Scripps CEO and HGTV Founder to Speak at HU

Hampton, VA - Kenneth W. Lowe, president and chief executive officer of The E. W. Scripps Company and founder of the HGTV television network, will be the featured speaker on Jan. 31, as part of Scripps Career Days at Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications (SHSJC). Lowe will speak at 6:30 p.m. in the Robert P. Scripps Auditorium. The topic of his address will be “Journalism and Media in the Digital Age.”

The event is free and open to the public, however seating is limited. To attend, please RSVP to assistant professor Joy McDonald at (757) 727-5993 or assistant professor Rosalynne Whitaker-Heck at (757) 727-5622.

Lowe is one of the country’s most respected media executives, guiding Scripps to its status today as a diverse and fast-growing media company, with interests in cable television networks, interactive media, newspapers, broadcast television, feature syndication and character licensing. Before taking the company’s helm in 2000, he served as chairman and CEO of Scripps Networks.

Lowe is perhaps best known for founding and launching HGTV in 1994, which is now available in approximately 90 million television households. With such shows as “Curb Appeal,” “Design on a Dime,” and “House Hunters” that offer viewers ideas, inspiration and expertise help to transform their space, HGTV is currently one of the country’s top 20 cable television networks.

Lowe has been credited for building Scripps Networks, the company’s national television division, which, in addition to HGTV, includes Food Network, DIY Network, Great American Country and Fine Living.

Lowe is one of several Scripps executives and professionals who will be on HU’s campus Jan. 30-31 to meet journalism and communications students, host workshops, and discuss career opportunities as part of the Scripps Career Days. Also participating will be Judith G. Clabes, president and chief executive officer of Scripps Howard Foundation, the philanthropic arm of The E. W. Scripps Company. Also in attendance will be Alan M. Horton, chairman of the Foundation; John Lansing, president of Scripps Networks; Jennifer Weber, senior vice president for human resources; and Mark Contreras, vice president of operations for Scripps newspapers.

The Scripps Career Days will feature an examination of photographs by Melvin Grier, the award-winning photographer for The Cincinnati Post. A selection of Grier’s photographs will be exhibited at SHSJC from Jan. 30 to Feb. 1.