White House Correspondents Insider

The White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on April 27th is just two weeks away, and with President Donald Trump poised to skip the gala for the third year in a row, all eyes are on the national media.

After years of attacks on the press corps, the White House Correspondents’ Association (WHCA) is continuing its overhaul of the annual scholarship fundraising dinner to elevate the business of news and to highlight the critical role of journalists in protecting the First Amendment and bringing accountability to government.

Chief Washington Correspondent for SiriusXM and president of the WHCA Olivier Knox recently told The Hill he “felt the dinner needed a reset, to be more serious, to put the focus back on journalism, on the job of chronicling a presidency and holding it to account.”

As part of the reset, the WHCA has invited author Ron Chernow to be the featured speaker at its annual dinner instead of going with a late-night TV host or comedian. Chernow has garnered wide acclaim for his biographies of business tycoons J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller, and has written about Presidents and Founding Fathers, as well. His work “Washington: A Life” won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography, and his biography of Alexander Hamilton was turned into a hit Broadway musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Chernow served as historical consultant).

After learning the President was skipping the event again, comedian Michelle Wolf, whose controversial performance at the 2018 WHCA Dinner helped spur the latest reset, told Vanity Fair that President Trump “doesn’t have a big enough spine to attend.”

The President’s re-election campaign announced that he will hold a campaign rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin at the Resch Center the night of the dinner. The 2019 White House Correspondents’ Dinner will take place on Saturday, April 27th, at the Washington Hilton.

About the WHCA

Founded in 1914, the White House Correspondents’ Association exists to promote excellence in journalism as well as journalism education, and to ensure robust news coverage of the president and the presidency. The WHCA supports awards for some of the best political reporting of the past year, as well as scholarships for young reporters to promote vibrant journalism for years to come. The inaugural White House Correspondents’ dinner took place on May 7, 1921.

Zignal Labs, the only media analytics platform that harnesses the entire digital media landscape in real-time, released today a new report that explores what corporate social responsibility (CSR) means in today’s modern media landscape, where it’s going in the future, and why companies that jump on the bandwagon too quickly often fall right back off.

The data-driven report — 10 Ways to Find Your Brand’s Purpose — highlights the key metrics and winning strategies behind the CSR efforts at Starbucks, Salesforce, and Häagen-Dazs.

“With social media giving consumers and companies the opportunity to connect more intimately than ever,” the report highlights, “consumers want to support a company that not only aligns with their own moral beliefs and values but also allows them to participate, whether directly or indirectly, in perpetuating social good.”

Today, 93 percent of the world’s largest companies publish annual reports describing their CSR initiatives. Coupled with the growing number of savvy consumers, there has never been a more critical time for brands to examine and elevate their CSR efforts. Zignal shows us how and why.

Download the Zignal report here.

Zignal’s report highlights:

• 87% of consumers prefer to buy from companies that share their moral beliefs

• 78% of today’s consumers expecting companies to take a stand on social issues

• 55% of consumers are willing to spend more money to buy products from companies they deem to be socially responsible

For more information on Zignal’s proprietary media monitoring platform, please visit ZignalLabs.com.

About Zignal Labs

Zignal Labs is the only media analytics platform that harnesses the entire digital media landscape in real-time. Instant insights help our Fortune 1000 customers measure the impact of their brands, mitigate reputational risks and inform strategic decision-making.

Through real-time and predictive analysis of the full-media spectrum, Zignal’s centralized platform empowers corporate communications, marketing, and executive teams to build and protect brand reputation, inform strategy and take action.

Headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York City and Washington, DC, Zignal serves customers around the world including Airbnb, Citrix, IBM, Levi’s, NVIDIA, Tyson, Uber, The Sacramento Kings and FleishmanHillard.

Greta Van Susteren is joining Gray TV as their new Chief National Political Analyst, where she will cover national and international politics. Gray TV owns and/or operates over 90 local television stations across the country. In addition, Ms. Van Susteren, will host two nationally syndicated shows in development with Gray TV.

Read the Gray TV press release, here.

“We’re thrilled to have someone with Greta’s depth of experience join our team. Our stations and our viewers will benefit from Greta’s no-nonsense, straightforward approach to complex political issues,” said Hilton Howell Jr., Gray’s Chairman and CEO.

An award-winning journalist, Ms. Van Susteren hosted “On the Record” on the Fox News Channel for 14½ years before a short stint hosting a nightly news program on MSNBC. Prior to Fox News, Ms. Van Susteren hosted CNN’s prime-time news and analysis program, “The Point with Greta Van Susteren,” and co-hosted the network’s daily legal analysis show, “Burden of Proof.” Her legal analysis for CNN’s coverage of Election 2000 earned her the American Bar Association’s Presidential Award for Excellence in Journalism.

“After more than 20 years on cable news platforms, I am thrilled to move to broadcast news and especially excited to join Gray Television’s journalists all across the country,” said Greta Van Susteren. “It’s a journalist’s dream to be part of a growing media company so focused on delivering quality news in local markets big and small through trusted, local institutions like Gray’s television stations.”

