Company reaches goal of hiring 1,000 veterans two years ahead of schedule, and commits to
hiring an additional 1,000 veterans over the next two years

PHILADELPHIA, PA and WASHINGTON, DC – March 6, 2013 – Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), a global media and technology company, announced today that Comcast and NBCUniversal have achieved their publicly announced three-year goal of hiring 1,000 veterans as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s “Hiring Our Heroes” initiative two years ahead of schedule and that it will double its pledge by committing to hire an additional 1,000 U.S. veterans by 2015.

Hiring Our Heroes launched in March 2011 as a nationwide effort to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. As a key partner in this effort, Comcast and NBCUniversal have hired 1,000 veterans in the last year to work in a variety of positions at all levels, including network engineering, technology, operations, theme parks and resorts, programming, customer service, marketing, human resources and other careers. Comcast and NBCUniversal’s pledge contributes to the Chamber’s Hiring 500,000 Heroes campaign, the largest private sector commitment of its kind with a goal of hiring half a million veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014. To date, businesses have pledged to hire more than 210,000 veterans and military spouses, and 93,000 hires have been confirmed.

“Comcast and NBCUniversal are thrilled to have reached our original hiring commitment early,” said William Strahan, Executive Vice President of Human Resources for Comcast Cable. “We have had the privilege of hiring extremely talented men and women over the last year and we look forward to making our workforce even stronger with our next wave of veterans joining our team.”

“To move the needle on veteran unemployment, it will take companies increasing their levels of veteran hiring and Comcast and NBCUniversal have stepped up to do just that,” said Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Schmiegel (ret.), executive director of Hiring Our Heroes. “Comcast and NBCUniversal are among the biggest supporters of our program and through their dedication and leadership, we are seeing a difference in how businesses across America are recognizing the value in hiring a veteran.”

Comcast and NBCUniversal have fostered a culture that supports veterans and reservists within its ranks. Veterans are invited to join employee resource groups where there is a community among veterans. The Comcast and NBCUniversal Veterans Network employee resource groups serve as a base of support for members, in several ways, including a mentoring program and events focused on growing the professional and personal development of veterans and their allies. Additionally, NBC News created the “Making a Difference on the Homefront” news series in an effort to shine a light on veterans, military families and the issues affecting them across the country.  NBC Publishing also just released a free enhanced eBook and guide for veterans, Heroes Get Hired: How to Use Your Military Experience to Master the Interview (downloadable at http://www.heroesgethired.com/).

This summer, NBC News and the Chamber will launch a jobs and education resource portal to connect veterans and their families with up-to-date tools and information to help them in their transition after returning home from military service.  The centralized hub will feature the best resources from leading industry partners, in addition to NBC News features, and family, spouse and community resources.

“Our goal is to offer veterans tangible tools that help them with their transition back into the workforce and civilian life,” commented Beth Colleton, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, NBCUniversal. “We look forward to working with the entire Comcast and NBCUniversal family in collaboration with stellar partners like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to continue to expand our veteran initiatives.”

Comcast is also offering its programming resources to help veterans find careers at other employers through programs such as the “Hire a Veteran” On Demand on Xfinity TV initiative as well as engaging in numerous partnerships with veteran serving organizations in local communities.  From March 15-28, Hiring Our Heroes will host a series of major job fairs in different communities across America, including Washington D.C., New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Fort Hood, Fayetteville, and Dayton with support from Comcast and NBCUniversal.

In November 2012, Comcast and NBCUniversal were honored by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Chamber Foundation with the 2nd Annual Hiring Our Heroes Lee Anderson Award. This award recognizes Comcast and NBCUniversal’s dedication to addressing the challenges faced by veterans, transitioning service members and military families in their search for meaningful employment.

About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) is a global media and technology company with two primary businesses, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal.  Comcast Cable is the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone provider to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and also provides these services to businesses.  NBCUniversal operates 30 news and entertainment cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures and Universal Parks and Resorts.  Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

About the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit affiliate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce dedicated to strengthening America’s long-term competitiveness by addressing developments that affect our nation, our economy, and the global business environment.

