The 2003 Beacon Awards … Honoring Excellence in Cable
Public Affairs
The Cable Television Public Affairs Association (CTPAA) annually sponsors the Beacon
Awards program as part of its mission to develop and promote public affairs excellence to help
achieve industry, corporate and social goals. The Beacon Awards recognize the best of the best
cable public affairs campaigns. This year, CTPAA received 422 Beacon entries showing the
strong and continuing commitment by the cable industry to public affairs. The entries were
submitted by cable operators, programming networks and cable associations for public affairs
projects aimed at the community, customers, education, employees, government or the media.
In January 2003, 75 public affairs professionals judged the Beacon entries in an extensive twopart process that spanned three days at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association
headquarters in Washington, D.C. Panels of judges reviewed each submission and chose 77
Beacon Award Winners.
The entries submitted demonstrate the hard work and dedication of public affairs professionals
across the nation. It is through cable public affairs campaigns and volunteer efforts of cable
employees that local charities and non-profit organizations nationwide receive the materials and
services to further their missions and help those in need. Cable public affairs campaigns are
instrumental in delivering cable’s message and news about technological advances to their
customers and help grow the bottom line. In addition, these initiatives help students learn and
view the world via cable’s high-speed Internet and an array of educational programming.
2003 Golden Beacon Award
CTPAA is very pleased to honor C-SPAN Networks, this year’s Golden Beacon Award winner,
for C-SPAN’s Presidential Timeline Giveaway. The Golden Beacon Award is the association’s
highest honor, recognizing a public affairs initiative that has made an impact within the cable
industry, while enhancing cable’s image nationwide.
In the fall of 2002, in partnership with our cable operator affiliates, C-SPAN developed an
educational outreach promotion for C-SPAN in the Classroom that distributed over 64,000 free
presidential history timeline posters to middle and high school social studies teachers across the
country. The campaign highlighted C-SPAN's American history resources, increased
membership of C-SPAN in the Classroom, and promoted the message that C-SPAN and all of its
educational resources are a public service of the cable industry. A timeline was sent free-ofcharge to any educator who requested it from our web site. They were also signed up for CSPAN in the Classroom, a free membership service that provides education resources,
fellowships, grants and other tools and opportunities for educators.
C-SPAN's created this poster for classroom use to help educators teach the public service careers
of all 43 U.S. presidents and major events in U.S. history included on the poster. The six-foot
long timeline poster also featured historical photographs, eye-catching colors, and portraits of the
presidents. Printed on durable paper, the poster will continue to spread the message of the cable
industry's public service as it is displayed in classrooms across the country.
The posters were distributed through a multi-phased campaign. C-SPAN produced and aired a
PSA spot for the project targeting middle and high school social studies teachers, offering free
timeline posters and inviting them to register online for C-SPAN in the Classroom. C-SPAN also
customized the PSA for seven major MSOs to include on their monthly corporate promotions
reels, resulting in our affiliates airing the PSA thousands of times all over the country. C-SPAN
also targeted educators with direct mail postcards, e-mails to current C-SPAN in the Classroom
members, and print ads in educational publications.
Satisfied teachers were a powerful influence on timeline requests through word-of-mouth
communication. Many took advantage of C-SPAN in the Classroom's web site which features
over 20 lessons plans and activities created by C-SPAN's education department and C-SPAN
Education Fellows for teachers to use in conjunction with the timeline. Dozens of teachers have
written or e-mailed C-SPAN describing how they have used the poster in their classrooms and to
communicate their appreciation for the project. In a testament to the poster's value in the
classroom, 36% of teachers who requested posters indicated that a fellow teacher had told them
about the timeline.
Though timeline requests came from teachers across many disciplines, 39,000 American history
teachers have requested the timeline, thus accomplishing C-SPAN's goal of communicating to
teachers that C-SPAN programming and educational resources cover history as well as
government and public affairs. Of the 64,000 educators requesting timelines, over 60,000
teachers became new members of C-SPAN in the Classroom. C-SPAN in the Classroom's
membership grew from 9,000 members to almost 70,000 members – an increase of 678%.
2003 Beacon Award Winners
Community
Community; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System III
AT&T Broadband Supports the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games; AT&T Broadband/Salt
Lake Market; Sandy, UT
Well before the Olympic cauldron was lit, AT&T Broadband initiated efforts to tie into the spirit
of the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games, acknowledge dedicated athletes, raise our
visibility, strengthen relationships with our community leaders, and ensure we met community
needs. Our relationships with the governor, city officials, the community, and local franchising
authorities have never been stronger or more collegial. The Salt Lake Olympic Organizing
Committee proclaimed the telecommunication/ broadband services “nearly flawless in delivery”
and the most successful in the history of the Winter Olympics. AT&T Broadband played an
important role in the Games’ success.
For more information, contact:
Barb Shelley
Executive Director of Communications
Comcast/Salt Lake Market
9602 South 300 West
Sandy, UT 84070
801/401-3278 (phone)
shelley.barb@broadband.att.com
Community; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System IV
Time Warner Cable "Saves The Music" in Milwaukee; Time Warner Cable; Milwaukee, WI
On Wednesday, September 4, President Clinton joined Time Warner Cable and the VH1 Save
The Music Foundation in Milwaukee to celebrate the reinstatement of 65 Milwaukee public
elementary school instrumental music programs. Time Warner Cable Milwaukee spearheaded a
local campaign to raise $500,000, which would be matched with $1.125 million from the VH1
Save the Music Foundation, for a total of $1.625 million to reinstate all 65 music programs.
Time Warner Cable raised the $500,000 through the generous support of the Southeastern
Wisconsin community. Every elementary school in the Milwaukee Public School system will
now have a music education program. Not only has Time Warner Cable Milwaukee raised
$500,000 locally, but the division has also collected over 1,600 used instruments that were
refurbished and given to students for at-home practice.
For more information, contact:
Beverly Greenberg
VP, Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable/Milwaukee
1320 North Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
414/277-4190 (phone)
bev.greenberg@twcable.com
Community; Full Campaign/Series; Cable Network II
Choose to Lead Campaign; Oxygen Media; New York, NY
Choose to Lead’s mission is to raise awareness about the importance of women’s leadership.
The objectives of the program are to encourage women to participate as leaders in their
communities, engage the local community in educating and providing women with leadership
tools, partner with local grassroots organizations, establish partnerships with local cable affiliates
to bring an impactful program to their communities and establish Oxygen as a brand that cares
about women by creating awareness nationally and locally. During the 2002 campaign, Choose
to Lead was integrated in 8 markets, and it hosted four panel discussions, three leadership
seminars, two leadership essay contest awards receptions and a leadership luncheon. It has also
generated 7.5 million press impressions.
For more information, contact:
Mary Murano
SVP, Affiliate Sales
Oxygen Media
75 Ninth Ave.
New York, NY 10011
212/651-5075 (phone)
mmurano@oxygen.com
Community; Full Campaign/Series; Cable Network III
Our Lifetime Commitment: Stop Violence Against Women; Lifetime Television; New York, NY
As part of its commitment to informing and supporting women on the issues most important to
them, Lifetime launched “Our Lifetime Commitment: Stop Violence Against Women.” The
network used the vast power of television and the Internet to raise awareness of domestic
violence and sexual assault. In coordination with a coalition of leading non-profit organizations,
the Congressional Women’s Caucus and other bi-partisan Members of Congress, Lifetime put a
national spotlight -- on-air, online and in the halls of power -- on the problem of violence against
women, in America and around the world. Every element in the campaign informed women and
families about two life-saving resources: the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799SAFE) and the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) hotline (800-656-HOPE).
For more information, contact:
Denise Farrell
Director, Public Affairs
Lifetime Television
309 West 49th St.
New York, NY 10019
212/424-7488 (phone)
dfarrell@lifetimetv.com
Community; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System I
Comcast Cares Day: A Family Celebration of Reading Festival; Comcast Cable Television;
Naples, FL
Literacy is a top priority for the city of Bonita Springs. In turn, Comcast made it a top priority
for their volunteer efforts when they partnered with Governor Jeb Bush’s Family Literacy
Initiative and the Bonita Springs Literacy Council to offer a day of family reading activities. On
October 5, 2002, over 125 Comcast volunteers, members of the Boy Scouts, the City Council,
the police and fire department and even Smokey the Bear, joined together to increase awareness
and build excitement for family reading programs. Volunteers assisted with group reading,
storytelling and one-on-one reading with attendees. Positive results include the participation of
over 1000 families in the event and enrolling 21 reading tutors and 30 families in the initiative.
Governor Bush plans to recognize the event in his annual literacy program in April.
For more information, contact:
Maureen Cestari
Director Government/Community Relations
Comcast Cable Television
301 Tower Road
Naples, FL 34113
239/793-9628 (phone)
maureen_cestari@cable.comcast.com
Community; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System II
Comics Come Home; Comcast – Detroit; Detroit, MI
“Comics Come Home” was an opportunity for Comcast to show that it cares about the
community it does business in. In partnership with Comedy Central, Comcast brought home one
of Michigan’s own successful entertainers- Sinbad. The goal was to host a charitable event for
the United Way. 100% of the proceeds from Comics Come Home would benefit AIDS and
children agencies. “Comics Come Home” raised over $58,000! The event put Comcast and the
United Way in the spotlight and created a greater awareness of the company’s good works.
Comcast was positioned as a true community partner in Detroit.
