CNN’s Paula Zahn to Serve as Mistress of Ceremonies

NEW YORK, November 21 – The Partnership for a Drug-Free America will honor Ralph J. Roberts and Brian L. Roberts of Comcast Corporation, at the Partnership’s third annual Making A Difference gala to be held on December 8th in the grand ballroom at The Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City.  At the helm of Comcast Corporation – the largest cable television company in the United States – the Roberts have built illustrious careers in the cable industry and are being recognized for their outstanding commitment to helping communities and safeguarding American families. 

Through their wisdom, vision and leadership, Ralph J. Roberts and Brian L. Roberts have built the Comcast Corporation from the ground up.  Starting with the purchase of a single cable television station in Tupelo, Mississippi over 40 years ago, the Roberts have created one of today’s most influential media companies.

“As we recognize Ralph and Brian for their many outstanding achievements in the communications industry, we cannot overlook their overwhelming kindness and generosity,” said Partnership Chairman Roy Bostock. “This father and son team brings their unwavering dedication to family values from the Comcast family to ours. Comcast’s contribution of $50 million in media exposure to the Partnership is helping us reach literally millions of parents and teens with our drug-education messages.”

CNN Anchor Paula Zahn will serve as mistress of ceremonies for the Making A Difference gala.  Zahn, anchor of “Paula Zahn Now,” is a renowned journalist who has received numerous honors and awards, including seven Emmy® awards.
 
Chairing the event will be Geraldine B. Laybourne, chairman & CEO of Oxygen Media and James B. Lee, Jr., vice chairman of JPMorgan Chase & Co.

“The Roberts are visionaries and pioneers in American business and their outstanding commercial accomplishments are underscored by a steadfast devotion to social responsibility,” said Laybourne.  “Comcast’s generous commitment to the Partnership for a Drug-Free America and its worthwhile cause is further proof that in running Comcast, the Roberts value family above all.”

“Ralph and Brian Roberts are two extraordinary gentlemen who not only have made remarkable contributions to the media, cable and communications industries, but who also have made significant and lasting investments in American families,”  said Lee.

Confirmed gala co-chairs include Chris Albrecht, chairman & CEO, HBO; Roy Bostock, chairman, Partnership for a Drug-Free America; Timothy Brosnan, executive vice president, Major League Baseball; Craig Brown, CEO, Keelers Ridge Associates; Stephen Burke, COO, Comcast Corporation, president, Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.; Harry Clark, managing partner, Stanwich Group, L.L.C.; David Cohen, executive vice president, Comcast Corporation; Peter Dolan, CEO, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company; Campbell Gerrish, principal, Winged Keel Group, Inc.;  Carla and Robert Matteucci; Thomas Murphy, retired chairman & CEO, Capital Cities/ABC, Inc.; Allen Rosenshine, vice chairman & executive creative director, Partnership for a Drug-Free America, chairman, BBDO Worldwide, Inc.; Pat and John Rosenwald; J. Brendan Ryan, chairman, Foote Cone & Belding; Adam Silver, president & COO, NBA Entertainment; Sir Howard Stringer, chairman & CEO,  Sony Corporation; Linda A. Suydam, D.P.A, president, Consumer Healthcare Products Association; David Watson, EVP, operations, Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.; William Weldon, chairman & CEO, Johnson & Johnson.

“We are proud to call Ralph and Brian Roberts partners in our work,” said Steve Pasierb, president & CEO of the Partnership. “Ralph, Brian and everyone at Comcast have truly blessed the Partnership as well as the parents and children we exist to serve.  Our collaboration has not only been effective, but exemplifies an ongoing endeavor at the Partnership to truly bring the word ‘partnership’ to life in everything we do.”

For a complete list of co-chairs, event sponsors and more information on the gala, please visit Making a Difference.  For more information on table sales, please contact Jeri Milhauser at the Partnership at jeri_milhauser@drugfree.org or at 212-922-1560.