Susan Fox will lead The Walt Disney’s Co.’s government relations efforts in Washington, D.C.
Fox, who has been with the company for 20 years, succeeds Richard Bates, who died in December. She’ll be senior vice president of government relations and report to Alan Braverman, senior executive vice president, general counsel and secretary at the company.
The role is a high profile one in the world of D.C. lobbying, as Disney has such a large presence in different sectors. From time to time, the company’s recognizable brand also has made it a target of lawmakers seeking publicity buzz.
Fox most recently was vice president, government relations, representing the company before the federal government, with a focus on policy issues.
In a statement, Braverman called Fox “an exceptionally talented and dynamic leader.”
Fox joined Disney in 2001, having served as senior legal advisor to former FCC Chairman William Kennard,...
Fox, who has been with the company for 20 years, succeeds Richard Bates, who died in December. She’ll be senior vice president of government relations and report to Alan Braverman, senior executive vice president, general counsel and secretary at the company.
The role is a high profile one in the world of D.C. lobbying, as Disney has such a large presence in different sectors. From time to time, the company’s recognizable brand also has made it a target of lawmakers seeking publicity buzz.
Fox most recently was vice president, government relations, representing the company before the federal government, with a focus on policy issues.
In a statement, Braverman called Fox “an exceptionally talented and dynamic leader.”
Fox joined Disney in 2001, having served as senior legal advisor to former FCC Chairman William Kennard,...
- 2/23/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Randall Stephenson is retiring from AT&T after 38 years, but not without one last paycheck from the telco company.
In an SEC filing on Monday, AT&T revealed that Stephenson, who had been serving as executive chairman of the company after handing the CEO reigns over to John Stankey last summer, has formally stepped down from that post. Though he is officially no longer part of AT&T’s board, he will be paid $1 million over the next year for his consulting services.
Not a bad deal if you can get it. Even better, Stephenson is not allowed to work more than 20% of the hours he worked as a full-time employee.
It was always the plan for Stephenson to formally retire in January. His CEO tenure began in 2007, leading the company through its acquisitions of DirecTV and what was then known as Time Warner.
In November, AT&T tapped William Kennard...
In an SEC filing on Monday, AT&T revealed that Stephenson, who had been serving as executive chairman of the company after handing the CEO reigns over to John Stankey last summer, has formally stepped down from that post. Though he is officially no longer part of AT&T’s board, he will be paid $1 million over the next year for his consulting services.
Not a bad deal if you can get it. Even better, Stephenson is not allowed to work more than 20% of the hours he worked as a full-time employee.
It was always the plan for Stephenson to formally retire in January. His CEO tenure began in 2007, leading the company through its acquisitions of DirecTV and what was then known as Time Warner.
In November, AT&T tapped William Kennard...
- 1/25/2021
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Debra Lee, former CEO of BET Networks, has launched Monarchs Collective, a consultancy to boost corporate board diversity as new rules and heightened social awareness make director appointments more of a key issue than ever before.
She and partner Rabia de Lande Long, an executive coach and management consultant to Fortune 500 companies, will work from both coasts to “build better boards and better companies” inside and out of the media and entertainment space, advising on directors and executive leadership and helping corporate America “discover, develop, and promote exceptional Black and women executives.”
Lee is both of those and has been sitting on boards for twenty years. She currently serves as a director at WarnerMedia parent AT&T, Burberry, Marriott and Procter & Gamble.
Sitting on boards “was an important part of my career. I learned a lot. I enjoy the board work. The hard thing to face is that companies have...
She and partner Rabia de Lande Long, an executive coach and management consultant to Fortune 500 companies, will work from both coasts to “build better boards and better companies” inside and out of the media and entertainment space, advising on directors and executive leadership and helping corporate America “discover, develop, and promote exceptional Black and women executives.”
Lee is both of those and has been sitting on boards for twenty years. She currently serves as a director at WarnerMedia parent AT&T, Burberry, Marriott and Procter & Gamble.
Sitting on boards “was an important part of my career. I learned a lot. I enjoy the board work. The hard thing to face is that companies have...
- 1/19/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
A bold proposal by the Nasdaq stock exchange early this month may give U.S. corporate boards the biggest nudge yet to seat diverse directors increasingly seen as key to both good business and social justice as investors across industries focus more on melding the two.