For more information, contact:
Pamela Dover
Director, Community Relations
Comcast - Detroit
12775 Lyndon Ave.
Detroit, MI 48227
313/934-2600 (phone)
pamela_dover@cable.comcast.com
Community; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System IV
Comcast Film Festival; Comcast; Detroit, MI
The “Comcast Film Festival” was the first of its kind in the Detroit area. It was an opportunity to
create awareness of Comcast’s programming and to create goodwill among customers and
potential customers. It was so successful that the company plans to make it an annual signature
event. Comcast created a line-up of classic films, cable premieres and on-going cable series, as
well as a filmmaker’s workshop. In the absence of an advertising budget, coordinators developed
a grassroots campaign to get the word out. Comcast achieved all of its attendance goals including
a full house of community leaders during a VIP reception with actress Lainie Kazan. The free
festival was not only successful, but also profitable. Comcast’s generated nearly $300,000.00 in
revenue, and new relationships were formed with local organizations.
For more information, contact:
Pamela Dover
Director, Community Relations
Comcast
12775 Lyndon Ave.
Detroit, MI 48227
313/934-2600 (phone)
pamela_dover@cable.comcast.com
Community; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable Network III
VH1 Save The Music Partners with CBS/Early Show for National Instrument Drive; VH1;
New York, NY
In 2002, VH1 Save The Music and THE EARLY SHOW launched a nationwide musical instrument
drive known as, “VH1 Save The Music Week” to collect instruments from the public and gain
awareness of the importance and value of music education. As part of the campaign, the two
companies work closely with VH1 affiliate partners to run a comprehensive instrument drive in
participating cities. To guarantee success it was necessary to outreach to all education and business
industry partners. Challenges included creating a nationwide collection and repair infrastructure and
ensuring that the Foundation’s mission was being fulfilled. Fundraising and advocacy elements were
extremely important and incorporated into all messages. During the week of June 10, celebrity guests
visited THE EARLY SHOW plaza at 59th Street and Fifth Avenue in New York City to collect
instruments from visitors (or donate their own). Music product retailers across the country served as
instrument donation centers and refurbished instruments for donation to schools in their own
communities. Each day’s segment focused on a community impacted by the Foundation. The
partnership between VH1 and THE EARLY SHOW raised more than $500,000 in corporate
contributions, online auctions and cash donations to restore school music programs. The response to
the instrument drive was tremendous and people around the country donated more than 2,500 musical
instruments (valued at more than $1,000,000).
For more information, contact:
Randi Davis
Awards Manager
MTV Networks
1515 Broadway, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/258-7729 (phone)
randi.davis@mtvn.com
Community; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Association
Positively Cable 2002; Cable Positive Denver Chapter; Englewood, CO
The Denver chapter of Cable Positive stages “Positively Cable” annually to raise funds for local
and national AIDS organizations and raise awareness of Cable Positive. The event is a musical
satire of the current state of the cable industry. Chapter volunteers developed a production with
a Las Vegas heist plot and a “gambling and gangsters” theme. Onstage, a chorus line of wellknown cable executives joined five professional performers to make fun of worthless stock
options, dicey employment prospects, technology, sports programming, industry newsmakers,
and more. Despite challenging economic conditions within its support base, the 2002 event
(subtitled “Cable Gets the Royal Flush”) met its fundraising objectives, filled the house, and
delivered an evening that united the Denver cable community and promoted Cable Positive in the
community at large.
For more information, contact:
Paul Braun
Creative Chair
Cable Positive Denver Chapter
160 Inverness Dr. West
Englewood, CO 80112
303/649-8013 (phone)
paul.braun@twcable.com
Community; Video Promotion or PSA/Series; Cable System I
Community Minutes; AT&T Broadband/Southern California; El Segundo, CA
AT&T Broadband’s Southwest Riverside, California, facility has continued its commitment to
the community by providing an exclusive, “turnstile approach” for private sector non-profit
groups to promote their services and activities. This service, available only through AT&T
Broadband, has demonstrated that the awareness of the various services provided by these nonprofit groups has been positively impacted by the production of our monthly service, Community
Minutes. These sessions are used to create a series of 2-minute interstitial segments that are
cablecast on our Original Programming channel. These are shot in a light, fast paced style,
which allow participants to promote their services to the community. AT&T Broadband is
pleased to be able to provide this dynamic and exciting service to our community partners in the
Southwest County area!
For more information, contact:
Patti Rockenwagner
Executive Director, Corporate Communications
AT&T Broadband/Southern California
550 N. Continental Blvd., Suite 250
El Segundo, CA 90245
310/563-5884 (phone)
prockenwagner@broadband.att.com
Community; Video Promotion or PSA/Series; Cable System II
Employee PSAs; Comcast; Indianapolis, IN
Comcast Cablevision of Indianapolis created a series of PSAs featuring employees who
graduated from area high schools. The spots were designed to position Comcast as a local
provider of products and services, rather than a media conglomerate based on the East Coast.
For more information, contact:
Mark Apple
Director of Corporate Affairs
Comcast
5330 East 65th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317/585-1292 (phone)
mark_apple@cable.comcast.com
Community; Video Promotion or PSA/Series; Cable System III
Senior Orphans of Polk County; Time Warner Cable; Auburndale, FL
Needy seniors are a group of people often forsaken by society. These are people who have
limited resources and often are unable to help themselves. The Senior Orphans organization
makes life a little more worth living for Polk County seniors every day. Public Service
Announcements were aired to increase awareness of the needs of seniors and to appeal to the
citizens of Polk County to make contributions to Senior Orphans on behalf of local seniors. This
series of PSA’s surpassed expectations in all strategic areas of focus: increased public awareness,
financial contributions, donations of personal items, and the ultimate goal of helping the elderly.
More than 2,500 seniors now receive much needed assistance.
For more information, contact:
Ray Graber
Director, Government & Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable
1004 US Highway 92 West
Auburndale, FL 33823
863/965-7733 (phone)
ray.graber@twcable.com
Community; Video Promotion or PSA/Series; Cable Network III
Protect Yourself PSAs; MTV; New York, NY
Working with the Kaiser Family Foundation to ensure that the messages reflect the most up to
date sexual health information, MTV – as part of its Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself
sexual health campaign – has developed a series of PSAs that captured MTV’s audience’s
attention and raised their awareness about sexual health. These include a set of PSAs developed
by acclaimed filmmaker Joel Schumacher which were the first ever national sexual health PSAs
targeting young gay minority men. The PSAs have mobilized MTV’s audience to seek out more
sexual health information through the campaign web site and toll-free hotline. Beyond their
airtime on MTV, the PSAs have proven to be valuable HIV/AIDS and sexual health tools for
organizations around the country, that have used the spots in their outreach efforts.
For more information, contact:
Randi Davis
Awards Manager
MTV
1515 Broadway, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/258-7729 (phone)
randi.davis@mtvn.com
Community; Video Promotion or PSA; Cable Network III
Tolerance PSA; Starz Encore Group; Englewood, CO
In the wake of the September 11th terrorist attacks, Starz Encore Group produced a public service
announcement, entitled “Tolerance.” The PSA discouraged ethnic and religious stereotyping and
underscored the need for continued vigilance against hate crimes and discrimination directed
against Arab, Muslim and South Asian Americans. Starz Encore mounted a national campaign
and created an important public/private partnership around the Tolerance PSA. The spot aired
on its 13 premium movie channels and garnered the support of six major cable operators who
agreed to carry the PSA. This effort culminated in a December 20, 2001, Washington DC news
conference with representatives from the cable and motion picture industry, the Arab American
Institute and two cabinet secretaries participating to demonstrate the Administration’s
endorsement. The PSA was made available to some 71 million American households.
For more information, contact:
Chelsye Burrows
Director Multicultural Communications
Starz Encore Group
8900 Liberty Circle
Englewood, CO 80112
720/852-5838 (phone)
chelsye.burrows@starzencore.com
Community; Programming/Series; Cable System IV
Girls Games; AT&T Broadband/Southern California; El Segundo, CA
With the passage of Title IX, studies show that participation in sports is a key component to the
success of women professionals in every career path. Qualities of teamwork, leadership and selfesteem are reflected in team sports, and offer an alternative to young females when it comes to
teen pregnancy, drug use, and gang affiliation. Participation data from the National Women’s
Sports Foundation reveals that females, who comprise 50 percent of the general student
population, receive only 39 percent of athletic program opportunities. AT&T Broadband set out
to demonstrate its commitment to the development of sports programming for girls and young
women through a conscious outreach to girls’ sports coverage, indicating our awareness of social
imperatives, and our willingness to create programming in support of this segment of the
population.
For more information, contact:
Patti Rockenwagner
Executive Director, Corporate Communications
AT&T Broadband/Southern California
550 N. Continental Blvd., Suite 250
El Segundo, CA 90245
310/563-5884 (phone)
prockenwagner@broadband.att.com
Community; Programming/Series; Cable Network III
Our Lifetime Commitment: Stop Violence Against Women; Lifetime Television; New York, NY
As part of “Our Lifetime Commitment: Stop Violence Against Women,” the network dedicated
an unprecedented amount of on-air programming to reaching its viewers with lifesaving
information on domestic violence and sexual assault. Lifetime’s priority was to communicate
the most responsible and accurate information to its viewers. To this end, Lifetime worked
hand-in-hand with its non-profit partners, who guided the network to a simple, clear message: If
you experience domestic violence or sexual assault, you are never to blame, you are not alone
and there is help. Lifetime served as a vehicle to inform women where to find help, and
supported this vital message with extensive information and resources on-air, online, and in
communities nationwide.
For more information, contact:
Denise Farrell
Director, Public Affairs
Lifetime Television
309 West 49th St.
New York, NY 10019
212/424-7488 (phone)
dfarrell@lifetimetv.com
Community; Programming/Single Program; Cable System IV
You're Not Alone!; Cox Communications New England; Cranston, RI
Cox3 Live presents: “You’re Not Alone! Families and Communities Unite in a time of Crisis” –
This town meeting style show included the many issues and emotions that local families face
when their loved ones are deployed; the impact on local businesses and homeland security.
