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November 2, 2007- About ACC / Membership / FORUM / Beacon Awards Inside This Issue:
As a communications and public affairs professional in the cable industry, you are constantly developing ways to garner recognition for your company and its products. Now is the time to be recognized for your communications efforts. The Beacon Awards® are the premier program celebrating cable's communications and public affairs activities. They honor excellence in categories ranging from community relations to brand management, and winning a Beacon Award® validates your work as the best in the business. The 2008 Beacon Awards are bigger and better than ever. To reflect ACC's expanded membership, we have added two new categories – cause marketing and programming publicity. Time is running out to be considered for a 2008 Beacon Award. The deadline for entries is November 16, 2007, so if you think you have a winning communications or public affairs campaign, you should get started on your application right away. Everything you need to know to enter can be found by visiting the Beacon Award page on ACC's Web site. If you are not submitting a campaign this year, there are other ways you can get involved. One way is to join
the 2008 Beacon Awards team and volunteer to judge. Learn about new ideas for improving your communications efforts, as well as provide an opportunity to support ACC
and make new contacts among your industry colleagues.
Again, submissions are due November 16, 2007. Don't miss the opportunity to enter your winning communications campaigns today. Thank you for your consideration, and good luck to all of this year's entrants. Amy Cohn, Co-Chair, 2008 Beacon Awards
Ellen Kroner, Co-Chair, 2008 Beacon Awards
WE tv recently announced the creation of a national grassroots initiative with the goal of registering more than 1 million women voters for the 2008 election. "WE Vote 2008" will educate women on important key issues of interest for the 2008 election while also providing them the resources they need to register to vote in their respective home jurisdictions. The multi-tiered, year-long campaign will be co-chaired by 1984 Vice Presidential nominee Geraldine Ferraro and former U.S. House member Susan Molinari. The campaign also brings together a historic group of nonprofit, nonpartisan organizations, including Women's Voices.Women Vote; America's Promise Alliance; Women's Campaign Forum; The Creative Coalition and The League of Women Voters. Additionally, cable organizations such as ACC, NCTA and WICT will be participating in the initiative. A series of network interstitials will kick off the campaign featuring high profile female celebrities such as Kelly Ripa, LeAnn Rimes and Kerry Washington, promoting the "WE Vote 2008" mission, along with a multi-platform marketing campaign which will drive voter registration on the national and local level. Additionally, the network will implement a unique, custom-made grassroots plan in target markets across the country, combining celebrity driven events, door to door registration drives, educational forums, and WE Vote parties. The network also announced the launch of a campaign Web site, WEvote08.com, a continuously updated online resource center available throughout the election year. The Web site will serve as a mechanism to facilitate voter registration and provide women with candidate stances on key issues important to women. It will also provide daily news on the election and key voting facts. One of the features on the site designed to drive voter registration is a U.S. map allowing users to click on their own state, learn the requirements for voter registration, and download documents they can use to register to vote. For more information on "WE Vote 2008," visit www.wevote08.com or contact Lisa Rogen at 917-542-6216.
As part of its continuing effort to increase the recognition of its members' accomplishments and incorporate Web 2.0
features into its Web site, the Association of Cable Communicators (ACC) will create a week and a half-long blog focusing on the
2008 Beacon Awards®. The blog is scheduled to launch on Wednesday, November 7, and conclude on Friday, November 16.
For more information on the Beacon Awards blog, please contact ACC at 800-210-3396 or services@cablecommunicators.org.
NCTA announced that the Cable Hope Fund, a nonprofit foundation created in 2005 to provide cable industry support for relief to victims of natural disasters, will immediately begin accepting financial donations from cable industry companies, organizations and individuals to provide support and aid to those affected by the recent devastating wildfires in Southern California. Donations collected by the Cable Hope Fund will be contributed to charitable organizations that are supporting
the work of first responders and relief agencies in the disaster area and to organizations that will assist in rebuilding efforts.
The Cable Hope Fund is administered by NCTA and was established in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and
Rita. Originally, the fund was organized to collect and funnel cable industry financial assistance to hurricane victims in
the Gulf Coast Region, but it has been expanded to aid victims of other natural disasters. For more information on
contributing to the Cable Hope Fund, visit www.CableHopeFund.org or contact David Pierce at dpierce@ncta.com or 202-222-2363.
