News from WICT Global

The Industry's Ongoing Response to COVID-19

Our industry continues to provide content and connectivity to millions of customers, and we are proud to support the efforts of our stakeholders to enable people to continue to be productive and engaged citizens. Below are some examples of what cable, media and technology companies are offering, which we have updated since our last communication on April 10.

ACA Connects unveiled a broadband dashboard that shows its members’ broadband networks have kept up with surging internet traffic. During the pandemic, the organization found download usage increased 27%, while upload usage was up 36%.

Altice USA has committed $10 million to assist local communities in its new Community Relief Program to help medium-sized or smaller business subscribers recover from the economic fallout caused by the coronavirus pandemic. CEO Dexter Goei has pledged 35% of his salary for the remainder of 2020 to this effort. Other Altice senior executives have pledged 25% of their salaries and a number of other executives have stepped up with donation pledges. The company is also offering 20% premium pay to customer-interfacing, contact center and news field employees. Top executives also pledged to contribute a portion of their 2020 salaries to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and the Feeding America programs. The company has extended its Keep Americans Connected pledge to customers through June 30.

Atlantic Broadband is making health care providers aware of a new FCC initiative that includes $200 million to help eligible health care providers deliver telehealth services during the COVID-19 outbreak. The company has notified health care providers in its service areas in eleven states and promoted the initiative through its social media channels.

BendBroadband is launching a virtual tech visit tool to help provide remote, real-time customer support. Company technicians can now perform installations and help troubleshoot service-related issues without having to physically enter the customer premises.

BET’s Saving Our Selves: A BET COVID-19 Relief Effort raised more than $16 million in commitments – doubling the initial fundraising goal. The money will support more than 50 organizations across the country providing emergency resources directly to African Americans hardest hit by the health and financial crisis. The company has also partnered with the NAACP on virtual town halls that are routinely drawing crowds of 30,000 - 40,000 viewers.

Charter is the latest company to commit to no layoffs or furloughs for at least the next 60 days. It’s also instituted pay increases for frontline employees and added three weeks of COVID-19 leave. The company is also providing Disney Junior, Disney XD, Game Show Network and UPtv at no additional charge to all Spectrum TV customers through the last week of May.

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts has committed $500 million to support employees where operations have been paused or impacted. Roberts and senior executives, including Comcast Cable CEO Dave Watson and NBCUniversal CEO Jeff Shell, have committed to donating 100% of their salaries to charities to support relief efforts. The company is extending its offer of 60 days of complimentary Internet Essentials service for new customers through June 30.

CommScope has made financial donations and is offering more than 50 courses and 150 hours of training in the CommScope Infrastructure Academy for free to customers and partners to increase product and technology knowledge with no financial burden.

Cox said it is taking steps to meet the financial challenges presented by the pandemic, and “at this point, those steps don’t involve layoffs or furloughs.” The company has also extended its COVID-19 commitments to customers through June 30 and will continue to offer its free Connect2Compete service through July 15. 

The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau approved an additional five funding applications for the COVID-19 telehealth program. The approvals will give an additional $3.71 million in funding to healthcare providers providing telehealth services in locales like LA and NYC during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fox Corp is the latest company to curb executive pay. CEO Lachlan Murdoch, chairman Rupert Murdoch, COO John Nallen, Chief Legal and Policy Officer Viet Dinh, and CFO Steve Tomsic, will forgo their salaries through September 30. Raises are also suspended across the company and for its board.

Fox Sports held its first ever eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series race, putting actual pro drivers into simulators for a virtual competition that aired live on FS1 . It’s been continuing it every Sunday since.

IFC Films says they’ll let independent theaters screen 200 of their films for free once social distance measures permit them to operate. 

Liberty Global created a $4 million COVID-19 employee assistance fund, with $2 million coming from senior executives and the board. The additional $2 million has been contributed by the company. All Liberty Global employees will be eligible to confidentially apply for assistance across eight countries.

Mediacom has pledged no layoffs for its 4,500 employees at least through May 31.

NBC Sports will launch a new multi-platform campaign #OneHomeTeam, spotlighting all the ways viewers, fans, athletes and commentators are filling the live sports void from home.

NBCUniversal’s “Stay-In Theater” Family Movie Nights will air across USA , Syfy and E! , with Telemundo joining in on Saturday night. The networks have also repurposed about seven minutes of promo time to show “fun, behind-the-scenes content related to the movie.”

OWN’s COVID-19 programming included the hour-long Oprah Talks COVID-19 - The Deathly Impact on Black America and special editions of Black Women OWN the Conversation. The premise of the latter is to bring Black women together with a panel of experts to discuss topics important to them.

REVOLT launched a weekly live show, Revolt Black News, to bring additional information regarding the COVID-19 crisis to the Black community. Its April 9 live town hall, moderated by founder Sean “Diddy” Combs, garnered 4.6 million viewers across all REVOLT platforms.

