CableFAX Faxies Winners
Congratulations to all the CableFAXIESwinners and nominees who were honored Tues during a lunch at the National Press Club in DC. It was the inaugural event for the PR and marketing awards, and included a guest appearance by HDNet‘s Dan Rather. The seasoned journalist—he’s interviewed every US president since Dwight D Eisenhower —offered up advice on PR and marketing. He’s found that the best in this field are intimately involved in community service work, full of honesty and integrity and are passionate. Rather’s other bit advice comes from his newshound expertise. Journalists are only as good as their sources, and the same applies to PR professionals. "Call it networking if you want… but there is no substitute for constantly updating your contacts," Rather said. Asked about working for Mark Cuban, he offered this preface: "I’m at an age and stage where I don’t have to kiss up to anyone any more." So Cuban should be particularly thrilled that Rather went on to say he considers him "terrific."
Of course, no CableFAXevent would be complete without a bit of humor and irreverence. Rather’s CBS replacement Katie Couric "was going to do this, but couldn’t find the audience," quipped guest comedian/ NCTA svp law & regulatory policy svp Dan Brenner. The day’s chicken lunch was a last-minute substitution by Chef Kevin Martin, Brenner said, setting up the obligatory a la carte joke. "He originally wanted to serve macaroni or cheese. Peas or carrots," he said. "Make that pea or carrot—he’s not a fan of bundling." Ba-da-bum.
Other noteworthy moments: Cox New Orleans ‘ Brad Grundmeyer reminded everyone to volunteer during the Cable Show, even if it’s only as a "volunteer tourist," spending money to help New Orleans. PR Exec of the Year winner Ellen Kroner of Rainbow informed us that if her life was a TV show it would be "Sex and the City, without the Sex." Co-Marketer of the Year winner Barbara Hedges of Charter reminded us of how smart she is with talk of binomial equations. And Misty Skedgell, who made numerous trips to the podium for Turner, proved she’s fast with a joke, apologizing for not making a wardrobe change.
Marketers of the Year: Barbara Hedges (Charter) and Jeff Gregor (Turner)
PR Executive of the Year: Ellen Kroner (Rainbow)
Public Affairs Executive of the Year: Dr. Libby Haight O’Connell (AETN)
Advertising Campaign for a Single Program or Series: USA Network for The Starter Wife
Advertising Campaign for a Network or Cable Operator (tie): Pico Adworks & Cablevision Mexico for "And With Your Dish, Do Whatever You Like"; MK Advertising for Showtime’s 2007 NCTA Campaign
Direct Response Marketing: Univision Communications for "Connect With Univision Networks"
Integrated Marketing Campaign (tie): DIY Network for Blog Cabin; YES Network for Yankees HD
Marketing Campaign: Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia for Comcast SportsNet’s 10th Anniversary
Marketing of a New Series or Show: BBC America for Robin Hood
Marketing of a Continuing Series: TNT for The Closer, Season 3
Marketing of a Special or Documentary/Documentary Series: DIY Network for Celebrity Rides — Burt Builds a Bandit
Best Tchotchke: World Wrestling Entertainment for WWE HD Launch—HD Refrigerator
Multicultural Marketing: TBS for Tyler Perry’s House of Payne
Trade Show Marketing and PR: NBC Universal’s CES Booth
Use of Video or Moving Image: Tennis Channel, French Open Sizzle
Viral Marketing Campaign: A&E for FreakYourMind.com
Annual Report: Cox Arizona’s Community Involvement Report
Corporate Social Responsibility/Green Campaign (tie): Cartoon Network for Rescuing Recess; NBC Universal for Green is Universal
Community Relations (tie): Cox New Orleans for Volunteer New Orleans; NBC Universal for NBC Universal on the Set
Media Event: E! for the EMA/E! Golden Green Party
Media Relations Campaign: TNT for The Closer
Press Kit: National Geographic Channel for Inside the Living Body/Incredible Human Machine
Programming Stunt: TV One for Roots’ 30th Anniversary
PR Stunt: A&E Television for Criss Angel Mindfreak Cement Block Demonstration
Public Affairs Campaign: MTV Networks for Channel the Change: Darfur
