12.03.2007 - 09:00am ET

(CSRwire) December 3, 2007 – Fred Cohen, the Chairman of PCI-Media Impact, a global not-for-profit producer of innovative TV and radio shows featured in over 25 countries, today announced that Louise Kantrow, Noble Kumawu and James Makawa have joined its Board of Directors. The appointees bring a vast network of international media, government and private sector expertise to PCI-Media Impact as it prepares to launch more than twenty exciting new shows in the coming year.

Dr. Louise Kantrow, formerly Executive Director of the International League for Human Rights - one of the nation's oldest human rights organizations with over 30 international affiliates - possesses a distinguished career working for the United Nations, the United States Agency for International Development, the Population Council and the United Nations Association of the USA (UNA-USA). Dr. Kantrow has traveled and worked extensively in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and is a renowned author and contributor to numerous United Nations publications. She represented the United Nations Department of Political Affairs on several occasions, coordinating presidential and legislative elections in Niger and Burundi, and was also a Senior Economist in the Policy Development Division of USAID.

"As a demographer and someone who has worked on population issues for the past 25 years, I'm keenly aware of PCI-Media Impact's work," said Dr. Kantrow. "I'm always impressed by how they distill complex social messages into each one of their programs. Now, with the UN Millennium Development goals as a core communications goal, I'm excited to think of news ways the organization can use media to end the scourge of global poverty and promote positive social behavior."

New PCI-Media Impact board members Noble Kumawu and James Makawa reflect the truly global character of the organization and its programmatic and leadership goals.

Mr. Kumawu is Chief Executive and Director of International Operations at OCIC (Organisation Capacity Improvement Consultants) International, a consultancy that helps organizations perform more effectively in their complex and rapidly changing environments. Mr. Kumawu is a trained psychologist with specialization in Organization Development (OD) as a consultant and has provided consultancy services to clients from non-profits, broadcasters and government ministries. Since 1990 he has successfully developed and facilitated organizational and team effectiveness assessment, management and leadership development, strategic planning, dynamics teambuilding and training programs for organizations like Action Aid, CARE International, Save the Children, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, USAID and the World Bank. Mr. Kumawu currently divides his time between offices in Africa and Europe.

"What appealed to me most about the opportunity to work with PCI-Media Impact was the potential to bring together different levels of society," said Mr. Kumawu. "PCI-Media Impact has shown it can create lasting social change - in my country and in other parts of the world. Creating real and sustained social change means having a diverse team in place with the vision and potential to forge critical partnerships and create lasting networks."

James Makawa is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Africa Channel, a showcase for the African continent's most outstanding English language television series, including TV documentaries, feature films, music, event specials, biographies, serial dramas and business analysis. The Africa Channel reflects Africa's incredible story, the continent's history, music, art and tradition, and offers a window daily into modern African life. Previously Mr. Makawa enjoyed a successful television career in the United States, reporting for leading local news stations before joining NBC News as a correspondent based in New York and Chicago.

"It's an exciting time to be involved in African media and my role with PCI-Media Impact will link African broadcasters and broadcasters in the United States with community health initiatives around the world," said Mr. Makawa. "I view this role as an extension of my work and an opportunity to promote real change in attitudes and behaviors in the places that need social messaging the most."

In 2000 Mr. Makawa co-founded the African Broadcast Network (ABN), a pan African network of television stations with affiliates in 18 countries throughout sub-Saharan Africa. As ABN's executive vice president for program acquisition and distribution, Mr. Makawa acquired programming from NBC, CBS, MGM, Columbia Tri-Star, Endemol and Paramount.

"These are exceptional additions to our Board of Directors," said PCI-Media Impact Board Chair, Fred Cohen. "Given the ambitious strategic plan we've put in place in the last year and the complex decisions we face as an international organization, I'm honored that PCI-Media Impact has brought together such a dedicated and talented team of Directors to meet these challenges."

About PCI-Media Impact

Since 1985, PCI-Media Impact's programs have addressed the root causes of poverty and have encouraged people to make choices that lead to better health and sustainable development. Working with local partners worldwide, PCI-Media Impact produces carefully researched and culturally sensitive radio and television dramas that combine the power of storytelling with the reach of broadcast media. For more information, please visit PCI-Media Impact's website at www.pci-mediaimpact.org

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