FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nicole Clucus or Christine Ennis
(212) 319-7566; christine@danielides.net

"Born Leaders – Women who change the world"
NYWICI Announces Winners of 2004 Matrix Awards
Hosted by Cosmopolitan & CosmoGIRL!

New York, NY, December 18, 2003—New York Women in Communications, Inc. (NYWICI) today announced the honorees for its 2004 Matrix Awards. The prestigious annual awards recognize exceptional women who have distinguished themselves in the communications fields of advertising, arts & entertainment, books, broadcasting, magazines, newspapers, online media and public relations. The theme for the 2004 luncheon is: "Women Who Change the World." This year's awards marks the 75th anniversary of NYWICI. The Matrix Awards will take place at the Waldorf-Astoria on Monday, April 19, 2004 followed by a 75th Anniversary Conference, Tuesday, April 20th – “NYWICI Salutes the Most Inspirational Women in Communications.”

Cosmopolitan and CosmoGIRL! will host NYWICI's Matrix Awards. Donna Kalajian Lagani, Senior Vice President & Publishing Director of The Cosmopolitan Group will act as luncheon co-chair.

"As we celebrate NYWICI's auspicious 75th year, we're pleased to recognize women who have helped to make enormous strides in the communications industry. This year's Matrix Awards winners have exemplified great vision, talent and professionalism in their field," said Joannie C. Danielides, NYWICI President and principal, Danielides Communications, Inc.

The 2004 Award Honorees are as follows:

Advertising:	Ann Fudge Chair and CEO Young & Rubicam
A&E:	Bernadette Peters Actress
Books:	Susan Petersen Kennedy President Penguin Group (USA)
Broadcasting:	Paula Zahn Anchor CNN-Paula Zahn Now
Magazines:	Martha Nelson Managing Editor People Magazine
Newspapers:	Alix M. Freedman Senior Editor The Wall Street Journal
Online Media:	Nell Merlino President & CEO Count Me In for Women's Economic Independence
Public Relations:	Debra Shriver VP, Chief Communications Officer The Hearst Corporation

For information regarding sponsorships, tickets, and reservations please visit www.nywici.org or call NYWICI at (212) 297-2133.

Since 1970, the Matrix Awards have been presented annually by New York Women in Communications Inc., the city's largest organization of professional women in the communications industry. Founded in 1929, New York Women in Communications, Inc. is a not-for-profit organization of more than 1,000 communications professionals. NYWICI is dedicated to promoting the highest standards and to providing education and leadership for the next generation. The membership encompasses senior executives and other experienced communicators from a wide range of enterprises, as well as young professionals and students.

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