November 2026 Newsletter Issue 316 
Monthly Awareness
$5,000 AWM Austin Scholarship Applications Open November 1st!
Calling all aspiring media professionals! Are you a second- or third-year college student in the Austin area pursuing a career in journalism, broadcasting, digital media, public relations, advertising, marketing, communications or a related field?
The Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) Austin is excited to announce that applications for our $5,000 scholarship open November 1, 2026!
For more than 20 years, AWM Austin has proudly invested in the next generation of media professionals, particularly young women, by helping students pursue their educational and career aspirations. We're continuing that legacy by supporting emerging talent and amplifying the diverse voices shaping the future of media.
Know a student who might qualify? Help us spread the word! Share this opportunity with students, faculty, advisors and aspiring media professionals throughout Central Texas.
Applications open November 1! Visit AWM Austin for scholarship details and eligibility requirements.
Join us for our annual Support Staff Appreciation Luncheon - a special opportunity to celebrate the people behind the scenes who keep Austin’s media and creative industries running strong. Our guest speaker, Christine Escobar, Area President of iHeartMedia will share insights, experiences, and inspiration from her own leadership journey, along with a look at the evolving media landscape and the important role support professionals play in building successful teams and careers.
Bravo! Congrats to Atmosphere TV for being our 2026 Battle of The Media Stars Champions!
Congratulations to all the teams who participated this year. Through rain, mud, and forgetting some lines, the show must go on! Thank you to our sponsors, and to Postino for coming out and supporting our teams. Check out photos from the day HERE.
Corporate Spotlight
Olivia Rodrigo Lights Up Austin City Limits
Olivia Rodrigo took to the Austin City Limits stage once again as part of our season 52 lineup. The award-winning singer-songwriter performed titles from her new album you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love live for the first time during this record-breaking taping. With a truly packed house, Rodrigo’s taping was a season highlight for many and a beautiful reminder of why Austin City Limits is so special. Stream the full episode for free now and watch other instant classic performances on the Austin City Limits YouTube channel or the PBS App.
In Memoriam
Jim Phillips, longtime Austin reporter, editor and mentor, died in October after battling pneumonia and a MRSA infection. He was 74.
"Jim was one of the very best of our kind," said Courtney Sebesta, editor in chief of the Austin American-Statesman. "He mentored countless young journalists at the Statesman. You could always find him hanging with the early-career journalists at a dive bar after work. He loved hearing about everyone's journalism adventures. He was no nonsense, but so loving and really cared about you as a person. He was a great editor but an even better friend."
Remembering Jimmy Carter: Beloved Entertainment Reporter and Broadcasting Veteran Dies at 73.
Jimmy Carter launched his broadcasting journey in 1968 at just 15 years old, later helping establish Auburn University's campus radio station, WEGL-FM, before building a prolific career that bridged Nashville entertainment journalism and the airwaves. For nearly 34 years starting in 1992, Carter became a cherished staple of Central Texas morning radio, delivering insider news, humor, and personal stories to Austin listeners. His long-running presence in the market began featuring Bob Cole and Sammy Allred on KVET's Sammy and Bob show, carried on through the revival of KOKE-FM with daily segments alongside Cole and Eric Raines, and ultimately continued on Audacy Austin's 95.9 FM Texas Country, cementing his legacy as a trusted morning companion and fixture of the local broadcasting community.
Events
SAVE THE DATE! Our Annual Holiday Auction is coming up!
Let AWM Austin help you with your holiday shopping, all while donating to a great cause. All net proceeds benefit the AWM Austin Scholarship Fund. Items will be announced later this month, and the official bidding starts on November 27th.
IMPORTANT AWM AUSTIN DATES:
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11/11 @ 11:30 a.m. - November Luncheon (Support staff get in free!)
- 11/27 - 12/7 - Holiday Auction: Fund the Future
- NOW - 3/1 - Scholarship application is open!
THANK YOU!
Austin Alliance for Women in Media would like to thank all of our Corporate Members!
If your business is interested in a partnership with AWM Austin, visit our Corporate Membership page and reach out with any questions.
