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2019 MATRIX AWARDS HONOR ‘WOMEN WHO CONNECT THE WORLD’

NEW YORK, NY (May 7, 2019)— Yesterday, New York Women in Communications (NYWICI) honored the 2019 Matrix Awards recipients—given annually since 1970 to honor the most extraordinary women in the communications industry for their accomplishments and contributions. The 2019 Matrix Awards were hosted by Bloomberg Media Group at the Sheraton New York Times Square and emceed by 2018 Matrix Award Winner, Mika Brzezinski, Co-Host, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Founder, Know Your Value.

Considered the “Oscars of the communications industry,” the Matrix Awards drew nearly 1,000 people to attend the awards luncheon to celebrate these trailblazers who are changing the world. Chosen for their impact and influence in the industry and on our culture, the 2019 honorees joined a remarkable group of past Matrix Award winners who represent the best in class.

During the awards ceremony, each Matrix honoree offered their words of wisdom and stories of success, which all shared a common thread—be your relentless self and invest in women:

• Padma Lakshmi, Host and Executive Producer, “Top Chef,” Best-Selling Author, Food Expert, Ambassador for ACLU Immigration & Women’s Health, United Nations Development Programme: “I want to challenge every successful woman in this room, who is able to seek out women they can help and offer mentorship.”
  • Presented by Sarah Barnett, President, Entertainment Networks, AMC Networks
• Kate Lewis, Chief Content Officer, Hearst Magazines: “My motto is ‘enter smiling.’ It’s not the catchphrase of a hardened business woman – but it’s who I am.”
  • Presented by Jessica Pels, Editor In Chief, Cosmopolitan
• Jeanine D. Liburd, Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, BET Networks: “Do you want people interrupting you… or do you want people to see you and value you for who you are. As an industry we have to do better.”
  • Presented by Bob Bakish, President & CEO, Viacom
• Susan Magrino, Chairman & CEO, Magrino PR: “My advice to managers and people on their way up in the working world: Take the opportunity. Give the opportunity. Take the risk. Give the risk.”
  • Presented by Martha Stewart, Emmy Award-winning Television Host, Entrepreneur, Best-selling author and Lifestyle Expert
• Norah O’Donnell, Incoming Anchor and Managing Editor of CBS Evening News: “New York Women in Communications is extremely important to me and to the young women out there right now who dream of becoming a journalist … of telling the truth … of enlightening people and connecting them to the issues that matter most.”
  • Presented by Gayle King, Co-host, “CBS This Morning”, Editor at Large, O The Oprah Magazine

• Kathy Ring, CEO, Starcom USA: “Walk with purpose. That means whatever you do – work hard and do your very best with your whole head and your whole heart. Act like you belong – even if you have your doubts.”
  • Presented by Renetta McCann, Chief Inclusion Experience Officer, Publicis Groupe
• Lisa Sherman, President and CEO, The Ad Council: “Find what scares you and take that risk.” “So here’s my advice – don’t ever settle. Find disparity and correct it, find injustice and right it. Find your passion and pursue it.”
  • Presented by Bruce Gordon, Retired Verizon Executive, Former CEO, NAACP
• Sally Susman, Executive Vice President, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Pfizer “I urge you to answer, from the depths of your heart and the height of our own ambition, a question posed by my favorite poet, ‘tell me what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life.” We are watching with great excitement’.”
  • Presented by Albert Bourla, DVM, PhD, CEO, Pfizer
• Mika Brzezinski, Co-Host, MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Founder, Know Your Value: “I challenge everyone here today to think of a way to invest in a woman who deserves a big boost.”

“We proudly honor these inspiring women who represent the best of our industry,” said Judith Harrison, President, New York Women in Communications and Senior Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion, Weber Shandwick. “Their impact is felt far and wide, truly exemplifying the theme of the Matrix Awards, ‘Women Who Connect the World,’ and we celebrate their achievements.”

“The contributions of women across the media landscape cannot be overstated,” said Justin B. Smith, CEO of Bloomberg Media Group. “We are proud to support The Matrix Awards and New York Women in Communications, a like-minded organization that shares Bloomberg Media Group’s longstanding commitment to elevating and celebrating women in the industry. We congratulate this year’s honorees on their outstanding achievements.”

Proceeds from the Matrix Awards go towards a full range of scholarships and educational programs for women, for women at every stage of their career. NYWICI is also accepting donations for its scholarship program through text to pledge at 347-970-8318. Donors can simply type their name or company name and the donation amount into a text, press send and will be sent a donation link to contribute. To date, NYWICI’s Foundation, the largest for communications scholarships for women in the country, has given more than $1.7 million dollars in scholarships.

Media Inquiries:

Kristen Kurtz

1. kkurtz@kellencompany.com

T: 917-561-2406

Follow Us on Twitter:  https://twitter.com/NYWICI

Matrix hashtag: #matrix19

About New York Women in Communications
New York Women in Communications helps women to stay ahead of the ever changing landscape of communications and supports the advancement of women at every stage of her career through scholarships, grants and educational programming.

About Bloomberg Media Group

Bloomberg Media Group is the leading multi-platform global business and financial media company, reaching a premium audience of more than 80 million consumers. Powered by Bloomberg News journalists and analysts, we break news, analyze data, share perspectives and tell the stories leaders need to know. Bloomberg Media Group connects influential audiences to news, ideas and intelligence across every platform: digital, TV, radio, print and live events.