NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- The Digital Diversity Network (DDN),  a new, national trade association focused on advancing diversity in leadership and ownership in the digital media and hi-tech industries has announced the speakers for its highly anticipated "Cloud Gathering" Conference: Connecting Diverse Talent to the Hi-Tech Economy, to be held at The New York Times Conference Center in Manhattan on November 14.  

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This inaugural DDN event, targeted to everyone interested in influencing diversity in the hi-tech sector, comprises a highly diverse assembly of industry experts. Corporate executives, entrepreneurs, inventors and financiers will share strategies and tactics for professional breakthroughs, business growth and development from across a broad spectrum of mobile, digital, social and hi-tech entities.

Sheldon Gilbert, Founder and CEO of Proclivity Systems will be interviewed in a one-on-one "Tech Talk" during lunch.  This is the first in a monthly series of DDN "Tech Talks" designed to showcase diverse talent and career opportunities in the digital and hi-tech sectors.  The 36-year-old Gilbert has been deemed one of CNBC's "Top 10 Titans of Tomorrow" and his e-commerce analytics company helps global retailers figure out fashion trends and consumer preferences to determine the clothing and home goods customers want to buy before customers actually do. His clients—including Barneys New York - saw online sales increase by as much as 30% after utilizing his company's offerings.

The robust session offerings during the "Cloud Gathering" include:

The Digital Meritocracy: Myth or Reality? Panelist are Alvin Bowles, CEO Grab Media; Duane McKnight, managing member, Syncom Venture Management Company, LLC; Michelle Fisher, CEO and founder, Blaze Mobile; and Rishi Malhotra, president and COO, Saavn.

The App Economy with Jonathan Carson, CEO, Digital Nielsen; Salil Dalvi, senior vice president, NBCU Digital Distribution and Co-GM of Dyle; Paul Smurl, vice president Paid Products, The New York Times; Dhanusha Sivajee, head of Global Marketing Bloomberg Mobile; Glenn Outerbridge, founder & CEO eyeMe; and Navarrow Wright, CTO, Interactive One.

The New Paradigm:  The Socially-Enabled Business moderated by Omar Wasow, founder BlackPlanet.com & Internet/media correspondent features panelists Kay Madati, head of Entertainment & Media Global Marketing Solutions Facebook; Emily Anadu, director product marketing, Zynga; and Omar Suardy, marketing director, Terra Networks.

Start-Ups:  From Rough Ideas to Viable Ventures featuring Chuck Cordray, president, Volly, Pitney Bowes; Fernando Hernandez, director of supplier diversity, Microsoft Global Procurement Group; Sheila Marmon, founder & CEO Mirror Digital, Inc.; Denmark West, principal, Forrer Street Co Advisors; and Walter Delph, CEO of Ad.Ly, Inc. will be moderated by Janice McNair of J Advisory Group.  The day will conclude with a cocktail party and networking event.  

"This conference was created to meet the growing demand for thought leadership and action around the issue of diversity in the digital space", says DDN Board Chair Tracy Lawrence, a Los Angeles-based leadership consultant and executive recruiter in the industry.  "We are very excited by how our message is resonating with leaders in the field and their willingness to share their expertise with our members during our first symposium."  

The Cloud Gathering Conference is hosted in partnership with News Corporation, The New York Times, Time Warner Inc., and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.  Conference sponsors include Comcast/NBCUniversal, Pitney Bowes, Bloomberg, The Walter Kaitz Foundation and the Minority Media and Telecom Council (MMTC).

DDN plans to roll out a number of programs in the coming year that address the needs of sponsoring companies, entrepreneurs, investors and other stakeholders. These include customized recruiting programs; leadership development; building the diverse talent pipeline by encouraging students and young professionals to enter the industry; and sponsoring national events to facilitate and promote thought leadership.  Plans are underway to host events in Los Angeles and Silicon Valley in early 2013.  

Founding Directors of the DDN are:  Dana Canedy, Senior Editor, The New York Times; Albert Cheng, Executive Vice-President and Chief Product Officer, Digital Media, Disney ABC Television Group; Walter Delph, CEO, Ad.Ly; Marcelino Ford-Livene, general manager of Advanced Advertising Development, Digital Home Group, Intel Corporation; Tracy Lawrence, managing director, Tracy L. Lawrence, LLC; Kay Madati, Head of Entertainment & Media Global Marketing Solutions, Facebook: Dhanusha Sivajee, head of Global Marketing, Bloomberg Mobile and Kiko Washington, EVP, Worldwide Human Resources, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.   Kathy A. Johnson, a veteran media association executive, is the DDN's Chief Operating Officer.  News Corporation, Time Warner, Inc. and Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc. are also founding sponsors of the organization. 

Visit www.dddno.org/events to register for the Cloud Gathering Conference. Pre-registration is required and open until November 7.  The conference begins at 9:00 a.m. with registration and continental breakfast opening at 8 a.m. Conference registration includes a complimentary one-year DDN membership. For more information about conference sponsorships or membership call (646) 202-2643.  You may follow the conference on Twitter using #DigitalDiversityNet.

ABOUT DDN

The Digital Diversity Network (DDN) is a 21^st Century trade association founded in 2012 to advance diversity in leadership and ownership within the digital media and hi-tech sectors.  With a specific emphasis on recruitment, leadership development and pipeline expansion, the DDN works to ensure that the hi-tech producer/earner economy mirrors the demographics of key consumer/user groups.  While primarily an on-line community, the DDN will engage members and sponsoring companies through high-level leadership forums, on-line education, social media and networking events. www.ddno.org. 

Media Contact: Patricia Andrews-Keenan The Tallulah Group, 312-206-2821, PKeenan1@comcast.net

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SOURCE Digital Diversity Network