Cox CEO to Speak at FORUM 2003
James O. Robbins, President and CEO of Cox Communications, Inc., will be the opening general session speaker on Monday, March 31 at FORUM 2003. He will be interviewed by Catherine Crier of Court TV. Other confirmed general session speakers include Fraser P. Seitel, one of PR Weekís top 100 public relations professionals of the 20^th century, Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, Robert Sachs, president and CEO of NCTA, and Reg Weaver, president of the National Education Association.

The theme for FORUM 2003is "Capitalizing on Cableís Competitive Edge" and reflects the eventís focus on how cable industry public affairs professionals can leverage cableís leadership in programming, localization, audience delivery, and new technologies to achieve communication goals. FORUM 2003 will be held March 30 to April 2, 2003, at the Renaissance Mayflower Hotel in Washington, DC.

FORUM is the cable industryís annual educational conference dedicated to issues facing Public Affairs professionals. The conferenceís numerous sessions will address all aspects of Public Affairs in the cable industry, including community relations, education, marketing integration, programmer-operator partnerships, media relations, government affairs, competition, and diversity. Included will be a panel discussion among FCC senior bureau chiefs and administrators addressing major federal, state and local issues affecting the cable business, as well as a session offering practical tools for developing communications and marketing initiatives to reach multicultural audiences. Early registration fees (by March 14, 2003) are $625 for CTPAA members and $825 for all others. On March 15 the fees increase by $100. A complete program outline, registration information and other conference news may be viewed on the CTPAA Web site.

 Member Profile: Barb Shelley
Born in a small town in northeast California, CTPAA member Barb Shelley moved at the age of ten with her family to southern Idaho where she completed her childhood surrounded by vast and breathtaking blue skies and a variety of horses.

"My parents are true cowboys," said Shelley, executive director of communications for Comcast in the Salt Lake City, Utah, market. "My dadís nickname is Slim. My childhood nickname was ñ itís a little scary telling a bunch of PR people this, but here goes ñ Britches."

Shelley started her career as a journalist and earned an undergraduate degree in journalism.

"I put the degree to good use writing, editing and producing newsletters for my kidsí school PTA. After a few years of community and school volunteer work, I discovered I had a talent for planning and running creative special events in addition to writing, editing, and juggling a million projects, a home and three children all at the same time. I was surprised to learn that there were actually paying jobs for people crazy enough to admit they like balancing multiple projects and strategies at once."

Shelley earned an undergraduate degree in public relations with a minor in advertising, then started a career in public relations. Four years ago, she began working in cable public affairs when she became regional director of communications for TCI serving cable systems in five western states while based in Salt Lake.

"I jumped over to the cable company from AT&T Wireless, at the time AT&T bought TCI. I made the switch, because I was intrigued by the bright and promising future of the cable industry."

Along the way, other public affairs professionals have lent Shelley a helping hand.

"Tracy Baumgartner, a cable PR veteran, who is now vice president of public relations for Comcastís Mountain Division, and Rob Stoddard, who is now senior vice president at the NCTA, are my heroes and mentors. The cable industry has benefited mightily from these two talented, personable and intelligent PR professionals."

One of Shelleyís biggest challenges in her cable PR career was planning and managing the local public relations for AT&T Broadbandís sponsorship of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games. Another accomplishment she treasures is winning Beacon Awards.

"Iíve won other national and regional public relations awards in other industries, but the Beacon Award is a bigger thrill. Itís the pinnacle. Iíd trade all my other awards for one Beacon," said Shelley. "Itís an ego boost and a bit funny when someone from out of town walks into my office, looks at the top of my file cabinet where I display my Beacons along with a torch from the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, and whispers reverently, ëWow, look at those Beacon Awards.í After they say that, they notice the three-foot tall torch!"

Shelleyís favorite cable channel returns her to her cowboy roots.

"TNT blazed a new viewing record with Monte Walsh, the story of a cowboy facing the end of the true cowboy era. It starred Tom Selleck who sat his horse most impressively. We former cowgirls know about such things. TNT will be my favorite cable channel for evermore."

Away from her cable job, Shelley loves to spend time with her three grandchildren and agrees with the saying that if I had known it would be this much fun, I would have had my grandkids first.

 Video Submissions Wanted for FORUM 2003!

The FORUM 2003 Committee invites CTPAA members to submit informal ("home movie"-like) videos of yourself and your team members at work.

Do you have out takes or "B" rolls of video? Ideals could include video shot for a promo, live program or at an event. Theyíre even interested in video that may have been shot during office parties or at last summer's office picnics.

Remember the videos (Beta or VHS) you submit will be edited into montages, so short vibrant clips will have the best chance of being screened during FORUM 2003.

The committee will try and use a "clip" from as many submissions as possible, but of course they can't promise to include every one in a short video. All decisions regarding the use of video submissions will be based on the requirements of FORUM.

In order to have time to screen and produce a video montage, please submit your videos by March 7, 2003.

FORUM 2003 - VIDEOS
CTPAA
1724 Massachusetts Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20036

Questions: Contact Steve Jones at 202/775-1083, sjones@ctpaa.org or Steve Raddock, FORUM 2003 Committee Chairman 212/508-1239, stever@cabletvadbureau.com

 NCTA SEEKS NOMINATIONS FOR VANGUARD AWARDS

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) is seeking nominations for the 2003 Vanguard Awards, the cable industry's highest honors. The awards will be presented the evening of Tuesday, June 10, 2003, during The National Show, NCTA's 52nd Annual Convention and International Exposition, June 8 - 11, 2003, at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL. The theme for this year's show is "Leading the Digital Revolution."

Inaugurated in 1965, the Vanguards are presented to individuals who excel in business and in personal commitment to colleagues, and whose accomplishments merit the recognition of the cable industry. Award winners are honored in the following categories:

• Distinguished Vanguard Award for Leadership (Male and Female)
• Vanguard Award for Young Leadership (Under 40)
• Vanguard Award for Programmers
• Vanguard Award for Associates and Affiliates
• Vanguard Award for Science and Technology
• Vanguard Award for Cable Operations Management
• Vanguard Award for Government and Community Relations
• Vanguard Award for Marketing

Award candidates may be nominated by representatives of NCTA member companies, and winners are selected by an Awards Committee composed of members of the NCTA Board of Directors as well as former Award winners. Nominations for the Awards are due on or before March 21, 2003. To obtain information about nominations, please contact Michelle Ray of the NCTA's Department of Industry Affairs by phone at 202/775-3669 or via email at mray@ncta.com.