Panelists included Major General Reginald Centrachio, Major General (ret.) John Ricotelli, Jr.
and Pattie Baccus, lead volunteer for family readiness in RI. United States Senator Jack Reed
joined the show live via satellite from Washington DC. The tearful reunions with family
members in the studio audience with their loved ones serving in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba were
the highlight of the show. As a public service Cox Communications kept the satellite open after
the show to give families a chance to spend more time together.
For more information, contact:
Mary Lou Palumbo
Community Programming Manager
Cox Communications New England
2 Starline Way Suite 1
Cranston, RI 02921
401/383-1314 (phone)
marylou.palumbo@cox.com
Community; Programming/Single Program; Cable Network I
15th Annual Fox Sports Net Sports Awards; Fox Sports Net; Chicago, IL
In its continuing efforts to make a difference in the lives of families in the Chicago area, Fox
Sports Net Chicago, a Rainbow Sports Network, and the March of Dimes Birth Defects
Foundation held its “15th Annual Fox Sports Net Sports Awards,” a dinner and live telecast held
on February 11, 2002, at the Chicago Hilton Hotel & Towers. The event honors top athletes
from all of Chicago’s pro sports teams, along with a “lifetime achievement” and “inspirational
athlete” award. The primary objective for this event was to raise at least $220,000. FSN
Chicago ended up raising $275,000 (25% above the initial goal). In the 15 years Fox Sports Net
Chicago has held this televised event, the network has raised over $2.5 for the March of Dimes.
For more information, contact:
James Corno
SVP, General Manager
Fox Sports Net/Chicago
350 North Orleans St., Suite S1-100
Chicago, IL 60654
312/396-9800 (phone)
jcorno@rainbow-media.com
Community; Programming/Single Program; Cable Network II
Women of Rockaway; Oxygen Media; New York, NY
The Women of Rockaway documentary was created by Oxygen to give the country an intimate
view of the Rockaway community and the devastating events that changed their lives forever. It
was an opportunity for Oxygen and Time Warner Cable to present a special documentary and
host a community-wide event dedicated to aiding and honoring members of this area that were so
deeply affected by the events of September 11, 2001. Oxygen held a special screening of the
documentary for the involved parties and special guests in the community prior to the premiere
on Oxygen. To our surprise 300 guests attended the screening to show their support for their
fellow neighbors. Oxygen and Time Warner Cable expanded their relationship with the entire
Rockaway, Queens Community. Relationships were also formed with the local press, business
owners and community leaders.
For more information, contact:
Mary Murano
SVP, Affiliate Sales
Oxygen Media
75 Ninth Ave.
New York, NY 10011
212/651-5075 (phone)
mmurano@oxygen.com
Community; Programming/Single Program; Cable Network III
Diary of Bono and Chris Tucker: Aiding Africa; MTV; New York, NY
As part of its Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself sexual health campaign, MTV brought the
AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa to life through Diary of Bono and Chris Tucker: Aiding
Africa. Following Bono, Chris Tucker and two MTV viewers as they confronted first hand the
devastation AIDS has caused in this area of the world, the program helped inform young people
about the global AIDS crisis and inspired them to make change. The program documented
interactions with young Africans concerned about their sexual health, dialogues with victims of
AIDS and explorations of areas desperately needing financial aid to help fight this disease.
Millions of viewers saw the program, and tens of thousands responded by logging on to the
Protect Yourself web site where they could take action.
For more information, contact:
Randi Davis
Awards Manager
MTV
1515 Broadway, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/258-7729 (phone)
randi.davis@mtvn.com
Community; Print Materials; Cable Network III
Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate; Court Television Network; New York, NY
Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate is a Resource Guide that was written in
observance of the anniversary of 9/11. The messages contained within it, however, are
evergreen—embracing diversity is empowering and discriminatory behavior is hurtful. A tool for
civic and religious organizations, youth group and government leaders, law enforcement
officials, parents & educators of K-8 students, the Resource Guide helps young people and adults
work together to develop the understanding that fosters respect for themselves and others. Court
TV and its partners, the National PTA, Anti-Defamation League, We Are Family Foundation,
National Association of Elementary School Principals, National Middle School Association, and
Cable in the Classroom offer Empowering Children to help community leaders and parents
nurture and guide the character development of America’s youth.
For more information, contact:
Scoot MacPherson
SVP, Public & Government Affairs
Court Television Network
600 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10016
212/973-3251 (phone)
smacpherson@mail.courttv.com
Community; Web Site; Cable System II
CommunityCare TV-WEB Auction; Eastern Wisconsin-Charter Communications; Fond du Lac,
WI
When a Charter Communications’ employee’s wife was paralyzed from the shoulders down in a
March 2002 auto accident, Charter Communications’ staff members in Wisconsin wanted to
help. The staff also knew what they had available to them…the power of their own network
technology and the unique expertise of their local staff. The result was Charter
Communications’ CommunityCare TV-Web Auction, an on-line web auction of 176 items,
supported by a video listing of auction items on the system’s local Charter Channel. The 31hour Auction raised over $23,500 for the Charter couple, as well as afforded the staff the
opportunity to implement the principles Charter encourages, such as “caring for others” and
“corporate citizenship.”
For more information, contact:
John Miller
Gov't & Public Relations Manager
Eastern Wisconsin-Charter Communications
165 Knights Way
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920/907-7755 (phone)
jrmiller@chartercom.com
Community; Web Site; Cable System III
The Rhino Cam; Time Warner Cable; Cincinnati, OH
On September 13, 2001, just two days after the terrible events of September 11, a wonderful
event occurred at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Emi, a rare Sumatran rhinoceros,
gave birth, and Andalas, her new son, became the first Sumatran rhino born in captivity in over
100 years. To the delight of school children and animal lovers everywhere, Time Warner Cable
Cincinnati’s local content site AroundCinci provided 24-hour web controllable video to the
community at large through a high-tech RhinoCam (http://www.aroundcinci.com/rhinocam).
For more information, contact:
Jennifer Mooney
VP, Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable
11252 Cornell Park Dr.
Cincinnati, OH 45242
513/489-5083 (phone)
jennifer.mooney@twcable.com
Community; Web Site; Cable Network III
www.FightForYourRights.MTV.com; MTV; New York, NY
As part of its Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself sexual health campaign, MTV worked
with the Kaiser Family Foundation to develop one of the most comprehensive sexual health sites
on the internet. The site features information on STDs, birth control, ways for young people to
get involved in the local and national sexual health debates that matter most to them, and other
resources. With close to a million unique visits to date, the site has given young people easy
access to the valuable information they need to protect themselves, and has connected many to
local HIV/AIDS testing facilities. Highlights of the site include an online quiz, an interactive
sexual health guide, a comprehensive Take Action section for upcoming young activists, and an
extensive database of further resources.
For more information, contact:
Randi Davis
Awards Manager
MTV
1515 Broadway, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/258-7729 (phone)
randi.davis@mtvn.com
Customers
Customers; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System I
Charter Advantage; Charter Communications; Duluth, MN
Bemidji is a Charter system in north-central Minnesota. In late 2001, a local telephone
cooperative, Paul Bunyan Telephone, began marketing cable and internet services with their
phone services. We now had to retain our customers and define ourselves in this market. We
had to explain to the customer the advantage of being a Charter Communications customer,
without being negative. We decided to identify our positive attributes, under the slogan “The
Charter Advantage.” The “Charter Advantage” message was used throughout our multi-media
advertising. We developed materials consisting of local imagery and local people that showed
“The Charter Advantage.” During the campaign, the Advantage Plan sales went from 832
subscribers to 2,276. Charter Communications went from 6,572 to 6,700 customers.
For more information, contact:
Melissa Kadlec
Public Relations Coordinator
Charter Communications
302 E Superior St.
Duluth, MN 55802
218/529-8060 (phone)
mkadlec@chartercom.com
Customers; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System II
Year of the Road Runner; Time Warner Cable Southwest Division – Beaumont/Port Arthur,
Texas; Nederland, TX
Road Runner came to Southeast Texas in January of 2002. How do you convince nearly 8000
people to subscribe to your new product? We took the product to the community, making Road
Runner accessible at every significant event, festival and show in 2002. We developed a Road
Runner channel complete with a tutorial and rotating marketing spots. Over 600,000 mail pieces
were sent out and 225,000 cross-channel spots were aired. We scheduled our General Manager
on local call in talk shows to answer questions about the service. We spoke to civic groups,
chamber of commerce luncheons and many others. Through a combination of community
outreach, sales and traditional marketing, Time Warner Cable generated enough interest to pass
our yearly goal by the third quarter.
For more information, contact:
Gary Underwood
Public Affairs Manager
Time Warner Cable Southwest Division - Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas
602 N Hwy 69
Nederland, TX 77627
409/720-5506 (phone)
Gary.Underwood@TWCable.com
Customers; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System IV
Image Promotion Campaign; Time Warner Cable-Houston; Houston, TX
It came to our attention that Houston’s general population and even our own coworkers were
unaware of TWC-Houston’s public affairs efforts and community service. We wanted to
promote and enhance the company’s image through a 3-step campaign to gain exposure and
communicate our message to potential and current customers, including elected officials,
employees, and community citizens, while increasing awareness of our support for non-profit
organizations. The campaign included hard and soft message PSA’s as well as a public affairs
newsletter to create customer awareness of our community involvement. With the help of our
campaign’s PSA’s valued at $1,202,000 and Community TIMES newsletter, mailed to 2,400
current/potential customers, we successfully communicated TWC-Houston’s good will efforts to
our target audience, gained much exposure, and received an overwhelmingly positive response
from our audience.
