Diversity Week Schedule

Sunday, Sept. 14, 2008



Registration 5th Floor 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.


Chapter Leadership Workshop Lyceum/Carnegie – 5th Floor 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.


(by invitation only)


Best Conference Ever: Alvin/Edison/Booth – 5th Floor 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.


Maximing Your NAMIC Conference Experience


National Membership Meeting Julliard Complex – 5th Floor 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.


Hospitality Suite Marquis Ballroom – 9th Floor 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 15, 2008


Registration 5th Floor 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Continental Breakfast 5th Floor Foyer 7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
Writers’ Workshop Jolson – 9th Floor 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
(by invitation only)
Opening General Session 9:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Diversity Town Hall Meeting: How Does Our Industry Measure Up?
Westside Ballroom — 5th Floor
How smoothly is the diverse talent pool flowing through the pipeline into the well of opportunity within the cable industry? Results from the 2008 NAMIC employment survey, A Look Toward Advancement: Multi-Ethnic Employment in the Communications Industry, will shed light on the state of industry diversity and the meaning for companies, talent and consumers. What are the challenges? The successes? The opportunities? We will ask you to weigh in, via electronic polling, on key issues that impact diversity and career advancement. Let your voice be heard.
MODERATOR:Tony Harris, Anchor, Morning Edition, CNN Newsroom
PANELISTS:
David Cohen, Executive VP, Comcast
Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO, BET Networks
John Lansing, President, Scripps Networks
Robert Marcus, Senior Executive VP and CFO, Time Warner Cable
Kyle McSlarrow, President and CEO, NCTA
Abbe Raven, President and CEO, A&E Television Networks
Johnathan Rodger, President and CEO, TV Ones
Luke Visconti, Co-founder and Partner, DiversityInc
David Zaslav, President and CEO, Discovery Communications
Mid-Morning Refreshment and Networking Break 5th Floor Foyer 11:15 am – 11:30 am
Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 11:30 am – 12:45 pm
Ad Sales — Diversifying Your Business With Non-Traditional Revenue Generation
Juilliard/Imperial – 5th Floor
Media companies are diversifying outside of their core competencies to generate incremental revenue streams; and many are contributing significant profit to the bottom line. There are a myriad of opportunities to explore. From consumer product lines to mass consumer events to book deals to big brand partnerships and non-traditional content creation, there are a host of professionals who are innovating – creating brand extensions and niche businesses inside their larger corporate frameworks. Hear from the professionals who do it the best, and find out what’s next on the horizon.
MODERATOR: Ed O’Donnell, CEO, Kid Ro Productions
PANELISTS:
Phiderika Foust, Senior VP, Business Development, Scripps Networks
Pat Jones, Senior VP, Account Services, Carat Entertainment
Alan Klein, Senior VP, Partnerships and Licensing, IFC
Corporate Diversity & Inclusion — The ROI of Diversity: Your Global Success Depends On It
Broadhurst/Belasco – 5th Floor
Cultural competence — the ability among individuals and organizations to value the importance of culture in the delivery of services to all segments of the population —is arguably the most important skill a company can master for global success. Cultural competence as a holistic bottom-line business strategy aligns internal and external diversity and inclusion with corporate social responsibility. How it is arrived at it is clearly one of the major communication issues of our time. Join these global innovators as they share their victories and challenges to create and communicate value for consumers, shareholders and employees.
MODERATOR: Stephen Palacios, Executive VP, Cheskin
PANELISTS:
Erika Irish Brown, Senior VP and Head of Diversity Lateral Recruiting, Lehman Brothers
Visael (Bobby) Rodriguez, Chief Diversity Officer, Baystate Health
Michelle Scales, VP, Diverse Growth Segments, Wells Fargo
Loretta Walker, Senior VP & Chief Human Resources Officer, Turner Broadcasting System
Kiko Washington, Senior VP, Worldwide Human Resources, Warner Bros. Entertainment
Digital Media — Do Brands Matter on the Digital Frontier?
