TVB Announces Supporting Partners for Next Women Program

The Television Bureau of Advertising (TVB) today announced new supporting partners for the NEXT Women program. Underwritten by WideOrbit, Next Women helps identify, prepare and advocate for women in the local broadcast television industry as they aspire to leadership roles.

Launched in 2020, the Next Women program currently has more than 1,700 members and provides resources and community for professional and personal development, empowering and preparing women for advancement at each stage of their careers. The program fosters leadership, communication and professional skill building through engaging programming including webinars, video sessions, podcasts and live networking events.

WideOrbit, a broadcast inventory and revenue workflow management company, has underwritten the program since its launch. Beginning in June 2022, the following Supporting Partners are joining the program: ABC Owned Television Stations, BIA Advisory Services, Cox Media Group, CoxReps, The E.W. Scripps Company, Graham Media Group, Gray Television,  Hearst Television, Katz Television Group, Marathon Ventures, Morgan Murphy Media, NBCUniversal Local, Nielsen, Standard Media Group, Telemundo and Univision Television Group.

“As glass ceilings give way to opportunities for women, local TV’s next generation of female leaders must be success-ready,” said Abby Auerbach, executive director, TVB’s Next Women. “The TVB Next Women initiative is designed to help women reach their leadership goals by providing tools and strategies for success. We are thrilled to have these Supporting Partners help us continue this very important work to advance the local broadcast TV industry.”

Next Women encourages a women-conscious approach to hiring and promotion. The program’s goal is to help improve talent recruitment and retention, diversify station and corporate management, and demonstrate industry leadership. This year’s focus is mentorship, diversity, equity and inclusion.

“Scripps has championed the Next Women program since its inception,” said Missy Evenson, Scripps VP of sales, local media. “With its valuable and effective programming, events and professional development opportunities, Next Women helps women in the industry advocate for themselves and each other, helping to set the industry up for equity and success.”

BIA Advisory Services’ Managing Director Rick Ducey said: “BIA is a proud supporter of the Next Women program and its efforts to advance women in the local broadcast TV industry through increased inclusion, advocacy, and skill-building. We collaborated with TVB on the 2021 State of Women in Local Broadcast TV survey and look forward to future partnership opportunities.”

Members of Next Women include professionals from TV stations, broadcast groups, sales rep firms, media agencies, media research and ad tech companies.