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Archives for December 2017

Haskell Resigns as Chairman of Miss America Organization

December 23, 2017 By WHC Insider

Statement from Dan Meyers, Interim Chairman of the Board, Miss America Organization:

“This afternoon, the Board of Directors of the Miss America Organization accepted the resignation of Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sam Haskell, effective immediately. The Board of Directors also accepted the resignation of Chairman Lynn Weidner. At the Board’s request, Ms. Weidner has agreed to remain on the Board for up to ninety days to facilitate a smooth transition for the MAO to new leadership.

The Board thanks Lynn and Sam for many years of tireless work for, and significant financial support to, both the Miss America Organization and thousands of young women who received millions of dollars of educational scholarships from the Organization as a direct result of their efforts.”

 

Filed Under: Announcements, Uncategorized

Haddad Resigns From Miss America Board of Directors

December 22, 2017 By WHC Insider

Statement from Tammy Haddad:

“After serving 14 years as a volunteer board member, early this year I notified Sam Haskell of my plans to resign. I want to advise the rest of the board that this is effective immediately and wish you all the best. The women who put their hopes and dreams into this program are the best of America, as well as those who have worn the Miss America crown, traveling the country lifting hearts and spirits through their service above self.”

Filed Under: Announcements, Uncategorized

Pope Francis Calls “Fake News” A Very Serious Sin

December 18, 2017 By WHC Insider

Photo courtesy Pixabay

Pope Francis called on journalists over the weekend to report precise, complete and objective information to the public, instead of one-sided viewpoints or ‘old news that has been dealt with’ and hurts society at large.

While talking to Catholic media, the pontiff said that “You shouldn’t fall into the ‘sins of communication:’ disinformation, or giving just one side, calumny that is sensationalized, or defamation, looking for things that are old news and have been dealt with and bringing them to light today.”

The Pope also went on to praise the world done by the mainstream media, and that objective journalism performs a mission that is among the most “fundamental” to democratic societies.

Filed Under: Free Press, News, News Media

Under Armour Welcomes SKDK’s Kelley McCormick to Team as SVP

December 15, 2017 By WHC Insider

Kelley McCormick with Chris Licht, Executive Producer of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Under Armour has recently hired Kelley McCormick as Senior Vice President for corporate communications, a newly created role for the sportswear company. McCormick comes to UA from SKDKnickerbocker, where she served as managing director and principal in SKDK’s women’s practice.

Kelley will be working out of Baltimore, Maryland, UA’s longtime home. According to O’Dwyer’s, “McCormick will be responsible for strategic visioning, media relations, and employee communications. She’ll report to CEO Kevin Plank.”

Kelley is a veteran of the White House Correspondents brunch team. She’s also been involved in philanthropic efforts, partnering with Dog Tag Bakery on numerous events. In addition to her advocacy work, she’s on the board of Running Start, a nonprofit organization that advocates for women seeking to run for office.

More about Kelley’s big move here: http://www.odwyerpr.com/story/public/9894/2017-12-14/skdks-mccormick-runs-under-armour.html

Filed Under: Announcements

Washington Media Women Toast Tina Brown

December 15, 2017 By WHC Insider

Time Warner’s Carol Melton and Gail MacKinnon from the Motion Picture Association lead a toast to Superstar editor and author Tina Brown at The Jefferson Hotel in Washington DC. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Journalist, entrepreneur and author Tina Brown delighted the crowd gathered at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington Tuesday evening, dishing about her experiences as a magazine editor-in-chief, highlighted in her newest book, The Vanity Fair Diaries.

Connie Milstein, Carol Melton, Andrea Mitchell, Hilary Rosen, Gail MacKinnon, Rachel Pearson and Kathy O’Hearn hosted the book party. The biggest applause of the evening came during the Q&A session led by Tammy Haddad, where she was asked her working around men accused of sexually harassing women, including Harvey Weinstein.

“The answer to creepy men is to kind of be the boss, right?… [T]he more women in power, the more women who are leading, the more women on that team, the less of these creepy, stalking harassers you’re going to encounter… I’ve been hassled in other ways, in terms of feeling like so many women feel: cut out of the action that I wanted to be in or underestimated or demeaned or whatever. I’ve had a lot of that in my career,” Brown responded.

Guests included Chris and Lorraine Wallace, former House member Jane Harman, Mac McLarty, Kevin Baron, Megan Smith, Craig Gordon, John Coale, Martha Slagle, Peter Baca, Lloyd Hand, John Phillips, Linda Douglass, Robin Sproul, and Jordanian Ambassador Dina Kawar.

