Jennifer Dangar Assumes Role As WICT Chair
Following the resignation of WICT Chair Jessica Heacock, the Board of Directors has appointed Vice Chair Jennifer Dangar to fill the role for the remainder of 2007.

The Women in Cable Telecommunications Board of Directors voted today to accept the resignation of Jessica Heacock as Chair of the WICT Board of Directors effective Friday, August 3.  Vice Chair Jennifer Dangar, Senior Vice President of Domestic Distribution at Discovery Communications, will assume the duties of Chair for the remainder of 2007.   

Heacock resigns her post as she assumes the duties of Chief Marketing Officer at EchoStar.  WICT bylaws limit membership and leadership positions to employees of the cable industry.   

"The departure of Jessica Heacock is a tremendous loss for WICT and the cable industry as a whole," said Benita Fitzgerald Mosley , WICT President & CEO.  "Jessica has led WICT to new heights this year.  The WICT Leadership Conference was a tremendous success because of her passion and leadership.  We have reached the record milestone of 6,000 members and our chapters are enhancing their program offerings.  These things would not have been possible without her vision and guidance."

 "I look forward to working with Jennifer," Mosley continued. "I know that she will be able to harness the momentum Jessica has generated and will lead us into 2008 by helping to implement the strategic vision recently established by our boards."

Meet the New Betsy Magness Fellows!

Class XVI and XVII Fellows of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute will participate in an intensive, yearlong program that prepares senior-level women to take on significant leadership responsibilities. Over 400 women have participated in this nationally recognized, award-winning leadership program, lauded for its record of increasing the presence of women among the industry’s executive ranks. 

To learn more about the individuals that make up Classes XVI and XVII, visit the BMLI homepage for each class. 

Class XVI                        Class XVII

The members of Class XVI of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute are:

Lysa Dahlin, VP - HR & Organizational Effectiveness, Comcast
Jennifer Davidson, VP – Marketing, Cartoon Network – Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Debbie DeMontreux, SVP - Original Programming, IFC Television
Helen Dimsdale, Director - Public Affairs, National Cable & Telecommunications Association
Alex Dombronovich, Director - Affiliate Sales & Ad Sales, The Weather Channel
Stephanie Druley, Senior Coordinating Producer, ESPN
Wendy Farley, VP - Government Affairs, Comcast
Kristine Faulkner, VP - Product Development & Management, Cox Communications - Cox Business Services
Traci Gerth, Director Charter Business - Central States, Charter Communications
Elizabeth Graham, VP - Advanced Services, Comcast - North Central Division
Jennifer Hightower, VP - Regulatory Affairs; Law & Policy, Cox Communications, Inc.
Kristen Dean Hilbert, VP - National Accounts, Oxygen Media
Annie Howell, SVP - Global Communications & Talent Management, Discovery Communications, LLC
Charlene Keys, VP - Operations & Voice, Time Warner Cable
Julie Laine, VP & Chief Counsel – Telephony, Time Warner Cable
Kara Lamberti, VP- Affiliate Sales, HBO Services, Inc.
Teresa Lee, Senior Director – Communications, Comcast
Becky LeFebvre, VP - Program & Product Management Group, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Jennifer Vogt Lescott, Director - Video Product Management, Insight Communications
Melanie Penna, Comcast, VP - HR & HRMS Implementation Business Liaison
Lori Peterzell, VP - Consumer Marketing, A&E Network, AETN
Sandy Sexton, VP - Finance Technology & Quality Assurance, Scripps Networks
Lynne Simon, Director - General Sales/Regional & National, Comcast Spotlight – San Francisco
Jean Margaret Smith, SVP - Public Affairs & Administration, MTV Networks, Kids & Family Group
Kristina Song, VP- Programming, Time Warner Cable
Cathy Traczek, Director – Operations, Comcast
Heather Umen, Director Brand & Experience Marketing, WE tv

The members of Class XVII of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute are:

