HGTV's Gail O'Neill and Clive Pearse to Host NAMIC Holiday Benefit Gala in New York

HGTV's Gail O'Neill and Clive Pearse to Host NAMIC Holiday Benefit Gala in New York

NEW YORK, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- NAMIC (National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications) today announced that HGTV personalities Gail O'Neill and Clive Pearse will host the 13th annual NAMIC Holiday Benefit Gala scheduled for November 30, 2006 at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. The black-tie event will benefit the NAMIC Foundation's Digital Bridge Alliance (DBA) Project, which establishes technology education and computer literacy programs in underserved communities of color. Scripps Networks and U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra (D-CA) are being honored at the gala for demonstrating an overall commitment to advancing diversity within the cable and telecommunications industry.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060705/NYW092LOGO )

O'Neill, a former model and native New Yorker is the host of HGTV's "Mission: Organization." British-born Pearse, the host of HGTV series "Designed To Sell" and "HGTV Design Star," began his television career in England.

"As two of cable's brightest stars, HGTV's Gail O'Neill and Clive Pearse will make this year's NAMIC Holiday Benefit Gala an exciting celebration of diversity," said Kathy Johnson, president, NAMIC.

For more information on the NAMIC Holiday Benefit Gala visit www.namic.com or call the NAMIC national headquarters at 212-594-5985.

ABOUT NAMIC

NAMIC is the premier organization focusing on ethnic diversity in the communications industry. Founded in 1980 as a non-profit trade association, today NAMIC is comprised of nearly 2,000 professionals belonging to a network of chapters nationwide. Through initiatives that focus on education, advocacy and empowerment, NAMIC champions equity and inclusion in the workforce, with special attention given to ensuring that the leadership cadres of our nation's communications industry giants reflect the multi-ethnic richness of the populations they serve.

ABOUT THE NAMIC FOUNDATION

The NAMIC Foundation advances multi-ethnic diversity in the cable industry by providing education, research and information to support workforce recruitment goals, programming innovation, career growth and technology access. The NAMIC Foundation raises funds to support the initiatives of NAMIC, Inc. and provides grants, by invitation only, through its Digital Bridge Alliance (DBA) Project to community-based organizations to fund projects specifically designed to bridge the digital divide in underserved communities of color.

ABOUT GAIL O'NEILL

Following graduation from Wesleyan University, O'Neill, a New York native, began a successful modeling career that has taken her around the world. She has been on the cover of magazines like Mademoiselle and Vogue, and featured in advertisements for numerous companies as well as catalogues ranging from J. Crew to Nordstrom.

O'Neill started her journalism career as a freelance reporter for several television networks, eventually becoming a features correspondent for CBS' "The Early Show." The opportunity to host CNN's weekly "Travel Now" series lured her from the Big Apple to Atlanta, where she currently lives.

ABOUT CLIVE PEARSE

British-born Pearse began his television career in England in 1989 when a friend recommended him as a replacement for a show host who walked off the set. Twenty minutes later, Pearse was interviewing Boy George for "On The Air," a live entertainment show that was broadcast in 35 European countries and 65 million homes. Pearse was later offered the job as host of the award-winning program, a cult favorite noted for its lively -- and sometimes controversial -- combination of celebrity guests, music videos and live viewer phone calls. Pearse also hosted "Entertainment X-Press," NBC Europe's primetime entertainment show, in which he interviewed Hollywood's hottest A-listers, such as Meryl Streep, Nicolas Cage, Tom Hanks and acting legend Kirk Douglas. In addition, he covered the coveted film festival beat with reports from Cannes, Venice and Deauville.

In Europe's popular NBC primetime series, "Ushuaia," a show named after the planet's southern-most city and the essence of extreme adventure, Pearse interviewed world-class explorers and adventurers from around the world. He also boldly-and generally unsuccessfully-attempted challenging stunts himself, including his now infamous narrow escape from a hot air balloon crash piloted by Britain's heavily-pregnant World Champion.

Pearse, who recently became an American citizen, moved to Los Angeles in 1997 where he expanded his credits to include a successful voiceover career. His voiceover talents can be heard in characterizations for the Academy Award-winning movie "Shrek" and in countless national TV and radio commercials.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060705/NYW092LOGO
Source: NAMIC

CONTACT: Daphne Leroy, of NAMIC, +1-212-594-5985,
daphne.leroy@namic.com; Charmaine Chapman, of BTB Communications,
+1-310-242-8407, char@btbcommunications.com, for NAMIC

Web site: http://www.namic.com/

-------
Profile: intent