19th Annual NAMIC Conference ‘The Evolution will be Televised: Diversity in Hi-Def.

For 25 years, NAMIC has led the communications industry in recognizing the impact of the multi-ethnic consumer and the connection between diversity and the bottom line.

During this time, the 19th Annual NAMIC Conference has evolved to become the single most comprehensive and important event of the year for stakeholders in multi-ethnic markets.

The conference, themed “The Evolution will be Televised: Diversity in Hi-Def,” will be co-chaired by William J. Bresnan, Chairman & CEO, Bresnan Communications and Douglas Holloway, President, Cable Investments, NBC Universal.

“It’s my pleasure to take on the role of Honorary Co-Chair for so important an event as NAMIC’s Annual Conference,” said Bill Bresnan. “This is an organization which empowers the telecommunications industry to do well by doing good. NAMIC’s dedication to increasing the role minorities play in our business not only has helped to enhance our many companies but more importantly has created significant opportunities for skilled and talented workers who might otherwise not have had a chance to show their worth.”

Similarly, Mr. Holloway stated: “I’m thrilled to have been chosen as one of the Honorary Co-Chairs for this significant year in NAMIC’s history,” said Holloway. “As one of the founding members of NAMIC and having witnessed the impact and growth of diversity in the industry, I am proud of the accomplishments and recognition the organization has achieved and look forward to the challenges ahead.”

In addition, NAMIC will bestow its highest honor, the Mickey Leland Humanitarian Achievement Award, to Robert L. Johnson, Founder and CEO of BET. The Mickey Leland Award was created in 1992 to honor Congressman Mickey Leland and his commitment to creating opportunities for people of color. It is given annually, during the Annual NAMIC Conference, to an individual or organization in the communications industry that works to advance the causes and concerns of people of color.

A special luncheon program, produced by Court TV, will examine the 40th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, and the debate about its section 5 and the consequences of non-renewal.

A partial list of confirmed speakers and moderators include: Erika Andersen, Founder, Proteus International, Inc.; Robert B. Clasen, President & CEO, Starz Entertainment Group; Terry Denson, VP, Programming & Marketing, Verizon Communications; Paul Donato, Chief Research Officer, Nielsen Media Research; Rahema Ellis, Correspondent, NBC News; Jami Floyd, Anchor, Court TV; Jeff Friday, CEO, Film Life, Inc.; Derrick Frost, SVP, Operations, Advanced Technology Group, Time Warner Cable; Jason Hirschhorn, SVP, Digital Music & Media, MTV Networks; Jane Hyun, Author, “Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling”; Reginald Hudlin, President of Entertainment, BET; Hoda Kotb, Correspondent, Dateline NBC; Soledad O’Brien, Co-Anchor, “American Morning,” CNN; Theodore Shaw, Director – Counsel and President, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.; Sandra Murillo Weber, VP, Multicultural Marketing, Turner Entertainment Group; David Wellisch, VP & GM, AOL Latino, America Online, Inc. and Tina Wells, CEO, Buzz Marketing Group.

For more information please visit http://www.annualnamicconference.com