Digital Diversity Network launched to advance diversity within digital media and technology

PRLog (Press Release) - Oct. 4, 2012 - (NEW YORK, NY)  -- The Digital Diversity Network (DDN),  a national, not-for-profit professional trade association was launched on October 1 to take a leadership role in advancing diversity in the digital media and hi-tech industries.  With a specific emphasis on increasing diversity in leadership and ownership, the DDN will engage members and sponsoring companies through high-level leadership forums, on-line education, social media and networking events. The DDN will host an inaugural one-day symposium on November 14 in New York City.

The inaugural symposium, entitled the “Cloud Gathering” Conference: Connecting Diverse Talent to the Hi-Tech Economy, will be held at The New York Times Conference Center on Wednesday, November 14 from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and is hosted in partnership with The New York Times, Time Warner Inc., and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.  Speakers and attendees will include senior executives from major digital, mobile, media and technology brands, as well as those from emerging enterprises and the financial community.  Sessions will cover far-ranging topics, including advancing diversity in the digital arena, talent development, the “next big tech idea,” and strategies for angel investing.

DDN plans to roll out a number of programs in the coming year that will meet the needs of sponsoring companies, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders.  These include customized recruiting programs; leadership development; building the diverse talent pipeline by encouraging students and young professionals to enter the industry; and sponsoring national events to facilitate and promote thought leadership.  Plans are underway to host events in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley in early 2013.

Founding Directors of the DDN are:  Dana Canedy, Senior Editor, The New York Times; Albert Cheng, Executive Vice-President and Chief Product Officer, Digital Media, Disney
ABC Television Group; Walter Delph, CEO, Ad.Ly; Tracy Lawrence, Managing Director, Tracy L. Lawrence, LLC; Kay Madati, Entertainment Marketing Strategy Lead, Facebook: Dhanusha Sivajee, Head of Global Marketing, Bloomberg Mobile and Kiko Washington, EVP, Worldwide Human Resources, Warner Bros. Entertainment, 
Inc.   Kathy A. Johnson, a veteran media association executive, is the DDN’s Chief Operating Officer.  The organization’s founding sponsors are Time Warner, Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.

“There is a growing demand from individuals and companies in the digital media and technology sectors for thought leadership and action around the issue of diversity, “ says DDN Board Chair Tracy Lawrence, a Los Angeles-based leadership consultant and executive recruiter in the industry.  “Our mission is resonating with corporations of all sizes, investors and executives across a broad spectrum of digital industries and disciplines.”
Visit www.dddno.org/events to register for the Cloud Gathering Conference. Registration includes a complimentary, one-year DDN membership.  For more information about conference sponsorships or membership, contact Kathy A. Johnson at (646) 202-2643.  

ABOUT DDN
The Digital Diversity Network (DDN) is a 501(c)6 trade association formed in 2012 to advance diversity in leadership and ownership within the digital media and hi-tech sectors.  With a specific emphasis on recruitment, leadership development and pipeline expansion, the DDN works to ensure that the hi-tech producer/earner economy mirrors the demographics of key consumer/user groups.  While primarily an on-line community, the DDN will engage members and sponsoring companies through high-level leadership forums, on-line education, social media and networking events. www.ddno.org.