For more information, contact:
Ray Purser
VP, Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable-Houston
8400 W. Tidwell
Houston, TX 77040
713/895-2680 (phone)
ray.purser@twcable.com
Customers; Full Campaign/Series; Cable Network III
Court TV's Safety Challenge; Court Television Network; New York, NY
The events of September 11 remind us that our notion of safety can be shattered in an instant.
What would you do if you were on a plane being hijacked or caught in a burning building?
Court TV addresses these and other important safety issues in ”Safety Challenge” – a multi-level
initiative that includes programming specials, which provide tips on how to keep your family
safe at home, school, work and while traveling, as well as local events, such as Digital
Fingerprinting for Kids – designed to reinforce child safety. Additional components include an
On-Line Safety Challenge Quiz along with video tips from experts on the web and Safety
Vignettes. Copies of the show are made available to schools or to air on LO channels.
For more information, contact:
Scoot MacPherson
SVP, Public & Government Affairs
Court Television Network
600 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10016
212/973-3251 (phone)
smacpherson@mail.courttv.com
Customers; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System I
St. Johnsbury Customer Appreciation Day; Charter Communications; Plattsburg, NY
Charter held a customer appreciation day on October 19, 2002, to let the community know that
the company was opening a new, more convenient customer payment center in the heart of the
largest downtown within its cabled service area. Advertised via radio, print, and cable television,
the day was part of Charter’s on-going effort to ensure its customers that the company cares and
wants to hear from them. The event included vendor concessions, a jumping tent for kids, a
QVC tent, the Charter Pipeline Trailer, Angelica from the Rug Rats, and other giveaways.
Nearly 1,000 people attended the Customer Appreciation Day, and Charter made 26 new sales
on-site at the event. In the last 13 days of operation of the old office, 98 customers came in to
pay bills or ask questions. In the first week of operation, 241 customers visited the new St.
Johnsbury, Vermont, payment office proving that the event and surrounding marketing was
successful in letting customers know how to reach Charter in its new location.
For more information, contact:
Julia Andrews
Marketing Manager
Charter Communications
68 Bridge St., PO Box 570
Plattsburg, NY 12901
518/563-6062 (phone)
jandrews1@chartercom.com
Customers; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System II
Wizard of Oz Sing Along; Comcast; Albuquerque, NM
Comcast Albuquerque teamed up with Turner Classic Movies and the City of Albuquerque to
present a truly unique family event. The attendance goal of 500 people was exceeded by 800%
as more than 4,000 parents, children and the young-at-heart turned out to watch the Wizard of Oz
on a giant outdoor screen and join in a sing-along as they followed the bouncing ball across the
screen. Prior to watching the movie, children played Oz games, received emerald green goodie
bags with props they could use during the singing, and the Mayor of Albuquerque presented
awards to citizens for the biggest heart, brains and courage. Pre and post media coverage helped
position the event as a very positive community activity presented by Comcast.
For more information, contact:
Tina Otteni
Director, Public Relations
Comcast
4611 Montbel Pl., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
505/761-6262 (phone)
tina_otteni@cable.comcast.com
Customers; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable Network II
Noggin's "Play With Me Sesame" Mall Tour; Noggin; New York, NY
Noggin's Play With Me Sesame Mall Tour allowed people to experience Noggin's new show and
come to understand that it was a fresh 'new way to Sesame' for a new generation of preschoolers.
Play With Me Sesame's participatory approach helps preschoolers prepare for school socially,
emotionally, and intellectually. The show's interactivity is designed to encourage social play,
which is an important aspect of school readiness. Both on-air and online activities stress the
fundamental concepts of same and different, which are critical underpinnings of reading, math
and science. Through partnerships with local cable affiliates, Noggin was able to present the
Noggin's Play With Me Sesame Mall Tour live in 10 markets across the country for free. Kids
were able to participate in a 'playdate' with their favorite Sesame characters that included
interactive songs and games. Over 25,000 kids were able to see the Play With Me Sesame Mall
Tour as it traveled to 10 cities across the country. Noggin’s Play With Me Sesame Mall Tour
helped to increase awareness for Noggin and Play With Me Sesame among existing and potential
customers in 10 major markets across the US. Additionally, Noggin’s Play With Me Sesame
Mall Tour helped our affiliate partners generate hundreds of digital cable sales and leads.
Finally, the show helped give our cable affiliate credit in their local market for offering
innovative, educational content through digital cable.
For more information, contact:
Randi Davis
Awards Manager
Noggin
1515 Broadway, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/258-7729 (phone)
randi.davis@mtvn.com
Customers; Video Promotion or PSA; Cable Network III
"We Are One" September 11th Public Service Announcement; Lifetime Television; New York,
NY
As part of the cable industry’s commitment to commemorate the one-year anniversary of
September 11th, Lifetime Televicion joined forces with the National Cable &
Telecommunications Association (NCTA) along with a diverse task force of network
representatives, the White House and Seiniger Advertising Group to create “We Are One” – a
special, original public service announcement (PSA) that served as the centerpiece for the cable
industry’s tribute to September 11th. The PSA honored the victims and heroes of the tragedy
through a moving collection of photographs celebrating America provided by many of the
nation’s leading photographers. More than 90 cable networks simulcasted the “We Are One’
PSA on Wednesday, September 11, 2002, at 8 p.m. ET. After its premiere, the PSA was made
available to cable operators across the country to use in local advertising availabilities for a
month.
For more information, contact:
Denise Farrell
Director, Public Affairs
Lifetime Television
309 West 49th St.
New York, NY 10019
212/424-7488 (phone)
dfarrell@lifetimetv.com
Customers; Programming/Series; Cable Network III
Court TV's Safety Challenge; Court Television Network; New York, NY
The events of September 11 remind us that our notion of safety can be shattered in an instant.
What would you do if you were on a plane being hijacked or caught in a burning building?
Court TV addresses these and other important safety issues in ”Safety Challenge” – a multi-level
initiative that includes programming specials, which provide tips on how to keep your family
safe at home, school, work and while traveling, as well as local events, such as Digital
Fingerprinting for Kids – designed to reinforce child safety. Additional components include an
On-Line Safety Challenge Quiz along with video tips from experts on the web and Safety
Vignettes. Copies of the show are made available to schools or to air on LO channels.
For more information, contact:
Scoot MacPherson
SVP, Public & Government Affairs
Court Television Network
600 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10016
212/973-3251 (phone)
smacpherson@mail.courttv.com
Customers; Web Site; Cable Network III
Save Our History: Pearl Harbor; A&E Television Networks; New York, NY
The USS Arizona Memorial straddles the sunken hull of the battleship USS Arizona and
commemorates the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This disaster marked the greatest loss of life
in U.S. naval history. The Save Our History: Pearl Harbor Web site reminds veterans, our
Armed Forces, national leaders and history students of the events that spurred our nation into
World War II. Streaming video & audio of battles, survivors, enemies and heroes, a Virtual
Underwater Tour, an interactive Video Timeline and historical documents invite customers and
potential customers to explore a sacred site that is unique to American culture.
For more information, contact:
Libby O'Connell, Ph.D.
VP, Educational Initiatives
A&E Television Networks
235 East 45th St.
New York, NY 10017
212/210-1402 (phone)
libby.oconnell@aetn.com
Education
Education; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System III
Annual Cox Black History Art Contest; Cox Communications New Orleans; Harahan, LA
Throughout our local area schools, Cox Communications New Orleans saw a real need for
students to learn more about the history of African Americans and be able to express what they
had learned in a productive and meaningful way and so was established the Annual $10,000 Cox
Black History Art Contest. By creating and implementing this unique program, Cox aims to
enhance the quality of life in the communities it serves by demonstrating how students when
given a tool to express themselves in a constructive and positive way, can put an end to
ignorance and gain a better understanding of who they are in history’s cultural make-up.
For more information, contact:
Brad Grundmeyer
Manager, Education and Community Services
Cox Communications New Orleans
338 Edwards Ave.
Harahan, LA 70123
504/304-7345 (phone)
brad.grundmeyer@cox.com
Education; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System IV
Comcast Technology Academy; Comcast; Silver Spring, MD
Created to address the professional development needs of educators in the Washington, D.C.,
metropolitan area, the Comcast Technology Academy uses the cable company’s technology to
equip teachers with the tools necessary to seamlessly integrate the power of broadband in the
classroom. Through a grant from the Comcast Foundation, Comcast partnered with local school
systems and Cable in the Classroom to develop a program to support teachers as they seek to
effectively utilize technology tools with and for their students. The Comcast Technology
Academy features special workshops designed by Cable in the Classroom that highlight
educational resources available through broadband technology. Workshops incorporate handson practice including building PowerPoint shows, creating digital graphic organizers, and
designing lesson and unit plans using digital media. More than 4,000 teachers have received
training at the Comcast Technology Academy.
For more information, contact:
Teresa Antonucci
Community Relations Manager
Comcast
11800 Tech Rd.
Silver Spring, MD 20904
301/625-3462 (phone)
teresa_antonucci@cable.comcast.com
Education; Full Campaign/Series; MSO
Behind the Scenes at CNN: The News You Don't See A Cox Communications Line To Learning
Program; Cox Communications; Atlanta, GA
Cox Communications partnered with CNN to offer schools in Cox communities Behind the
Scenes at CNN: The News You Don’t See, the latest Line to Learning community outreach
program. This initiative showed high school students how television news works in the 21st
century and included an online curriculum, an international distance-learning event and local
community events. Behind the Scenes at CNN culminated on October 24 with a distance-learning
event live from CNN’s Talk Back Live set at CNN Center in Atlanta. Behind the Scenes at CNN
was delivered via the Internet over Cox’s broadband network and focused on how the news is
gathered and reported and the people and technology that make it happen. A high school in each
of the 31 participating Cox markets hosted the live Web cast, and more than 8,000 students
participated in this Cox Communications Line to Learning program.