Lyceum/Carnegie – 5th Floor
Brand integration and branded content have proliferated the digital world in the increasing competition for viewers and consumers of digital media. What drives awareness and usage of digital properties among multiethnic consumers? Do users come to sites because they are loyal to a particular brand or because of a link referral from a friend? What brand tactics drive usage and repeat visits online? How do you turn a visitor into a customer? What are the implications for attracting brand-loyal, multiethnic consumers? Experts share insights and big reveals on what’s new and what’s on the horizon for branding in the digital age.
MODERATOR: Tonia Lee, VP, New Products Group, Turner Broadcasting System
PANELISTS:
Deanna Brown, President, SN Digital, Scripps Networks
Shravan Goli, GM, Yahoo Video
Wonya Lucas, Chief Marketing Officer, Discovery Communications
Kay Madati, VP, Audience Experience and Development, CNN Worldwide
Leadership Development — You’re Hired!
Alvin/Edison/Booth – 5th Floor
Music to your ears? Here you’ll learn 21 tips to get a promotion, nail the interview and negotiate salary. An interactive presentation engages participants around basic time-honored concepts on how to move your career and maximize your earning potential.
MODERATOR: Ron Phillips, VP, Human Resources, Comcast Western Division
PANELISTS:
Susan Jin Davis, VP, Corporate Development, Comcast
Rosalyn Durant, VP and GM, ESPNU
Manny Martinez, VP and GM, Charter Communications
JD Myers II, VP, Cox Business Services, Cox Communications
NAMIC Multicultural
Marketing Committee Odets – 4th Floor 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
(by invitation only)
Luncheon: Westside Ballroom - 5th Floor 1:00 pm – 2:15 pm
A Conversation with Soledad O’Brien, Anchor and Special Correspondent, CNN
Concurrent Breakout Sessions: 2:30 pm – 3:45 pm
Ad Sales — After the Upfront: Looking Beyond 'Spots’ and 'Dots’
Presented in partnership with the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau
Juilliard/Imperial – 5th Floor
It’s not been long since the '08/’09 Upfront closed. What was the outcome of this year’s Upfront? And, what is the outlook for the future? No longer are “spots and dots” enough to satisfy most clients’ appetites. Network Ad Sales executives are challenged with being more creative in the art of the deal — having to diversify what they offer to clients and in crafting the deal structure. Hear from the most senior Ad Sales executives in the business about building marketing and media based relationships; their thoughts on designating sales “specialists” to target specific audiences; whatever happened to C3 currency (it was all the talk last year); what’s the outlook for this year’s scatter market; and more. This is the opportunity to hear from people who are responsible for millions of dollars in ad revenue for major programming networks.
MODERATOR: Kenetta Bailey, Senior VP, Marketing, WE TV
PANELISTS:
Joe Abruzzese, President, Ad Sales, Discovery Communications
Louis Carr, President, Media Sales, BET Networks
Hank Close, President, U.S. Ad Sales, MTV Networks
Arlene Manos, President, National Ad Sales, Rainbow Media Holdings
Corporate Diversity & Inclusion — Best Practices of Employee Resource Group
Broadhurst/Belasco – 5th Floor
Affinity or Employee Resource Groups (ERG) are growing in popularity in the industry. They have been shown to be proven mechanisms to help companies tap into underserved consumer groups and to help evolve a company’s culture of inclusivity. This panel will feature diversity experts and leaders of ERG’s who will share their thoughts on starting, sustaining and growing ERG’s in the media industry. They will also share creative ideas and best practices that work.
MODERATOR: Audra Bohannon, VP, Consulting, Novations Group
PANELISTS:
Harold Lewis, VP and GM, Consumer Application Software, The Weather Channel Interactive
Stanley Porter, Managing Director, Deloitte Consulting
Digital Media — Hooray for Bollywood!
Lyceum/Carnegie – 5th Floor
The Indian television market is booming. In recent years, Indian cinema has experienced unprecedented growth, and has sparked the interest of Western audiences. Bollywood’s annual output of over 800 films a year exceeds all other countries around the world, and has an audience of more than 3.6 billion people worldwide. The growth is so great that many companies such as NBC Universal and Disney are now investing in the development of more content to spice up their bottom lines. Uncover the mysteries of this Eastern Tinseltown like never before with an expert panel of distinguished Bollywood gurus.
