FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CENTER FOR COMMUNICATION TO HONOR RITA FERRO, PRESIDENT, DISNEY ADVERTISING SALES New York, July 09, 2019 – Rita Ferro, President, Disney Advertising Sales, will be honored by the Center for Communication at its annual luncheon at the New York event space 583 Park Avenue (at 63rd St.) on October 23, 2019. Each year, the Center presents its Frank Stanton Award for Excellence in Communication to a leading media innovator. The award is named after the Center’s founder, broadcasting pioneer and longtime CBS president Dr. Frank Stanton. Since 2018, Ferro has led advertising sales for The Walt Disney Company’s entertainment, news, sports and kids linear and digital TV and radio businesses, which includes ABC Entertainment, ABC Daytime and ABC News; Disney Channel, Disney XD, Disney Junior, Radio Disney; Freeform, FX Networks, and National Geographic Networks. Ferro also oversees advertising sales responsibility for the ESPN portfolio which includes ESPN’s domestic networks, ESPN on ABC, ESPN.com, ESPN3, ESPN Radio, ESPN International, ESPN+ and ESPN Mobile. She also leads the integrated sales team for the Disney Digital Network, and the Company’s online, mobile and social offerings. Additionally, Ferro directs National TV Ad Sales for ABC’s eight owned local TV stations. Ferro’s Disney tenure began more than two decades ago with ESPN International, where she held several posts including Vice President, International Ad Sales, leading the ESPN International Ad Sales offices in Miami, Argentina, Mexico and Brazil. Among her many industry honors, Ferro was named to 2018’s Adweek 50 list, celebrating the most innovative marketing and media executives making bold moves for their brands; Variety’s 2018 Power of Women New York Impact list, honoring women across all aspects of the entertainment industry who are making an impact and The Hollywood Reporter’s Most Powerful Women 2018 list. From 2012 to 2018, Ferro was cited as one of the Most Powerful and Influential Latinos by the Imagen Foundation. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed Ferro to the Latin Media and Entertainment Commission in efforts to cultivate the next generation of New York City-based Latinx media and entertainment professionals; promote enhanced Spanish language content on mainstream and emerging media platforms; attract and retain major Latinx media events in New York City; and expand the audience for premier Latinx cultural content in New York City. “Rita has risen to the peak of her profession and now oversees a portfolio that is breathtaking in its vast scope,” said Center for Communication Chairman David J. Barrett. “We are thrilled to honor such a talented and successful executive who so clearly embodies the underlying mission of the Center to open doors in the media industry for women and minorities.” “Rita’s deep roots in Latinx media make this award especially appropriate,” said Center for Communication executive director J. Max Robins. “We have a shared mission, and that is to promote excellence, by fostering diversity and inclusion in the media industry.” “It’s an honor to be recognized by the Center for Communication and I’m proud to be the first female Latinx recipient of the Frank Stanton Award,” said Ferro. “Of all my achievements, my years of mentorship and shepherding the next wave of leaders has been the most rewarding and I’m so fortunate to be spotlighted by an organization that represents those key values.” The Center’s annual luncheon is a star-studded affair that attracts hundreds of media and entertainment executives who attend to network, trade insights, make new connections and pay tribute to an honoree who has exhibited excellence in innovation over the course of a successful career in the media industry. The luncheon has a well-deserved reputation as a lively event where honorees are usually toasted – and sometimes roasted – by celebrities such as Liev Schreiber, Claire Danes, Fred Armisen, David Duchovny, and Keri Russell. Ferro will be joining an elite group of past honorees including David Nevins, Debra Lee, Cesar Conde, Michael R. Bloomberg, Katharine Graham, and Ted Turner. About The Center for Communication: The Center is the leading nonprofit dedicated to inspiring and educating students seeking careers in media. More than 40 events each year connect students with top professionals for real-world insight into the ever-evolving industry, with a particular emphasis on opening doors for women and minorities. The Center works with community groups and colleges and universities of all sizes to attract students of diverse backgrounds and foster inclusivity within the media industry. The Center was founded in 1980 by longtime CBS president Dr. Frank Stanton—a staunch proponent of the highest standards in journalism and fierce defender of the First Amendment—to bridge the gap between the media industry and academia. For more information, table levels and individual tickets, please contact: Erin Gromen Director of Development (212) 686-5005 ext. 102 [email protected] www.centerforcommunication.org. Press contact: J. Max Robins President/Executive Director Center for Communication (917) 847-6656 [email protected] .