NBC Universal recently announced details for more than 150 hours of environmentally themed programming encompassing all of NBCU's divisions across multiple platforms for the week of November 4-10. Additionally, the company took steps to "green" its own operations worldwide, and for the first time, will award funds from the NBC Universal Foundation to three environmentally-focused organizations. The announcements are part of NBC Universal's ongoing "Green in Universal" initiative. The planned week of programming seeks to reinforce NBCU's continued commitment to help raise environmental awareness in front of the camera and behind the scenes as well as in the office and in the community. In addition to its corporate policies, NBC will use its award-winning "The More You Know" public service campaign as a platform for brand new environmentally-themed spots to be delivered across all platforms. The messages will focus on global warming, pollution and recycling as well as provide viewers with examples on how to ecologically make a difference. The messages will run during the planned 150 hours of programming scheduled across NBC Universal owned and operated stations. All stations will incorporate extensive environmentally-themed stories throughout their newscasts and display green logos and graphics on air. The company also has plans to launch a digital home for the "Green is Universal" initiative. GreenisUniversal.com will kick off on November 4 with seven days of environmentally themed programming and will continue beyond with green tips, clips and a fast-paced blog. Additionally, each station's "Going Green" Web site will also have a green theme and will provide calculators that can determine an individual's impact on the earth according to carbon, water and energy use. NBC Universal's corporate commitment to green its own operations worldwide will continue to grow through the initiative with the creation of a new West Coast News Headquarters and Content Center. The Center will be a leading example of sustainable design, construction and transit-oriented development under the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED® rating system. NBC Universal will seek LEED Silver certification for the construction of the Center and will target LEED for existing buildings for its ongoing operations. Finally, the NBC Universal Foundation, which supports nonprofit organizations that concentrate on
strengthening public secondary education, has selected one national and two local environmentally-focused organizations to receive
grants to promote environmental education and help employees get directly engaged in environmental efforts in their
communities. The Student Conservation Association, the New York Restoration Project and the Los Angeles Conversation Corp
will benefit from these grants.
For more information on the "Green is Universal" initiative, contact Cameron Blanchard at 212-664-7202 or cameron.blanchard@nbcuni.com.
The Inspiration Ministries and humanitarian relief partner Convoy of Hope announced that they are currently staging response efforts to aid more than half a million people displaced by the fires in Southern California. The groups are working in the Spring Valley and Poway areas, which have an estimated one-million residents living within a 15-minute radius, distributing 240,000 lbs. of PowerAde, juice, water and snacks to victims of the wildfires and to firefighters at relief stations. A Convoy of Hope tractor-trailer filled with approximately 40,000 lbs. of cleaning supplies, paper products, personal hygiene items and N-95 paper face masks also arrived in Southern California earlier this week. Approximately 519,754 acres have burned with 70% being in San Diego County. More than 12,000 individuals are still being housed in 45 shelters. To help victims through the Convoy of Hope, please visit their Web site for information on how you can make a donation online. Because of corporate partnerships, every donated dollar is converted to $5-$8 of relief product that actually reaches those in need. Convoy of Hope is a nonprofit organization that has provided resources to organizations and churches since
1994 to meet physical and spiritual needs for the purpose of making the community a better place. For more information on
The Inspiration Ministries and Convoy of Hope's relief efforts, please contact Kristina Hill at khill@insp.com or 704-806-1511.
Help ACC as we honor the best cable communicators in the industry by nominating a colleague for the Cable Communications Achievement Award! Formerly the Public Affairs Achievement Award, the Cable Communications Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the cable communications field. Up to four individuals will be recognized for their role in the cable industry, with one of the four individuals receiving recognition as a "rising star." Nomination forms are currently available on the ACC Web site and will be accepted until January 4, 2008. Eligibility requirements are as follows: · Current member of ACC
"Rising star" nominees must have worked in cable a maximum of two years with no minimum membership requirement
in ACC. Finally, nominees must be employed by a MSO, local system, cable network, industry supplier or industry nonprofit
organization.