MODERATOR: Bobby Sahni, Manager, Multicultural Marketing, Rogers Cable Communications
PANELISTS:
Anjula Acharia-Bath, CEO, Desi Hits!
Adris Chakraborty, Director, Globosat Entertainment LLC
John DeMarchi, Director, Distribution, Saavn
Ken Naz, President, North America, EROS International USA Inc.
Gourrav Sihan, Actor, Heaven on Earth
Leadership Development — Change is Good: I Flipped the Switch!
Alvin/Edison/Booth – 5th Floor
Individuals who have “flipped the switch” bring more to their current roles than linear career experiences. They bring diverse skill sets, experiences and backgrounds. How have they applied what they’ve learned in a different discipline or another line of business to their overall careers? Has “flipping the switch” been a hindrance or an asset for building a career? Learn how some of the industry’s most successful professionals have amalgamated themselves into consummate leaders.
MODERATOR: Charisse Lillie, VP, Community Investment, Comcast and Executive VP, Comcast Foundation
PANELISTS:
Vicky Free, VP, Entertainment Marketing, TNT, TBS and TCM
Grace Killelea, VP, Talent Management and Leadership Initiatives, Comcast
David Keefe, Global Director, Media and Entertainment, Siegel & Gale
Mid-Afternoon Refreshment and Networking Break 5th Floor Foyer 3:45 pm – 4:00 pm
Concurrent Hot Topics: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm
Hot Topic 1: Excellence in Multi-Cultural Marketing Awards (EMMA)
The judging was difficult. Competition was stiff and the tension high. Every campaign element counted. Presented by NAMIC’s Multicultural Marketing Committee, the 2008 EMMA celebration will truly be an occasion to honor sheer creative brilliance and top performers among a slew of staunch contenders. You won’t want to miss this year’s event where you will find out who holds the record for most wins. The need for marketers to develop digital media expertise is more important than ever. Following the EMMA presentation, join a panel of industry experts to discuss the transformation of multicultural marketing in the digital world. Find out what it takes to attract African American, Asian and Hispanic consumers in the ever-changing digital landscape!
Multi-Cultural Marketing in the Digital World:
Soho Complex – 7th Floor
Presented in partnership with CableFAX Daily
MODERATOR: Seth Arenstein, Editor, CableFAX: The Magazine and Editorial Director, The CableFAX Group
PANELISTS:
Keith Clinkscales, Senior VP, Content Development and Enterprises, ESPN
Peggy Byrd Mazard, VP, Integrated Marketing, One Solution, TV One
Don Moore, Agency Team Leader, Central Region, Google
William Ortiz, Senior Director, Corporate Multicultural Marketing, Time Warner Cable
Cynthia Park, President, K&L Advertising
Hot Topic 2: Digital Transition: The Next Digital Divide?
Juilliard Complex – 5th Floor
When technology evolves and transforms the marketplace, who gets left behind? The introduction of high speed Internet service more than a decade ago, sparked a heated and on-going debate about “The Digital Divide” between the “haves” and the “have-nots”. With high-powered broadcast stations being mandated to switch from analog to digital delivery on February 17, 2009, will the most vulnerable in our society — elderly, people of color and the disabled — who rely disproportionately on over-the-air reception be caught unprepared? Are cable operators prepared to handle the surge in questions and call center inquiries? What portion of households that need the digital-to-analog converter is going to think that the “converter” is a cable box? Does anybody really know what will happen in the fringe reception areas? Addressing the issues now may be the ounce of prevention we need. Hear from industry officials and policy experts about the plan to help mitigate a new Digital Divide.
MODERATOR: Wanda Townsend, VP, Government Relations, NCTA
PANELISTS:
Cesar Conde, Chief Strategy Officer and EVP, Univision Communications
Monica Desai, Chief, Media Bureau, FCC
Shermaze Ingram, Senior Director, Media Relations, Digital Television Transition, NAB
Reception for Alumni of the Executive Leadership
Development Program and Leadership Seminar 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
(by invitation only)
Opening Reception 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Astor Ballroom – 7th Floor