For more information, contact:
Anthony Surratt
Executive Director, Public Relations
Cox Communications
1400 Lake Hearn Dr.
Atlanta, GA 30319
404/843-5124 (phone)
anthony.surratt@cox.com
Education; Full Campaign/Series; Cable Network I
Reading is Cool; Fox Sports Net Florida; Sunrise, FL
In an effort to provide motivational learning tools to children, Fox Sports Net Florida partnered
with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to present Reading Is Cool to 84 elementary schools in Pinellas
County during the 2002 school year. Reading Is Cool, a read-aloud video compilation starring
Major League Baseball players and local students, also integrates the county’s “Commitment To
Character” curriculum. The video series accompanied by Reading Is Cool posters and
bookmarks provide learning tools emphasizing the importance of reading and academics to
overall success in addition to reinforcing the key social pillars of honesty, respect, motivation,
and responsibility. All 84 elementary schools in Pinellas County received Reading Is Cool
videotapes, each elementary classroom received a Reading Is Cool poster, and 44,000
elementary students received Reading Is Cool bookmarks.
For more information, contact:
Kali Mogul
Communications Manager
Fox Sports Net Florida
1550 Sawgrass Corporate Pkwy., #350
Sunrise, FL 33323
954/845-9994 (phone)
kmogul@rainbow-media.com
Education; Full Campaign/Series; Cable Network III
ESPN SPORTSFIGURES "Make Math and Physics a Ball"; ESPN, Inc.; Bristol, CT
ESPN SportsFigures brings education alive using the vehicle of sports to reach students and
educators via the print, video, and Internet mediums. The school year 2001-2002 ESPN
SportsFigures campaign was titled “Make Math and Physics a Ball” and featured a video series
with star athletes ranging from Tiger Woods and Vince Carter to Tony Hawk and Janet Evans
teaching math and physics as they relate to their respective sports. ESPNSportsFigures.com
represents the online compliment to the video series featuring ancillary materials, interactive and
practice problem zones that bring more interaction with education, video, and athletes to the
students and teachers. ESPN also offered cable affiliates the opportunity to team up and present
scholarships through its “SportsFigures Challenge” Program.
For more information, contact:
Marie Kennedy
Director, Creative Services
ESPN, Inc.
ESPN Plaza
Bristol, CT 06010
860/766-2357 (phone)
marie.kennedy@espn.com
Education; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System II
Spotlight on Education Night; Time Warner Cable/Nebraska Division; Lincoln, NE
For years, the Nebraska Division of Time Warner Cable had given out awards to local teachers
for their innovative use of Cable in the Classroom. The number of applications was minimal and
the recognition the winning teachers received was not widespread. So in 2002, they organized
the Time Warner Cable Spotlight on Education Night, featuring Cable in the Classroom
Executive Director Peggy O’Brien as the keynote speaker. More than 200 educators attended the
event and four local and state government officials took part in the ceremony by presenting
Spotlight Awards to their constituents. The event garnered media attention, and it was
videotaped and aired on the cable system’s educational access channel. In addition, 30-second
PSAs were created to congratulate the winners and increase the awareness of Time Warner’s
commitment to education.
For more information, contact:
Ann Shrewsbury
Public Affairs Manager
Time Warner Cable/Nebraska Division
5400 South 16th St.
Lincoln, NE 68512
402/421-0378 (phone)
ann.shrewsbury@twcable.com
Education; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System III
Comcast VH1 Save the Music; Comcast Cable Communications Inc.; Oaks, PA
Comcast Cable Communications, in partnership with VH1 Save the Music Foundation, is
committed to reach the goal of bringing music education to children in Philadelphia public
schools. The annual Save the Music instrument drive began in March and ran through
November. Through national attention on The Early Show on CBS and other activities, Comcast
helped to make the 2002 drive successful. This year, $50,000 worth of musical instruments was
donated to the Lewis Elkin and John M. Patterson Elementary Schools. To date, sixteen schools
in the Philadelphia School District have benefited from the Comcast/VH1 partnership, having
received new band and orchestra instruments, keyboard or guitar labs valued at more than
$393,000.
For more information, contact:
David Shane
VP, Public Relations
Comcast Cable Communications Inc.
200 Cresson Blvd.
Oaks, PA 19456
610/650-3065 (phone)
david_shane@cable.comcast.com
Education; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System IV
Celebrating Champions; Cox Communications New England; Cranston, RI
Celebrating Champions, a live, interactive teleconference, was produced by Cox
Communications and Special Olympics Rhode Island to help educate high school students and
the community about the Special Olympics Experience and all its positive messages while
creating compelling local programming and positive press for Cox 3. It was a chance for Cox
Communications New England to showcase its broadband by linking two additional high schools
to the live teleconference. In addition, Celebrating Champions promoted Special Olympics
Rhode Island Magazine, a Cox 3 program that continues to receive global recognition for giving
Special Olympics Athletes the opportunity to host, produce, and crew their own television show
in cooperation with Cox Communications.
For more information, contact:
Mary Lou Palumbo
Community Programming Manager
Cox Communications New England
2 Starline Way Suite 1
Cranston, RI 02921
401/383-1314 (phone)
marylou.palumbo@cox.com
Education; Full Campaign/Single Activity; MSO
Power To Learn Leaves No Child Behind; Cablevision Systems Corporation; Beth Page, NY
Since 1999, Cablevision’s overall commitment to education through the Power To Learn
initiative has leveraged the power of the Internet and e-learning technologies to give children the
best possible chance to succeed in a new digital century. In the summer of 2002, Power To
Learn announced the launch of “School Connection” – a new and easy to use online tool that
helps administrators and teachers to communicate easily and effectively with parents and
students, anytime, anywhere. School Connection is a customized web-based school information
center for parents and students that fosters the home-school connection. By developing a
partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, Cablevision introduced “School Connection”
the New York City Department of Education at a launch event at Samuel Gompers High School
in the South Bronx. Government officials, educators, parents and students recognized the
educational value of Power To Learn’s “School Connection”. More than 100 educators have
registered for school connection and 60 students now have virtual “bookbags”.
For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Ferrier
Manager, Educational Relations
Cablevision Systems Corporation
550 Brush Ave.
Bronx, NY 10465
718/861-7239 (phone)
eferrier@cablevision.com
Education; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable Network III
C-SPAN's Presidential Timeline Giveaway; C-SPAN Networks; Washington, DC
In 2002, C-SPAN developed an educational outreach promotion for C-SPAN in the Classroom to
highlight its American history resources, increase membership, and to drive home its cable
funding message. To attain this goal, C-SPAN created a campaign to distribute a six-foot
presidential timeline poster to middle and high school social studies teachers all over the country,
free-of-charge. The poster includes the public service careers of all 42 U.S. presidents, major
events in U.S. history, and the message that C-SPAN is created by cable and offered as a public
service. This campaign was launched October 1, and ran through December 31. C-SPAN
received requests for timelines from more than 60,000 educators and is in the process of
distributing the posters.
For more information, contact:
Susan Swain
Co-COO and Executive Vice President
C-SPAN Networks
400 North Capitol St., NW, Suite 650
Washington, DC 20001
202/737-3220 (phone)
sswain@c-span.org
Education; Video Promotion or PSA/Series; Cable Network III
Bravo On With The Show Vignettes; Bravo Networks; Jericho, NY
After waves of budget cuts made it impossible for communities to offer children access to the
theatre, Bravo, the Film and Arts Network partnered with local cable operators to bring Bravo
On With the Show to communities across the country. This national arts education campaign
brings Broadway teaching artists to local communities where they conduct a free, intensive
student workshop aimed at raising the awareness of theatre’s positive impact on young people.
Each workshop culminates in a free and open to the public performance by the newly-trained
cast and crew of kids. Bravo produces a :60 second vignette highlighting the workshop and airs
it nationally on Bravo and locally on the participating cable systems. Recent vignettes include
workshops in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Savannah, Georgia, in partnership with Comcast;
Hampton Roads, Virginia, in partnership with Cox Communications; and Denver, Colorado, in
partnership with AT&T Broadband.
For more information, contact:
Hannah Sheinbaum
Manager, Public Relations
Bravo Networks
200 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, NY 11753
516/803-4548 (phone)
hsheinbaum@rainbow-media.com
Education; Video Promotion or PSA; Cable Network III
VH1 Save The Music "Disappear" Public Service Announcement for Music Education; VH1;
New York, NY
VH1 Save The Music is committed to creating a greater awareness of the importance of music education
through VH1’s public service announcements at the national and local level. In 2002 VH1 premiered a
new series of television and radio public service announcements featuring students from a VH1 Save
The Music school grant recipient that highlighted the benefits of music education and the threat to these
programs posed by budget cutbacks. After years of focusing on celebrity testimonials and against an
environment where an new emphasis on reading and math, education budget cuts and a soft economy all
combined to create an environment to further threaten the elimination of many school music programs.
The challenge was to find a way to visualize the result of the cuts and the impact this would have on
students. To support the campaign, local affiliates committed to airing the public service announcements
and emphasizing the important role of music education to our nation’s schools. The Public Service
Announcements helped the Foundation bring a new awareness to the current challenges facing local
music programs and aided the overall mission of VH1 Save The Music Foundation. VH1 cable affiliates
used the PSA in 50 core markets with 22,000 runs. During 2002, VH1 Save The Music Foundation
purchased musical instruments to restored 150 instrumental music education programs in 30 cities and
installed $4 million worth of musical instruments in public schools across the country. Numerous
programs were saved by means of public awareness campaigns by 50 VH1 affiliates.
