A&E Television Network's Abbe Raven to Keynote Arts, Entertainment and Media Symposium in NYC

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Abbe Raven, BA '74, president and CEO of A&E Television Networks (AETN), will be the keynote speaker at the University at Buffalo's second annual Coast to Coast Symposium on Arts, Entertainment and Media (UBC2C NYC).

One of the most powerful women in television, Raven highlights a list of prominent UB alumni from the arts, entertainment and media industries who will speak at the symposium, July 23-25, in New York City's Macaulay Honors College at CUNY.

"Abbe Raven is a most distinguished UB alumna and a prominent leader in the national entertainment and media arenas," said UB President John B. Simpson. "This event is an outstanding opportunity for students to learn first-hand from the industry leaders who are shaping these fields, and the students who attend this symposium will benefit tremendously from Abbe's insights and experience. We are honored she will be joining us in New York City in July."

Other symposium speakers will include UB alumni Alan Zweibel, multi-Emmy Award-winning writer, producer and playwright; Ted Kryczko, past vice president of product development for The Walt Disney Co.; Linda Gelman, producer, Chicago City Limits; Ken Tabachnick, general manager, New York City Ballet; actor Peter Riegert; Paul Zuckerman, director, writer and executive producer, Chicago City Limits; Jeanne Palmer-Fornarola, clinical assistant professor of dance at UB; and Saul Elkin, SUNY Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus in the UB Department of Theatre and Dance.

Organized by the UB College of Arts and Sciences, UBC2C NYC is a networking and educational event designed for students and alumni from UB and New York City-area colleges and universities who aspire to careers in the arts, entertainment and media industries. Symposium speakers will lead sessions on arts management, directing, comedy writing, entertainment news media, acting, entertainment law, new media and independent films. For more information, or to register for the symposium, go to http://www.UBC2C.com. Sponsors include Variety, The Writers Bootcamp, Bergamot Station and Creative Handbook.

The UBC2C NYC symposium will also include visits to New York City-area networks, studios and media outlets such as MTV and Silver Cup Studios.

"UBC2C NYC promises to be another spectacular opportunity for industry leaders, our students and our alumni," said Bruce D. McCombe, dean of the UB College of Arts and Sciences. "Students and alumni benefit from working with industry insiders and our alumni benefit by sharing their expertise. We teach in the classroom, but they are true practitioners. We are grateful that they are willing to share what they know with students."

The first UBC2C symposium on entertainment and media was held last year in Hollywood. Participants included 235 UB alumni and 39 students who attended on scholarships provided by generous donors.

Raven earned an undergraduate degree in theater at UB and a master's degree in theater and film at Hunter College. She became president and CEO in 2005 of A&E Television Networks, which acquired the Lifetime brands in August 2009. Prior to her current position, Raven was president of A&E Network, and before that executive vice president and general manager, A&E Network and The Biography Channel. Previous to A&E Network, she was executive vice president and general manager at The History Channel.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.