-New program will connect industry trailblazers with emerging leaders to further innovation-
DENVER – The Cable Center announced today that it is launching the Community of Innovators, a new program designed to advance the entrepreneurial legacy on which the cable industry was built. The program, which will be piloted in Denver, aims to connect cable’s trailblazers and top executives with the next generation of leaders who will help define the industry’s future.
The Community of Innovators was conceived with the industry’s visionaries in mind. These leaders will serve as the nucleus of the program and will use their experience and influence to inspire university students, empower the industry’s rising stars and galvanize the startup community. The goal is to pass on the industry’s pioneering spirit to a new generation of innovators.
“The Cable Center tells the story of the dynamic cable industry. But the story is not just about the past. The Community of Innovators program allows us to focus on the exciting future of the industry, while also celebrating its innovative legacy,” said The Cable Center’s president and CEO Jana Henthorn.
The Community of Innovators includes four primary components:
- Innovation Laureates. The Community of Innovators’ Innovation Laureates are industry trailblazers and key influencers. Each brings a unique perspective to mentor, teach, and motivate the next generation of cable industry leaders. This year’s laureates include: Bridget Baker, founder and CEO, Baker Media Inc.; Julian Brodsky, co-founder and retired vice chairman, Comcast Corp.; Leo J. Hindery, Jr., founder and managing partner, InterMedia Partners, LP; Phil McKinney, president and CEO, CableLabs; Josh Sapan, president and CEO, AMC Networks; Quentin Schaffer, EVP, Corporate Communications, HBO; David Zaslav, president and CEO, Discovery Communications; and Jeff Zucker, president, CNN Worldwide.
- Intrapreneurship Academy. The Cable Center’s Intrapreneurship Academy is a future-focused leadership program designed to educate and empower the next generation of leaders to become intrapreneurs prepared to envision and effect innovation within their organization’s corporate structure. The 10-week pilot program will provide 20 emerging leaders with both in-person and online learning opportunities to gain knowledge and skills they can apply to self-selected projects.
“Innovation used by Google, Facebook and other Silicon Valley giants was built upon technology developed by the cable industry. Now, we need to support further innovation by allowing the industry’s rising stars to take chances within a structured environment,” explained Paul Maxwell, a board member of The Cable Center and retired founder and CEO of Media Business Corp.
- Startup Week Partnerships. The Community of Innovators will participate in Startup Weeks across the country, tapping into the network of emerging innovators and creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs to connect with cable industry leaders. During the 2017 pilot, the program will co-sponsor Denver Startup Week’s Pitch Challenge — a competition that provides a chance for small businesses and startups to pitch business ideas to a panel comprised of highly regarded entrepreneurs and business leaders.
- Mavericks Lecture Series. As part of the Community of Innovators, The Cable Center is reviving its Mavericks Lecture Series, a program that gives successful, dynamic industry leaders the opportunity to share their insight at universities and colleges nationwide. The Center’s Innovation Laureates will be invited to serve as lecturers for the inaugural year.
“For any industry to thrive, organizations need to foster a culture of innovation. The Community of Innovators is a vital step in support of the industry’s efforts on this journey,” said Michael Willner, chairman of The Cable Center’s board of directors and CEO of Penthera Partners, Inc.
For more information on the Community of Innovators or The Cable Center, visit http://cablecenter.org/.
About The Cable Center
Based in Denver, Colorado, The Cable Center is a nonprofit organization serving the media and telecommunications industry. The Cable Center is the home of the Cable Hall of Fame, recognizing individuals for their outstanding contributions to the industry, of the Barco Library, the world’s largest collection of cable-related information and resources as well as programs that focus on industry innovation. Visit us at www.cablecenter.org,www.twitter.com/TheCableCenter and www.facebook.com/TheCableCenter for more information.
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