In this issue:
News from WICT Global
- The Industry's Ongoing Response to COVID-19
- PAR Top Companies for Women to Work Recognition Reinvented for 2020
Continuing Education & Professional Development
- Tech It Out 2020: WICT Global Partners with WICT Midwest to Present Virtual Program
- New Virtual Learning Opportunity: Constructive Conflict
- New to our Online Learning Library: Happiness: The Art and Science of Fulfillment, courtesy of the WICT Southern California Chapter
Take our Quick Poll
- If you've been teleworking during the pandemic, please share your thoughts about returning to the office
@WICTHQ on Social Media
- Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter
- Stay up-to-date on the latest WICT news, and learn more about the business case for gender diversity, equity and inclusion
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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 30.
Altice USA
and
Optimum
unveiled a new campaign called #HeyNeighbor, aiming to spotlight local business and individuals across the NY tri-state area that are going above and beyond to keep their neighborhoods and communities connected.
Charter
will provide one month of free services to any new customer that signs up for
Spectrum Business.
The offer is aimed at Spectrum’s small business customers that are slowly starting to re-open their doors with the lifting of stay-at-home orders. Charter also said it has hired more than 3,000 employees nationwide and is looking to hire more.
Comcast Business
partnered with
Telemundo
to provide a $50,000 grant to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 4.37 million Hispanic-owned small businesses. Telemundo is also providing resources and guidelines to businesses in the language of their choice and tips on how to navigate the Small Business Debt Relief Program.
CTAM
launched a
COVID Resource Center
which includes research reports, infographics, educational resources and updates from industry leaders, provided by member companies. The site includes analyses of consumer attitudes and perceptions to provide a lens through which to view consumer behavior.
FCC
Chairman Pai extended the
Keep Americans Connected
pledge from May 12 to June 30. The number of participating companies has increased, with more signing onto the pledge for the first time. The FCC said that 774 broadband and phone providers have committed to maintain service, waive late fees and keep WiFi hotspots open through June 30.
Grande, RCN
and
Wave
have pledged $100,000 to Feeding America to support local food banks in their service areas. Additionally, Grande will run Feeding America ads on its cable network free of charge to support further fundraising efforts.
Hallmark
has launched a campaign in support of the U.S. Postal Service. The card maker, and parent to
Crown Media Family Networks,
is encouraging folks to text “Hallmark” to 52286. That then sends folks to a web link encouraging them to send an email to members of Congress to call for more financial support for USPS.
Investigation Discovery’s
fan engagement event went virtual for
IDCON: Home Together.
Instead of an attendance fee, ID encouraged donations to nonprofit organizations it supports, including the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, National Network to End Domestic Violence and One Love.
Spectrum Reach
rolled out a partner program that includes a 50% match on purchased TV campaigns, up to $5,000 in monthly value, for new and existing clients on any advertising campaigns booked for June and July. The company is also offering creative messaging support and holding free virtual roundtables to connect local business owners with national experts to help them rebuild their businesses.
WOW!’s
executive leadership team is the latest to commit significant portions of their paychecks to support employees affected by the pandemic. That money will be directed to WOW!’s Arm-in-Arm fund, an employee-funded program to provide financial support to other WOW! employees in need. WOW! is also offering contactless installations for new customers that have purchased either its high-speed broadband service or Whole-Home WiFi product.
Xfinity Communities
partnered with Denver-based real estate investment trust Aimco to donate apartments with TV and internet service to medical workers at four nearby hospitals for a minimum of 60 days.
WICT
has made its
online distance learning library
available to members and non-members alike, 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
pr@wict.org
.
Sources include: ACA Connects, Cablefax Daily, CTAM SmartBrief, NCTA - The Internet and Television Association, various corporate websites and social media accounts.
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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:
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WICT gratefully acknowledges the sponsors of the
2020 PAR Top Company Recognition Video Presentation
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Continuing Education & Professional Development
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A Virtual Web Series
First Session: Friday, June 5, 2020
Second Session: Friday, June 19, 2020
Third Session: Thursday, June 25, 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
- Introductory Remarks: Maria E. Brennan, CAE, WICT President & CEO
- Speaker: Lisa Schoenthaler, VP & Senior Policy Counsel, Government Relations, NCTA
Following opening remarks from WICT President & CEO, Maria Brennan, NCTA's Lisa Schoenthaler will discuss COVID-19 and its impact on our industry, upcoming spectrum auctions, and all of the dynamic changes and legislation affecting new technology innovations in our space.