Comcast's Eastern Division recently announced that it would be adding two new programs for subscribers in the Washington Metro Area. Presidential Forum ON DEMAND, a 90-minute program taped at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute's (CHCI) 2007 Public Policy Conference, will be provided for digital cable customers in the Washington Metro area, while English ON DEMAND will be added for subscribers in Montgomery County, Maryland. The Presidential Forum features presidential hopefuls Sens. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio-10), as well as former Sen. Mike Gravel (D-Alaska), discussing issues that impact the nation's Hispanic communities. All presidential candidates were invited to the forum, moderated by José Díaz- Balart, co-anchor of Telemundo Network's Cada Día morning program. The forum was sponsored by AARP, the Access to Capital Coalition, National Council of La Raza (NCLR), National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). The English ON DEMAND program consists of four hours of instructional courses from leading ESL video programmer English For You. The course teaches basic language skills to non-English speakers, covering important topics like job and career advancement, managing family life, using information services, civic participation and other subjects. The launch of Comcast's English ON DEMAND program follows the second installment of the Comcast Foundation's $75,000 grant to Montgomery College. Spread out over three years, the funds will specifically benefit Montgomery College's ESOL program, an integral partner of the Montgomery Coalition for Adult English Literacy. For more information on both new additions to Comcast's ON DEMAND line-up in the Washington Metro area, please
contact Lauren Spates at lauren_spates@cable.comcast.com or 301-625-3420.
The Weather Channel announced that it will be involved in Cub Scout Day on Saturday, November 3, at Atlanta's Fernbank Museum of Natural History. The network's on-camera meteorologist Nicole Mitchell will take part in the day's "Career Chats" with scientists to talk with the scouts about her meteorology job and hurricane experience. The special day devoted to Cub Scouts features Fernbank scientists and community volunteers interacting with scouts through museum exhibitions, live animal encounters and discussions of science careers. Cub Scout activities include opportunities to earn belt loops in weather, science, collecting and wildlife conservation, as well as other activities. For more information on the event, visit www.fernbankmuseum.org or contact Melissa Medori at 770-226-2191 or mmedori@weather.com.
Congratulations to Thomas Henning, senior vice president, programs and services, Cable Positive, for submitting the first two Beacon Award entries! Thomas submitted "Positive Voices Campaign" in the Public Service Announcement category and "Positive Voices: Women & HIV" in the Programming (Single Program) category. There is still time to submit your award-worthy initiatives to the 2008 Beacon Awards! The deadline for
all awards submissions is November 16. For more information on the 2008 Beacon Awards, please visit www.cablecommunicators.org/awards_beacon or contact ACC at 800-210-3396 or services@cablecommunicators.org.
Get connected to ACC and your colleagues by judging the 2008 Beacon Awards! Each year, ACC invites its
members to serve as judges for the Beacon Awards, the cable industry's highest honor for communications and public affairs
excellence. As a Beacon Award judge, you will learn what your cable communications peers across the country are
accomplishing and will walk away from the experience with hundreds of new ideas and connections.
Cable Positive recently announced the creation of a new series of public service announcements (PSAs) that take a different approach than the traditional celebrity/star-based/testimonial template. Built around the theme "We Have Work to Do," the new spots feature the most credible sources regarding the disease: those who are infected by it and face the realities of their HIV positive status on a daily basis. Each spot focuses on the fact that there is still work to be done when it comes to AIDS awareness and prevention. The new spots share real life stories from individuals with the Actors Fund and Hopes Voice, two organizations that work closely with Cable Positive and are a vital part of the HIV/AIDS community. The PSAs point out that the disease is everywhere and can affect anyone. Cable Positive is making the spots available to cable networks and systems as well as AIDS service
organizations across the country free of charge. Additionally, Cable Positive is urging groups to join its PSA "Roadblock"
on December 1, 2007, in recognition of World AIDS day. To request a copy of the PSAs and for more information on the
"Roadblock," contact Max Johnson at 212-459-1605 or max@cablepositive.org.
Join and support ACC by becoming a corporate member. Join now and receive benefits immediately from your join date until December 2008. For more information on how your organization can join ACC as a corporate member, please contact Steve Jones at sjones@cablecommunicators.org or 202-222-2373. For membership details, go to www.cablecommunicators.org/mcorp.shtml. Golden Benefactors
Benefactors
Friends & Associates
PO Box 75007 Washington DC 20013 · Phone 800.210.3396 or 202.222.2370 · Fax 202.222.2371 |
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A Message from the Beacon Award Co-
Chairs