INDUSTRY Q&A: Roma Downey, Founder & CEO, Lightworkers Media
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INDUSTRY Q&A: Roma Downey, Founder & CEO, LightWorkers Media By Jess Chambers WHAT’S INSIDE: Roma Downey Photography by Deborah Wald Q&A with Roma Downey is an Emmy-nominated Roma Downey, actress and producer. She’s well-known Founder & CEO, LightWorkers Media for her role as the kindhearted angel, Monica, on the show, “Touched By News An Angel.” Downey and her husband, Mark Burnett, have produced several Radio Movement faith-based programs for television such as, “The Bible Series” and “A.D.” as well as feature films like, “Son Of Celebrations God,” “Woodlawn,” and “Ben-Hur.” and Milestones Growing up in the city of Derry, Obituaries Ireland during a time of conflict we now know as The Troubles, Downey Appearances experienced great loss as a young girl. in Film/TV Yet in the sadness, she found a way to see the blessing in everything that Top Artists happened in her life. on Social Media (Continued on page 4) Movement NEWS Syntax Creative signed distribution deals with Foothills Christian Church, Capitol Christian The Grove Church, Vineyard Records UK & Ireland, Mainstay Records, and Music Group Aromaphone Records. announced the promotion of Monica Josh Thompson Coates and EJ American Idol alum, Danny Gokey, recently left Word Gaines to co- signed with Capitol Christian Music Entertainment and executive directors Group. joined FutureShirts of Motown Gospel. as their Head of The promotions Digital Services. come at the same time as Ken Pennell, Redjett Management longtime president of Motown Gospel, hired Liz Zinke as Kathy Troccoli announced her 20th announced his retirement, effective Brand/ Marketing Anniversary KT Cruise - a 10-Day April 1st. Manager. Panama Canal/Caribbean vacation. 1 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG MARCH 2018 Movement RADIO Salem has been recognized as one of March 28 – Amber Nelon Thompson the Best and Brightest Companies to (Nelons) Work For® in the country. They were At KSBJ, Jordan Smith has been evaluated by the National Association promoted to the Director of Promotions March 29 – Brian Free for Business Resources, an independent and Marketing position. (Brian Free & Assurance) research firm who reviewed several key measures such as benefits, compensation, employee enrichment, SEEN & HEARD employee education, communication, diversity, work-life balance and Two-time Grammy® community initiatives. Winner, Tye Tribbett, Radio Movement Provided by performed live on HisAir.net The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon in February. Jayar is celebrating his 10th year OBITUARIES in afternoons at WCIE/Tampa (The JOY FM). Christian evangelist, The movie, “I Can Only Rev. Billy Graham, Imagine,” (Lionsgate/ Roadside Attractions) WAWZ/New York (Star 99.1) evening died on February releases Mar. 16th. personality, Sharon Davis, announced 21st at his home Additionally, Bart her retirement. in Montreat, North Carolina. He was 99. Millard’s book, “I Can Only Imagine: A Memoir,” Troy West has been appointed Interim released on February 13th. Program Director at KSBJ/Houston. CELEBRATIONS “Coming Back Stronger” by Joshua Longtime KSBJ/ Jamie Grace is Silverberg (feat. Sarah Reeves) was Houston GM, Tim engaged to be featured in the NBC promo for Good Girls. McDermott, will exit married to Aaron KSBJ Educational Collins on April 14, Foundation on March 2018. 19th. McDermott has served as the President and General Manager of KSBJ BIRTHDAYS since 1992. Profitt Malcolm March 3 – Jason Crabb WFSH/Atlanta (104.7 The Fish) Program “Empire” with Tommee Profitt Director, Mike Blakemore, has been (feat. Steven Malcolm) was featured in March 7 – Greta Manning appointed to the new position of VP promos for Star Trek Discovery on CBS, (Trio Music Group) Programming, CCM Format effective the show – Empire on Fox, and was also February 12th. used on UFC. March 12 – Karen Peck Gooch KCMS/Seattle (Spirit 105.3) hired KSBJ/ (Karen Peck & New River) UFC featured “The Fall” from writer, Houston PD Ty McFarland for Program Tony Wood. Director duties. Ty replaces Matt March 13 – Candi Staton Stockman who exited the KCMS PD To see your sync placements featured chair last November to join EMF as March 17 – Kelly Bowling in our upcoming newsletter, send us KLOVE PD. (Bowling Family) an email: [email protected]. 