Session 2: Friday, June 19, 2020
The Chasing Grace Project – Episode 3
- Introductory Remarks: Michelle Ray, Executive Director, Walter Kaitz Foundation
- Speaker: Jennifer Cloer, CEO, reTHINKit Media
Michelle Ray, head of the Walter Kaitz Foundation, will welcome attendees to the second session in the Tech It Out series. Jennifer Cloer is the creator behind a documentary series,
The Chasing Grace Project,
which
focuses on women in tech who serve in leadership positions. Episode 3, entitled
Lady Boss,
features a WICT Midwest Chapter Board Member and shouldn’t be missed.
Session 3: Thursday, June 25, 2020
CybHER: Empowering, Motivating and Educating Girls in CyberSecurity
- Speaker: Dr. Ashley Podhradsky, Associate Professor of Digital Forensics and Associate Dean of the Beacom College of Computer and Cyber Sciences, Dakota State University
Dr. Podhradsky will discuss her cutting-edge work in cyber forensics, the dark web and CybHER®, a women’s philanthropy she founded. Its mission is to empower, motivate, educate and change the perception of girls and women in cybersecurity.
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New Virtual Learning Opportunity
Constructive Conflict
Wednesday, July 1, 2020 | 12:00 – 1:00 pm (Eastern)
Executive Level Distance Learning Series
Conflict is natural and inevitable. When you add the stress of a global crisis and remote work to an organizational culture of rapid change and complexity, conflict is likely to increase. With perspective and skill, you can successfully navigate conflict to uncover real issues and reach agreements that bolster relationships. Constructive and healthy conflict not only creates hope and resilience, it is the basis for creativity and innovation.
This webinar will help you to:
- Communicate positively and effectively;
- Identify core issues constructively; and
- Reach agreements that satisfy all parties involved.
To prepare for the live discussion, please think of a chronic conflict or two that you have experienced (either from work or home). We will use those to identify and build our conflict navigation skills.
Our presenters from the Yarbrough Group,
Lindsay Burr and
Elaine Yarbrough, are WICT's educational partners on Leading with Power and Authenticity, part of the Executive Development Series. Meet them both below.
This webinar is open to all WICT members and will be recorded for later review.
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Lindsay Burr
Lindsay focuses on developing the next generation of leadership, helping organizations navigate the changing virtual workspace, bringing in the perspective of women and the experience of Generations X and Y. She leads training in interpersonal, group, and organizational conflict resolution techniques; facilitates team development, and strategic planning; and coaches individuals so they can reach their full potential.
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Elaine Yarbrough
Dr. Yarbrough specializes in leadership, communication, conflict management, and managing change for individuals, groups, and organizations. She has published three books and numerous articles in the areas of conflict management and consulting. Those include
Artful Mediation: Constructive Conflict at Work (with Dr. William Wilmot),
Constructive Conflict, and
Training Strategies from Start to Finish (with Dr. Paul Friedman).
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WICT gratefully acknowledges the Walter Kaitz Foundation
as the Exclusive Sponsor of the
Executive Level Distance Learning Series
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The WICT Online Learning Library is Open to All
Tune Into
Happiness: The Art and Science of Fulfillment
During this uncertain time, many of us are facing new challenges as we adapt to remote work and keep ourselves indoors. It is important for us to 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.
This month we are pleased to feature content courtesy of the
WICT Southern California Chapter. Recorded on April 13, 2020, presenter Rob Mack delivers a simple-to-follow instruction manual, based in both science and personal experience, for living a happier, healthier, and wealthier life. Learn eight tried-and-true principles for realizing unconditional happiness and achieving the unparalleled success that comes with it. With a little effort, anyone — regardless of current circumstances — can live a wonderfully prosperous and abundant life.
- Speaker: Rob Mack is a positive psychology expert, executive coach, best-selling author of Happiness from the Inside Out, and TV host, personality and producer for OWN and E! His private practice coaches individuals from all walks of life, including professional athletes, Academy Award-winning actors, platinum-selling artists and entertainers, C-suite level executives, and everyday people alike.
Click the image below to launch the recorded webinar.
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WICT gratefully acknowledges the Walter Kaitz Foundation
as the Exclusive Sponsor of the Online Learning Library
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What are your thoughts about returning to your office after teleworking is lifted?
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I prefer working from home.
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I am neutral about it/no opinion.
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Connect with @WICTHQ on Social Media
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Join WICT on our social media platforms (our handle is @WICTHQ on
LinkedIn,
Twitter,
Facebook and
Instagram) for the latest news on gender diversity in the workplace, leadership development and productivity tips, programming updates and diversity, equity and inclusion data.
Below are some sample posts from Twitter (left) and Instagram (right). Make sure to follow us online for more valuable tips and updates.
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