The CableFAX Magazine Event

Please enjoy today’s special supplement, which is part of the celebration of The CableFAX Magazine event on Dec 2 at The National Press Club in DC. The festivities will include a tribute to the ’08 CableFAX 100, whose identity will be revealed at the event.A new aspect of the CableFAX 100 is the addition of a ranked list of 25 regional cable power players, addressing the notion that one of cable’s strengths is its local flavor.Also at the event we will honor 20 cable executives on the rise and cable’s most influential women. These women formed the nucleus of the Nov edition of CableFAX: The Magazine. Meanwhile, our "20 to Watch" list appears on pages 6 and 7 of today’s issue.Finally, the event will include a special sendoff for departing Cable Positive chief Steve Villano, whose column below provides some background on his work for the cable charity and reflections on the future.Change We Can Believe InBy Steve Villano, Cable PositiveThis past year—from one World AIDS Day to the next (Dec 1, 2007, to Dec 1, 2008)—has been a time of transformative change, in the life of the country, Cable Positive’s, and my own.It’s been a year packed with powerful, positive changes for the Cable industry and for Cable Positive. Fortuitously, for the fight against HIV/AIDS, these changes coincided with the CDC’s conclusion that the AIDS epidemic in the US is far worse than previously believed—and that the life-saving role for education as the only vaccine against the disease has dramatically increased the importance of Cable Positive’s work.And, from last December to this one, death—and the potential of a sweet, new birth—have served as momentous mile-markers in my life. From my mother’s death, to the joyous news that my son will soon be a father, this has been a year unlike any other for me. Attention must be paid to transformative events. Action must be taken.Accordingly, after a nearly-nine year privilege of serving Cable Positive and working with an all-star array of cable leaders driven by a desire to do good, I’ve decided to explore some mountains beyond those I’ve already climbed.As a passionate change advocate, I believe the healthiest organizations—and individuals—are those that don’t fear change but embrace it. I am confident that the team we’ve built, headed by our talented Chief Operating Officer Thomas Henning and an excellent Executive Committee and Board, guided by Showtime’s gifted evp, Ray Gutierrez, will continue to take the organization to bold, new heights and expand its programs, breaking ground with all media platforms and audiences.This has not been an easy decision. I love my work with Cable Positive and what we’ve accomplished on a tiny budget—and with a small, but mighty team. I enjoy making a difference and building something from the roughest of concepts into a powerful tool to make our world a little better place.I don’t know what awaits, but this much I’m sure: I’m thankful to be alive, to be a participant in a time of great change, and to energetically embrace tomorrow.