“You’ll all be in my next ‘Diaries,’” she toasted party attendees near the end of the evening. “So watch out!”

You can read more about Tina’s book and the event in the Washington Post’s write-up of the celebration here.

Brown’s newest book, The Vanity Fair Diaries, was named one of the best books of 2017 by Time, Amazon and The Guardian.  It is available in print, Kindle or audiobook on Amazon.

Filed Under: Art, Books, DC, Entertainment, Event Coverage, Uncategorized, Washington Events

David Cameron Tells Trump “Fake News” Act is Dangerous

December 14, 2017 By WHC Insider

Photo courtesy Pixabay.

At the annual Transparency International UK lecture in London, former British prime minister David Cameron called President Donald Trump’s attacks on the mainstream media was dangerous, with the true threat to democracy coming from sources like Russian twitter bots.

“When Donald Trump uses the term ‘fake news’ to describe CNN and the BBC, that is not just a questionable tactic.  It’s actually dangerous,” the former prime minister said in his remarks.

Cameron noted that “of course” journalists occasionally makes mistakes. But Trump’s use of “fake news” as an attack on the media “is an attempt to question the whole legitimacy of organizations that have an important role in our democracy.”

“Let me put it like this. President Trump, ‘Fake news’ is not broadcasters criticizing you. It’s Russian bots and trolls targeting your democracy, pumping out untrue stories day after day, night after night.”

“When you misappropriate the term ‘fake news’,” he continued, “you are deflecting attention from real abuses. Ignoring what’s happening on social media is facilitating a form of corruption that is undermining democracy.”

Cameron resigned as prime minister in 2016, immediately after the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union in their “Brexit” vote, which Cameron opposed.  Many point to the similarities between the surge in nationalistic movements surrounding the Brexit vote and the 2016 U.S. presidential elections that placed Trump in the White House.

 

Filed Under: 2016 election, Donald Trump, Free Press, Media Strategy, News Media, Social Media

Hearst 100: Joanna Coles Annual Power Luncheon Addresses Sexual Harassment

December 13, 2017 By Tammy Haddad

Joanna Coles, Sarah Jessica Parker and Liz Hannah. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Joanna Coles hosted a lineup of power women — and Hearst men — at Michael’s in New York City on Monday for the annual Hearst 100 luncheon.

“I know that last year at this luncheon, many of us felt some anxiety,” Coles said of 2016’s event, which followed the presidential ascension of Donald Trump. “This year, that anxiety has turned to anger. We woke up in a house that is on fire, but at least we are now all awake.”

.@JoannaColes introduces guests at the #Hearst100 luncheon. #HearstLife pic.twitter.com/EusTP6AcLe

— HEARST (@Hearst) December 11, 2017

As in years past, the event, which was formerly known as the Cosmo 100, drew an eclectic crowd from across industries. Guests included Katie Holmes, Sarah Jessica Parker, Candice Huffine, Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards, Norah O’Donnell, Stephanie Ruhle, Arianna Huffington, producer Amy Pascal, power posing expert Amy Cuddy, New York City Deputy Mayor Alicia Glen, E Street band member (and Bruce Springsteen spouse) Patti Scialfa, screenwriter Liz Hannah, who was in town to promote the Katharine Graham biopic “The Post,” and tennis legend Billie Jean King.

Honored to be attending the #Hearst100 Luncheon today. Having a great time with @laurenblauren! @Hearst pic.twitter.com/B2gBwaA1Ri

— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) December 11, 2017

The Hearst contingent was out in full force — and, for the first time, male editors were invited. “We have to all get through the next few years together, so it seemed only incumbent upon us to invite them,” Coles explained. Almost all the editors in chief were there, including Esquire’s Jay Fielden, Town & Country’s Stellene Volandes, Elle’s new editor in chief Nina Garcia and executive editor Emma Rosenblum, Elle Decor’s Whitney Robinson, O’s Lucy Kaylin, Marie Claire’s Anne Fulenwider, Cosmopolitan’s Michele Promaulayko, and Harper’s Bazaar’s Glenda Bailey.

#Hearst100 with host @JoannaColes and @AliEWentworth @CynthiaEriVo @DianeSawyer pic.twitter.com/rSqT3WmsWY

— Patrick McMullan (@PatrickMcMullan) December 13, 2016

The theme of the event, both in casual discussions over the salad course and in the speeches over salmon and lentils, was, naturally, the recent sexual harassment allegations roiling industries and bringing resignations on a seemingly daily basis.

