Sorenson Media Takes the ParityPledge and Commits to Improving the Pathway to Leadership for Women

SALT LAKE CITY, March 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sorenson Media, a leading technology provider for broadcasters, advertisers and television manufacturers, today announced it has taken the ParityPledge™ to demonstrate its commitment to gender equality and diversity. By taking the pledge, Sorenson Media committed to interview at least one qualified woman candidate for every open leadership position, vice president and above.

The ParityPledge is an initiative developed by Parity.org, a non-profit organization that advocates for women's representation at the highest levels of business. No quotas or deadlines are stipulated by signing the pledge, it is simply a commitment to interview qualified women for leadership positions. Janay Jespersen, director of people and places at Sorenson Media, signed the pledge on behalf of the company.

"Committing to the ParityPledge was an easy decision for our leadership team to make," said Jespersen. "Women are significantly underrepresented in the workplace, especially in leadership roles. This pledge is a simple and direct way to create real change."

The ParityPledge was developed using the example of the National Football League's Rooney Rule, which has similar guidelines for interviewing at least one minority candidate for every open leadership position. As a result of the rule, minority leadership in the NFL increased from six percent to 22 percent in just three years.

"Studies have shown time and again that having more women in leadership improves performance and profitability across an entire organization," said Cathrin Stickney, Parity.org founder and CEO. "When Sorenson Media focuses on equal representation it is telling employees and stakeholders alike that leadership is committed to doing the right thing and improving business performance."

In 2017 Sorenson Media was recognized multiple times with awards for great workplace environment, including Inc.'s Best Workplaces, Utah Business' Best Companies to Work For and Salt Lake Tribune Top Workplaces. Sorenson Media currently has more than 300 employees with offices in Utah, Colorado, New York, Wales and Korea.

"Providing a supportive and inclusive workplace is a top priority for us; signing the ParityPledge is a great step toward continuing that standard as well as demonstrating our commitment to having women well-represented at the highest levels of our company," said Marcus Liassides, president and CEO of Sorenson Media. "Diversity is important to the wellbeing of employees and the success of a company, and we are committed to bringing about positive change."

For more information about Sorenson Media visit sorensonmedia.com. Connect with Sorenson Media on Facebook and Twitter.

About Sorenson Media
Founded in 1995, Sorenson Media provides trusted solutions to the broadcast television industry and is an innovator in next generation television--the fusing of the power and scale of broadcast TV with the data and addressability of digital. Using the capabilities of internet-connected devices to deliver addressability, interactivity, and measurement, Sorenson Media's technology provides broadcasters and advertisers with a complete toolkit to enable, enhance, and improve the TV content and advertising viewing experience. For more information, visit www.sorensonmedia.com and follow us on Twitter, @sorensonmedia.

Media Contact
Megan Herrick
Sorenson Media
(801) 831-4663
[email protected]

SOURCE Sorenson Media