For decades, 57-year-old white men (on average), often without term limits presided over “male, pale and stale” boards. That’s been changing. Boards have slowly opened to women. A social justice awakening last summer promises more opportunity for minorities. And the global pandemic may have cracked the idea of boards wide open, forcing companies in entertainment and elsewhere to rethink businesses and seek directors with a diversity of age, thought and experience. Movement on boards will be a big thing to watch for in 2021.
“The board is the heart of an organization. … I think we have a window of opportunity right now. We have...
For decades, 57-year-old white men (on average), often without term limits presided over “male, pale and stale” boards. That’s been changing. Boards have slowly opened to women. A social justice awakening last summer promises more opportunity for minorities. And the global pandemic may have cracked the idea of boards wide open, forcing companies in entertainment and elsewhere to rethink businesses and seek directors with a diversity of age, thought and experience. Movement on boards will be a big thing to watch for in 2021.
“The board is the heart of an organization. … I think we have a window of opportunity right now. We have...
- 12/30/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
AT&T’s efforts to unload DirecTV make the latter’s eventual combination with Dish Network all the more “inevitable,” Dish chairman Charlie Ergen said Friday.
The pay-tv rabble-rouser has used that word before to describe the longtime satellite rivals, and he stipulated during a call with Wall Street analysts after Dish’s third-quarter results that he had no new inside information to impart. But he said private-equity firms controlling DirecTV — the most likely near-term scenario as bids are evaluated by AT&T — means that “whether it’s a year from now or 10 years from now, I believe it’s inevitable those companies come together.”
AT&T has not commented publicly on the process of retooling its pay-tv operations, which lost more than 600,000 subscribers in the third quarter. A spokesperson declined to comment on the status of the DirecTV discussions when contacted by Deadline. CNBC recently reported that one scenario being...
The pay-tv rabble-rouser has used that word before to describe the longtime satellite rivals, and he stipulated during a call with Wall Street analysts after Dish’s third-quarter results that he had no new inside information to impart. But he said private-equity firms controlling DirecTV — the most likely near-term scenario as bids are evaluated by AT&T — means that “whether it’s a year from now or 10 years from now, I believe it’s inevitable those companies come together.”
AT&T has not commented publicly on the process of retooling its pay-tv operations, which lost more than 600,000 subscribers in the third quarter. A spokesperson declined to comment on the status of the DirecTV discussions when contacted by Deadline. CNBC recently reported that one scenario being...
- 11/6/2020
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Former FCC chief William Kennard has been named chairman of AT&T’s board of directors.
Kennard has been a member of AT&T’s board of directors since 2014. The telco giant vowed to separate the chairman and CEO posts following the retirement in January of Randall Stephenson, who previously was chairman-ceo.
Last July, Stephenson handed the CEO reins to his longtime lieutenant John Stankey. Stephenson is scheduled to step down from his executive chairman role early next year. AT&T’s portfolio was transformed during Stephenson’s tenure by the acquisitions of DirecTV and Time Warner. Corporate governance watchdogs have pushed hard for companies to separate the chairman and CEO roles in an effort to foster more independent oversight from boards.
“Bill’s deep knowledge of communications, media and technology, proven leadership and broad experience across capital markets and government uniquely positions him to serve as AT&T’s new chairman,...
Kennard has been a member of AT&T’s board of directors since 2014. The telco giant vowed to separate the chairman and CEO posts following the retirement in January of Randall Stephenson, who previously was chairman-ceo.
Last July, Stephenson handed the CEO reins to his longtime lieutenant John Stankey. Stephenson is scheduled to step down from his executive chairman role early next year. AT&T’s portfolio was transformed during Stephenson’s tenure by the acquisitions of DirecTV and Time Warner. Corporate governance watchdogs have pushed hard for companies to separate the chairman and CEO roles in an effort to foster more independent oversight from boards.
“Bill’s deep knowledge of communications, media and technology, proven leadership and broad experience across capital markets and government uniquely positions him to serve as AT&T’s new chairman,...
- 11/6/2020
- by Cynthia Littleton
- Variety Film + TV
WarnerMedia parent AT&T today named former FCC chairman William Kennard chairman of the telecom giant’s board effective in January when current chair (and former CEO) Randall Stephenson retires.
