IRTS HALL OF MENTORSHIP DINNER A SUCCESS

The inaugural IRTS HALL OF MENTORSHIP DINNER took place on Thursday, October 18th at The Pierre. The industry embraced the IRTS mission of BUILDING FUTURE MEDIA LEADERS by saluting top leaders of today for extraordinary mentorship.

This IRTS fundraiser replaced the annual Gold Medal Gala in this particular year.  IRTS President and CEO Joyce Tudryn explains, "Mentorship has always been the centerpiece of the IRTS educational programs and diversity initiatives, yet we traditionally give accolades based on industry achievements. This year, we honored those who inspire us to make a difference through mentoring.  May their examples set some models in motion, and serve as a call for action to all."

Honorees:

Bill Koenigsberg
President, CEO, and Founder
Horizon Media, Inc.

(As the owner and CEO of the world's largest independent media agency, Bill Koenigsberg has defied conventional wisdom with an anything-is-possible attitude that has been a great inspiration to others.  His spirit of mentorship and goodwill resonates throughout his company and our industry. The mere mention of his name stirs positive emotions and gratitude from all who know him.)

Dennis Swanson
President, Station Operations
FOX Television Stations, Inc.

(Dennis has long been considered the quintessential mentor in our business. While many of our industry's most successful top executives and on-air personalities credit him as a mentor, he continues to keep the door open for the next generation of professionals via outstanding service to many charitable organizations dedicated to diversity and mentoring. This includes the Emma Bowen Foundation, which he has chaired for over two decades.)

Cox Media Group
Accepted by President Doug Franklin

(Cox Media Group is known for outstanding mentoring both internally and externally. IRTS had the privilege of witnessing this mentorship in action when it partnered with the company on a recent diversity conference in Atlanta, where our student attendees from throughout the southeast had the opportunity to sign up for a CMG mentor when the program concluded.)

TiVo
Accepted by Lead Board Director Tom Wolzien 

(TiVo is doing a remarkable internship program that is becoming a model for others to help the more than 300,000 veterans of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who are without work, 25% of whom are disabled as a result of their service.)

The IRTS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charity, which evolved from an organization founded in 1939. Proceeds from this event benefited the IRTS educational programs, including the 9-week, expense-paid Summer Fellowships, Multicultural Career Workshops, and Faculty Seminars.