Walter Kaitz Foundation's Hollywood Creative Forum Brings Creatives and Executives Together for Pitching, Networking at The Cable Show 2010

WASHINGTON, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- The Walter Kaitz Foundation is debuting a new program aimed at connecting emerging writers, directors and producers of color with cable executives in conjunction with The Cable Show 2010 and Cable Connection - Spring, May 11 – 13, 2010, in Los Angeles.  Sponsored by Scripps Networks, "The Hollywood Creative Forum" is being held on Tuesday, May 11, and incorporates a full day of sessions and "meet and greets" with cable executives focused on programming and creative content.

This inaugural program is designed as two separate tracts for two distinct audiences:

• Mid-to-senior level creatives, drawn from the Directors Guild, Writers Guild, and Producers Guild, will have the opportunity for one-on-one "speed networking" sessions throughout the day with production companies and cable industry programming executives.
• Emerging content creators will advance their skills and knowledge base through the program's sessions and learn about self-promotion, utilizing cable as a creative vehicle for developing production expertise, and honing skills to pitch content. 

Some of the session speakers include Emiliano Calemzuk, President of Fox Television Studios, and top executives from Google, Oxygen, BET Networks, and 5914 Productions, among others.

This event is open to writers, directors and producers in both fiction and non-fiction programming genres from select programs, including: the NATPE Diversity Fellowship Program; the NAMIC Writers' Workshop; and current participants in select network diversity programs. 

"This is a unique opportunity for creatives of color who have been in media to gain face-to-face access to cable programming executives in order to advance their careers," said David M. Porter, Jr., Ph.D., Executive Director of The Walter Kaitz Foundation.  "We are extremely grateful to the Writers Guild, the Producers Guild, the Director's Guild as well as the Television Academy for their support and outreach to their members to make this full day of learning and networking a true success."

Two Other Programs This Week

In addition to the "The Hollywood Creative Forum," the Foundation is also presenting two additional programs during The Cable Show.  "Cable Cares About Diversity" is a one-day Master Class designed to bring a diverse group of "Millennials" together with executives in the cable industry on Wednesday, May 12.  Students will be introduced to the industry, exposed to business trends and opportunities, and educated on how to interpret trends that will shape essential business strategies in the decade ahead.

The 11th Annual Supplier Diversity Connection Workshop, a program for women and minority business enterprises (WMBEs), procurement officers and other commodity professionals, will be held on Thursday, May 13.  In addition to sessions, the program also includes the new Supplier Spotlight where WMBEs are offered the opportunity to demonstrate their products and services directly to buyers from cable companies seeking to improve diversity within their company's supply chain. 

Detailed agendas, including complete session descriptions, and registration information are available online at www.walterkaitz.org.   For a complete schedule of event for The Cable Show 2010, visit www.thecableshow.com. 

As the cable industry's national foundation dedicated to advocating for diversity, the Walter Kaitz Foundation was established with the purpose of advancing the contributions of women and ethnic minorities in cable telecommunications.  The Foundation was launched as a not-for-profit to provide resources and significant funding to organizations that support vital programs and initiatives that furthers diversity's cause.

SOURCE The Cable Show 2010