Films, News, Television

CBS Introduces Women’s Empowerment Initiative Eye Speak

CBS’ Jo Ann Ross: CBS/ Irish America

The Eye is stepping up its support of women. Variety reports that CBS has launched Eye Speak, a program dedicated to advancing women’s careers at the network and providing opportunities for female talent throughout the entertainment industry. Eye Speak is the passion project of Jo Ann Ross, CBS Corp’s president and chief advertising revenue officer.

“I am extremely proud to be associated with Eye Speak because it addresses my passion to help women at CBS learn, grow, and flourish,” Ross stated.

“Fireside chats” with high-ranking women at CBS Corp will be among the initiative’s offerings. “The plan is to build themed events and educational programs around CBS shows and CBS stars,” the source details.

Eye Speak will officially kick off on March 14 at a panel presented alongside the Association of National Advertisers’ #SeeHer campaign. #SeeHer is a project pushing for better representation of women and women’s issues on network TV by 2020. CBS actresses Gina Rodriguez (“Jane the Virgin”), Maria Bello (“NCIS”), Sonequa Martin-Green (“Star Trek: Discovery”), and Sara Ramirez (“Madam Secretary”) will participate at Eye Speak’s launch. Producers Aline Brosh McKenna (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”), Jennie Snyder Urman (“Jane the Virgin”), and Lori McCreary (“Madam Secretary”) are also set to attend.

“Eye Speak is another initiative showcasing that CBS understands the role media plays [in] influencing how women and girls see themselves, and another bold step to reduce unconscious bias,” said Stephen Quinn, chair of the #SeeHer program. “Together we are working hard to attain our goal of improving representation of girls and women in media 20 percent by 2020, the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote.”

Between the news of Eye Speak and the slew of female-centric and -created pilots CBS has ordered for 2018–19 — including “History of Them,” “I Mom So Hard,” “Chiefs,” and “Cagney and Lacey” — it seems the network may finally be moving away from its white, male status quo. As we’ve reported, CBS doesn’t have a history of being particularly inclusive or feminist: its 2017 fall lineup included zero series with female protagonists and equal pay has repeatedly been an issue on shows like “Big Bang Theory,” “Criminal Minds,” and “Hawaii Five–0.”


Women and Hollywood Transition

Dear friends- A little over 15 years ago I had a crazy idea: to try and start a conversation asking where the women were in front of the camera and behind the scenes in Hollywood. I called my blog...

Gina Rodriguez Developing Series Adaptation of “Princess of South Beach” Podcast for Netflix

Gina Rodriguez is celebrating the success of her new ABC comedy “Not Dead Yet” by developing a series adaptation of a popular podcast for Netflix. Deadline reports that the streamer has...

Sophie Lane Curtis Feature Debut “On Our Way” Acquired by Gravitas Ventures

Sophie Lane Curtis’ feature debut has secured distribution. Deadline reports that Gravitas Ventures landed worldwide rights to “On Our Way” with plans to release the award-winning...

Posts Search

Publishing Dates
Start date
- select start date -
End date
- select end date -
Category
News
Films
Interviews
Features
Trailers
Festivals
Television
RESET