FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 31, 2026
CONTACT:
Amanda Sawney
asawney@wict.org
The WICT Network Announces Inaugural Touchstone Award Winners
AWS, NBCUniversal/Bravo and Versant recognized for innovation, audience connection and leadership shaping the future of media, entertainment, and technology
ARLINGTON, VA (August 31, 2026) – The WICT Network today announced the winners of its inaugural Touchstone Awards, recognizing organizations whose innovation, audience engagement, and leadership are helping shape the future of the media, entertainment, and technology industry.
Debuting at the 2026 Touchstones Luncheon, the awards spotlight standout work across three categories — Catalyst, Connect, and Inspire — reflecting the ideas, experiences, and leadership moving the industry forward.
The inaugural Touchstone Award winners are:
- Catalyst Award — Amazon Web Services (AWS): Recognized for AWS Elemental Inference, an AI-powered service advancing the future of video workflows. The innovation demonstrates how emerging technology can be applied to solve real industry challenges and create new possibilities for media organizations.
- Connect Award — NBCUniversal / Bravo: Recognized for BravoCon, which has transformed fan engagement by bringing Bravo’s passionate audience together with the talent, shows, and community they love. The immersive experience extends storytelling beyond the screen, creating a powerful connection between a media brand and its audience.
- Inspire Award — Versant: Recognized for the bold leadership behind the creation of a new, independent public media company built for the future. Versant has brought together iconic media brands around a new identity and growth strategy focused on innovation, entrepreneurship, and deeper audience connections.
“The strength of the nominations we received for our inaugural Touchstone Awards speaks to the extraordinary work happening across our industry,” said Tracy Pitcher, President & CEO of The WICT Network. “From an exceptional field of nominees, AWS, NBCUniversal/Bravo, and Versant stood out for three different ways of moving our industry forward — through technology that opens new possibilities, experiences that deepen connections with audiences, and leadership that guides organizations through change. We are thrilled to recognize their achievements.”
The inaugural Touchstone Awards will be presented during The WICT Network’s Touchstones Luncheon on Tuesday, October 6, held in conjunction with the 2026 Leadership Conference. The luncheon brings together leaders from across media, entertainment, and technology to celebrate achievement, connection, and the people and ideas shaping what comes next.
About The WICT Network – Empowering Women across Media, Entertainment & Technology
For nearly 50 years, The WICT Network has developed women leaders across media, entertainment, and technology. Founded to advance women in cable television, the organization has evolved alongside a rapidly changing industry into a global leadership network.
Today, The WICT Network is where companies invest in talent and where leaders come to learn, grow, and connect. Through leadership development programs, original industry research, and a network that opens doors, we help individuals and organizations navigate change and prepare for the future of work.
The WICT Network reaches more than 30,000 professionals through 24 domestic and international chapters and partnerships with many of the industry’s leading companies.
The WICT Network’s Strategic Touchstone Partners are Comcast NBCUniversal, Spectrum, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Discovery.
Learn more at wict.org and follow @WICTHQ on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
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