO; April Childress, Operations Team Lead, Discovery Communications; Norman Choy, Manager, Media Planning, MTV Networks; Evelyn Clough, Director, Network Operations, Time Warner Cable; Lemu Coker, Sales Service Executive, MTnV Networks; Félix Colon, Promotions Producer, ESPN; Emilie Dishno, Senior Manager, On Air Design, CMT; Stephanie Drew-Golding, Manager, Communication & Training, New Hire Team, Time Warner Cable; Helene Duphorn, Director, Customer Care, Comcast Communications; Jessica Farrell, Senior Human Resources Manager, MTV Networks; Douglas Forster, Manager, ESPN; Miguel Guerra, Regional Director, Wireless Operations, Time Warner Cable; Kyle Hamilton, District Customer Service Manager, Insight Communications; Andrea Harry, TV/Web Integration Manager, HLN (A CNN Network); Jodi Hebert Logsdon, News Editor, ESPN; Chrystal Joy, Consultant, Organizational Development, Time Warner Cable; Leeanna Kenific, Manager, Media Planing and Strategy, Nicktoons; Thomas Laughlin, Senior TAC Video Engineer, Insight Communications; Francis Legros, Manager, Production Operations, ESPN; Annalisa Mendoza, Regional Manager, Comcast Networks; Shavonne Morgan, Marketing Specialist, Discovery Communications; Shellina Murphy, Coordination Supervisor, Comcast; Wanita Niehaus, Marketing Director, Corporate Communications, Scripps Networks; Nicole Pelaez-Dandrea, Director, ESPN; Jonathan Piccirillo, Director of Talent, Casting and Talent Development, MTV Networks; Tiscia Rasco, Senior Financial Analyst, Turner Broadcasting; Michael Rodriguez, Statistics Manager, ESPN; Domingo Sarmiento, Associate Manager, Production Operations, ESPN; Jessica Sepulveda, Production Manager, Comedy Central; Wendy Siegel, Director, Talent & Casting, Nickelodeon; Jamelia Smith, Account Manager, Turner Broadcasting; Dawn Strickland, Sales Operations Manager, Turner Broadcasting; Malena Talley, Quality Assurance Supervisor, Comcast; Vipul Thakker, Business Analyst, Disney & ESPN; Kevin Trigg, Director, Marketing Operations, CNN; and Joe Weinstock, Director, Original Series, Spike TV, MTV Networks.

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Can You Name Your Personal Brand?

If not, you’ll want to participate in the next NAMIC Mentoring Corner webinar “Personal Branding” on Thursday, October 28 at 4:00 pm EDT.  The Mentoring Corner is a series of 60-minute webinars offered free of charge to L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program participants. The Mentoring Corner is hosted by Wrisë Booker, president of Reid Dugger Consulting Group. Author, speaker, and nationally recognized expert on mentoring, leadership and diversity, Ms. Booker is a long-time friend and supporter of NAMIC and has made considerable contributions over the years to the success and impact of key NAMIC education initiatives.

If you are not currently a mentor or mentee in the L. Patrick Mellon Mentorship Program and you are interested in participating in this webinar, please email Faride Precil, NAMIC’s Manager of Education Programs, at faride.precil@namic.com. Registration is limited.

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Chapter News

Please visit www.diversitylive.net and click on “channels” to find photos and recaps of your chapter's latest happenings.

For upcoming chapter events, visit http://www.namic.com/events

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People

Looking for new ways to stay connected to NAMIC?

Join NAMIC On DiversityLive, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter

Create a profile, upload content and connect with local fellow NAMIC members on DiversityLive.
NAMIC's user-generated online destination presented in partnership with Motorola and the Motorola Foundation

Become a fan of NAMIC on Facebook - also be sure to search for your local chapter's page.
Search for "NAMIC - National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications"
under "Pages"

Join the NAMIC group on LinkedIn - also be sure to search for your local chapter's page.
Search for "NAMIC (National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications)"
under "Groups"

Follow NAMIC on Twitter

Search for "NAMICNational"

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Q&A with Michael Armstrong
NAMIC sat down with Michael Armstrong, SVP and GM, BET International to talk about his role as Planning Committee Co-chair for the 24th Annual NAMIC Conference, “3D: Diversity, Digital, Demographics."

