MUMBAI: Insight Communications president and CEO Michael Willner and Cablevision Systems' executive VP Sheila Mahony will be recognised with top 2004 Vanguard Awards for distinguished leadership in the US cable industry.
The awards will be handed out on 4 May by the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA).
Inaugurated in 1965, the Vanguard Awards are presented annually to individuals who excel in both business and personal commitment to their colleagues, and whose accomplishments merit the recognition of the entire cable industry.
A company release adds that Willner will be honoured not only for his role in building Insight Communications, a highly successful and innovative cable operator, but also for his leadership in numerous industry organisations. Last year Willner completed two consecutive terms as chairman of the NCTA board of directors, and continues to serve on its executive committee. He also serves on the executive committee of Cablelabs and on the board of C-Span
Mahony has spent 24 years at Cablevision. She helped to develop the modern regulatory framework not only for Cablevision but also for the industry at-large. In addition to overseeing all aspects of government and media efforts at Cablevision, she also helped to establish the company as a community leader through its editorial and education initiatives.
HBO executive VP technology operations and CTO Robert Zitter will be given a Vanguard in the science and technology category. At HBO Zitter is responsible for the company's technology interest worldwide, overseeing distribution, origination, production, operations and engineering. Zitter has been working with the industry to bring about important technological developments such as scrambling, digital compression, multiplexing, HDTV, and subscription on demand.
The award for cable operations management will go to Comcast's regional senior VP Ann Montgomery.This award recognises the efforts of cable's system managers, who work under intensely competitive conditions in today's dynamic telecommunications environment, and are key to the cable industry's success at the local level.
