Women in Media Helps YWCA's Single Mothers Become "Beautifully Confident"

Who's A Smart Cookie?

Learn to bake a batch of cookies from scratch with Susan Jung, Food Editor of the South China Morning Post. Susan's earliest lessons in baking were from her mother, who taught her to make cookies, brownies, pies and quick breads. After graduating from UC Berkeley with a degree in English literature, Susanturned her interest in baking into a profession when she took a two year pastry apprenticeship at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco. She moved to New Yorkto work at the Grand Hyatt and Peninsula hotels then was offered a job in Hong Kongas pastry chef of the (now-defunct) American Pie in Lan Kwai Fong. Susanworked as a pastry chef at several Hong Kong restaurants before taking on her current job as Food Editor of  the South China Morning Post on July 1, 1997.

WIM NEW YEAR NETWORKING COCKTAILS
We kicked off the Chinese New Year with a networking cocktail at the lovely Helena May. Members mingled and met our Executive Committee Members for 2008. Fabulous lucky draw prizes included a spa treatment for two at the luxurious Four Seasons Spa, and a piece of fine jewellery from Slink.

Amie Hibbard (right), from the Financial Times, won the Four Seasons spa package, presented by WIM President Teresa Norton (left)	Anca Coman, from the Financial Times, won the Slink jewellery, presented by Clare Melwani

"Busting the Stereotype: Men in Media Discuss Media & Gender Bias"

What does a "powerful" woman look like?  What are some of the different gender stereotypes? What role does the media play in reducing or reinforcing gender bias in society? SHALINI MAHTANI, Founder/CEO of Community Business, led a thought provoking discussion with panelists STEVE MARCOPOTO, President & Managing Director - Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific, CHRISTOPHER GRAVES, President & CEO, Asia Pacific -Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, DAVID KETCHUM, CEO - Upstream Media, and MIKE YAO, Director - The Womens Foundation & Asst. Professor, the Center for Communication Research & the Department of English & Communication, City University of Hong Kong. The room at Butterfields was packed, and everyone agreed the discussion was so engaging that we could have held an entire conference on it!

THE DRUMMER - Charity Film Screening and Meet the Director & Producer
Women in Media led a group of members and friends to a charity screening of 'The Drummer" -- winner of "Favorite Dramatic Film" at the 60th Locarno International Film Festival -- followed by an Italian dinner and a discussion with the Director and Producer of the film, Kenneth Bi and Rosa Li. The film stars Tony Leung Ka Fai, Jaycee Chan, Lee Sinje, Roy Cheung, Josie Ho, and U Theatre, is an original and stylistic cinematic feast of sight and sound. It is the first feature film to combine an engaging character-driven story with dramatic action and the stunning art of Chinese  Zen drumming.

WIM donated proceeds to the Hong Kong YWCA, in aid of its Anti- Domestic Violence "Live with Harmony" Programs. This was the second event WIM held with Kenneth Bi and Rosa Li, who also created "Rice Rhapsody".

From Down Under to Here and Now – journalist, communications counsel and author Rosemary Sayer

A classy gathering was held at the plush Peak Suite of the Four Seasons Hotel with former journalist, communications counsel and author Rosemary Sayer, who entertained and inspired all who went. In an “Oprah” style setting, our president Teresa Norton chatted with Rosemary about her career which started from journalism and PR in Western Australia, to corporate communications and now writing in Hong Kong.  Claiming that she landed over a decade ago in Hong Kong ‘knowing zilch’ about Asia, she has now established her roots in the city and is dedicated to a career in writing and communications counsel. Her book on high-profile Hong Kong businessman Sir Gordon Wu was available to members at a special discount and were snapped up quickly.   Thanks to Rosemary and Teresa, members had a good laugh and an enjoyable time listening to the gory details on publishing and doing PR for an NGO!