Ms. Van Susteren currently hosts, and will continue to host, “Plugged in with Greta Van Susteren” on Voice of America, which broadcasts exclusively outside of the United States. The VOA program features Ms. Van Susteren’s first-hand reporting around the world from the G-20 to the North Korean summit. In just the past few months, she has interviewed numerous world leaders one-on-one, including President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, and former President Carter.

Greta has represented various clients in civil and criminal cases during her career as a trial attorney and appellate attorney. She has authored two books and served as an adjunct professor at the Georgetown University Law Center from 1984 through 1999.

Sandy Breland, Gray’s Senior Vice President-Local Media, added, “More than ever, our local news viewers are wanting to know the impact of national government decisions on their lives and communities. With her decades of covering current events and legal issues, Greta will provide an in depth look at issues that matter the most to our viewers.”

About Gray Television

Gray TV owns and/or operates television stations and leading digital properties in 91 television markets, including the first or second highest rated television station in 85 markets. Upon the closing of a pending transaction, Gray TV will own 67 number-one rated television stations in 93 markets covering approximately 24 percent of US television households. Gray TV’s television stations broadcast almost 400 separate programming streams, including nearly 150 affiliates of the CBS/NBC/ABC/FOX networks. They also own video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content. For further information, please visit www.gray.tv.

February 11, 2019 — Danielle Burr, Uber’s Head of Federal Affairs, hosted a fireside chat on Monday evening at Uber’s DC office to interview author and philanthropist Jean Case about her new book, Be Fearless: 5 Principles for a Life of Breakthroughs and Purpose. The event was held at Uber’s DC office.

Drawing on her experience as a female tech veteran at AOL to her current work as CEO of the Case Foundation and chairman of National Geographic, Jean brought to life the key principles outlined in her book for living a “fearless” life. Be Fearless

Jean spoke about her successes — as well as her failures — and how she responded to and utilized the experiences of both throughout her career.

Jean and her husband, Steve, founded the Case Foundation in 1997 to “invest in people and ideas that can change the world.”

Following the discussion, the audience asked questions during a Q&A and Jean signed copies of her book.

Guests included:  Uber’s Susan Hendrick, Charles Rivkin, Steve Case, Heather Podesta, Kathleen Biden, Margaret Talev, David Chavern, Jon Decker, Niki Christoff, Susan Goldberg, Anita McBride, Dan Meyers, Gail MacKinnon, Kathy O’Hearn, Patrick Steel, Kevin Cirilli, Ryan Williams, Robyn Bash, Connie Partoyan, Peter O’Toole and Geoff Burr.

(February 1, 2019) — Big news is doubling-down on big tech. David Chavern, the president and CEO of the News Media Alliance, is the voice of the business of news. In Thursday’s New York Times op-ed, he makes the case for the systemic issues facing the news media industry, stemming from the Facebook/Google duopoly.

Chavern, a Chamber of Commerce veteran who has led the NMA since 2015, challenges why these two tech giants are not only hoarding the majority of online ad revenue, but they are also controlling the frequency and visibility of news through algorithms.

He writes, “More important [than ad revenue], the platforms now act as ‘regulators’ of the news business — determining what information gets delivered to whom, and when. With the flick of an algorithmic finger, those two companies decide what news you see and whether a publisher lives or dies.”

“The demand for the news product is soaring, with high levels of readership and engagement across every platform, as well as a growing willingness to pay for content. I strongly believe that these core economic drivers are a tremendous cause for optimism in the industry.” -David Chavern, President & CEO, News Media Alliance  

The op-ed notes that Facebook and Google “flatly refuse to pay for news” even though they license many other types of content.

Chavern is leading the charge to protect news by negotiating a fair, equitable deal with the tech giants. He contends that news organizations deserve the same intellectual property protections as songwriters and producers, a position European regulators are currently considering.

But beyond ad revenue and IP protections, Chavern faults Facebook and Google for the growing decline of local news:  “A study by the University of North Carolina’s School of Media and Journalism found that more than 1,300 American communities have completely lost sources of local news.”

The NMA is encouraged by legislation sponsored by Rep. David Cicilline (D-Rhode Island) that would allow news publishers to collectively negotiate a deal on revenue, data, and algorithms with Facebook and Google without violating antitrust rules.

Chavern is optimistic that a deal can be reached. “All it would take,” he says, “is a little enlightened self-interest and a real commitment to the continued existence of quality news.”

About News Media Alliance

The News Media Alliance, a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1992 through a merger of seven associations serving the newspaper industry and was originally known as the Newspaper Association of America (NAA).

NMA’s work focuses on the key challenges and opportunities of today’s news environment: Freedom of the press, public policy and legal matters, advertising growth, new revenue streams and audience development across all platforms. The News Media Alliance is dedicated to working with its members, as well as other partner organizations, to advance the industry through advocacy, critical research and resources and events that connect and inspire.