Nancy J. Apatov, VP - Ad Products & Integrated Content, The Weather Channel
Elizabeth Asencio, VP - East Region, NBC Universal Cable
Soheila Ataei, VP - Human Resources, Starz Media, LLC
Kerry Brockhage, VP - Distribution-Legal, Lifetime Entertainment Services
Maura Fox, VP - Product Management, Services & Convergence, Time Warner Cable
Sharon Frazier, VP - Media Sales & Marketing, Cox Media
Laura Galietta-Cotter, VP - Ad Sales Marketing (Food Network & Fine Living), Scripps Networks
Marsha Humphreys Gee, VP – Billing, Suddenlink
Laura Gentile, VP - Office of the President, ESPN
Pamela Hagan, VP - Human Resources, Bright House Networks
Regina Hutchinson, VP - Learning & Development, Comcast
Marge Jackson, VP, Marketing, Comcast
Beth Lieurance,VP - Human Resources, Comcast
Missy Mans, SVP/GM - Customer Operations, Time Warner Cable
Anne Merrow, VP & Controller - North Central Division, Comcast
Jennifer Mirgorod, SVP - Sales & Marketing, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. - Turner Network Sales
Heather Moran, VP - Programming & Strategic Development, National Geographic Channel
Cherie Oswald, SVP - Business Development, Scripps Networks/EW Scripps
Tracy L. Pitcher, VP - Customer Care Operations, Charter Communications
Melinda Poore, VP - Government & Public Affairs, Time Warner Cable
Jane Quilter, VP - Operations, Corporate Marketing, BET
Susan Reinhold, VP - Operations, South Florida Region, Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.
Colleen Rooney, Senior Director - Corporate Communications, Comcast Corporation
Patricia Johns Scanlon, VP - Creative Services, iN DEMAND Networks
Jennifer L. Storms, SVP - Turner Sports Programming & Marketing, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
Janet Turpen, VP - Government Affairs, Comcast
 
 
Classes XVI and XVII will be facilitated by Grace Killelea, Vice President of Human Resources for Comcast Spotlight. Class XVI will be chaired by Class XIV alumna Tori Stevens, Vice President, Branded Properties & Home Entertainment, ESPN. Class XVII will be chaired by Class XV alumna Darlene Chapman-Holmes, Vice President of Marketing, AmericanLife TV Network.

The 2007 Betsy Magness Leadership Institute is presented by WE tv.

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Nominations Deadline Extended to August 10

The WICT, Inc. Governance Committee has extended the deadline for nominations by one week, and will consider nominations for positions on the WICT, Inc. Board of Directors received by Friday, August 10. You’re invited to nominate strong leaders who have demonstrated and supported the WICT mission to develop women leaders who transform our industry.  Nominees should be exceptional representatives of this industry’s phenomenal women, ideally holding positions of influence and authority within their companies and who are willing to share their specific expertise (e.g. marketing, PR, finance, HR, sales, operations, etc.) to assist WICT in achieving its strategic goals.

Download the nomination form here, and return it to WICT no later than close of business August 10.

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WICT Cable Bootcamp

WICT Cable Bootcamp
October 10, 2007
Cox Communication's San Diego Call Center

Whether you have just landed a job in the cable industry, the telecommunications industry, or you are an Employer who has team members who could benefit from an introduction to the cable business? WICT Cable Bootcamp is the answer.

WICT knows the business and the technology of cable can all seem exciting, but at the same time they can become overwhelming. This comprehensive one-day program was created for this very reason. WICT Cable Bootcamp will feature the latest technologies and financial indicators that specifically affect the business of cable.

This exciting new learning experience will offer you and your team insight into:

• The History of the Industry
• Insight into who’s who of cable
• The Business of Cable
• The Technology of Cable
• Cable’s Competition
• Regulations and the Industry

If you or someone you know could benefit from gaining fresh perspectives on technology and trends in cable, register at www.wict.org today!

Comprehensive knowledge makes for a stronger team. Learn the Business of Cable and Secure your Success!

If you have any questions regarding the program, please contact Kim Woods, Program Manager at 703.234.9804 or kwoods@wict.org.

WICT Cable Bootcamp is presented by Cox Communications.

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Welcome New Members

Each month, we will spotlight the new members of WICT.  70 new members joined WICT during the month of July, from the companies highlighted below. Check out the complete listing of new members and welcome your colleagues!

Bright House Networks
Capgemini
Charter Communications
Comcast
Cox Communications
Disney and ESPN Media Networks
Diversity Studio, Inc.
ESPN
Fox Cable Networks
GSN
NCTA
Oracle
Oxygen Media
Rainbow Media, LLC
Scripps Networks
SiTV, Inc.
The Weather Channel
Time Warner Cable
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
TVN Entertainment [return to top]

Meet the New Members of the WICT Staff

WICT welcomed three new staff members in July.  Lesley Green and Kathy Payne join the Business Development department and Paula Atallah joins Strategy & Initiatives.

Lesley Green is the Director of Business Development for Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT).  In this capacity, she works closely with the VP of Business Development to expand the fundraising and business development reach for the WICT Foundation and WICT, Inc. programming.  The department also oversees the total event production of the Annual WICT Foundation Benefit Gala, one of the industry’s key events that present Accolades to the industry’s top talent helping the progression of women.