2 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG MARCH 2018 Social Media TOP 20 ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK TOP 20 ARTISTS ON TWITTER TOP 20 ARTISTS ON INSTAGRAM Tercer Cielo 18,409,152 Ricardo Montaner 8,917,234 Hillsong United 1,597,271 Jesus Adrian Romero 11,060,339 Juan Luis Guerra 7,708,482 Erica Campbell 1,530,622 Thalles Roberto 8,851,054 Kirk Franklin 1,662,782 Tamela Mann 1,255,697 Alex Campos 7,652,731 Lecrae 1,587,247 Lecrae 1,221,397 Juan Luis Guerra 7,551,528 Thalles Roberto 1,301,453 Tercer Cielo 1,189,032 Marcos Witt 6,280,165 Marcos Witt 1,183,987 Kari Jobe 1,073,353 Lilly Goodman 6,082,549 Hillsong United 1,182,034 Jesus Culture 1,024,700 Hillsong United 5,756,435 Jesus Adrian Romero 1,150,236 Lilly Goodman 1,019,219 Ricardo Montaner 5,588,216 Alex Campos 1,117,928 Marcela Gandara 980,496 Don Moen 5,375,879 Chris Tomlin 1,021,617 Christine D’Clario 980,261 Skillet 5,221,823 Tercer Cielo 932,411 Hillsong Worship 960,397 Marcela Gandara 4,754,763 Marcela Gandara 743,295 Marcos Witt 954,164 Casting Crowns 4,656,057 Lilly Goodman 719,857 Bethel Music 915,142 Hillsong Worship 4,430,668 Kari Jobe 706,107 Alex Campos 906,509 Danilo Montero 4,193,714 Marco Barrientos 696,144 Kirk Franklin 885,515 TobyMac 4,070,017 Danilo Montero 668,305 Tasha Cobbs 820,657 Mary Mary 3,769,245 Jesus Culture 623,311 Hillsong Y&F 770,207 Chris Tomlin 3,545,788 TobyMac 618,065 Marco Barrientos 754,149 Marco Barrientos 3,506,860 Mary Mary 583,296 Miel San Marcos 725,484 Daniel Calveti 2,918,284 CeCe Winans 575,083 Danilo Montero 715,731 Carman Karen Peck Greg Nelson The Staples Singers GMA HONORS & HALL OF FAME CEREMONY SAVE THE DATE: Tuesday, May 8, 2018 Chonda Pierce Bishop Marvin Sapp Ryan Lampa 3 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG MARCH 2018 Roma Downey pictured with her book “Box of Butterflies” releasing spring 2018. Today, Downey is the Founder and CEO of LightWorkers LightWorkers Media using the expression, “It’s Media, a joint venture with MGM, and Chief Content better to light one candle than curse the darkness …” Officer for LightWorkers.com - an online community of LightWorkers.com is refreshing and uplifting. digital storytelling that creates uplifting and encouraging It spreads a different kind of a message - focusing content. Her book, “Box of Butterflies,” releases on March on encouraging, engaging, uplifting, and uniting 6th; in it she shares stories from her own life and includes others through its content in Film, TV and Online. quotes, poems, scripture, and artwork that she prays will Can you take a moment to explain the heart and be a blessing just in time for Easter! vision for the venture of LightWorkers? She and her husband Mark continue to be pioneers Roma Downey: Thank you. We have a strong intention in the entertainment industry releasing uplifting, faith- in our hearts. We feel that we need to be reminded based content. She’s a longtime supporter of Operation that there are good people everywhere, doing good things. Smile and Compassion International. We had the I know when the news headlines blast out yet another privilege of spending a few minutes with her discussing tragedy, it’s hard to remember that, sometimes, in her life’s journey, LightWorkers, and her new book, business and in the world. So LightWorkers and all that “Box of Butterflies.” we are doing over here is just about trying to remind A quick look at the headlines today reminds us that people that there is hope and there is so much good there are often dark moments in our midst, but you and there are so many amazing people doing incredible and your husband, Mark Burnett, recently launched things, and we can’t let this awful darkness take us over. 4 | GOSPELMUSIC.ORG MARCH 2018 Your new book, “Box of Butterflies” releases on March 6th. It promises to be yet another form of media that you use to share hope and encouragement as well as real life stories of God’s comforting presence all My hope was that weaving around us in the world today. Would you tell us a little it together with scripture, bit about this book, how you were stirred to write and “ share these stories, and the significant role butterflies prose, beautiful illustrations, have played in your life? and poems and quotes that Downey: It’s interesting, because having written this book, “Box of Butterflies,” it required of me many have inspired me over the reflective mornings. I would pour a cup of tea, light a candle, and sit down with my laptop to bring back into years, it would be a little the forefront of my memory stories from my life. What book of encouragement. emerged was this idea that at the time, when incidents occurred such as heartbreak and loss all throughout my childhood, those very painful experiences were preparing my heart with compassion, with empathy, with understanding of what it feels like to lose something. So, when the opportunity came up for me to play an angel on television, when I was cast to play Monica on “Touched by an Angel,” the very qualities that were alive in that character had been shaped in me through my own right there.” And out of my own personal darkness came a life’s journey. It’s not that I wished that I had never gone little ray of light.