White House Correspondents Insider

Behind the scenes of the most powerful city in the world — Washington, D.C. — and those who cover it.

Haskell Resigns as Chairman of Miss America Organization

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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.”

 

Haddad Resigns From Miss America Board of Directors

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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.”

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

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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

House of Cards Resumes Production on Sixth Season Without Kevin Spacey

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Michael Kelly, star of House of Cards. Photo courtesy Haddad Media

The political drama House of Cards will return for a final eight-episode season in early 2018 without actor Kevin Spacey.

Netflix content chief Ted Sarandos announced Monday that the sixth season of the show will feature Robin Wright.

“We are excited to bring closure to fans,” Sarandos said.  “We’re excited for the 370 people who make ‘House of Cards’ and have done the best work of their lives on that show; for the 2,000 people in Baltimore who have come to depend on that show for their jobs. And so we’re really excited that we were able to come to a good creative conclusion to the show.”

Late October, actor Anthony Rapp told Buzzfeed News that Spacey had tried to sexually assault him in 1986, when Rapp was 14 years old.  Several others then came forth with additional allegations of sexual misconduct by Spacey, including more than 20 people at the Old Vic theater in London, where Spacey was artistic director from 2004 through 2015.

In early November, Netflix severed ties with Spacey.

“Netflix will not be involved with any further production of ‘House of Cards’ that includes Kevin Spacey,” a Netflix spokesperson said in a statement on November 3.  “We will continue to work with [Media Rights Capital] during this hiatus time to evaluate our path forward as it relates to the show.”

During the first five seasons of House of Cards, Spacey played the character of Frank Underwood, a ruthless Southern politician that ultimately ascends to the White House.  Wright plays Claire Underwood, Frank’s wife.  At the end of season five, Frank resigned from the presidency in disgrace and Claire became president.

News Match Raises Awareness and Money for Non-Profit Journalism on #GivingNewsDay

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Photo courtesy Pixabay

Traditionally the Tuesday after Thanksgiving has been a day of charity, with millions of individuals taking time to donate to nonprofits and philanthropic causes.  This year, the grassroots campaign News Match is launching #GivingNewsDay to promote an investment in quality non-profit journalism.

News Match 2017 was established as a campaign through Democracy Fund, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation.  It’s mission is to support nonprofit news organizations that play a vital role in holding those in power accountable through non-profit news.

“We’ve never seen a movement of funders and donors turning out to support nonprofit news like this before,” said Sue Cross, Executive Director and CEO of the Institute for Nonprofit News. “But because these are challenge grants, nonprofit newsrooms across the United States are depending on you to donate and unlock these matching funds.”

Through December 31, individual donations up to $1,000 will be matched by News Match partners.  Nearly 20 individuals and foundations have also set up campaigns to match donations for local News Match participants.  The Gates Family Foundation, the Wyncote Foundation, and the News Integrity Initiative have each pledged to match donations to specific newsrooms. And in ten states, individual donors and local foundations have added at least another $400,000 in matching funds to the campaign.

“Trusted nonprofit news organizations… are essential to building stronger communities, holding our decision makers accountable, and providing people with the information they need to contribute to civic change. Ensuring they have a bright future is in all of our interests,” said Jennifer Preston, Knight Foundation vice president for journalism.

All news organizations participating in News Match are members of the Institute for Nonprofit News. To be a member, an organization must be a 501(c)(3) or have a 501(c)3 fiscal sponsor, must be transparent about funding sources, and produce investigative and/or public-service reporting. Donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.

If you would like to donate to #GivingNewsDay, please visit newsmatch.org before December 31, 2017 to contribute.

Greta van Susteren Launches New “Sorry” App, Authors New Book

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Greta Van Susteren at the 2017 Garden Brunch. Photo courtesy Haddad Media.

The legendary Greta van Susteren has been keeping a busy schedule since departing MSNBC last summer.