SCTE•ISBE created a special workshop track for Cable-Tec Expo® 2020. Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic will look at new strategies for managing workforces and how cable and new partners can foster cross-industry innovation to leverage new health and safety applications during public emergencies.

Showtime is supporting the Farmworkers COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Fund to help raise funds for farmworkers and their families.

Sparklight announced a series of 14 WiFi hotspots for public use throughout Idaho during the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has discontinued data overage fees, is waiving late charges, and suspending disconnection of internet services for residential and business customers who are unable to pay their bill due to disruptions caused by the pandemic through June 30, 2020.

Telemundo expanded its daytime programming to at least 12 hours of live news coverage

and entertainment news during the week to offer extensive coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ViacomCBS set up a $100 million relief fund to help those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, particularly those in production. Funds will also support grants by the Motion Picture & Television Fund and The Actors Fund.

WarnerMedia announced a media match program for CNN’s digital marketing partners to share messages of social good amidst COVID-19. CNN Digital will match 100% of any new investment with inventory for the same dollar amount. WarnerMedia will also give donated media to the Ad Council to run PSAs for a charity of the partner’s choice to combat the coronavirus.

WICT has made its online distance learning library available to members and non-members for 30 days, giving free access to high-quality leadership development programs 24/7 (see article below for additional details). The organization's spring programs have either been cancelled, postponed or shifted to virtual events - visit the website for the latest details.

Please send updates on your company's efforts to [email protected] .

Sources include: ACA Connects, Cablefax Daily, CTAM SmartBrief, NCTA - The Internet and Television Association, various corporate websites and social media accounts.

New Virtual Learning Opportunity

Power in Crisis: How to Step Up and Use Power Better,

in Any Role, on Any Stage


Thursday, May 14, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm (Eastern)

Executive Level Distance Learning Series

In just a few months, the world has changed and we are all struggling to adapt. As fear and uncertainty rise in our workplaces, so does the need for strong leaders who are not afraid to use power. In this session,  Deborah Gruenfeld, Stanford Professor and author of the new book,  Acting with Power: Why We Are More Powerful Than We Believe, addresses how leadership styles will change in the wake of the current crisis, and how women leaders in particular can rise to the occasion by learning to wield power without fear.

Click here to learn more about the presenter, Deborah Gruenfeld, Joseph McDonald Professor, Professor of Organizational Behavior and Co-Director, Executive Program in Women’s Leadership from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

This webinar is open to all WICT members and will recorded for later review.

WICT gratefully acknowledges the Walter Kaitz Foundation

as the Exclusive Sponsor of the

Executive Level Distance Learning Series

PAR Top Companies for Women to Work Recognition Reinvented for 2020

We are excited to share with you the reimagined Signature Luncheon, which will take the form of a video celebration of the PAR Top Companies for Women to Work.

 This summer, we will present a vibrant and powerful celebratory video that showcases the exemplary work the PAR Top Companies practice to promote strong diversity and inclusion (D&I) within their workforces and the industry at large. The video celebration will be easily shareable across all multimedia platforms, allowing us to highlight our honorees and sponsors far beyond the traditional luncheon audience. This amplified viewership will equate to an overarching audience of tens of thousands across WICT’s platforms, including 24 chapters worldwide.

Tune in to salute the following PAR Top Companies for Women to Work:

Visit www.wictsignaturevideo.org for additional details as they become available.

WICT gratefully acknowledges the sponsors of the

2020 PAR Top Company Recognition Video Presentation

Nominate Exceptional Executives for

WICT's 2020 Women of the Year and Women to Watch Awards

Awards to be presented at the WICT Touchstones Luncheon

Monday, October 5, 2020 | Marriott Marquis | New York, NY

Deadline for nominations is Monday, June 1, 2020, at 5:00 pm (Eastern)

Trailblazer. Innovator. Catalyst. Who do you envision when you read those words?

Each year, WICT shines a spotlight on some of the industry’s most accomplished and influential women. At a time when we could all use a little inspiration, we are excited to move forward, honoring the women who continue to make outstanding contributions to the industry.

We invite you to nominate visionary leaders for our Women of the Year and Women to Watch Awards. You can nominate women from your own company, an industry colleague or simply someone who inspires you. To view past honorees and submit a nomination, visit our website .

The 2020 Women of the Year and Women to Watch honorees will be recognized at the Touchstones Luncheon on Monday, October 5, during the WICT Leadership Conference and Diversity Week. The lunch program showcases the value of gender diversity and inclusion while recognizing women who are paving the way for tomorrow's generation of leaders.

Need help getting started with your nomination? Click here to view some tips to ensure the Review Panel has all the information it needs to get to know your candidate. In addition to the criteria below, nominees should embody the characteristics of WICT's Touchstones of Leadership.