“I think it’s fair to say that since last year a lot has gone down. We are currently having the most extraordinary discussion about sexual harassment,” Coles said.

.@JoannaColes @Hearst 100 @meganmurp @MalinAkerman #hearst100 #llovebillions pic.twitter.com/TFNCE2JyNs

— Tammy Haddad (@haddadmedia) December 12, 2016

“I’ve actually placed a survivor of sexual harassment at every table. I’m talking about the potted plants,” she quipped, referring to a particularly unsavory detail in an allegation against Harvey Weinstein. “I thought that was going to get more of a laugh,” she noted, which did succeed in getting a laugh.

Charlotte Jones Anderson, Megan Murphy, Arianna Huffington, Emma Rosenblum and Tammy Haddad. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

Coles finished by uniting the current political moment with a Cosmo-type spin: “Don’t worry about the calories in the dessert cookies, because if Roy Moore wins tomorrow, we will all be throwing up,” she said.

Novelist Holly Peterson and filmmaker Jane Rosenthal. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

In keeping with the theme, the biggest celebrities in the Garden Room were Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey, The New York Times reporters who broke the Harvey Weinstein story. The duo seem to be on a bit of an awards circuit — they also spoke at Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards last month, also to a standing ovation and again recounted the story that started the “Me Too” moment.

“Now more than ever our voices matter.” – @JoannaColes #hearst100 pic.twitter.com/Qk4HDJgh5u

— wendy clark (@wnd) December 12, 2016

“Trying to report on Harvey Weinstein seemed like climbing Mount Everest. A lot of people told us that we wouldn’t succeed, they told us about all the famous male journalists who had come before us and basically implied that we would not be able to get the story. But they also said that it wouldn’t matter,” Kantor told the crowd. “They basically said ‘You go publish your little story. Nothing will change.’”

So excited to #ListenToWomen at this years #Hearst100 @michaelsnewyork pic.twitter.com/YTfojfEPHG

— jami floyd (@jamifloyd) December 11, 2017

“The people who questioned us, there was good reason to wonder whether we would be able to pull it off,” Twohey said, describing the obstacles they faced: legal settlements and nondisclosure agreements that prevented people from speaking out, a culture that made women feel that they couldn’t speak our without risking their careers, and systemic issues.

“As we turn into 2018, the question is what are going to be the systemic solutions,” she concluded.

I believe it is women who will turn this country around- @CecileRichards @PPact #hearst100 👊🏻👊🏻👊🏻 @JoannaColes pic.twitter.com/EyKNzXNCZx

— laura brounstein (@laurabrounstein) December 12, 2016

A lot of powerful women joined forces this afternoon at the #Hearst100 luncheon! https://t.co/0d4unPQafA

— JustJared.com (@JustJared) December 12, 2017

#Hearst100 #jealous #mediaELITE
Joanna Coles and Cecile Richards at Hearst Power Lunch https://t.co/3bv8k9bYc7

— Tina Richmann York (@T_Richmann_York) December 14, 2016

#squadgoals 👐🏾 thank you @JoannaColes for your invitation to #hearst100 pic.twitter.com/boLIt0syj2

— Amani (@xoamani) December 12, 2017

Talk about #PowerWomen! Invigorated by the commitment to work together to combat sexism and advance women at #Hearst100 lunch. pic.twitter.com/9i0BhFdwDi

— Alicia Glen (@DMAliciaGlen) December 12, 2017

Filed Under: Causes, Event Coverage, Uncategorized

Kremlin Considers Trump’s Tweets as Official White House Statements

December 12, 2017 By WHC Insider

Photo courtesy Pixabay

The Kremlin has acknowledged that Russian President Vladimir Putin reads tweets posted by President Donald Trump, and the Russian government considers them to be official positions of the administration.

Spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed his government’s stance in a statement.

“In any case, everything which is published from [Trump’s] authorized Twitter account is perceived by Moscow as his official statement… Naturally, it is reported to Putin along with other information about official statements by politicians.”

Trump regularly posts on Twitter to make official policy announcements and also to appeal to his base of supporters and vent frustrations at those with whom he disagrees, including the media and lawmakers.

The president has frequently been criticized about his tweets, including criticizing U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May after a sharp rebuke following his retweeting videos originally posted by ultra-nationalists in the United Kingdom suggesting violence against Muslims.

Trump also recently lashed out at Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) in a tweet saying she “would do anything for [campaign contributions]” after the Senator called for his resignation following “credible” and “numerous” allegations of sexual harassment against Trump.