January 28, 2019 — If you want to know how some of the most successful people got to the top of the mountain, subscribe to Jennifer Morgan’s new podcast, A Call to Lead. She is SAP’s Americas’ President and the host of their SAPPHIRE NOW conference, where she interviews presidents, captains of industry, and the most fascinating people. Jen debuted as a member of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women list in 2018.

The podcast serves as the newest development of Jen’s annual discussion at SAP’s SAPPHIRE NOW conference — the world’s largest and most innovative business technology conference. From former U.S. presidents, first ladies, and secretaries of state to business titans from every industry and corner of the globe, Jen has hosted prestigious leaders and now she’s bringing the conversation to her new podcast, which is aimed at mid-career, emerging leaders.

A member of SAP’s Executive Board, Jen Morgan is one of the top female leaders in tech. In episode one, Jen sits down with Arianna Huffington of Thrive to discuss all things women in tech and to share Arianna’s keen business savvy for success with the next generation of emerging business leaders.

Fortune recently profiled Jen Morgan, highlighting:  “The first-ever American woman to sit on SAP’s executive board, Morgan is also known for investigating—and closing—SAP North America’s gender pay gap. A 2016 audit demonstrated the effectiveness of Morgan’s efforts. The results showed that more than 99% of its male and female employees in the U.S. were paid equally. Within the less than 1% that did not have pay parity, SAP said it “proactively” increased those employees’ compensation.”

Early interviews include Bobbi Brown, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Frances Frei.
Watch the trailer here.

A Call to Lead is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Stitcher.

About SAP

One of the world’s largest, most respected global tech companies, SAP serves more than 404,000 customers in over 180 countries. SAP runs the world’s largest business network, transacting more than $2 trillion in goods and service annually. Roughly 77% of the world’s transaction revenue touches an SAP system. SAP customers produce 78% of the world’s food. SAP facilitates the production and distribution of 82% of the world’s medical devices

On the latest episode of Volta Insider, Rachel Greenberg sat down with Bloomberg TV’s Chief Washington correspondent, Kevin Cirilli. Rachel first met Cirilli in 2016 at the Iowa Caucus, and bonded after a daylong bus trip that included a Bernie Sanders’ speech, and rallies featuring Ted Cruz and Donald Trump. Cirilli was covering the Donald Trump campaign for Bloomberg, an eighteen month assignment that took him all across the country. Cirilli shares that on election day, he was exhausted and sick with strep throat, and could barely believe that he would now be a White House correspondent.

While on break from studying at NYU, Greenberg sat down with the up and coming journalism star to talk about the future of reporting, as well as some of the highlights of his career. Cirilli is passionate about his work and is a natural storyteller. He cut his teeth as a student reporter at Penn State University, and rose to the national level when covering the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse case that rocked the Penn State University football team and the PSU community for Newsweek/The Daily Beat and Philadelphia Magazine. Cirilli caught the eye of POLITICO and has been covering all things Washington ever since. 

Now, he has a new show on Bloomberg Radio called “Sound On with Kevin Cirilli.” Listen as he shares with us his thoughts on what is important in the changing landscape of digital media journalism, what it’s like to cover Donald Trump from the campaign to the White House, and how to love what you do for a living.

Subscribe to Volta Insider on iTunes here.

Follow Rachel Greenberg on Twitter, @VoltaInsider

Follow Kevin Cirilli on Twitter, @kevcirilli

Bloomberg’s Kevin Cirilli delivered a big headline with an exclusive interview with Michael Cohen’s attorney, Lanny Davis on Bloomberg Podcast “Sound On,” Michael Cohen, President Trump’s longtime lawyer and fixer-turned-key witness in the Robert Mueller investigation, will appear in front of a Congressional Committee to testify about his role in a number of Trump-related scandals.

According to Cohen’s attorney Lanny Davis, “There will come a time after Mr. Mueller is done with his work that Michael Cohen will be sitting in front of a microphone before a congressional committee and what he has to say about the truth will be judged by the members of Congress listening and then will be up to people to decide whether he has got the facts or not.”

Listen to the full interview here.

In a letter shared with friends on Monday, December 3rd, the day George HW Bush’s body was laid in repose at the Capitol before his funeral, former Congressman Tom McMillen memorializes the late president with memories of working with him on Capitol Hill including on the authorization to go to war in Iraq in 1991.

In one memorable tale he writes, “I ventured into the House gym to work out and I could see from all the Secret Service agents that President Bush was playing racquetball with some of his former House colleagues (as a former House member, he still had gym privileges). As I was working out, I was watching CNN and an announcement came over the network that Saddam Hussein had surrendered. By then, President Bush was in the sauna with his buddies. I turned to the Secret Service agents and asked if the President knew about this development, and they told me to go tell him the good news. So I opened the door of the sauna and with steam blocking my view, I said to the President that I had just heard that the war was over. He said, “Tom—that is truly great news and thanks for letting me know.” I’ve wondered how often someone has the opportunity to tell a President that a war is over.”

President George HW’s body will lie in state until Wednesday, December 3rd where it will then be moved to Houston, Texas for his official funeral.