# # #

Media Contacts:
Katie Lubenow
Comcast
Katie_Lubenow@comcast.com
215-286-5691

Dolores Machuca-Ruiz
NBCUniversal
dolores.machuca-ruiz@nbcuni.com
212-664-2497

Bryan Goettel
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
BGoettel@USChamber.com
202-463-5961

The post Comcast and NBCUniversal Double Commitment to ‘Hiring Our Heroes’ appeared first on DiversityInc.

Synopsis: A Guide to Effective Resource-Group Executive Sponsorship

Written by DiversityInc Vice President of Consulting Debby Scheinholtz, the Guide to Effective Resource-Group Executive Sponsorship is a comprehensive report that features DiversityInc data as well as interviews with chief diversity officers from six companies that excel at managing effective resource groups. Featured companies include:

• MasterCard Worldwide, No. 15 in the DiversityInc Top 50
• Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), No. 19
• Target, No. 30
• Northrop Grumman, No. 42
• Rockwell Collins, No. 43
• Comcast Corporation, one of DiversityInc’s 25 Noteworthy Companies

You can read an excerpt from the 1,663-word article below. The Guide to Effective Resource-Group Executive Sponsorship article is available at DiversityIncBestPractices.com.

What’s an Executive Resource-Group Sponsor?

Executive resource-group sponsors—usually direct reports to the CEO or members of the senior-leadership team—give resource groups business influence within their companies.

1. Who is Eligible for Executive Sponsorship?
   Executive resource-group sponsors are usually at the highest level of the company—most often direct reports to the CEO.
2. How Are Executive Sponsors Selected?
   The chief diversity officer often selects sponsors from among the senior-leadership team. Alternatively, resource groups may request a particular sponsor or a potential sponsor may request a specific group.
   
3. Do Executive Sponsors Serve for a Defined Term?
   Some companies allow executive sponsors to serve indefinitely. In cases where terms are limited, they usually last a minimum of two years to allow for a ramping-up period and time to produce results.
   
   
4. What Qualities Do Chief Diversity Officers Look for in Executive Sponsors?
   The people we interviewed tell us that along with a senior-leadership role, executive sponsors should help the resource group align its goals with business objectives and strategies, help members navigate the corporate culture, and introduce group members to the right contacts to help them achieve their goals. Having emotional intelligence is also important.
   
   
5. What Type of Training Should Executive Sponsors Receive?
   DiversityInc’s white paper on resource groups found that 89 percent of companies surveyed train their executive sponsors in advance. The most prevalent type of diversity training is cultural-competency training, but some companies offer leadership training as well.
   
   
6. Are Sponsors Always Cross-Cultural?
   It is highly recommended that executive resource-group sponsors be cross-cultural, based on data analysis of results (promotions, engagement) and anecdotal evidence.
   
   
7. Are Executive Sponsors Compensated or Rewarded for their Roles?
   At the six companies whose CDOs we interviewed, executive sponsors receive no additional compensation for their role. The performance goal is tied to assessment and overall performance rating, but other activities can also satisfy this goal.

Read The Guide to Effective Resource-Group Executive Sponsorship article at DiversityIncBestPractices.com and get practical, takeaway examples from MasterCard Worldwide, Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), Target, Northrop Grumman, Rockwell Collins and Comcast Corporation.

The post MasterCard, Target & Comcast: Your How-To Guide for Executive Resource-Group Sponsorship appeared first on DiversityInc.

Executive Diversity Councils: Best Practices From Kellogg Company, Comcast Corporation.

The greatest change that we’ve observed among executive diversity councils is the increasing number of CEOs chairing the council: This is true for 54 percent of DiversityInc Top 50 companies with executive diversity councils, up from 32 percent in 2005.This sends a strong message throughout the organization that this is a business priority and that the council is driving actual results (not just setting strategic direction).

In our web seminar on diversity councils, Kellogg Company Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion Mark King and Comcast Corporation Vice President of Administration Karen Dougherty Buchholz discuss the strategies and goals their companies used to create and implement effective executive diversity councils—and how they keep their council members accountable for results. (Kellogg Company is No. 49 in the DiversityInc Top 50 and Comcast is one of DiversityInc’s 25 Noteworthy Companies.)

Kellogg President and CEO John Bryant serves as chair: The nine members of Kellogg’s executive diversity and inclusion council (EDIC) oversee the company’s 12 diversity councils from its respective business divisions.

