Former FOX and Paramount president Gail Berman and Telemundo Chief Operating Officer Jaqueline Hernandez are among the featured guests headlining a timely USC Annenberg leadership forum, “Championing Women & Diversity in Communication Leadership.”
The forum begins at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at USC’s Town & Gown. The evening begins with a networking reception followed by a research presentation and discussion on career possibilities and why it is important to ensure all aspects of diversity are represented in the leadership of media organizations.
“Beyond basic issues of equity, this forum will help increase understanding and appreciation about why it is good for everyone that the leadership of media organizations include women and people of color,” said Geoffrey Baum, managing director of USC Annenberg’s Center on Communication Leadership & Policy (CCLP). “Research shows that the content and quality of entertainment and news programming is different based on who has the power to finance and greenlight projects.”
CCLP is presenting the forum in partnership with Ms. Magazine and the USC Annenberg Office of Career Development & International Programs.
The forum begins with introductions by Ina Coleman, of the Feminist Majority Foundation and research presentations by Johanna Blakely, Ph.D., managing director of USC Annenberg’s Norman Lear Center and Cinny Kennard, senior fellow USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy.
Following these presentations, Karon Jolna Ph.D. a research scholar at UCLA’s Center for the Study of Women, will lead the discussion “Lessons from the Executive Suite,” featuring Berman and Hernandez. Berman was the first female executive to hold the top posts at both a major film studio and television network. She became President of Paramount Pictures in 2005 and was responsible for the studio’s annual slate of films, including the acquisition of literary properties, development, budgeting, casting, and the production of motion pictures for Paramount Pictures, MTV Films, and Nick Movies. Before joining Paramount, Berman served President of Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company. At Fox, Berman was in charge of program development and scheduling, as well as marketing, business affairs, and promotions. Berman took the network to number one, creating such hits as American Idol, 24, House, Arrested Development, Bones, and Family Guy.
Hernández is the Chief Operating Officer of Telemundo Media. As COO she oversees all domestic revenue and marketing; digital media and emerging businesses as well as mun2, Telemundo’s Latino-youth cable network. Previously, she was the publisher of People en Español, the best selling Hispanic magazine in the U.S. She joined the magazine in March 2004 with more than 17 years experience in advertising sales and brand development with significant focus on international television, print and multi-media.
Gerrick Kennedy, Los Angeles Times music writer, Anh Do, Los Angeles Times multicultural communities reporter & Erika Crespo, Fifty & Five will join Hernández and Berman and the discussion will shift to focus on the next generation of communication leaders.
The program will also include questions from the audience. Registration for the program is required.