Why do you consider the Annual NAMIC Conference to be a wise investment? What is the ROI to attendees and their companies?

Any time I have an opportunity to invest in myself, I know I’m making a wise investment for my career and for my company.  I always leave the NAMIC conference more informed and engaged with fresh ideas that I pour into my work here at BET.

You've pretty much grown up with NAMIC. How have you seen the NAMIC Conference evolve over the years?

The level of speakers and depth of discussion has improved year to year.  Also, the areas have expanded well beyond simply an affiliate focus to covering a full spectrum of today’s media.

What was unique about this year's NAMIC Conference?

The most unique part were the interactive panels.  There was a panel on ethics which ran a simulation as well as a panel that allowed participants to develop an updated version of a classic TV show with a diverse cast, to pitch to a real network executive.  This broke the mold allowing a deeper connection with the conference attendees.

What was the most exciting part about this year’s Conference?

Having the conference back in New York made you remember the energy that this city adds to the week as well as the ability to land high-level, East Coast media executives that might not have traveled to join the conference otherwise.

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Movers & Shakers

NAMIC’s Multicultural Marketing Committee Member, Orlena Blanchard has been elevated to SVP, Digital Media, TV One

NAMIC ELDP class VII alumnae, Rosalyn Durant, VP & GM, ESPNU, was named in Essence magazine’s October 2010, “Power Issue,” celebrating Black women under 40

NAMIC-Tennessee President, Lucia Folk,  Director Public Affairs, CMT won the 2010 Nashville Emerging Leader Award in the Arts, Entertainment and Music Business category, which is sponsored by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce.

NAMIC-Atlanta President, Quincy Johnson has been promoted to Sr. Director, Digital Ad Systems within the SAS Platform and Systems Execution group, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

NAMIC-Mid-Atlantic Past President, Jaye Linnen has joined the Washington Post as a PR Specialist

NAMIC-Tennessee’s Ralph Silvan, Director of Call Center Operations for the Comcast Memphis system, has accepted the position of Call Center Senior Director for Comcast in Knoxville and East Tennessee.

NAMIC ELDP class III alumnus Kent Takano was named to the new post of executive producer, branded entertainment at DIY Network.

Travel Channel names NAMIC-New York member and ELDP class IX alumnae Patalia Tate SVP Marketing, Creative and Brand Strategy

NAMIC-South Florida’s Maribel Viteri has been named International Marketing Manager at Flor de Caña

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Brightest Leaders Unite.  Welcome New NAMIC Members!

NAMIC extends a warm welcome to all of our new members.  We look forward to providing you with the resources you need to accelerate your careers and to advance multi-ethnic diversity in the communications industry.

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Upcoming Events

NAMIC-Mid-Atlantic
Experience Washington Watch with Roland Martin
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
6:00 pm – 8:30 pm
NCTA Multimedia Theater
Members – FREE; Non-members - $10
Click here to RSVP

NAMIC-Denver
A Gateway for Emerging Leaders
Thursday, October 14, 2010
5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Hilton Garden Inn
Members: $30; Non-members - $50 (*After October 7, member and non-member rates will increase to $60)
Click here to RSVP

NAMIC-Mid-Atlantic
Managers on the Move, Making a Difference, and Mentoring: A Communications Career Panel
Thursday, October 21, 2010
8:30 am-10:30 am
Howard University Blackburn Auditorium
NAMIC-Mid-Atlantic congratulates the appointed panelists:

• Gwendy Cheek, Marketing and Promotions Specialist, Cox Media
• Selena Spencer-Lipscomb, Media Traffic Manager, BET
• LaShandra King, Affiliate Sales Manager, TV One
• Evelyn Clough, Director, Network Operations, Time Warner Cable
• John Coleman, Senior Director, Program Network Policy, NCTA
• Felicia Blow, Director of Public Relations, Cox Communications
  

Please visit www.namic.com/events for the latest upcoming events.

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NAMIC Staff

Kathy A. Johnson, President
James C. Jones, VP, Education Programs
Daphne Leroy, VP, Marketing & Communications
Daniel J. McGlone, VP, Fund Development
Sandra Girado, Director, Meetings & Events
Faride Precil, Manager, Education Programs
Susan Waldman, Manager, Research & Publications
Monique Wells, Manager, Operations
Maria Acevedo, Project Coordinator

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2010 Issue 3