CONTACT: Cable Positive Thomas Dima 212.459.1605 thomas@cablepositive.org

INDEMAND’S BARACKMAN, ADELPHIA’S MARTENS AND STULL NAMED 2004 BRAD WOJCOSKI MEMORIAL AWARD RECIPIENTS

Barackman, Martens and Stull Recognized for Mobilizing the Cable Industry’s Efforts to Fight HIV/AIDS in Denver

NEW YORK, NY - November 11, 2004
Cable Positive, the cable and telecommunications industry’s AIDS action organization, has named Debbie Barackman, Regional VP for Affiliate Relations and National Accounts, iN DEMAND; Zelda Martens, Director of Marketing, Adelphia Communications and Erica Stull, Director of External Communications, Adelphia Communications as the 2004 Brad Wojcoski Memorial Award recipient for outstanding contribution to the fight against HIV and AIDS by a cable industry employee in their local community.  As part of the honor, Cable Positive will grant $2,500 to an AIDS service organization of the group’s choice in their names.

“Debbie Barackman, Zelda Martens, and Erica Stull are shining examples of how to utilize the power of cable to fight HIV and AIDS in the local community,” said Steve Villano, President & CEO, Cable Positive.  “It is through their leadership, dedication and vision that the Denver chapter of Cable Positive has made such an impact in the Denver community and in the lives of hundreds of children affected by HIV and AIDS.  I salute them for their great work on behalf of the industry, and for the population in the Denver community affected by HIV/AIDS.”

Over the past decade, Barackman, Martens and Stull have helped to raise almost $600,000, built a new playground and infant center at the Volunteers of America Rainbow House and improved the lives of hundreds of children and families affected by HIV/AIDS in Denver. They have worked tirelessly since 1995 to accomplish these goals through the Denver chapter of Cable Positive.   Side by side – and as a team with Paul Braun of Time Warner, a previous Brad Wojcoski Memorial Award recipient -- they have been the driving force behind the annual fundraising event that has staged an original musical revue for the past 10 years.  Under their brilliant leadership, the proceeds from the annual Cable Positive event have grown from $10,000 in 1995 to more than $125,000 this year.

Each year, significant portion of funds go to Rainbow House in Denver, which cares for the unique needs of families living with HIV/AIDS, specifically those with young children. The Denver chapter of Cable Positive was instrumental in expanding space for infants and housing a half-day Head Start program and a half-day extended pre-school program. 

Finalists for the 2004 Brad Wojcoski Memorial Award are: Karen Heil of Mediacom, Ryan Siskow of MTV Networks, Oscar Marin of Showtime Networks Inc., Daryl Morrison of Time Warner Cable and Ida Tagliente of Adelphia Communications.

Cable Positive’s Brad Wojcoski Memorial Award was established in 1993 in honor of Brad Wojcoski, an employee of HBO and one of the original Board member of Cable Positive.  Nominations are submitted on behalf of the nominee by a peer and voted upon by Cable Positive’s Board of Directors. Past recipients include: Bobby Amirshahi, Cox Communications (2003); David Gale, MTV Films and Gwen Marcus, Showtime Networks Inc. (2002); Paul Braun, Time Warner Cable National Division (2001/2000); Charlie Moreno, AT&T Services (1999); Ibis Kaba, HBO (1998); Heather Smith, Media One (1997); Chicago Access Corporation (1996); Barbara Siegel, Showtime Networks, Inc. (1995); Dennis Mangers, CCTA (1994); and Viacom Cable San Francisco (1993).

About Cable Positive
Cable Positive is a national non-profit organization that was founded in February 1992 by three concerned cable executives with the mission of organizing cable's resources in the fight against AIDS. Cable Positive will mobilize the talents, resources, access and influence of the cable and telecommunications industry to raise HIV/AIDS awareness; support HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care; and strive to end stigma by creating a more compassionate climate for people whose lives have been affected by HIV or AIDS. Cable Positive has grown to include supporters from every major cable network, multiple system operator, cable system, hardware manufacturer, trade association, media publication, and affiliated industry vendors and suppliers. Since 1992, Cable Positive has raised more than $12 million in the fight against AIDS. For more information about Cable Positive, call 212.459.1502.

 

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