News at the forefront – lunch with CNN Managing Editor Jill Dougherty

Lunch with Jill Dougherty, Asia Pacific Managing Editor at CNN International, was informative and insightful. A veteran of the international news, Jill shared her passion for journalism, and her diverse experience that has taken her all over the world from Moscow, Washington (covering the White House), and now to Hong Kong. There were plenty of exciting stories and anecdotes on how the newsroom works. Although time was short, there were plenty of questions and everyone went away with a new appreciation of news and the news media. One lucky guest even won a Four Seasons Spa message package!

Women of Influence and “the Next Big Thing”

The room at the Marriott was packed at the “Women of Influence in Media: The Next Big Thing” luncheon on April 27 th, 2006, jointly hosted by Women in Media and the American Chamber of Commerce. The speakers (listed below) each shared their insight on how the media landscape has changed, and how they see it developing in the coming decade.  While content, consumer choice and brand were key trends that they had common, each had their special experiences to share about how to make these trends work in their area. Questions were plentiful, and it was with reluctance that AmCham Hong Kong president Jack Maisano and our president Teresa had to draw the event to a close.

Speakers of the above event were:

- Anna Azilli, Managing Director, Carat Media Services Asia Pacific Ltd.

- Celina Chan, MSN Regional Director, Information Services Management, Microsoft Corporation

- Christine Fellowes, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, E! Networks

- Su Mei Thompson, Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Financial Times

- (Moderator) Nancy Valiente, Managing Director, South China Morning Post Publishers Limited)

Full House at “Rice Rhapsody” screening

It was a full house at the elegant KEE Club screening for "Rice Rhapsody", the award-winning film starring Sylvia Chang and Martin Yan. Although laughter punctuated the room throughout the evening, the industry awards and media accolades that “Rice Rhapsody” have won is no laughing matter as the audience learned about the hard work and perseverance of Director Kenny Bi, Producer Rosa Li and Executive Producer Chui-Inn Lee, all of whom were on hand to share their creative and business challenges in bringing the movie to market. That evening, whether they were movie buffs or serious media industry professionals, everyone enjoyed both the free-flowing wine and the passionate discussion on cultural, ethnic, sexual and language issues in a story that has touched audiences worldwide.

“ This was a terrific occasion. Thank you so much for telling me about it.”  Jane Camen, Founding Director, The Hong Kong Literary Festival

Merry Makeover with Bliss

A "blissful" evening was had by all who attended WIM's Christmas Cocktails at drop. The delicious hand spa treatments by the ladies from bliss and glamourous make-up tips were a great way to kick-start the festive season. Of course Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without presents and all who attended went home with a bliss goodies bags and Teresa Norton's book: "Mixed Nuts". Happy holidays indeed!

Speaker Series: Regional Managing Director, E! Entertainment Networks, Christine Fellowes

WIM was very fortunate to have caught the vivacious and inspiring Christine Fellowes in between business trips and a jam-packed social and family schedule this November. Over a scrumptious 4-course meal at OPIA Restaurant, located in the Philippe Starck-designed JIA Hotel, Christine shared her outlook on building a fulfilling and successful career while staying true to oneself.  

"It's about Authenticity, People, and Passion," said Christine, who describes her own career progression as a bit like the Chaos Theory ... "a series of meeting extraordinary people who opened doors for me, being prepared to take risks and being flexible and focused."    

Currently in charge of building E! Network's business (E! Entertainment TV, The Style Channel, G4 VideogameTV, The Golf Channel, The Outdoor Life Network) across the Asia Pacific, Christine previously held senior management positions at ClickThings Asia, Turner Entertainment Networks, and established Product Creation Ltd., a merchandising and trading company under DDB Needham Worldwide. 

Networking at KOU

Women in Media members and non-members alike had a great time enjoying catching up, networking and shopping (!) at the ultra chic KOU, a lifestyle concept store and bar. Everyone was keen to enjoy the scrumptious canapés and wine, and the event provided a welcome rest from a hard day’s work for everyone!

Cooking Class at Gaia

The cooking class at famed Italian restaurant GAIA had an extraordinary turnout! Members and non-members alike learnt how to use natural ingredients and simple steps to create delicious dishes. Judging from the photo, we think WIM are a group of talented chefs too!