Comcast’s Joint Diversity Council oversees diversity strategy of 14 councils: Comcast/NBC Universal also leverages an external diversity council for additional guidance.

In this web seminar, you will learn:

• How to create clear diversity-council objectives
• Why resource-group members should be included on the council
• When meeting size and frequency can impact council effectiveness
• How to promote your executives’ diversity leadership throughout the organization

This 90-minute diversity web seminar is available to DiversityIncBestPractices.com subscribers. Click here to watch.

Visit our web seminar library to view our full archive of web seminars.

The post Executive Diversity Councils: Best Practices From Kellogg Company, Comcast Corporation appeared first on DiversityInc.

“We are thrilled to work with such talented individuals to launch these new networks that will bring exciting and fresh content to consumers,” said David L. Cohen, Executive Vice President, Comcast Corporation. “Comcast is committed to delivering programming that reflects the interests of our customers, and we look forward to integrating these great networks into our rich programming line-up.” 

African-American Category:

• Aspire: Spearheaded by Entrepreneur and NBA Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, in partnership with GMC TV, Aspire is dedicated to delivering enlightening, entertaining and positive programming to African-Americans families, including movies, documentaries, short films, music, comedy, visual and performing arts, and faith and inspirational programs. Aspire will celebrate the successes, achievements and accomplishments of the African-American community and create new opportunities for the next generation of African-American visionaries.  The network will launch by summer 2012.  

“Aspire will be a network that encourages and challenges African-Americans to reach for their dreams and will appeal to all generations. Aspire will celebrate our heritage, our groundbreaking achievements and the fearless talent that has shaped American culture. I’m most excited about Aspire creating opportunities for the new voices, new visions and the next generation of storytellers,” said Earvin “Magic” Johnson. 

• REVOLT: Proposed by superstar and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs and MTV veteran Andy Schuon, this network is designed to have programming inspired by music and pop culture, including music videos, live performances, music news, and interviews and will incorporate social media interaction for music artists and fans. The network has entered into an agreement to launch in 2013. 

“REVOLT is the first channel created entirely from the ground up in this new era of social media” said Sean “Diddy” Combs.  “We’re building this platform for artists to reach an extraordinary number of people in a completely different way.  REVOLT will be live, like all great moments in television history.  REVOLT will also be immediate, like today’s social networks.  We know it was a highly competitive process and we want to thank Comcast for this opportunity to truly change television with REVOLT.” 

Hispanic Category:

• El Rey: Proposed by legendary Hollywood director Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures executives John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa, this network is designed to be an action-packed, general entertainment network in English for Latino and general audiences that includes a mix of reality, scripted and animated series, movies, documentaries, news, music, comedy, and sports programming. The El Rey network will include programming that features Hispanic producers, celebrities and public figures. The network has entered into an agreement to launch by January 2014. 

“This partnership with Comcast signals an important moment for the Latino community in this country – we are passionate about creating a wildly entertaining destination that we can be proud of by appealing to both Latino and mass market audiences,” said Robert Rodriguez and CEO of FactoryMade Ventures John Fogelman.  “We engineered El Rey to address a burgeoning opportunity to deliver unique, high-quality and compelling content to a hard-to-reach demographic and are excited to bring more opportunities to generations of talent, storytellers and dreamers through this special partnership.” 

• BabyFirst Americas: Proposed by Spanish language television veteran Constantino “Said” Schwarz, this network is designed for infants, very young children, and their parents, and emphasizes the importance of early development of verbal, math and motor skills. The network has entered into an agreement to launch by April 2012. 

“We are thrilled to partner with Comcast and commend them for recognizing the importance of quality education for young children,” remarked Constantino “Said” Schwarz, CEO and Chairman BabyFirst Americas. “BabyFirst Americas aims to bring the essential academic building blocks for Kindergarten readiness into the home, making it accessible for families all across the U.S.”

Comcast made a series of voluntary public interest commitments in connection with the NBCUniversal transaction, one of which is to launch 10 new independently owned and operated networks over the next eight years. Of the 10 networks, four will be majority African-American owned, two will be majority American Latino owned, two will be operated by American Latino programmers, and two will provide additional independent programming. Ultimately, each of the 10 networks will be added on select Comcast systems as part of the digital basic tier of service.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.Comcast.com) is one of the world’s leading media, entertainment and communications companies.  Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers.  Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.

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