As part of a strategic initiative to further its mission and expand its resources to more women, Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) will hold its first UK Chapter educational forum in London at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park on January 22 at 11:30 a.m.

WICT has been working with its partners to lay the groundwork for its first international chapter, WICT UK. This work culminates with the January 22 event, featuring leadership lessons from industry experts Amy M. Blair (moderator), Chief Human Resources Officer, Liberty Global; Miranda Curtis (panelist), Director, Liberty Global; Dana M. Strong (panelist), Chief Operating Officer, Virgin Media; and WICT President & CEO, Maria E. Brennan, CAE (panelist). In addition to the leadership panel, participants will learn more about WICT and the value of membership while engaging with other industry professionals.

"WICT is dedicated to developing women leaders, and we are excited to expand offerings globally," said Maria E. Brennan, CAE, WICT President & CEO. "We are grateful to our sponsors, Discovery Communications, Scripps Networks Interactive, and Liberty Global, as well as our working group, for their support of WICT UK and this event."

The UK Chapter is WICT's first international expansion, adding to 19 domestic chapters.

About the industry experts:

Amy M. Blair is Chief Human Resources Officer of Liberty Global. Ms. Blair was appointed to this position in June 2005 upon the combination of Liberty Media International, Inc. and UnitedGlobalCom, Inc. (UGC). In this capacity, Ms. Blair is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs which address employment and retention, compensation and benefits, organizational structure, performance management, training and development, and compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Ms. Blair is an executive officer of Liberty Global and sits on the company's Executive Management Committee.

Miranda Curtis has served as a Board Director of Liberty Global plc since June 2010. Previously Ms. Curtis was President of Liberty Global Japan, and prior to the combination of Liberty Media and UGC in 2005 she served as President of Liberty Media International. Ms. Curtis has accumulated over 25 years' experience in the global cable industry in her capacity as an executive officer of Liberty and its predecessors, and has led the creation and development of both content and network distribution businesses across Asia and Continental Europe. She is also a veteran of UK cable, having originally helped launch the industry in this country in the late 1980s.

Dana M. Strong joined Virgin Media as Chief Operating Officer in July 2013 after two years as Managing Director of UPC Ireland, overseeing that operation's strong growth, improved customer satisfaction, and a successful track record of product innovation. Ms. Strong also serves as the elected Chairman of the Telecommunication and Internet Federation in Ireland. Before joining UPC Ireland, Ms. Strong served as the Chief Operating Officer of AUSTAR Communications in Australia for Liberty Global.

Maria E. Brennan is the President & CEO of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT). Prior to joining WICT, Ms. Brennan served as the President of American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) and has worked with numerous diversity-based nonprofits. As the public voice of WICT, Ms. Brennan is an experienced spokesperson and advocate for both media industry and workplace equity issues. Ms. Brennan was named among CableFAX's list of Most Powerful Women in Cable from 2010 to 2013. She serves on the Women's Leadership Board at Harvard University and is serving her fourth term on the FCC's Diversity Advisory Board.

About WICT

For thirty-five years, Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT) has partnered with cable and telecommunications leaders to provide professional development programs, research and services that help advance women in cable media. With nearly 10,000 members, WICT is the oldest and largest professional association serving women in the cable and telecommunications industry. Comcast|NBCUniversal, Time Warner Cable, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and Suddenlink Communications are WICT's Strategic Touchstone Partners. Please visit www.wict.org or follow @WICT on Twitter for more information.

WICT
Talton Gibson, 202-827-4782
tgibson@wict.org