AT&T announced its plan to elect an independent chairman when Stephenson, who held both positions since 2007, stepped down in April. COO John Stankey stepped up as CEO in July. Splitting the role of chairman and CEO is regarded as good corporate governance.
Kennard was general counsel to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission from 1993 to 1997. He was appointed chairman in 1997, holding the position until 2001. From 2009 to 2013, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union.
He’s been a director at AT&T since 2014 and currently serves on the board’s corporate governance and nominating committee and the public policy and corporate reputation committee.
Kennard has also held positions at Carlyle Group, a global asset management firm, leading...
AT&T announced its plan to elect an independent chairman when Stephenson, who held both positions since 2007, stepped down in April. COO John Stankey stepped up as CEO in July. Splitting the role of chairman and CEO is regarded as good corporate governance.
Kennard was general counsel to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission from 1993 to 1997. He was appointed chairman in 1997, holding the position until 2001. From 2009 to 2013, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union.
He’s been a director at AT&T since 2014 and currently serves on the board’s corporate governance and nominating committee and the public policy and corporate reputation committee.
Kennard has also held positions at Carlyle Group, a global asset management firm, leading...
- 11/6/2020
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
William Kennard on Friday was named chairman of AT&T’s board of directors.
Kennard, who replaces the outgoing Randall Stephenson, served as FCC chairman from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton and as ambassador to the European Union from 2009 to 2013 under Barack Obama. He also has held positions with The Carlyle Group. Kennard joined AT&T’s board of directors in 2014.
“Bill’s deep knowledge of communications, media and technology, proven leadership and broad experience across capital markets and government uniquely positions him to serve as AT&T’s new chairman,” Stephenson said in a statement. “He is an outstanding choice to lead our board of talented directors who possess diverse expertise and experience.”
Stephenson stepped down as CEO of AT&T over the summer, with John Stankey replacing him. Kennard is set to take over as chairman of the board in January when Stephenson formally retires. He had served as...
Kennard, who replaces the outgoing Randall Stephenson, served as FCC chairman from 1997 to 2001 under President Bill Clinton and as ambassador to the European Union from 2009 to 2013 under Barack Obama. He also has held positions with The Carlyle Group. Kennard joined AT&T’s board of directors in 2014.
“Bill’s deep knowledge of communications, media and technology, proven leadership and broad experience across capital markets and government uniquely positions him to serve as AT&T’s new chairman,” Stephenson said in a statement. “He is an outstanding choice to lead our board of talented directors who possess diverse expertise and experience.”
Stephenson stepped down as CEO of AT&T over the summer, with John Stankey replacing him. Kennard is set to take over as chairman of the board in January when Stephenson formally retires. He had served as...
- 11/6/2020
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Former FCC chairman and U.S. ambassador to the European Union William Kennard has been named chairman of the board of directors for telecom giant and WarnerMedia parent company AT&T. Kennard had been an AT&T director since 2014.
Kennard succeeds Randall Stephenson, who has been serving as AT&T’s chairman since stepping aside as CEO earlier this year, and handing control of the company to John Stankey. Stephenson will officially retire from the company in January.
Kennard was general counsel for the FCC from 1993-1997, and President Clinton named him chairman in1997, a role he served in ...
Kennard succeeds Randall Stephenson, who has been serving as AT&T’s chairman since stepping aside as CEO earlier this year, and handing control of the company to John Stankey. Stephenson will officially retire from the company in January.
Kennard was general counsel for the FCC from 1993-1997, and President Clinton named him chairman in1997, a role he served in ...
- 11/6/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Former FCC chairman and U.S. ambassador to the European Union William Kennard has been named chairman of the board of directors for telecom giant and WarnerMedia parent company AT&T. Kennard had been an AT&T director since 2014.
Kennard succeeds Randall Stephenson, who has been serving as AT&T’s chairman since stepping aside as CEO earlier this year, and handing control of the company to John Stankey. Stephenson will officially retire from the company in January.
Kennard was general counsel for the FCC from 1993-1997, and President Clinton named him chairman in1997, a role he served in ...