For more information, contact:
Randi Davis
Awards Manager
VH1
1515 Broadway, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/258-7729 (phone)
randi.davis@mtvn.com
Education; Programming/Series; Cable System II
InSchool, the Good News TV Show; Cox Communications, Inc.; Baton Rouge, LA
InSchool, the good news in schools TV show, is another excellent example of Cox
Communications of Baton Rouge positioning itself as “a partner in education”. InSchool solicits
story ideas from all 250 public, private and parochial schools in the Cox service area. The focus
of the show is to feature visual, hands-on, interactive classroom projects and activities. It also
highlights elementary, middle and high school Teacher of the Year winners. Each 30 minute
InSchool episode airs biweekly, for two weeks, on Tuesday nights from 7:30 – 8 p.m. and
replays on Saturday nights from 6:30 – 7 p.m., on Cox4, Cox’s dedicated education channel.
Each season features a minimum of 36 schools, translating into approximately 1,100 families
tuning in to watch!
For more information, contact:
Sharon Kleinpeter
Director of Governmental & Public Affairs
Cox Communications, Inc.
5428 Florida Blvd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
225/930-2212 (phone)
sharon.kleinpeter@cox.com
Education; Programming/Series; Cable System IV
Time Warner Cable's Kidz Biz; Time Warner Cable; Milwaukee, WI
Time Warner Cable’s Kidz Biz is a 28-minute news program that is researched, written,
produced, and performed by middle school students and aired on cable during prime time. The
Kidz Biz experience enlightens students and teachers about the media. It arms the students with
the critical thinking skills that will make them smart consumers of the news and helps to mitigate
the influence of violence in the media. Ultimately, students learn the management techniques
such as cooperation, teamwork, leadership, time management, and negotiation.
For more information, contact:
Beverly Greenberg
VP, Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable/Milwaukee
1320 North Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
Milwaukee, WI 53212
414/277-4190 (phone)
bev.greenberg@twcable.com
Education; Programming/Series; Cable Network III
MTV's Community of the Future; MTV; New York, NY
Edited especially for Cable in the Classroom usage, MTV’s Community of the Future
programming covers today’s important issues in a language that young people understand. This
year’s programming included MTV News Now: Bullies, which examines the severe
consequences of high school harrassment; Aftermath of Terror, which explores the sorrow,
suspicion, and fear that haunt a New Jersey town following September 11th; and MTV’s First
National Sex Quiz, which educates young people about the facts of sexual health. MTV’s
programming is supported by classroom lesson plans designed by MTV’s major non-profit
partners such as Rock the Vote and the Kaiser Family Foundation and a Community of the
Future web site, www.CIC.MTV.com. Educators from around the country have expressed how
the Community of the Future programming has helped them reach their students.
For more information, contact:
Randi Davis
Awards Manager
MTV
1515 Broadway, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/258-7729 (phone)
randi.davis@mtvn.com
Education; Programming/Single Program; Cable Network III
Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate; Court Television Network; New York, NY
Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate is a half-hour television special that was
produced in observance of the anniversary of 9/11. The messages contained within it, however,
are evergreen—embracing diversity is empowering and discriminatory behavior is hurtful. The
program features the First Lady sharing her perspectives about diversity and acceptance, young
people revealing their personal experiences, beloved puppet characters demonstrating empathy
and the students near Ground Zero offering their artistic expressions of healing and hope. Court
TV and its partners: the National PTA, Anti-Defamation League, National Association of
Elementary School Principals, National Middle School Association, We Are Family Foundation
and Cable in the Classroom offer Empowering Children in the Aftermath of Hate to help parents
and educators nurture and guide the character development of America’s youth.
For more information, contact:
Scoot MacPherson
SVP, Public & Government Affairs
Court Television Network
600 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10016
212/973-3251 (phone)
smacpherson@mail.courttv.com
Education; Web Site; Cable System IV
Time 2 Count Reading; Time Warner Cable Los Angeles Division; Garden Grove, CA
Time Warner's Los Angeles Division created Time 2 Count Reading, an online tracking website,
to help local schools in their efforts to obtain much needed funds and to promote reading and
literacy while attracting visitors to the local website. Time Warner became a true partner in local
education by creating Time 2 Count Reading, a new and innovative way for students, teachers
and parents to track and monitor pages and books read throughout the school year. Everyone
from elected officials to grade school children has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic about Time
2 Count Reading and as of November 1, 2002, over 1.3 million pages have been read and logged
on the website. Time Warner is pleased to show children that literacy is very important---and that
it’s always Time 2 Count Reading!
For more information, contact:
Gail Toth
Educational Outreach Coordinator
Time Warner Cable Los Angeles Division
7441 Chapman Ave.
Garden Grove, CA 92841
714/903-4170 (phone)
gail.toth@twcable.com
Education; Web Site; MSO
Powertolearn.com; Cablevision Systems Corporation; Bethpage, NY
Powertolearn.com is a commercial-free online learning resource for K-12 educators, students and
parents. A key component of Cablevision’s education initiative, powertolearn.com provides
progressive educational resources for schools and libraries and functions as an online learning
community. Powertolearn.com also enhances home-school connections by providing parents
with ways to support their children’s academic progress at home and helps educators integrate
technology into their classroom curricula. Powertolearn.com utilizes the breadth and depth of the
Internet to create a secure, commercial-free conduit for information and is dedicated to
optimizing the learning experience for our audiences.
For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Ferrier
Manager, Educational Relations
Cablevision Systems Corporation
550 Brush Ave.
Bronx, NY 10465
718/861-7239 (phone)
eferrier@cablevision.com
Education; Web Site; Cable Network III
Save Our History: Pearl Harbor; A&E Television Networks; New York, NY
The USS Arizona Memorial straddles the sunken hull of the battleship USS Arizona and
commemorates the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. This disaster marked the greatest loss of life
in U.S. naval history. The Save Our History: Pearl Harbor Web site introduces 5th-12th grade
students to the events that spurred our nation into World War II. Streaming video & audio of
battles, survivors, enemies and heroes, a Virtual Underwater Tour, an interactive Video Timeline
and historical documents - all with matching classroom activities - invite students to explore a
sacred site that is unique to American culture.
For more information, contact:
Libby O'Connell, Ph.D.
VP, Educational Initiatives
A&E Television Networks
235 East 45th St.
New York, NY 10017
212/210-1402 (phone)
libby.oconnell@aetn.com
Employees
Employees; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System II
Power of Cox/Ambassador Team; Cox Communications Gulf Coast; Pensacola, FL
Cox Communications Gulf Coast Employee Ambassador Program was initiated to educate and
prepare employees to accurately represent Cox products and services at local community events.
After receiving training, Cox Ambassadors proudly wear their Ambassador shirts as they
volunteer with confidence at such events as Family Expo, Cox/Bravo Champion for the Arts,
Cox Inspirational Hero Breakfast, Technology Summit, and much more. The Cox Ambassador
program affords employees the opportunity to go “above and beyond” the call of duty by
volunteering “off the clock” and receiving recognition for their service. Each time an event is
posted, ambassadors answer the call and are ready to serve! The Cox Employee Ambassador
Program builds teamwork, company pride, confidence and eagerness to support Cox in the
community!
For more information, contact:
Candace Gibson
Public Affairs Specialist
Cox Communications Gulf Coast
2205 La Vista
Pensacola, FL 32504
850/857-4531 (phone)
candace.gibson@cox.com
Employees; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System III
Comcast Cares Day; Comcast; Albuquerque, NM
1,288 Comcast employees, their families and friends in New Mexico volunteered their time to
perform general maintenance and clean up four area public schools Saturday, October 5 –
Comcast Cares Day. The goal of 550 volunteers was exceeded by more than 250%! Members
of the Albuquerque School Board, School Superintendents and the University of New Mexico
Men’s Basketball Team were among the volunteer base. The biggest challenge for both
employees’ time and media coverage was competing with the Albuquerque International Balloon
Fiesta, which was happening the same weekend. Media coverage was received on two radio
stations, several newspapers across the state and all five local news broadcasts.
For more information, contact:
Tina Otteni
Director, Public Relations
Comcast
4611 Montbel Pl., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
505/761-6262 (phone)
tina_otteni@cable.comcast.com
Employees; Full Campaign/Single Activity; MSO
Charter/United Way "Be a Hero" Campaign; Charter Communications; St. Louis, MO
An annual contributor to the local United Way, Charter Communications in St. Louis escalated
its involvement in the charitable organization in 2002 through a comprehensive employee fundraising campaign and participation in an area-wide TV broadcast. Organized and planned by an
interdepartmental steering committee, Charter’s “Be a Hero” campaign focused on how
employees can be everyday “heroes” by contributing to the United Way. A “Be a Hero”
campaign week featured five days of activities and events designed to boost employee awareness
of the United Way and to raise funds for the organization. As a result, employees and the
company contributed more than $240,000 to the United Way.
For more information, contact:
Andy Morgan
Director of Communications
Charter Communications
12405 Powerscourt Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63131
314/543-2217 (phone)
amorgan@chartercom.com
Employees; Programming/Single Program; MSO
Cox Mid-Year State of the Company Meeting; Cox Communications, Inc.; Atlanta, GA
Cox’s Mid-Year State of the Company Meeting is a news television show that was created as a
vehicle for senior team members to communicate with employees and provide an update on
Cox’s operational, financial, human resources, information technology and business
development activities. The engaging, fun and informative live event featured Cox senior
executives as nightly newscasters bringing employees the latest news about their company. The
event was taped and distributed to all Cox systems for all 21,000+ employees to view during
their local employee meetings.
For more information, contact:
Steven Barringer
Manager of Employee Communications
Cox Communications, Inc.
