New York Women in Communications Announces the 2014 Matrix Award Honorees

NEW YORK, April 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- New York Women in Communications will present the 2014 Matrix Awards on Monday April 28 to honor seven extraordinary women who have made significant contributions within the communications industry. The award ceremony will be hosted by Interpublic Group at a luncheon in the Waldorf Astoria, New York. The dynamic duo Hoda Kotb and Kathie Lee Gifford will emcee the big event.

The theme of the 44^th annual Matrix Awards is "women who change the world" through their outstanding achievements and talents in the communications fields.

THE 2014 MATRIX AWARD HONOREES & PRESENTERS:

• Wendy Clark, Senior Vice President, Global Sparkling Brand Center, The Coca-Cola Company; Presented by Shelly Lazarus, Chairman Emeritus, Ogilvy & Mather
• Queen Latifah, Musician, Award-Winning Actress, Record-Label President, Author, Entrepreneur, and Cover Girl; Presented by Mary J. Blige, Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actress
• Jane Mayer, Staff Writer, The New Yorker; Presented by David Remnick, Editor, The New Yorker
• Cynthia McFadden, Senior Legal and Investigative Correspondent, NBC News; Presented by Christiane Amanpour, Chief International Correspondent, CNN
• Dyllan McGee, Founder & Executive Producer, MAKERS; Presented by Gloria Steinem, Journalist and Activist
• Eileen Naughton, Vice President, Global Accounts & Global Agencies, Google; Presented by David Gregory, Moderator, "Meet the Press"
• Jonelle Procope, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Apollo Theater; Presented by Richard Parsons, Senior Advisor, Providence Equity LLC

"The Matrix Awards are an exciting and visible symbol of NYWICI's two pillars: the advancement of women at every stage of their careers and the ever-changing face of communications," said Liz Kaplow, president, New York Women in Communications. "These seven women bring those pillars to life with their achievements.  We are grateful to them for leading by example, and are delighted to add their names to the Matrix honor roll of inspirational women."

Previous Matrix award recipients include Barbara Walters, Tina Fey, Bette Midler, Sheryl Sandberg, Anna Wintour, Candace Bushnell, Lesley Stahl and Maya Angelou, to name a few.

More than one thousand people from the communications and entertainment communities are expected to attend the Matrix luncheon. Tickets are available on the NYWICI website: www.nywici.org. A portion of the proceeds from the Matrix Awards will go to New York Women in Communications Foundation arm, dedicated to cultivating leaders in the communications field by providing financial support, generous scholarships, mentoring, and opportunities for professional development through a diverse community of communications professionals.

"At IPG, we work hard to be a leader at recruiting, retaining and promoting women at all levels of our company.  We understand the value of female leadership and congratulate the honorees on their achievements and deserved recognition," said Michael I. Roth, Chairman and CEO of the Interpublic Group. "We are proud to stand alongside New York Women in Communications, whose mission is to nurture the advancement of female communications professionals, at any stage of their career."

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TICKETS: Individual tickets, tables and information on sponsorship opportunities are now available at www.nywici.org.

About The Matrix Awards
Since 1970, New York Women in Communications' Matrix Awards Luncheon has been recognized by New York's communications and entertainment communities as one of the most outstanding events of the year.  Past recipients include Arianna Huffington, Katie Couric, Meryl Streep, Gail Collins, Ann Moore, Toni Morrison, Barbara Walters and Annie Leibovitz.

Proceeds from the Matrix Awards Luncheon are used by New York Women in Communications to develop and maintain a full calendar of affordable programs and special events, networking and support systems for the organization's members and the community at large.  Additionally, the New York Women in Communications Foundation is dedicated to cultivating leaders in the communications field by providing financial support including generous scholarships, opportunities for professional development, mentoring, and entree to a diverse community of communications professionals. The Foundation is the largest foundation for women's communications scholarships in the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut-Pennsylvania region.

About Interpublic Group
Interpublic is one of the world's leading organizations of advertising agencies and marketing services companies. Major global brands include Draftfcb, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe Worldwide, Magna, McCann Erickson, Momentum, MRM Worldwide, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Campbell-Ewald; Campbell Mithun; Carmichael Lynch; Deutsch, a Lowe & Partners Company; Hill Holliday; ID Media; Mullen and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.

About New York Women in Communications
New York Women in Communications, founded in 1929, is a not-for-profit organization of more than 2,000 communications professionals dedicated to promoting the highest standards throughout the industry and to providing education and leadership for the next generation. The membership encompasses senior executives and other experienced communicators from a wide range of enterprises, as well as young professionals and students.  New York Women in Communications empowers women in all communications disciplines to reach their full potential by promoting their professional growth and inspiring them to achieve and share their successes.  For more information, please visit www.nywici.org.

About New York Women in Communications Foundation
The New York Women in Communications Foundation, a public charity founded in 2000, exists to help a younger sisterhood successfully enter the world of communications with financial support, professional guidance and ongoing friendship.  An arm of New York Women in Communications, the Foundation awards scholarships and provides educational programs for women, whether just beginning or embarking on a transition in their careers. It is the largest foundation for communications scholarships for women in the tri-state area.

Contact:
Alana Sorrentino
212.297.2146
[email protected]

SOURCE New York Women in Communications