HOLLYWOOD RADIO & TELEVISION SOCIETY (HRTS) HOSTS HRTS VIRTUAL SPOTLIGHT: 3RD ANNUAL HOW DE&I DRIVES INNOVATION PRESENTED BY A+E NETWORKS GROUP ON TUESDAY, APRIL 20
Los Angeles, CA (April 16, 2021) – The Hollywood Radio and Television Society (HRTS) continues to spotlight the importance of access and inclusion in the TV and entertainment industry with its upcoming HRTS Virtual Spotlight: 3rd Annual How DE&IDrives Innovation event Presented by A+E Networks on April 20, 2021, from 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm PT. The news was announced by Odetta Watkins, HRTS President, Dan Erlij, HRTS Chairperson, and Melissa Grego, CEO HRTS.
Panelists featured include Robin Roberts, anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America and President of Rock’n Robin Productions; Carlos Watson, Emmy award-winning journalist, founder OZY TV; writer, director and producer Greg Berlanti; creator, showrunner, executive producer and director of “Vida,” Tanya Saracho; and HRTS Board Members Albert Cheng, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Head of Television, Amazon Studios; and Freeform President Tara Duncan. Karen Gray, EVP Human Resources, A+E Networks Group, will moderate the discussion.
The event addresses how the conversation around diversity and inclusion has changed in light of the past year’s events, efforts, approaches making a difference, and the next steps we need to take to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in TV and entertainment.
HRTS has put access and inclusion front and center in its programming and support of members and member organizations, including developing a Diversity & Inclusion Resource Guide in 2019 detailing TV industry programs designed to promote inclusion, equality, and representation. A copy of the updated 2021 HRTS Diversity & Inclusion Guide, which this year also includes a directory of internships, will be made available to all event attendees and HRTS Members at all levels. A+E Networks Group has expanded its support of HRTS’ DE&I initiatives, becoming the Presenting Sponsor of the HRTS Resource Guide for 2021.
“We’ve seen a lot of positive steps to increase inclusion and representation, and it’s important that we continue the discussion as it evolves. I’m proud of the work HRTS has done in bringing together leaders who challenge themselves and their companies to keep the issue in the forefront,” said Odetta Watkins, HRTS President.
Added Dan Erlij, HRTS Chairperson, “We can no longer allow business as usual to be acceptable. We must open pathways for more diverse stories to be told and talent celebrated in every aspect of the industry.”
The event is co-chaired by Paul Buccieri (President A+E Networks Group; HRTS Board Member), Dan Erlij (Partner, Co-Head, Television Literary Department, United Talent Agency; HRTS Chairperson), Kelly Goode (Vice President Current Programming, Warner Bros., HRTS Advisory Council), Greg Lipstone (President, Propagate Content and HRTS Board Member/Co-President, HRTS Unscripted), and Odetta Watkins (EVP, Current Programming, Warner Bros. Television; HRTS President)
A+E Networks Group, the Founding Presenting Sponsor of the event series, returns as the Presenting Sponsor for the third consecutive year. Endemol Shine North America is a Contributing Sponsor of the event.
About HRTS
Since 1947, the Hollywood Radio & Television Society (HRTS) has been recognized as our industry’s premier information and networking forum. Led by a Board of Directors comprising TV and media’s most distinguished leaders, HRTS incorporates participation from our Corporate Members, representing the top companies across the landscape. HRTS maintains our rich, more than 70-year tradition of providing an unparalleled forum for fostering conversation and community through regularly scheduled events, a thriving mentorship program, and other initiatives in Los Angeles, New York City, and around the world. More information on the HRTS Board Members, Corporate Members, and calendar of events may be found at www.hrts.org.
Press Contact
Jennifer St. Clair for HRTS
jennifer@hellostclair.com
323-481-6841