Cablefax The Magazine September 2023 - 45

Mark Walker
Head of Sports Business Development & Innovation
ESPN
THE WHY: Walker leads with DEI in mind, starting with the team he oversees. He's
been particularly effective elevating women into leadership roles via his position
as executive chair of the Women@ESPN Business Employee Resource Group. He
also spearheaded the rebranding of The Undefeated to Andscape, providing a fuller
range of Black representation, and he's delivered content through the platform
including " Starkeisha " and " Algiers, America. "
HE SAYS... " True diversity doesn't stop at identity. It's critically important to embrace
a range of life paths and experiences. "
WHAT MOVIE OR SHOW IS A MUST-WATCH FOR CELEBRATING DIVERSITY? Andscape's " Algiers, America "
is not simply a celebration of the diversity that exists within the Black experience-it is a celebration of a deeply
American story of strength, joy and striving through sport.
Drew Watkins
SVP, Creative Director
Warner Bros. Discovery Sports
THE WHY: Watkins is dedicated to elevating WBD sports content, and that includes
pushing for authentic and diverse storytelling that reflects fans, athletes and leagues.
The 28-time Sports Emmy award winner currently mentors in three different WBD
Sports programs designed to strengthen career pathways for historically marginalized
and underrepresented people. And he consistently partners with the WBD DEI team's
programs, including those that offer minorities opportunities to work onsite at tentpole
events ranging from the Invesco QQQ Legacy Classic to NBA All-Star Weekend.
Watkins also serves on the sports task force of the National Association of Black Journalists,
through which he mentors college students, and is a member of the Howard
University Alumni Association - Atlanta chapter.
HE SAYS... " DEI didn't really exist as a formal corporate consideration when I started. It wasn't openly discussed. "
WHAT PRACTICES SHOULD BE ADOPTED TO MAKE THE HIRING PROCESS MORE INCLUSIVE? Hiring
managers should involve more people on the team in the candidate interview process. This doesn't mean create
more rounds of interviews, but instead allowing for more perspectives in evaluating the top candidates.
Carlos Williams
EVP, Business Affairs & Operations
20th Television
THE WHY: In his work negotiating deals for various series, Williams focuses on
how to move the needle for DEI-centric shows that comprise inclusive cast and
crew. This has included moving " 9-1-1 " from Fox to ABC, negotiating a deal with
Hulu for a series by Dan Fogelman and " This Is Us " star and executive producer
Sterling K. Brown, and bringing straight to series Disney+ shows such as
" American Born Chinese " and " Percy Jackson and the Olympians. "
HE SAYS... " Celebrating and prioritizing diversity within any company and
department is imperative to creating a rich culture with broad perspectives. "
LAST APP I USED: The Ōura app to check my lack of sleep.
CablefaxDiversity.com
September 2023
45

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Cablefax The Magazine September 2023

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