Visit our website for additional criteria and helpful information to assist you in developing your nomination(s).

Continuing Education & Professional Development

A Three-Part Virtual Series

First Session: Friday, June 5, 2020

WICT’s Tech It Out Initiative premiered in 2009 with the goal of creating strong women leaders in technology, while also raising awareness about the vast opportunities for women in the tech fields within our industry. A growing body of research shows that strengthening gender diversity fosters innovation and improves the bottom line. Programs like Tech It Out give our stakeholders tools they need to keep pace with the latest advances in technology while connecting them with industry leaders and pioneers.

This year, WICT Global is proud to partner with the WICT Midwest Chapter to co-host a multi-day web series.

Session 1: Friday, June 5, 2020

An Inside Look at What is Happening in Washington

Session 2: Thursday, June 18, 2020

The Chasing Grace Project – Episode 3

Session 3: Thursday, June 25, 2020

CybHER: Empowering, Motivating and Educating Girls in CyberSecurity

Registration Now Open for the Fall Session of

EDS: Executive Leadership Presence

September 30 - October 1, 2020 | Rancho Bernardo Inn | San Diego, CA

In the first seven seconds of exposure to another individual, we make 11 judgments, which boil down to three key areas:

Too many of today’s professionals are failing to pass the credibility test as these judgments are made.

Executive leadership presence is a critical competency for today’s leaders and is expected in order to move beyond mid-management. Executive Leadership Presence , one of two workshops in WICT’s Executive Development Series , is designed for mid-career cable professional women to inspire confidence, engage and influence others, and maintain productivity while increasing visibility and career mobility.

This two-day program introduces participants to a unique framework and toolkit of 21 specific attributes, skills and thought processes that work together to help them build the knowledge and skills needed to:

Finally, participants practice bringing all elements together to convey the “Confident Casual®” target (the ability to convey complementary messaging that is both strategic and visionary, while also engaging hearts/emotions in the processes), are videotaped, and receive feedback from their peers and our professional coaches.

Reserve Your Spot Today for the 2020 WICT Leadership Conference

October 5-6, 2020 | Marriott Marquis | New York, NY*

During the cable industry's Diversity Week

The WICT Leadership Conference opens cable's Diversity Week and is the preeminent leadership and professional development opportunity for media professionals at all career levels. Through inspiring keynote speakers and innovative concurrent sessions covering a variety of topics, as well as connecting with industry colleagues, each attendee is immersed in leadership activities designed to help impact their career and their company's bottom line. 

Registration includes attendance at the WICT Touchstones Luncheon on Monday, October 5. During the luncheon, WICT will recognize our 2020 Women of the Year and Women to Watch honorees.

Accommodations

The Diversity Week room block is now open. All sessions will take place at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square, 1535 Broadway, New York, NY 10036. The Diversity Week room rates, starting at $415/night, plus applicable taxes, will be available while supplies last. Reserve your room online or call 1-877-303-0104 and request the WICT Diversity Week room block.

*We continue to monitor developments regarding COVID-19, and look to the WHO, CDC and local authorities for guidance. While our plan is for the WICT Leadership Conference to return to New York this fall, please be advised we are exploring additional options, including virtual opportunities as well as alternate locations. We will provide any necessary updates as they become available.

The WICT Online Learning Library is Open to All

Tune Into These Enlightening Workplace Conversations

During this uncertain time, many of us are facing new challenges as we adapt to remote work and keep ourselves indoors for the protection of ourselves and others. As this  Forbes article  reminds us, while we cannot completely control what is happening during this pandemic, we can look for opportunities to continue our professional development at a pace that works for each of us individually. 

To help you with this effort,  WICT’s Online Learning Library is open to everyone for a limited time. We encourage you to share the library with members and non-members in your network.

Enjoy our online course content, which includes The Seismic Shift: How #MeToo is Reshaping Today's Workplaces, with presenter Dr. Britt Andreatta. This session was originally presented as a live webinar, part of the Executive Level Distance Learning Series, sponsored by the Walter Kaitz Foundation and exclusively offered to WICT Executive level members. The response was so positive that WICT chose to repurpose the webinar as an interactive learning tool.

The #MeToo and #TimesUp movements awakened a sleeping giant and ignited a global campaign on the obstacles – both blatant and unconscious – women encounter routinely in their professional lives. During the Beyond the Hashtags session, recorded during the 2018 WICT Leadership Conference, a panel of experts and WICT President & CEO, Maria E. Brennan, CAE, explored ideas, insights and strategies to shift the dialog from what was to what can be.

Online Courses Sponsored by

The Walter Kaitz Foundation

View this email in your web browser

Please do not reply to this message - direct any questions or concerns to [email protected]