Cablefax The Magazine - October 2021 - 25

Mark Kang
SVP, Worldwide Distribution
INSP
Much of INSP's success this year
can be traced straight back to Kang,
including record-breaking distribution
to nearly 70 million subs and adding SLING TV and Philo TV to
the growing list of vMVPD platforms where INSP is available. In
addition to growing the network's digital distribution, Kang is
focused on inspiring future leaders through NAMIC's L. Patrick
Mellon Mentorship Program, where he encourages accountability
from both himself and his mentees. When it comes to a
celebrity who is a good role model for the next generation, Kang
cites " Hamilton " and " In the Heights " star Anthony Ramos. " If
you observe all of his acting roles, he embodies a true sense
of diversity and what it means to stay genuine to one's self. He
demonstrates who he is and where he came from through his
roles, both on and off camera. "
Rob King
SVP & Editor-at-Large,
ESPN Content
ESPN
If you can't find it, make it. King
co-founded ESPN's Inclusive Content
Committee in 2020. The team's mission was to serve as a diverse
resource for the company's content creators and enhance
storytelling on its platforms. The committee has since helped
shape how ESPN covers and addresses social and health issues
in its news presentations and other outlets. " Each month, the ICC
previews scores of pitches and work in progress, reviews content
produced across all platforms for their inclusive processes and
production, and provides a bimonthly report to senior executives
detailing successful work and work that represents opportunities
for ESPN to learn and grow, " King says. He has also spoken out
and made himself visible as a POC executive and journalist. He's
a member of AP's board, the National Sports Journalism Center's
advisory board, the Center for Investigative Reporting and Poynter
Institute's national advisory board, where he serves as chair.
He also devotes himself to mentoring young aspiring journalists.
Jerry Lambert
GVP, Legal Affairs
Mediacom Communications
Lambert is a unique personality who
can pore over details of complex legal
contracts and obsess over accuracy
while never losing sight of his customers' particular needs. He's
currently launching new services aimed at businesses that want
innovative solutions; serves as counsel for Mediacom's Home
Cablefax: The Magazine
October 2021
Controller and Security; and is involved in rolling out a new
product service suite. Be it handling contracts, reviewing marketing
materials, or sitting on Mediacom's cybersecurity governance
committee, Lambert is every bit as focused on growing Mediacom's
business customer base as he is in cultivating strong
business relationships with all of his colleagues, clients, and
mentees. He believes the industry has made strides on DEI this
past year by heeding calls from those within it. " Such calls came
from grassroots-employee based cries for equity in employment
to boardroom occupants recognizing the historical inequities found
there and in C-Suites, resulting in a dearth of diverse talent and
thought leadership that, if addressed, would be a comprehensive
benefit to the organization, " Lambert says.
James Lavallee
VP, Integrated Marketing
Solutions, Effectv
Comcast Cable
Every day is a new adventure for
Lavallee, who creates and executes
advanced sale solutions for Comcast and third-party partners
utilizing Effectv's audience segments and technical capabilities.
That was never more true than during the pandemic, when he
became a vital part of the creation of Comcast RISE, a program
designed to support minority-owned SMBs during the COVID-19
pandemic. He had a hand in designing the strategy, executing
the workflow, determining the branding and seeing everything
through to implementation. He's a huge advocate for mentorship
programs, having had the unique experience of meeting NAMIC
co-founder Patrick Mellon on his first day on the job at ESPN.
Virginia LazaldeMcPherson
EVP,
Business Affairs
Showtime Networks
Throughout the pandemic, LazaldeMcPherson
had two priorities:
ensuring Showtime scripted and unscripted series could safely
resume production and overseeing high-profile content deals,
including " The First Lady " and Michael C. Hall's return as
" Dexter. " She hopes to make an impact on the entertainment
industry through deals that bring better representation to both
sides of the camera. She recently signed a first-look deal with
Regina Hall and brought writer-comedian Ziwe Fumudoh to late
night with " Ziwe. " Lazalde-McPherson says honesty is especially
important in challenging times. " Throughout my career,
transparency has been key in tackling issues both positive and
negative. It goes both ways-being receptive to something you
don't want to hear is just as important as being direct and honest
at the outset of any project or conversation as far as what is
realistic and what you're capable of. "
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