Cable Positive to Honor Three Leaders at Annual Power Awards

NEW YORK - February 20, 2008

Hosted by POZ Magazine Editor-in-Chief Regan Hofmann, presenters include Grammy Award-winning artist Wyclef Jean, and actress CCH Pounder

NEW YORK, NY – On March 4, 2008, at Manhattan’s Marriott Marquis, Cable Positive, the cable industry’s AIDS action organization, will host its annual benefit dinner, The Power Awards, which recognizes three industry leaders in the fight against HIV/AIDS. 

This year, Bill Roedy, Vice-Chairman of MTV Networks, will receive The Joel A. Berger Award, Dr. Helene Gayle, President & CEO of CARE, will receive The Humanitarian Award and Michael Willner, Vice Chairmain & CEO of Insight Communications, will receive The Leadership Award.  The Power Awards symbolize the significant impact these individuals have had in the fight against HIV/AIDS and recognize the empowerment they have provided to those affected and infected by the disease.

The event will be hosted by Regan Hofmann, Editor-in-Chief, POZ Magazine, who was featured in Cable Positive’s Positive Voices: Women & HIV documentary and is also appearing in Kenneth Cole’s newest ad campaign “25 Years of Non-Uniform Thinking,” which celebrates the stories of courageous individuals.  Award presenters include Grammy Award-Winning artist Wyclef Jean and actress CCH Pounder (from the hit FX series The Shield).

Andrea Wong, President & CEO of Lifetime Entertainment, Bob Miron, Chairman & CEO of Advance/Newhouse, Geraldine Laybourne, Founder of Oxygen Media, Kyle McSlarrow, President & CEO of NCTA and Judy McGrath, Chairman & CEO of MTV Networks have all joined Cable Positive to co-chair this year’s event.  

“We know our dinner brings a lot of powerful attention to the fight against the AIDS epidemic,” said Steve Villano, President & CEO, Cable Positive.  “Because awareness is paramount, across communities of color and across countries, it was natural for us to expand our recognition of people who are passionate about fighting this disease.”

“We fully embrace Cable Positive’s mission to galvanize the cable industry in the fight against HIV/AIDS," said Bill Roedy, Vice-Chairman, MTV Networks.  "I dedicate the Joel A. Berger award to my fellow colleagues as well as the many young heroes involved in the fight.  As MTV Network’s Staying Alive campaign approaches its 10-year anniversary, I challenge all of us to do more in this fight. It's imperative that we use every media platform available as our vaccine to educate our viewers and alter the course of history." 

ABOUT CABLE POSITIVE’S ANNUAL BENEFIT DINNER: Cable Positive’s annual benefit event continues to be the organizations primary source of revenue and premier event.  Each year, for the last 10 years, the annual benefit has raised over $1 million dollars.  Last year’s event set a record mark, raising $1.6 million.  The funds go directly to support Cable Positive’s national outreach efforts.

ABOUT CABLE POSITIVE: Founded in 1992, Cable Positive is a non-profit organization dedicated to unifying the talents, resources, access and influence of the communications industry to raise AIDS awareness; to fund AIDS education and care; and to promote a more compassionate climate for people whose lives have been affected by HIV and AIDS.