Kennard succeeds Randall Stephenson, who has been serving as AT&T’s chairman since stepping aside as CEO earlier this year, and handing control of the company to John Stankey. Stephenson will officially retire from the company in January.
Kennard was general counsel for the FCC from 1993-1997, and President Clinton named him chairman in1997, a role he served in ...
- 11/6/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Updated: AT&T has named Debra Lee, former chairman and CEO of Bet Networks, to its board of directors, while she will be leaving Twitter’s board.
Lee joined Viacom’s Bet Networks in 1986 and stepped down from her role in May 2018. At Bet, she served in several leadership roles, including COO and general counsel, before she served as chairman and CEO at Bet from 2006 until her retirement.
“Debra’s outstanding leadership, deep expertise and strong track record in the entertainment and media industry will be terrific additions to our board of directors,” Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “Her unique perspective as a media industry leader and operations executive, and her lifetime commitment to community service give her valuable insights I look forward to having on our board.”
Lee had joined Twitter’s board in May 2016 and will be exiting the position at the end of August.
Lee joined Viacom’s Bet Networks in 1986 and stepped down from her role in May 2018. At Bet, she served in several leadership roles, including COO and general counsel, before she served as chairman and CEO at Bet from 2006 until her retirement.
“Debra’s outstanding leadership, deep expertise and strong track record in the entertainment and media industry will be terrific additions to our board of directors,” Randall Stephenson, AT&T chairman and CEO, said in a statement. “Her unique perspective as a media industry leader and operations executive, and her lifetime commitment to community service give her valuable insights I look forward to having on our board.”
Lee had joined Twitter’s board in May 2016 and will be exiting the position at the end of August.
- 7/29/2019
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
The revolving door continues to swing: Former FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski will help the asset management firm invest in global technology, media, and telecom companies, The Carlyle Group announced today. The firm, founded in 1987, has invested more than $18B in tech, media and telecom companies including Nielsen, AMC Entertainment, and Insight Communications. Genachowski will help it to “generate premium returns for our investors,” says Allan Holt, Co-Head of the U.S. Buyout team. Genachowski, who ended his four-year FCC tenure in May, says that he’s “grateful to have been part of developments around tech, media and telecom for many years, working with some of the best in the business, and I’m looking forward to joining my new and superbly talented Carlyle colleagues to help find and build businesses.” Carlyle is a favorite landing spot for the well-connected in Washington. Former FCC Chairman William Kennard worked there after he...
- 1/6/2014
- by DAVID LIEBERMAN, Financial Editor
- Deadline TV
Films should not be included in forthcoming trade talks between the Us and the EU, France insists - and it has a large number of respected film directors on its side, including Americans like David Lynch. But the Us is now threatening to demand exemptions of its own unless the talks go ahead as planned.
"There will be a price to pay," said Us ambassador William Kennard in a recent interview, arguing that the only way forward for the talks is if nothing is off the table. France, however, could potentially veto the talks altogether unless a deal is reached. With just three days to go until the G8 summit where they were due to be launched, the war of words is hotting up.
At stake is the Cultural Exception that allows European nations to protect their film industries from what the French perceive as unreasonable Us competition. Defenders of the exception.
"There will be a price to pay," said Us ambassador William Kennard in a recent interview, arguing that the only way forward for the talks is if nothing is off the table. France, however, could potentially veto the talks altogether unless a deal is reached. With just three days to go until the G8 summit where they were due to be launched, the war of words is hotting up.
At stake is the Cultural Exception that allows European nations to protect their film industries from what the French perceive as unreasonable Us competition. Defenders of the exception.
- 6/10/2013
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
The National Cable Telecommunications Assn. on Thursday announced the lineup of general-session speakers and panelists for the Cable Show '08, taking place in New Orleans in May.
The opening general session, at 1:30 p.m. CDT, May 18, will feature a state-of-the-industry speech by NCTA president and CEO Kyle McSlarrow, followed by a panel session dubbed "Generation Next: What's Now and What's New in Broadband Media." On the panel, moderated by former FCC chairman William Kennard, will be News Corp.'s Peter Chernin, Intel's Paul Otellini, Comcast's Brian Roberts and Panasonic North America's Yoshi Yamada.