Six-time inductee on Forbes 100 Most Powerful Women in the World, van Susteren released a free app today entitled Sorry that lets users accept or reject apologies from friends, as well as vote on public statements from politicians, celebrities, businesses and others.

“SNAPCHAP AND INSTAGRAM are about to get some competition! This will be fun and hopefully get us all thinking…” van Susteren posted on Facebook last week, announcing her newest project.

She has worked on developing Sorry since leaving Fox News last September, and suggests it could be used to gauge reactions to some of the 475,000 apologies issued on social media every day.

“Chances are you may need my new APP (at least once in a while) or know someone who does need it (and maybe more than once in a while!),” she added on Facebook.  “I know I have needed this APP.”

People that have downloaded Sorry will be able to accept or reject apologies sent by friends and acquaintances privately through the app.

Users also can vote on apologies and statements by public figures issued through the media or posted on social media.  For example, as van Susteren notes, “imagine if you and everyone else got to vote ‘accept or reject’ when Kathy Griffin apologized” (after posting a photo of herself with a severed head of President Donald Trump last May).

In addition to releasing her app, van Susteren has authored a new book, “Everything You Need to Know About Social Media (Without Having to Call a Kid),” published by Simon & Schuster.

“[Van Susteren] does an admirable job of covering the basics of a handful of social media channels in this practical guide…. Readers who are curious about (but are still hesitant to use) social media will likely find Van Susteren’s advice helpful,” reviewed Publishers Weekly.

Van Susteren’s app is available on iTunes here or Google Play here.  And you can purchase her latest book on Amazon here.

CAROL MELTON, POWER WOMAN

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Carol Melton and Dana Bash. Photo courtesy Dana Bash.

A DC Cheer to Carol Melton, Time Warner’s Executive Vice President for Global Public Policy, for being named to Moves Magazine annual Power Women list.

Honored at a year-end celebration gala held in Manhattan on November 10th, Melton is one of 25 women chosen this year who represent Moves Magazine mission of advocating for women’s rights, social fairness and equal opportunity.

The gala was hosted by acclaimed actors, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Isabelle Huppert, and the audience was treated to a live performance from international opera star James Valenti and Michelin star dining by chef Laurent Tourondel.

Melton was chosen for leading by example and being a role model for future generations. As EVP for TimeWarner she is responsible for overseeing the Company’s policy offices in Washington, D.C., London, Brussels, Hong Kong and Buenos Aires.

Melton serves on the Board of Trustees of JBG Smith Properties (NYSE: JBGS), the Board of Directors and First Vice President of the Economic Club of Washington, D.C., as well as the Boards of start-up incubator Halcyon and the Phillips Collection. She is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

#movespowerwomen

Collins Dictionary 2017 Word of the Year: Fake News

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Photo courtesy Pixabay

British dictionary publisher Collins has announced their 2017 “Word of the Year”: Fake News.

Claiming the term saw and “unprecedented” rise in usage over the past year, the term has also become synonymous with President Donald Trump, who has often utilized the phrase to criticize the media and journalists, especially on stories he perceives to be negative toward his administration.

Collins says the term has been in use for at least a decade, and defines “fake news” as “… false, often sensational, information disseminated under the guise of news reporting.”  Collins stated the word had been ranked top in its annual assessment of the most used words in the English language, with an “unprecedented usage increase 365% since 2016.”  Next year, the phrase will have its own entry in the dictionary.

President Trump recently claimed to have coined the phrase “fake news” as well.  In an interview with Mike Huckabee, he stated that:

“One of the greatest of all [the] terms I’ve come up with is ‘fake.’  I guess other people have used it — the term ‘fake’ in conjunction with ‘media’ — perhaps over the years.  But I’ve never noticed it.  And it’s a shame.  And they really hurt the country.”

Other words that were in competition for “Word of the Year” include “echo chamber,” “gender-fluid,” “gig economy” and “insta.”

You can see a sketch performed by The Free Association in partnership with Collins on “fake news” here.