1400 Lake Hearn Dr.
Atlanta, GA 30319
404/843-5887 (phone)
steven.barringer@cox.com
Government
Government; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System I
“It's a New Day”; Charter Communications – Mid Michigan; Davison, MI
Challenged by very poor government relations including the threat of loosing the privilege to
serve a community, Charter Communications had to take action. Focusing on meeting with
public officials in open public forums, meeting with the press, introducing rebuild plans,
communicating the challenge to the staff and most of all following up with action. Employees
banded together and participated in the ‘It’s a New Day” commitment of doing what we say.
This effort resulted in a complete turn around by the local governments which generated a
considerable amount of positive letters and press all sharing a common message about the
excellent operations and services provided by Charter Communications.
For more information, contact:
Edward Madden
General Manager
Charter Communications - Mid Michigan
7372 Davison Road
Davison, MI 48423
810/652-1402 (phone)
emadden@chartercom.com
Government; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System IV
Comcast Local Government Communications Initiative; Comcast; Union, NJ
So many politicians, so little time. In a state where bare-knuckle politics is a spectator sport,
developing personal relationships with the players isn’t just an advantage – it’s a necessity. Even
when the news you deliver isn’t the best, getting out in front with it can spare you a public airing
in the press or the legislature. And when the news is good? Well, nothing beats being the bearer
of good tidings.
For more information, contact:
Peter Lyden III
Regional Director of Government Relations
Comcast
800 Rahway Ave.
Union, NJ 07083
908/851-8915 (phone)
peter_lyden@cable.comcast.com
Government; Full Campaign/Series; Cable Network III
The Biography Fifteen Years Celebration Tour; A&E Television Networks; New York, NY
The Biography Celebration Tour traveled to 10 cities and was kicked off in each with The
Biography Community Hero Awards. A turn-key sponsorship presented locally by A&E, the
Cable Affiliate and The Mayor’s Office, The Hero Awards honored 100 prominent Americans from Coretta Scott King to Joseph Kennedy to General Anthony Zinni to local police officers.
Mayor’s Office involvement guaranteed media & exposure in every tour city—more than 200
million people read about or heard about The Celebration Tour, and A&E affiliates spent quality
time with national and local government leaders.
For more information, contact:
Libby O'Connell, Ph.D.
VP, Educational Initiatives
A&E Television Networks
235 East 45th St.
New York, NY 10017
212/210-1402 (phone)
libby.oconnell@aetn.com
Government; Full Campaign/Series; Cable Network III
Court TV's Everyday Heroes Initiative; Court Television Network; New York, NY
Court TV’s “Everyday Heroes” Initiative honors those who go above and beyond the call of duty
to serve their community. Be they police, firefighters, women fighting the war on terrorism or a
regular citizen who does an extraordinary act, these individuals demonstrate bravery, courage
and integrity. Honorees, who are selected by cable operators and Court TV, with input from
community leaders, are brought to Washington DC or honored at a special reception in their
local markets by government officials and receive a Crystal Gavel Award. Court TV creates a
PSA featuring the Hero and a donation is made to an organization or charity of the Heroes
choice.
For more information, contact:
Scoot MacPherson
SVP, Public & Government Affairs
Court Television Network
600 3rd Ave.
New York, NY 10016
212/973-3251 (phone)
smacpherson@mail.courttv.com
Government; Full Campaign/Series; Association
Cable's On It; New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association; Trenton, NJ
The New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association (NJCTA) recognized that pending state
legislation would have an adverse affect on the cable industry in New Jersey. To forestall this
legislation, NJCTA created an awareness campaign, Cable’s On It, designed to dispel the myths
about cable and highlight the positive benefits and value of cable, and at the same time, help
build stronger relationships with government and opinion leaders that would have a positive
affect on any future legislation. Elements of the campaign included print materials, special
events, press materials and public service announcements. To date, none of the bills opposed by
NJCTA have been enacted. In particular, Bill S.668 was amended significantly in committee,
lessening its unfavorable impact on the cable industry before heading to the floor of the Senate
where it ultimately passed.
For more information, contact:
Karen Alexander
President
New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association
124 West State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608
609/392-3223 (phone)
kalexander@cablenj.org
Government; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System I
"Safe Surfing" Internet Safety Workshop; Comcast; Harrisburg, PA
Since the Fall of 2001, Comcast has offered high-speed access to the Internet in Central
Pennsylvania. And while we are very proud of our product, we recognize our responsibility to
provide families with the information they need to use the Internet safely. Judging by the serious
and growing use of the Internet to sexually exploit children, Comcast partnered with
Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement agency and the YWCA of Carlisle to develop a PowerPoint
presentation to inform adults – and in particular parents -- of predators who exploit children on
the Internet. “Safe Surfing” is offered as a plug-and-play group presentation tool for use by law
enforcement, domestic violence and Comcast personnel. Nearly six months in development,
“Safe Surfing” was officially unveiled during the YWCA of Carlisle’s observance of “Week
Without Violence.”
For more information, contact:
Frank Lynch
Area Government Relations Director
Comcast
4601 Smith St.
Harrisburg, PA 17109
717/651-1906 (phone)
frank_lynch@cable.comcast.com
Government; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System II
C-SPAN 2002 Gubernatorial Debate; Comcast; Albuquerque, NM
Comcast Albuquerque partnered with C-SPAN and the top rated local radio station in presenting
the only statewide and nationally broadcast debate between New Mexico’s gubernatorial
candidates. Comcast employees contacted C-SPAN, the radio station and the candidates in the
early spring to arrange the debate and ensure that this debate was the first of several planned in
the fall. The debate garnered fourteen minutes of news coverage on all four of the local news
broadcasts and front page stories in both daily newspapers. Working through the state’s cable
association, Comcast also produced and distributed a “tune-in” spot for all the cable operators
state wide. The debate and subsequent news coverage fortified Comcast’s commitment to
providing compelling and informative programming to its customers.
For more information, contact:
Tina Otteni
Director, Public Relations
Comcast
4611 Montbel Pl., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
505/761-6262 (phone)
tina_otteni@cable.comcast.com
Government; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System IV
You're Not Alone!; Cox Communications New England; Cranston, RI
Cox3 Live presents: “You’re Not Alone! Families and Communities Unite in a time of Crisis” –
This town meeting style show included the many issues and emotions that local families face
when their loved ones are deployed; the impact on local businesses and homeland security.
Panelists included Major General Reginald Centrachio, Major General (ret.) John Ricotelli Jr.
and Pattie Baccus, lead volunteer for family readiness in RI. United States Senator Jack Reed
joined the show live via satellite from Washington DC. The tearful reunions with family
members in the studio audience with their loved ones serving in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba were
the highlight of the show. As a public service Cox Communications kept the satellite open after
the show to give families a chance to spend more time together.
For more information, contact:
Mary Lou Palumbo
Community Programming Manager
Cox Communications New England
2 Starline Way Suite 1
Cranston, RI 02921
401/383-1314 (phone)
marylou.palumbo@cox.com
Government; Full Campaign/Single Activity; MSO
Brian Roberts, Steve Burke and Ralph Roberts Meet the LFAs; Comcast Cable Communications,
Inc.; Philadelphia, PA
The announcement in December 2001 that Comcast and AT&T Broadband planned to merge the
cable operations of their two companies set in motion the critical process of obtaining the
necessary change-of-control consents from individual local franchising authorities (LFAs) in
communities across the United States. Comcast recognized the need for all communities
involved, especially those AT&T Broadband communities who might not be familiar with
Comcast, to understand the Comcast philosophy and the company’s commitment to the people
and institution it serves. The Comcast Government Affairs department took the lead in
producing several videos and other informational materials targeted specifically for use by both
Comcast and AT&T staff in their meeting with LFAs during the 394 consent process. Perhaps
the most effective and important element in this material was the video in which Cocmast’s
leadership team – Brian Roberts, Comcast’s CEO; Steve Burke, president of Comcast’s Cable
division; and Ralph Roberts, Comcast’s chairman and founder – sat down and spoke simply,
directly, and forthrightly about the proposed merger and its many implications. By all accounts,
the “Meet the LFAs” video was a huge success in familiarizing people with Comcast, and on
November 18, 2002, the merger of Comcast and AT&T Broadband was completed.
For more information, contact:
Bret Perkins
Director, Government Affairs
Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102
215/981-7645 (phone)
Bret_Perkins@comcast.com
Government; Video Promotion or PSA/Series; Cable System II
Show Your Texas Pride Vote; AT&T Broadband/Texas Region; Irving, TX
To increase local awareness and promote voter turnout, AT&T Broadband partnered with the
Texas Secretary of State and the Texas Cable and Telecommunication Association on a voter
awareness project. Utilizing a series of Public Service Announcements, AT&T Broadband
encouraged voter registration and turnout in the November General Election in Texas. With our
ability to reach citizens via television, we impacted millions of people with the “Show Your
Texas Pride – Vote” program. Additionally, we promoted on-site voter registration in all of our
customer service centers, mobilized our employees to get out and vote, and placed posters in all
of our buildings encouraging everyone to “Show Their Texas Pride and Vote.” With the power
of these Public Service Announcements and the information we disseminated, AT&T Broadband
was instrumental in increasing voter turnout.
For more information, contact:
Angel Biasatti
Regional Director, Communications
AT&T Broadband/Texas Region
2951 Kinwest Parkway
Irving, TX 75063
972/830-3811 (phone)
abiasatti@broadband.att.com
Government; Programming/Series; Cable System I
TWC/Camp Lejeune; Time Warner Cable/Wilmington; Wilmington, NC
Time Warner Cable, Marine Corps base Camp Lejeune, and the city of Jacksonville, North
Carolina, partnered to bring live broadcasts of information and emergency alerts to marines
living off base in the Time Warner Cable system. The Marine Corps was looking for a way to
communicate directly with marines during emergency situations. Most of the marines live in our
Jacksonville system and through this joint project can now receive information directly from the
base, which is not served by Time Warner Cable. This project became a priority for Camp
Lejeune following 9/11. The program is serving as a model for other military communities.
