Rolon has played a key role in the growing efforts to better integrate ESPN and ESPN Deportes content that is of interest to the Hispanic audience. Those efforts include leading a strategy to expand ESPN’s Hispanic reach by providing more content of interest to bilingual Hispanics, and launching “Now or Never,” ESPN’s first late-night show, which focuses on serving multicultural audiences. “At ESPN, we know that ideas can come from anyone, and that’s why we strive to engage employees to make sure that as a company, we are growing together,” he says.
What does your company/organization do to ensure all employees feel included?
At ESPN, we know that ideas can come from anyone, and that’s why we strive to engage employees to make sure that as a company, we are growing together. One of the many ways our company ensures that all employees feel included is via the ERGs (Employee Resource Groups). The company supports nine ERGs that represent various dimensions of diversity and engage employees through professional development, social networking and volunteer opportunities. In my case, SOMOS, the Hispanic/Latino ERG, has become a valued business partner as we look to them as incubators for ideas around Hispanic initiatives. For example, when the company was exploring launching “Now or Never,” our newest multicultural show, SOMOS was one of the groups we tapped into early in the planning process.
Can you share a successful diversity program at your company or one you’ve observed at another company or organization?
A successful diversity program at ESPN is ESPN Next, a development program for production assistants. Through ESPN Next, we are able to attract young, diverse talent and work with them to develop a career roadmap that is focused on building leadership skills, business acumen and provide the right environment for exploration at a critical time in their career.
Which current television show/s best embrace diversity?
We are lucky to live in a time where a lot of shows embrace diversity. Some of my favorite ones are ESPN’s “First Take,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “The Good Place” and “One Day at a Time.”
