Rise, a UK-based advocacy group for gender diversity within the broadcast technology, manufacturing and services sector, has launched the inaugural Rise Awards.

Open to women in broadcasting at the engineering, marketing, PR, sales and executive level, the awards recognize exceptional achievement, innovation, and positive impact. The Rise Awards are free to enter and open to nominations from around the globe. The winners will be announced at IBC2019 in Amsterdam on Sept. 14.

Broadcast Dialogue had the opportunity to catch up with Carrie Wootten, the director of Rise.

BD: How did the Rise Awards come about?

CW: Rise has been established for over two years, with an award-winning mentoring program and a packed schedule of events and workshops across the year. But we were looking for another way to celebrate woman across the globe who work in this sector. We know that showcasing talented women and highlighting their expertise, knowledge and skillsets, inspires others and provides role models for those entering the sector. We knew of other brilliant award ceremonies, such as the UK’s Women in Film and TV Awards and Newcheck Media’s Women in Tech Awards at NAB and wanted to create something similar for Rise and the specific areas of the broadcast manufacturing and services sector that we support. And IBC is the perfect place to do this – where there is a global audience of manufacturers, suppliers and end-users in the one location.

BD: Outside sales and marketing, the broadcast manufacturing and services sector isn’t traditionally thought of as a female-centric industry. Do you have numbers on what percentage of employees in the sector are women?

CW: Out of 1,500 manufacturer and service companies less than 2% have female CEOs. And only 10% of manufacturers have women on their boards or senior executive teams. The numbers are pretty disheartening. In addition to this, we know, through our work with educational institutions across the UK, that recruitment into technical and  broadcast engineering courses is a struggle and young people are not choosing these subjects or seeing the industry as part of their future career paths. There is a lot more work to be done and by showcasing the talents of women across the sector, we hope to promote and celebrate what a fantastic industry this is to work in.

BD: Who are you encouraging to apply?

CW: All women who work in the broadcast manufacturing and services sector, globally – there are seven categories and you can be at any level within your career to apply (apart from the Rising Star Award). Please have a look at the criteria and submit the supporting evidence to ensure the best chances of success.

BD: Is there an entry fee?

CW: No, it is free to enter. This is the opportunity for all individuals and companies to recognize their hugely talented female employees and colleagues. We know that there are exceptional women across this sector and the Rise Awards provide an amazing chance for their work and effort to be recognized at Europe’s largest media and entertainment show, IBC.

Rise is seeking nominations across the following categories:

• Engineer – This award recognizes a high achiever, problem solver and team player who represents the very best of the broadcasting profession. Sponsored by Clear-Com
• Marketer/PR – Open to any woman working in a marketing or PR role in the industry either in-house, or for an agency/freelance, that has excelled in their role
• Technical Operations – For a technical operations team member who has gone above and beyond the requirements of their day-to-day role to make a difference
• Saleswoman – Open to any woman in a sales role in the broadcast industry working for either a manufacturer, service provider, broadcaster, media publisher, or tradeshow
• Business – Open to any woman in the following roles – CEO, Managing Director, COO, Owner and anyone whose role means that they are running a business in the broadcast industry (either manufacturer, broadcaster or service provider). Sponsored by Adobe
• Rising Star – This award will recognize those that can demonstrate exceptional and ongoing achievements that have made a significant contribution to their business (must have worked in the industry for less than four years). Sponsored by Avid Customer Association
• Woman of the Year – This special award is open to any inspiring and extraordinary woman across the sector, at any level, for making a significant difference in her field or to the industry. Sponsored by Grass Valley

The deadline for nominations is Monday, July 15.

The Rise Awards, in association with Avid, are sponsored by Adobe, Avid Customer Association, Clear-Com, Grass Valley and Ross Video.

Subscribe Now – Free!

Broadcast Dialogue has been required reading in the Canadian broadcast media for 25 years. When you subscribe, you join a community of connected professionals from media and broadcast related sectors from across the country.

The Weekly Briefing from Broadcast Dialogue is delivered exclusively to subscribers by email every Thursday. It’s your link to critical industry news, timely people moves, and excellent career advancement opportunities.

Let’s get started right now.