Learn more about Lesley...

Katherine Payne joined Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) in July 2007 as an Business Development Assistant. She has prior experience working in the Human Resources, Customer Service and IT fields.

Learn more about Kathy...

Paula Atallah joined Women in Cable Telecommunications in July 2007 as a Program Manager for the Initiatives department.

Prior to joining WICT, Paula worked as a recruiting and marketing coordinator for an up and coming federal consulting firm.

Learn more about Paula...

Have a question about who does what or want to learn more about all of the WICT staff?  Visit the staff section of the website for contact information, bios and photos! [return to top]

Executive Development Seminar

Executive Development Seminar
April 9-11, 2008
Château Élan Winery and Resort located in North Georgia

The Executive Development Seminar (EDS) is a distinctive learning experience that equips women leaders with the tools necessary to enhance their successes in the cable industry. Here you will spend two-and-a-half days on a journey of personal insight and discovery practicing strategies to build relationships in business, learning to embrace and appreciate differences among your peers, understanding specific time management strategies to make the most out of time on the job, and focusing on bringing complicated work situations back to the basics.

After evaluating your strengths and weaknesses through this experience and learning from the journeys of other women executives, you will return to the office as a smarter, bolder and more valuable leader.

The EDS is scheduled for April 9-11, 2008. The event will be hosted at the Château Élan Winery and Resort located in North Georgia. 

Spaces for this event will sell out fast so reserve yours today!

Summer 2007 Recruit-A-Member Campaign

Thank you to WICT's 33 hard-working members who have recruited 43 new members since July 10.  Each recruiter will receive a one year new or renewing subscription to Pink Magazine.  It's easy to recruit just one new member and claim a subscription for recommending colleagues to WICT.

Now through September 30, 2007 when you recruit just one member, you will receive a complimentary subscription to PINK Magazine! Log on to www.pinkmagazine.com to learn about this new publication designed for women executives. Spread the word and help someone you know receive WICT member benefits today.

Visit the Recruit-A-Member webpage for more information! [return to top]

Oxygen Finds Out

Oxygen Finds Out: Women See Some Cable Offerings as Utilities

• Nearly a third of women surveyed (31%) have a triple play bundle, another 30%  are interested in getting one.
• The interested women are open to cable or phone company offerings (77% open to cable, 69% open to local phone offerings). 
• 52% of women surveyed are not interested in getting phone service from a cable company.
• At this point these choices -- for a bundle, for digital phone, even for HDTV -- are seen as utilities driven by price. Price is the #1 thing that attracts women to, or holds them back from, these services. 

An excerpt from “She’s Gotta Have It” Oxygen’s survey by Nielsen Reel Research of 1000 women 7/25/07 [return to top]

Visit the WICT Career Center

Are you a job seeker looking for work? Or are you an employer trying to fill an open position? Visit the WICT Career Center today. It is the cable telecommunications industry's exclusive resource for online employment connections.

Job Seekers
Don’t waste your time on large job board sites when you can use the WICT Career Center. It is free to all job seekers and grants you access to the best career opportunities in the cable telecommunications industry. Currently the WICT Career Center is featuring jobs from Charter Communications, Comcast, Comcast Spotlight, Cox Communications, Fox Cable Networks, GSN, The Network for Games, Hallmark Channel, iN DEMAND Networks and The Weather Channel.

• Secure account to upload and store your resume confidentially
• Browse through search by employer, job location, job category and/or title
• Receive automatic weekly email alerts of new job listings
• Resume posting so employers can search for YOU

Sign up for a free account at careers.wict.org and take the next step toward your new career path today!

Employers
Searching for the most qualified applicants? Posting job openings alongside thousands of other businesses on large job board sites can leave your business with open positions. Post your jobs on the WICT Career Center website. It is your exclusive resource for employment connections in the cable telecommunications industry. With more than 6,000 WICT members, the WICT Career Center offers the most targeted advertising for your open positions and helps access the most industry-specific applicants.

• Customize your search and receive automatic email updates that match your criteria
• Online reports help you keep track of multiple postings
• Automatic weekly email notification when job seekers enter resumes matching your criteria
• Build company awareness among qualified professionals

Sign up now at careers.wict.org and create your account today [return to top]

Promoted? Moved? Update your Member Profile

Keep current and up-to-date on membership news by updating your contact information and member demographics directly through the website.  Log on with your member ID and password (last name), click go, then click Edit Profile.  

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