Viacom's Bob Bakish, Comcast's David Cohen To Co-Chair NAMIC Conference

NAMIC announced Thursday that Viacom President and CEO Bob Bakish and Comcast Corp’s senior executive vice president and chief diversity officer David Cohen will serve as honorary co-chairs for next month’s annual NAMIC Conference.

The 31st annual NAMIC Conference will be held Sept. 26-27 as part of the cable industry’s Diversity Week festivities. The theme of the 31st NAMIC Conference will be “Diversity At the Speed of Change,” according to the organization.

“Multiculturalism will take center stage at our 31st Annual NAMIC Conference,” said NAMIC president and CEO Eglon Simons. “Especially in the era of globalization, business innovation and shifting workforce dynamics, Bob and David bring a wealth of experience and strategic vision as we prepare diversity advocates for our industry’s future.”

 Presenting Sponsor for the 31st Annual NAMIC Conference is Comcast NBCUniversal with ARRIS, BuzzFeed, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, NCTA, REVOLT, Scripps Networks Interactive, Turner, Univision Communications Inc. and The Walter Kaitz Foundation serving as conference sponsors, according to NAMIC.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.