Tuesday, Sept. 16


Registration 5th Floor 7:30 am – 3:30 pm
Writers’ Workshop Gilbert – 4th Floor 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
(by invitation only)
Continental Breakfast 5th Floor Foyer 8:00 am – 9:00 am
General Session — OMG, did u vote?
How New Media Is Changing the Political Process 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Westside Ballroom – 5th Floor
New Media — the blogosphere, the web, mobile applications, social networks, YouTube and more — has achieved the kind of cultural traction that has virtually changed the political process. As proven in this year’s presidential primary season and the impending general election, the creators and consumers of New Media have merged to become as powerful, if not even more so, as the paid campaign machine behind each candidate. Political commentary and punditry are now the province of the masses. How can the lessons learned from the 2008 presidential race be utilized to mobilize your consumer and employee base? Register for this new age discussion on the phenomenon of the convergence of the power of politics, the consumer and entertainment — a totally bipartisan event.
MODERATOR: John Norris, MTV News Correspondent
PANELISTS:
Pamela Gentry, Senior Political Producer, BET Networks
Lee Hawkins, CNBC Contributor and Wall Street Journal Reporter
Roland Martin, Journalist and Syndicated Columnist
Maria Teresa Petersen, Founding Executive Director, Voto Latino
Sree Sreenivasan, Professor of Professional Practice, Graduate School of Journalism, Columbia University
Mid-Morning Refreshment and Networking Break 5th Floor Foyer 10:30 am – 10:45 am
Concurrent Breakout Sessions 10:45 am – 12:15 pm
Ad Sales — Marketing & Sales: Working Hand-in-Hand to Innovate for Diverse Clients and Viewers
Juilliard/Imperial – 5th Floor
What is National Ad Sales and what is Ad Sales Marketing? How do individuals in these two disciplines work together to drive innovative client solutions for their diverse viewing audiences. Panelists will reveal how they build strong client relationships, and how they partner to create and maintain a balance between developing breakthrough ad sales opportunities while sustaining programming content integrity. The overall goal is to have an all around win: 1) enhance the viewer experience; 2) develop content initiatives that drive viewership and interaction with other platforms; 3) generate increased sales revenue; and certainly not last, 4) address client needs. Come hear how these Ad Sales and Ad Sales Marketing professionals team up to hit the market place with innovation.
MODERATOR: Karen Williams, Associate Publisher, Marketing, Essence Magazine
PANELISTS:
Scott Collins, Senior VP, Ad Sales, WE TV
Darryl Heggans, Director, Ad Sales, Gospel Music Channel
Janice Moore, Director, Integrated Sales and Marketing, Gospel Music Channel
Liz Poerner, Senior Director, Co-Marketing, ESPN
Wendell Scott, VP, Multimedia Sales, ESPN
Elain Waldman, VP, Trade Marketing, WE TV
Corporate Diversity & Inclusion — In My Other Skin
Broadhurst/Belasco – 5th Floor
The strength of organizations comes not only from the capacity to accept diverse groups, but also from the ability to maximize the rich diversity that exists within groups. Each one of us is a veritable iceberg of cultural programming that informs our identities and enriches our inherent value. Above the surface there are characteristics like race, gender, certain kinds of disabilities and other aspects of our individual diversity that are readily accessible to others. But below the surface there are many qualities that operate with equal power and with equal influence in our lives. In other words, WE WEAR MANY SKINS. Participants will explore organizational challenges to living openly in many skins; the implications for formal institutional diversity initiatives; the role of employee “affinity” groups; and how embracing a more holistic notion of diversity can strengthen the performance of diverse teams.
MODERATOR: Rasalind Clay Carter, Senior VP, Human Resources, A&E Television Networks
PANELISTS:
Kerry Chandler, Senior VP, Human Resources, National Basketball Association
Juan Herrera, Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships, MTV Networks
Debbie Smith Rayford, VP, Diversity, Discovery Communications
Nadine Vogel, President, Springboard Consulting
Digital Media — Digital Advertising Evolution
Lyceum/Carnegie – 5th Floor
Consumers can effortlessly go from watching their favorite network-produced television shows to a 30-second user-generated clip of a political ad on YouTube. Digital advertising — display, search, rich media, DVR, in-game and mobile — has been projected to reach $23 billion in ad spending by 2010 – and 10% of all spending. This session will focus on the digital advertising evolution from digital linear advertising to personalized advertising. The panel will delve into the hype versus the reality of the future of advanced advertising.  This 24 month preview will give the audience a new perspective on the real possibilities afforded through the digital advertising evolution. Experts from technology, finance, operations and advertising will provide insights on the next generation of advertising in the digital world as well as new trends in targeting multi-ethnic consumers.
MODERATOR: Chet Kanojia, CEO, Navic Networks
PANELISTS:
Ray Bontempi, Senior Director, Product Management for Digital Video Solutions, Motorola
Keval Desai, Director, Product Management for TV Ads, Google
Joan Gillman, President, Media Sales, Time Warner Cable
Joe Matarese, VP and GM, OnDemand Business Unit, ARRIS
John Morrow, VP, Strategy and Business Development, Cisco
Leadership Development — 21st Century Leadership Soup: Add Ethics and Stir
Alvin/Edison/Booth – 5th Floor
There is little doubt that to be successful in the 21st Century, leaders at every level of the organization need to embrace the importance of being ethical in their own actions and, most important, must grasp how to apply ethical principles to their roles as leaders.  It has been said that Ethics is “the soil in which the seed of diversity must be planted.”  This session will explore the characteristics of ethical leadership in the communications industry and the impact this has on the increasingly diverse talent mix that propels the business.   The panel of industry experts will consider how the principles and core values of individual leaders connect with and transform the rich ingredients of diverse perspectives and world views into ethical outcomes and success for the organization.
MODERATOR: Jennifer Randolph, Senior VP, Director Organizational Development, Diversity and Inclusion Human Interest, Saatchi & Saatchi
Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award Luncheon 12:45 pm – 2:15 pm
Westside Ballroom – 5th Floor
Diversity in Communications
Career Expo Astor Ballroom – 7th Floor 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Concurrent Breakout Sessions 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Ad Sales — ADCOLOR: Collaborating to Add Color to the Advertising Industry
Juilliard/Imperial – 5th Floor
What is the advertising world doing to recruit and nurture diverse talent? Join representatives of ADCOLOR, a collaboration between the Advertising Club of New York, the Association of National Advertisers, the American Advertising Federation, the American Association of Advertising Agencies and Arnold Worldwide as they share how they got started and how they’ve groomed their careers. You’ll also hear about some of their innovative accomplishments. This panel will show that diversity is truly the pipeline to innovation and dollars to the P&L.
MODERATOR: Tiffany Warren, VP, Director of Multicultural Programs and Community Outreach, Arnold
PANELISTS:
Joe Bernard, VP, Network Sales, Mun2
Orlando Reece, Senior VP, Broadcast Sales, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia
Michele Thornton, Account Executive and Director, CNN Ad Sales
Corporate Diversity & Inclusion — Bafa Bafa
Broadhurst/Belasco – 5th Floor
Bafa Bafa is a powerful simulation of cross-cultural interactions that allows for the exploration of assumptions and behaviors about cultural difference. It initiates immediate, personal change by making participants aware of the complex issues surrounding “otherness”. Participants will be given an opportunity to understand how easily stereotypes can be developed and what must be done to overcome them to optimize the value of diversity in the workplace.
The experience of Bafa Bafa will help participants achieve the following:

