Ebony celebrates Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications at annual New York Luncheon

Jet, May 12, 2003

Eleven distinguished women who have achieved the pinnacle of success in the field of marketing and communications were recently honored by EBONY Magazine during its fourth annual Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications Awards Luncheon in New York City.

The awards festivities, held at the Hilton New York & Towers Grand Ballroom, were co-sponsored by AT&T and Prudential Financial.

Honorees were welcomed by Linda Johnson Rice, president and chief executive officer of Johnson Publishing Co., publisher of EBONY.

The annual event salutes "the most successful women in marketing and communications who are helping to improve the quality of life for all Blacks and for women who are changing the face of power in today's world."

This year's mistress of ceremonies was "BET Nightly News" anchor Jacque Reid. The invocation was presented by Minister Vy Higginsen, CEO of the Mama Foundation for the Arts in Harlem and the producer of the Mama, I Want To Sing musical series.

Award recipients in the advertising agency category were Traci Dinkins, media director, Spike DDB and president, African-Americans in Advertising; Cynthia Randall, account director, UniWorld Group, Inc.; and Deidre A. Smalls, VP group management supervisor, Grey Global Group.

Honorees in the corporate marketing category were Bonita Coleman Stewart, director, Chrysler Brand communications, Daimler-Chrysler; Gayle Cruise, group marketing & communications, Microsoft Corporation; and Charlotte McKines, executive director, Integrated Marketing Communications, Merck & Co.

Journalism award recipients were Julianne Malveaux, Ph.D., president & CEO, Last Word Productions, Inc., and Vicki Mabrey, news correspondent, CBS News/"60 Minutes II."

Award recipients in the fashion and entertainment marketing category were Kimora Lee Simmons, president & creative director, Baby Phat; Leslie Short, president of marketing advertising & public relations, FUBU and FUBU Entertainment; and Sylvia Rhone, chairman & CEO, Elektra Records.

During the festivities, Manhattan Borough President C. Virginia Fields presented Mrs. Rice with a proclamation that declared the event "Outstanding Women In Marketing and Communications Day" in New York City.

Entertainment was provided by Elektra hit recording star Gerald Levert, songstress Melba Moore and the Sherry Winston Band.

Among those in attendance were veteran soul-gospel vocalist Cissy Houston.