CONTACT: Thomas Dima 212.459.1605 thomas@cablepositive.org

THE ATLANTA CHAPTER OF CABLE POSITIVE RECEIVES CTPAA’S JOEL A. BERGER AWARD FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS CAMPAIGN ACHIEVING EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS IN AIDS AWARENESS

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NEW YORK, NY - April 13, 2005
The Cable Television Public Affairs Association (CTPAA) today announced The Atlanta Chapter of Cable Positive: Positively Aiding the Fight Against AIDS campaign is the winner of the 2005 Joel A. Berger Award.  Named after former publisher of Cablevision Magazine Joel Berger, this award is presented to a cable industry public affairs campaign that achieves exceptional results in the area of AIDS awareness.

The Atlanta Chapter of Cable Positive, the cable and telecommunications industry’s AIDS action organization, exists to encourage industry professionals in the Atlanta area to get involved in the fight against HIV and AIDS in the communities where they live and work. The chapter launched in 2003 and has had a very successful start. In the past year, it has raised more than $43,800 to fund HIV/AIDS support and education programs of Cable Positive and AID Atlanta, the Southeast’s largest AIDS action organization. The chapter has held fundraising events including Gutter Ball 2004: Strike for a Cause and the Positively Art auction, with proceeds going to Cable Positive and AID Atlanta.  Volunteers helped out at the annual AIDS Walk Atlanta, and the chapter joined with Atlanta chapters of CTAM, NAMIC and WICT for a joint holiday party fundraiser.  Cable Positive’s Atlanta chapter has marshaled the resources of the cable industry and gained the active support and sponsorship of 30 cable-related companies.  Participation in the chapter has increased by more than 50 percent since November 2003, as the organization becomes well-known in the Atlanta area by supporting critical AIDS education and service programs in the city and nationally.

CTPAA will honor the 2005 Joel A. Berger Award winner during the Beacon Awards Gala, set for Tuesday, May 3 at The Ritz-Carlton, Washington, D.C.  The Beacon Awards Gala is one of the highlights of CTPAA’s FORUM 2005:  “Expanding Cable's Connections.”  FORUM is the cable industry’s annual educational event dedicated to the issues facing public affairs professionals.

CTPAA is the only national, professional organization specifically addressing the issues, needs and interests of the cable industry’s public affairs professionals.  Its mission is to develop and promote public affairs excellence to help achieve industry, corporate and social goals.  A strong advocate of the public affairs professional’s participation in all aspects of corporate decision-making processes, CTPAA works to enhance each member’s status and influence through skill building and professional development.  For more information on CTPAA, FORUM 2005 and the 2005 Beacon Awards, see www.ctpaa.org.

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 $10 million in the fight against AIDS. For more information about Cable Positive, call 212-459-1502 or log on to www.cablepositive.org.