WICT Chapters Adapt to COVID-19 and Other News from WICT's Network

In this issue:

Educational Opportunities

Join us Online for Learning to Love "No"
Registration Now Open for 2020 WICT Leadership Conference
BMLI Alumnae: Register by July 31 to Save $100 on BMGI Registration

News from Around the Network

WICT Chapters Adapt Program Offerings
Our Online Learning Library is Open to All
Call for Nominations: WICT Woman of the Year & Woman to Watch Awards
March 31, 2020 is Equal Pay Day in the U.S.
The Industry's Ongoing Response to COVID-19

Educational Opportunities

Join us Online for Learning to Love "No"

Thursday, April 23 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm (Eastern)

According to Harvard Business Review, women in business must substantially outperform the average professional in order to advance. As a result, a ‘yes’ culture has been created. Society tells women that to be seen as deserving of success, we must say yes to everything that comes our way. We must prove that we’re willing, eager, and capable of doing it all.

The reality, however, is just the opposite. In this presentation, entrepreneur and award-winning business consultant, Erin Joy , draws from experience and qualitative research to refute the dangerous ‘just say yes’ mindset and prove that there is even more power in learning to say ‘no.’

The WICT team is working to bring you more webinar opportunities – stay tuned for updates.

Registration is Open 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 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.

Registration Now Open for the 2020 Betsy Magness Graduate Institute

November 19-20 | Four Seasons Baltimore

Exclusively for BMLI Alumnae

WICT’s 2020 Betsy Magness Graduate Institute (BMGI) will take place November 19 – 20, 2020 in Baltimore, MD. Created by WICT and developed in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL), BMGI provides participants with the latest tools and techniques available to leaders while reconnecting them to the powerful BMLI alumnae network.

Additional details will be released as they become available. In the meantime, register by July 31 to save $100 off the registration fee.

News from Around the Network

Chapters Adapt Program Offerings as

WICT Opens its Online Learning Library to all Visitors

WICT has always embraced a spirit of collaboration, and chapters are taking this to a new level as they work to find creative ways to engage members and stay connected during this unprecedented time. Although programming has been greatly altered, chapters remain committed to supporting each and every member.

For example, WICT Southern California is collaborating with Greater Texas , Latin America, Midwest, New York, Northern California and Southwest to bring members a virtual learning opportunity on trusting their intuition. As more and more members are working from home to slow the spread of COVID-19, chapters like WICT Washington DC/Baltimore and New York are providing resources like a webinar on remote schooling, helpful articles how to work from home with kids , nailing a virtual job interview and making the most of Zoom . WICT Great Lakes recently surveyed members to ask how the chapter can support them, and WICT Midwest decided to convert its signature Tech It Out event to a virtual program.

We can see the positive impact our more than 500 chapter volunteers have, especially after we announced that we were opening our Online Learning Library to everyone. Chapters helped spread the word, and not only did we experience a 2000% increase in traffic to the library, we have seen visitors from the United States, Latin America, Europe and Singapore.

We are proud to see our chapters hard at work, embracing change, strengthening their networks and providing members with leadership development opportunities during these uncertain times.

WICT Announces Call for Nominations for

2020 Woman of the Year and Woman to Watch Awards

Nominations Due by Monday, June 1, 2020

Awards to be Presented at the WICT Touchstones Luncheon, Monday, October 5

in New York during Diversity Week

WICT is now accepting nominations for the 2020 Woman of the Year and Woman to Watch honorees. The esteemed awards will be presented at the Touchstones Luncheon on Monday, October 5 in New York during the WICT Leadership Conference, held in conjunction with the industry's Diversity Week. The deadline for nominations is Monday, June 1, 2020, at 5:00 pm (Eastern).

The Woman of the Year Award is bestowed on a woman who has made significant contributions throughout her career to her company and the overall cable telecommunications industry. She is a proven leader and asset who shows great resolve to help others along their path. WICT will select one honoree each from a programmer and an operator.

The Woman to Watch Award honors a woman who shows tremendous promise for transforming the industry through her professional accomplishments. She has already demonstrated exemplary leadership skills in her company and a strong dedication to the industry. WICT will select one honoree each from a programmer, an operator and an industry supplier.

A complete list of past honorees is available on the WICT website . For more information on the Woman of the Year and Woman to Watch criteria, or to submit nominations, visit our website .

March 31 is Equal Pay Day in the U.S.

Equal Pay Day was created by the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) in 1996 as a public awareness event to illustrate the gap between men's and women's wages. Because women earn less, on average, than men, they must work longer for the same amount of pay. The wage gap is even greater for most women of color. The date symbolizes how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year.

For more information, see NCPE's Equal Pay Day Kit

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, updated since our last issue .

ACA Connects is consolidating industry updates, government resources and more on its website .

AccuWeather is donating warnings of severe weather to hospitals, medical institutions and public health agencies battling the virus.

Altice USA announced that it is making content available from Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Drama, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, Cooking Channel, DIY Network, Science Channel, and Discovery Family now through April 22 at no additional cost.

Atlantic Broadband announced its Internet Assist plan, offered to customers in need at no cost for 60 days, as well as a discounted service called Atlantic Broadband Business Assist in recognition of companies' needs for remote access.

Charter will provide Showtime and EPIX at no additional charge through April 19 to Spectrum TV customers who do not currently subscribe to them.

Corning’s Life Sciences division donated supplies and equipment to help combat the pandemic in New York.

Cox Media and its Good News Network have launched a social media campaign to share uplifting stories in an attempt to "spread a little joy" during the pandemic. Follow #GoodNewsNetwork for updates.

CNN is allowing distribution partners to make it available to all subscribers for a limited time.

C-SPAN worked with Congressional leadership to dedicate airtime to House members’ brief video statements explaining their positions on the emergency coronavirus relief legislation.

Disney Media Networks is making Disney XD, Disney Junior, FXM and Nat Geo Wild available for a 30-day free preview.

ESPN debuted the “#oneteam” initiative, featuring 24 ESPN voices speaking from homes across the country encouraging fans to remain vigilant and practice social distancing.

Fox News launched an inspirational editorial series, America Together, on its linear and digital platforms.

Freeform is debuting “#StayTheFFHome,” encouraging young adults to stay home. In addition to PSAs, the network will begin a marathon of the series Everything’s Gonna Be Okay on Friday at 5:30 pm.

Fuse Media is launching its “Be Change” call-to-action, social responsibility initiative, encouraging viewers to stay active and mentally stimulated.

Hallmark Channel gave viewers a taste of Christmas cheer by airing a marathon of 27 of its best holiday films. The channel is also releasing a series of videos and social media posts sharing hope and solidarity with viewers, and thanking frontline heroes.

NBCUniversal is making MSNBC and CNBC available, in partnership with its distribution partners, to all their video customers, regardless of the packages to which they subscribe. The company is also donating medical supplies and personal protective equipment to fight the virus.

Outdoor Sportsman Group is making its networks available for free to partners through the end of April.

REVOLT is offering a 30-day freeview to current partners in an effort to help customers practice social distancing.

Shentel introduced a new affordable pre-paid Internet service, the 25 Mbps Flex package, with free modem and installation.

Telemundo and UnidosUS teamed up for Coronavirus: La Salud de Nuestras (The Health of Our Families) Spanish-language teleconference town hall, taking place this evening at 6:00 pm (Eastern).

Univision News will provide comprehensive coverage concerning the coronavirus outbreak coverage across its linear and digital platforms.

WWE Network has unlocked its library for a limited time, giving viewers access to thousands of hours of on-demand content.

Please send updates on your company's efforts to pr@wict.org .

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

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