Filed Under: Donald Trump, News, Social Media, The White House

Washington Post Reporter Apologizes to President Trump for Posting Inaccurate Photos on Twitter

December 11, 2017 By WHC Insider

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

President Donald Trump has received an apology from Washington Post reporter David Weigel, who posted a photo of Trump’s rally in Florida on Friday.

Weigel had posted a photo on Twitter of the crowd at the Pensacola Bay Center showing a significant number of empty seats.  After being told that the photo was taken before the venue started, Weigel removed the post and apologized in a later Tweet with the president.

.@DaveWeigel @WashingtonPost put out a phony photo of an empty arena hours before I arrived @ the venue, w/ thousands of people outside, on their way in. Real photos now shown as I spoke. Packed house, many people unable to get in. Demand apology & retraction from FAKE NEWS WaPo! pic.twitter.com/XAblFGh1ob

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2017

Sure thing: I apologize. I deleted the photo after @dmartosko told me I’d gotten it wrong. Was confused by the image of you walking in the bottom right corner. https://t.co/fQY7GMNSaD

— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) December 9, 2017

In response to the apology, the president demanded Weigel be fired.

.@daveweigel of the Washington Post just admitted that his picture was a FAKE (fraud?) showing an almost empty arena last night for my speech in Pensacola when, in fact, he knew the arena was packed (as shown also on T.V.). FAKE NEWS, he should be fired.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 9, 2017

The Washington Post issued a statement on Weigel’s erronious Tweet on Saturday:

“Dave Weigel relied on an inaccurate image in tweeting about President Trump’s rally in Pensacola,” said Washington Post’s vice president of communications, Kristine Coratti Kelly. “When others pointed out the mistake to Weigel, he quickly deleted the tweet. And when he was later addressed by the president on Twitter, he promptly apologized for it.”

Filed Under: Correspondents, Donald Trump, Event Coverage, Free Press, News Media, Social Media, Uncategorized

RTCA Revokes Russian Television Network RT’s Congressional Credentials Following FARA Registration

December 8, 2017 By WHC Insider

Photo courtesy the Kremlin

RT, the Russian international television network funded by the Russian government, has complied with a request from the Department of Justice that it register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).

In response to the network’s registration, the Congressional Radio and TV Correspondents’ Gallery officially revoked RT’s credentials on Capitol Hill.

“The rules of the Galleries state clearly that news credentials may not be issued to any applicant employed by any ‘foreign government or representative thereof,” Craig Caplan, chairman of the Radio-Television Correspondents’ Association, wrote in a letter to RT.  “Upon its registration as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registrations Act (FARA), RT Network became ineligible to hold news credentials.”

The RTCA Executive Committee voted unanimously to revoke the credentials of the RT Network on Nov 21, 2017: https://t.co/bbAGMKKwKh

— RTCA, Capitol Hill (@rtcacaphill) November 29, 2017

The network countered the RTCA decision in part by questioning the status of Japanese news agency NHK.  RT stated they had received assurances from the State Department that FARA registration would not affect its operations.  They also claimed other “foreign agent” networks such as Japan’s NHK held Congressional press accreditation.

RT’s editor-in-chief, Margarita Simonyan slammed the RTCA decision, stating that it “looks like only RT is denied congressional accreditation on the basis of FARA status, while the likes of NHK and China Daily carry on business as usual, and US officials continue to claim that the forced FARA registration for RT America’s operating company isn’t at all discriminatory.”

The RTCA executive committee responded in an email statement that this is not true.

“In a widely reported response to our decision, RT has questioned the accreditation status of NHK, Japan’s largest publicly-funded broadcast outlet and a longtime Gallery member, asserting they, too, have registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA).  This is not accurate.  The company in question, NHK Cosmomedia America, Inc., is a separate entity that has never been issued credentials by the Congressional Radio-TV Correspondents’ Galleries”

The Foreign Agents Registration Act was created prior to World War II to prevent foreign propaganda from swaying the American public, particularly Nazi disinformation in the 1930s.

Filed Under: Congressional Radio & TV Correspondents Association, Correspondents, DC, News Media

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About White House Correspondents Insider

Exploring “behind the scenes” of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

We track the White House Correspondents’ weekend and all the activities around it, from journalists and media companies to the White House and politicos.

Tammy Haddad is Co-Founder and Editor-In-Chief of WHC Insider and CEO of Haddad Media.

White House Correspondents Insider is not affiliated with or approved by the White House Correspondents’ Association, which is a registered trademark of the WHCA.

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