T. Howard to Honor Disney's Sweeney

By R. Thomas Umstead -- Multichannel News, 2/12/2007 5:55:00 PM

The T. Howard Foundation will honor Disney Media Networks co-chairman Anne Sweeney for her efforts to foster media diversity as part of its annual fund-raising dinner April 25.

Sweeney will receive the foundation’s Executive Leadership Award in recognition of her efforts to encourage diversity in the multimedia and entertainment industries, according to T. Howard chairman Lindsay Gardner. Sweeney is responsible for Disney’s entertainment and news properties worldwide, including programs acknowledged for diverse casts such as those of Ugly Betty, Grey’s Anatomy, High School Musical, That’s So Raven and Lost.

In addition, Turner Broadcasting System will receive the Foundation’s Corporate Leadership Award in recognition of its outstanding efforts to encourage diversity in the multimedia and entertainment industries. Turner president of domestic distribution Andy Heller will accept the award on behalf of the company, which has committed to incorporating the value of diversity in its programming with the content and personalities that reflect the ethic, racial and gender diversity of its viewers, according to T. Howard.

“The T. Howard Foundation is proud to honor the outstanding efforts made by Anne Sweeney and Turner Broadcasting System to cultivate an open and diverse work force,” said Gardner, president of distribution at Fox Cable Networks. “It’s going to be an extraordinary evening recognizing their positive impact on the entertainment industry.”