Press Releases WORLD COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS 2002 CANDACE JOHNSON receives LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD "WHAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE IN ANY INDUSTRY IS THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE PREPARED TO TAKE RISKS." (The WCA Judges) Luxembourg, 7th october 2002 Ms. Candace Johnson received the World Communications Lifetime Achievement Award at the recent ceremonies in London. The judges noted the following in bestowing the honour on Ms. Johnson: “A firm believer in every individual’s right to affordable, excellent communications, Candace Johnson has for the past 25 years worked tirelessly in the telecommunications arena to create fair competition and fair access for all companies, individuals and entrepreneurs. She has founded and built companies with real value to make this vision happen.” Amongst her many achievements, Ms Johnson was co-initiator of the ASTRA satellite system and SES Global, the largest satellite system in the world. She is founding president of Europe Online, the world’s first and largest internet via satellite network, and founder of Loral-Cyberstar-Teleport Europe, Europe’s first independent private trans-border satellite communications network. She is also founding president of VATM, the Association of Private Telecoms Operators in Germany, and founding President of the Global Telecom Women’s Network. Currently Ms Johnson is president of Johnson Paradigm Ventures (JPV), a principal founding shareholder in Sophia Euro Lab - Europe’s first trans-border early-stage investment company based in Sophia Antipolis. JPV is also a principal founding shareholder in Ariadne Capital, a high-tech venture capital group based in London. As well as being a minority owner and member of the board of various technology companies, Ms Johnson was also Vice president Worldwide of Iridium, and brought the company into the GSM MoU, the ITU and ETSI. Ms. Johnson has been recognised by the German and Luxembourg governments for her work in deregulating and privatising telecommunications and media across Europe. She is also only the second recipient ever of the United Nations-sponsored World Teleport Association’s „Founders Award“, and has been named in Time and Fortune Magazine as one of the 50 most powerful women in Europe. “Part of Candace’s achievement is in taking personal risk,“ said the judges. „She has also been very creative, and done many new things for the industry as a whole. What makes the difference in any industry is those people that are prepared to take risks with a new technology, with a new business method, with a new channel. It all ties with in with Candace’s philosophy: Never accept no for an answer. Never give up. Never go away even when others want you to.“ About the WORLD COMMUNICATION AWARDS This year's World Communication Awards (WCA) were the most successful in the event's three-year history. WCA 2002 attracted a record number of entries, provided a timely boost to the industry and culminated in a memorable evening for audience, nominees and winners at the gala awards dinner in London. Now in its fifth year, the WCA provides a unique platform to reward and celebrate business excellence within the global telecoms industry. This year heralds a new strategic partnership by the events organisers that will further evolve the WCA to meet the needs of the industry by extending the range of awards categories and building on the prestigious international judging panel. For more information, please contact: World Communications Awards Europe Online Investments S.A. Colette Daubian Nadine Barbero Tel. :+44(0)207 505 8672 Tel. :+352 719785 1 Tel. :+44(0)207 505 8656 Tel. :+352 719787 E-Mail: colette.daubian@emap.com E-Mail: nadine@europeonline.net Back to Press Releases Index