  • Examine how stereotypes are developed, barriers created, and misunderstandings magnified;
  • Allow participants to examine their own bias and focus on how they perceive differences;
  • Motivate participants to rethink their behavior and attitude toward others;
  • Build awareness of how cultural differences can profoundly impact people, leadership, access to ideas and creativity, and bottom-line decision-making in the communications industry.

This session is limited to 60 participants and required advance registration.


CO-FACILITATORS:


Robin Denise Johnson, Ph.D.


James Jones, VP, Education Programs, NAMIC


Digital Media — Defining the Media Company of the Future


Lyceum/Carnegie – 5th Floor


As consumer demand for personalized, portable and on-demand content intensifies, media companies are being forced to rethink how they attract, engage and interact with increasingly diverse and fragmented audiences. How will power and influence shift in the media marketplace of the future? What key capabilities will companies need to succeed? How will shifting audience demographics alter the media landscape? What can executive teams do to better anticipate the trends, changes and roadblocks in such a fast-moving industry? Taking a long-range perspective on the industry, a panel of executives with experience in both newly-established and traditional media companies will discuss strategies for navigating the complicated transition.


MODERATOR: Alma Derricks, Director, Media and Entertainment Strategy, Deloitte Consulting


PANELISTS:


Jim Larrison, Executive VP, Platform Sales and Service, Adify Corp.


Maria Perez-Brown, Senior VP, Programming, Sí TV


Geoff Roman, Senior — VP, Strategy, Technology & Business Development, Motorola


Leadership Development — Diversity and Identity


Alvin/Edison/Booth – 5th Floor


Millennials are as much a leadership movement as a demographic. They are redefining diversity, reshaping the marketplace, and are the focus of media and its consumption. They have a collective power in their unique individuality. So how do Millennials define themselves? How do they self-identify, and how do they relate to their cultural and ethnic backgrounds? What is the impact of their perceptions on their relationships cross-culturally, interculturally? In an industry that is still largely baby boomer — with all the historical and societal legacies of race, ethnicity and gender tension — how have millennials influenced diversity? This is sure to be a lively conversation.


MODERATOR: Nadine Baker, Director, Business Operations, The Weather Channel Media Solutions


PANELISTS:


Pisei Chea, Sales Assistant, Direct Response Ad Sales, Discovery Communications and T. Howard Foundation intern alumna.


Jeff Meza, Manager, Ad Sales Marketing, WE TV


Kat Stewart, Director, Strategic Initiatives, Cable in the Classroom


Winston Warrior, Senior Director, Marketing Services, Cox Enterprises


Peter Yu, Senior Product Manager, Comcast Interactive Media


Farewell Reception Upper Terrace/Promenade – 9th Floor 4:15 pm – 6:30 pm


Join us as NAMIC ends and era of hosting its Annual Conference in New York City.