The May 19 general session, at 4:30 p.m. CDT, will feature a panel discussing how cable and its technology allies are using IP technology to create the next generation of voice, video and data businesses. The panel, moderated by BET Holdings' Debra Lee, will include Time Warner Cable's Glenn Britt and Sun Microsystems' Scott McNealy.
The final general session, at 9:30 a.m. CDT May 20, will focus on advertising and is produced in conjunction with the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau.
The opening general session, at 1:30 p.m. CDT, May 18, will feature a state-of-the-industry speech by NCTA president and CEO Kyle McSlarrow, followed by a panel session dubbed "Generation Next: What's Now and What's New in Broadband Media." On the panel, moderated by former FCC chairman William Kennard, will be News Corp.'s Peter Chernin, Intel's Paul Otellini, Comcast's Brian Roberts and Panasonic North America's Yoshi Yamada.
The May 19 general session, at 4:30 p.m. CDT, will feature a panel discussing how cable and its technology allies are using IP technology to create the next generation of voice, video and data businesses. The panel, moderated by BET Holdings' Debra Lee, will include Time Warner Cable's Glenn Britt and Sun Microsystems' Scott McNealy.
The final general session, at 9:30 a.m. CDT May 20, will focus on advertising and is produced in conjunction with the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau.
- 3/27/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
LAS VEGAS -- Top execs at Time Warner, Viacom and News Corp. defended their ground against new-media competition and government regulation during a panel discussion Tuesday at the National Cable & Telecommunications Assn.'s Cable Show.
TW chairman and CEO Richard Parsons emphasized that the size of established conglomerates will be difficult for digitally minded upstarts to match.
"The notion that somehow the new kids on the block are taking over I think is a false notion," he said during the panel, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center here. "Ten years from now, our companies will be here; I'm not so sure about the new kids on the block."
The execs were just as tough on the FCC. Reacting to comments made Monday by FCC chairman Kevin Martin, they decried potential a la carte pricing as a disaster for consumers -- a point echoed by NCTA president Kyle McSlarrow.
"The impetus behind a la carte is trying to contain content on cable, but this industry has been very good at self-regulation," Viacom Inc. president and CEO Philippe Dauman said.
The panel, moderated by William Kennard, managing director of the Carlyle Group, also addressed copyright infringement and piracy issues. Dauman, whose company is suing YouTube and Google for copyright infringement of Viacom's entertainment properties, called the issue of copyright protections "sacrosanct," saying that "up to a point we can deal with it, but past that point we have to protect rights while making content available to consumers on every available platform."
Parsons compared the fight over copyright protections in the U.S.
TW chairman and CEO Richard Parsons emphasized that the size of established conglomerates will be difficult for digitally minded upstarts to match.
"The notion that somehow the new kids on the block are taking over I think is a false notion," he said during the panel, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center here. "Ten years from now, our companies will be here; I'm not so sure about the new kids on the block."
The execs were just as tough on the FCC. Reacting to comments made Monday by FCC chairman Kevin Martin, they decried potential a la carte pricing as a disaster for consumers -- a point echoed by NCTA president Kyle McSlarrow.
"The impetus behind a la carte is trying to contain content on cable, but this industry has been very good at self-regulation," Viacom Inc. president and CEO Philippe Dauman said.
The panel, moderated by William Kennard, managing director of the Carlyle Group, also addressed copyright infringement and piracy issues. Dauman, whose company is suing YouTube and Google for copyright infringement of Viacom's entertainment properties, called the issue of copyright protections "sacrosanct," saying that "up to a point we can deal with it, but past that point we have to protect rights while making content available to consumers on every available platform."
Parsons compared the fight over copyright protections in the U.S.
BET founder and chairman Robert Johnson said Wednesday that he is forming a private equity firm with the Carlyle Group, a Washington-based firm that manages a $35 billion global portfolio. Johnson arranged the alliance with former FCC chairman William Kennard, now a managing director at Carlyle, which among other investments, assisted fiberoptic company WCI Cable connect Alaska to the contiguous U.S. and participated in a buyout of a unit of Qwest Communications International. Johnson, who already participates in hotel investment firm Hedge Fund of Funds, a partnership with Deutsche Bank, said that creating a private equity firm with Carlyle was "part of an effort to create a financial asset management company across a number of sectors."...
- 12/14/2005
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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