Time Warner Cable connected the base cable system with fiber allowing the marines to
broadcast live to the community and the marines over the local city/government channel.
For more information, contact:
Martin Feurer
Director, Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable/Wilmington
2206 Wrightville Ave.
Wilmington, NC 28403
910/772-5746 (phone)
marty.feurer@twcable.com
Government; Programming/Single Program; Cable System II
C-SPAN 2002 Gubernatorial Debate; Comcast; Albuquerque, NM
Comcast Albuquerque partnered with C-SPAN and the top rated local radio station in presenting
the only statewide and nationally broadcast debate between New Mexico’s gubernatorial
candidates. Comcast employees contacted C-SPAN, the radio station and the candidates in the
early spring to arrange the debate and ensure that this debate was the first of several planned in
the fall. The debate garnered fourteen minutes of news coverage on all four of the local news
broadcasts and front page stories in both daily newspapers. Working through the state’s cable
association, Comcast also produced and distributed a “tune-in” spot for all the cable operators
state wide. The debate and subsequent news coverage fortified Comcast’s commitment to
providing compelling and informative programming to its customers.
For more information, contact:
Tina Otteni
Director, Public Relations
Comcast
4611 Montbel Pl., NE
Albuquerque, NM 87107
505/761-6262 (phone)
tina_otteni@cable.comcast.com
Government; Programming/Single Program; Cable System IV
You're Not Alone!; Cox Communications New England; Cranston, RI
Cox3 Live presents: “You’re Not Alone! Families and Communities Unite in a time of Crisis” –
This town meeting style show included the many issues and emotions that local families face
when their loved ones are deployed; the impact on local businesses and homeland security.
Panelists included Major General Reginald Centrachio, Major General (ret.) John Ricotelli Jr.
and Pattie Baccus, lead volunteer for family readiness in RI. United States Senator Jack Reed
joined the show live via satellite from Washington DC. The tearful reunions with family
members in the studio audience with their loved ones serving in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba were
the highlight of the show. As a public service Cox Communications kept the satellite open after
the show to give families a chance to spend more time together.
For more information, contact:
Mary Lou Palumbo
Community Programming Manager
Cox Communications New England
2 Starline Way Suite 1
Cranston, RI 02921
401/383-1314 (phone)
marylou.palumbo@cox.com
Government; Programming/Single Program; Cable Network III
Be Heard: An MTV Global Discussion with Colin Powell; MTV; New York, NY
Be Heard: An MTV Global Discussion with Colin Powell brought young people together to
discuss some of the world’s most pressing issues with the United States’ top diplomat, giving the
international youth community a chance to engage with a world leader. The discussion broke
cross-cultural boundaries as it drew youth from all over the world: the show connected live
studios in six countries – the United States, England, Brazil, Italy, Russia, and Egypt – and also
included people from Afghanistan, Israel, Russia, and Norway. The audience questioned Powell
on such issues as American foreign policy, the AIDS crisis, September 11th, and the Middle East
peace process. The session received international press attention and sparked an international
debate as Secretary Powell advocated condom use for sexually active young people to protect
against AIDS.
For more information, contact:
Randi Davis
Awards Manager
MTV
1515 Broadway, 30th Floor
New York, NY 10036
212/258-7729 (phone)
randi.davis@mtvn.com
Government; Print Materials; Cable System II
Comcast Connections; Comcast; Wyomissing, PA
A quarterly newsletter, Comcast Connections, was launched in early 2002 to keep local, state
and federal government officials abreast of changes and new services, tout the positive impact
Comcast was having on the community and reduce the number of individual mailings. The
Comcast Reading, Pennsylvania, region encompasses seven cable systems in four major offices
and six counties. All had been purchased and/or traded several times and all were new to
Comcast. The rapid pace of change made keeping the area’s 126 franchise officials and 30
legislators informed an onerous task. Adding to the difficulty was an ongoing focus in the local
media on negative news and a dearth of articles on Comcast’s community efforts. The Comcast
Connections newsletter has significantly improved communications with government contacts
while promoting the company’s community and educational initiatives.
For more information, contact:
Elizabeth Sterner
Director, Government & Community Affairs
Comcast
875 Berkshire Blvd., Suite 102
Wyomissing, PA 19610
610/376-6181 (phone)
liz_sterner@cable.comcast.com
Government; Print Materials; Association
Cable Knowledge Tester; New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association; Trenton, NJ
The New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association (NJCTA) recognized that pending state
legislation would have an adverse affect on the cable industry in New Jersey. To forestall this
legislation, NJCTA created an awareness campaign, Cable’s On It, designed to dispel the myths
about cable and highlight the positive benefits and value of cable, and at the same time, help
build strong relationships with government and opinion leaders that would have a positive affect
on any future legislation being considered. A significant element of the campaign was the Cable
Knowledge Tester, a pocket-size brochure aimed at increasing the understanding of the industry
and its contributions to New Jersey. More than 1,000 government and elected officials and other
received the Cable Knowledge Tester.
For more information, contact:
Karen Alexander
President
New Jersey Cable Telecommunications Association
124 West State St.
Trenton, NJ 08608
609/392-3223 (phone)
kalexander@cablenj.org
Media
Media; Full Campaign/Series; Cable System IV
iCONTROL Houston Launch Campaign; Time Warner Cable-Houston; Houston, TX
As Time Warner Cable Houston prepared for the launch of its newest video-on-demand service,
iCONTROL, the public affairs department was devising a plan to educate the media about Time
Warner Cable’s new service and benefits and receive maximum coverage to drive viewership
and build exposure. We reached our goals through eight phases of media pitching, including a
unique press kit called “The Ultimate Couch Potato’s Survival Kit” and seven consecutive press
releases specifically tailored to fit the corresponding service area launch. The campaign was an
incredible success as major news stations aired special interest packages and local newspapers
continuously printed articles as each iCONTROL campaign was pitched. By the end of our
summer iCONTROL launch, Time Warner Cable had received $16,295.31 worth of television
publicity, $128,429.96 worth of print publicity, and $3,636 worth of online publicity.
For more information, contact:
Ray Purser
VP, Public Affairs
Time Warner Cable-Houston
8400 W. Tidwell
Houston, TX 77040
713/895-2680 (phone)
ray.purser@twcable.com
Media; Full Campaign/Series; Cable Network III
A&E Networks' Hispanic Heritage Month; A&E Television Networks; New York, NY
Many communities in “middle America” are now suddenly rich with Hispanic customers. To
help our affiliates attract Hispanic press, A&E Television Networks celebrated Hispanic
Heritage Month with a total of 40 hours of Latino-themed programming on A&E, The History
Channel, The Biography Channel and History International. From Argentine gauchos to Yucatan
mysteries, Picasso to Evita, media and customers were treated to an array of information and
entertainment that everyone - whatever their background - could enjoy. Many of the programs
were featured in our “Classroom” time slots. Others were offered in Spanish. Affiliates used
taggable spots, ready-made government letters, a Student Essay Contest and screenings to reach
out to more than 76.5 million Hispanics with a low-cost, low-manpower media pitch: the cable
industry respects your culture and your business.
For more information, contact:
Libby O'Connell, Ph.D.
VP, Educational Initiatives
A&E Television Networks
235 East 45th St.
New York, NY 10017
212/210-1402 (phone)
libby.oconnell@aetn.com
Media; Full Campaign/Single Activity; Cable System II
A Revolutionary Day; Time Warner Cable; Kimberly, WI
A celebration of Time Warner Cable’s role in a “technological revolution;” hands-on education
on the newest technologies; a reaffirmation of Time Warner Cable’s position as a professional,
technological resource for future features; the broadest, most in-depth media coverage possible.
It was “A Revolutionary Day” on June 24, 2002, when Time Warner Cable – Green Bay became
one of the first in the country to launch the 3-level iControl product - Movies On Demand;
Subscription On Demand; Digital On Demand, and the early leader in offering Digital Video
Recorders. This large-scale event hosted nearly 500 guests from the media, government, and
community, and provide hands-on opportunities to test drive these new products. Extensive
multi-level media coverage, spanning seven weeks, expanded the event’s reach and encompassed
Green Bay’s complete DMA.
For more information, contact:
Barbara Pandolfo
Director, Public Relations
Time Warner Cable
1001 West Kennedy Ave.
Kimberly, WI 54136
920/831-9108 (phone)
barb.pandolfo@twcable.com
Media; Programming/Series; Cable System I
Media Partnership Candidate Forum; Comcast; New Haven, MI
Faced with the need to build credibility about the cable system upgrade, Comcast developed a
partnership with the local newspaper on a topic of mutual interest. Comcast local origination
program capabilities offer an excellent opportunity to partner with the only local daily newspaper
for special public education needs. This informal partnership is helpful to both parties. It places
Comcast in the direct role of assisting the Newspaper in its goals. The Newspaper goal is to
attract high-level political candidates to come to their city. Comcast’s role in televising
candidate events such as debates and forums strengthen the argument for a high-level candidate
to appear at local events. The Candidate Forum productions give opportunities for both Comcast
and the Newspaper to interact on topics of mutual interest, which supports an attitude of
cooperation.
For more information, contact:
Benton Smith
Corporate Affairs Manager
Comcast
31029 Comcast Dr.
New Haven, MI 48048
586/749-1113 (phone)
ben_smith@cable.comcast.com