Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, chairman of GMA Network, has been recognized as the 2024 Communicator of the Year by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Asia Pacific in the Executive Leader category. The award acknowledges his significant contributions to the field of communication and underscores his role in shaping GMA into a leading force in Philippine broadcast media.
In accepting the award, Gozon emphasized the importance of strategic and truthful communication in driving business success, highlighting its capacity to inspire and influence stakeholders.
“This award is meaningful as it recognizes the crucial role of communication in business. Communication – strategic, inclusive, and rooted in truth – is a cornerstone of a successful enterprise. Well-crafted and inspiring, it has the power to move minds and hearts,” said Gozon.
Under his leadership, GMA has grown into a multi-billion peso enterprise, leading in ratings, revenues, and industry influence. Gozon’s career, which began with notable legal achievements including a top ranking in his law class and studies at Yale University, has seen him steer GMA towards innovative programming that resonates with audiences.
Angela Javier-Cruz, GMA’s vice president for Corporate Affairs and Communications, nominated Gozon for the award, praising his open communication style that prioritizes integrity and fairness.
“Having worked closely with Atty. Gozon, I witnessed firsthand his genuine communication style,” she shared. “As a GMA Network executive, he maintains an open line with stakeholders, consistently listening and responding to their feedback, which underscores his commitment to integrity and fairness. These values have shaped GMA Network into a pillar of responsible and impartial journalism, earning trust nationwide.”
Gozon’s commitment to listening to and addressing stakeholder feedback has solidified GMA’s reputation for responsible journalism.
In an interview with IABC, Gozon gave this advice to professionals: “Always stick to the truth in communicating information and reporting news. Report the news in a strictly objective and unbiased manner, and try to be at the forefront and the leader in the ever-changing and ever-evolving communication landscape. And study the operations of your enterprise. This will enable you to craft communication that is rooted in the context of your organization.”
Gozon’s recognition marks the third consecutive win for a Filipino in the IABC Asia Pacific COTY Executive Leader category, joining esteemed past recipients including leaders from banking and government sectors. Looking ahead, GMA aims to expand its global reach while maintaining its commitment to delivering quality programming and news.
