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Evan Shapiro
Title: President, IFC and Sundance
Years in Cable: 9
Education: College Drop Out
Advice: Being YOURSELF is your greatest talent.
Sarah Barnett
Title: EVP/GM, Sundance Channel
Years in Cable: 10 (14 years prior at BBC UK)
Education: BA, Warwick University, UK
Advice: Life’s too short to drink cheap wine.
Jennifer Caserta
Title: EVP/GM, IFC
Years in Cable: 14
Education: BA, Media Studies
Advice: Do your homework.
Why Them? IFC and Sundance have been fine-tuning their respective programming for several years, and now these three creative execs are poised to really let the games begin under the new umbrella of Josh Sapan’s AMC Networks group. Original programming is alive and very well on both networks, with IFC continuing to redefine itself as the destination for alternative comedy and garnering its highest ratings in the network’s history. Additionally, last December, despite a tough economy, IFC completed its evolution from a sponsorship platform to a fully ad-supported network, though don’t expect innovative branding to disappear. Sundance is making strides in the original programming space, and this year received its first-ever Golden Globe for miniseries “Carlos.”
Year Ahead: AMC Networks just feels like home for IFC and Sundance.
Jennifer Caserta
My favorite meal that I can also prepare myself: I wouldn’t eat anything I have cooked. I’m terrible in the kitchen.
The one topping that should never be put on a hot dog: I never understood ketchup. My kids love it. Now cheese, that’s a different story.
Favorite restaurant: Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Pocantico Hills, N.Y.
Favorite “going out” town: Austin TX
The one thing I tell my kids about success in life: What I tell them now at ages 2 and 6…"Work hard in school and good things will happen." What I’ll tell them when they are old enough to "get it:" "Don’t let anyone define success for you. Success is what’s important to you."
My favorite coffee order at Starbucks: I drink decaf but I am a Dunkin’ fanatic. Best coffee. Period.
My guilty television pleasure is: I love, love, love “Jersey Shore.” I grew up in Jersey and I had big hair.
When I look at my cable set-top box, I can’t help but think that… I wish my DVR could store more hours. Like double!
What puzzles me most about Millennials is… their self-confidence.
What I admire most about Millennials is… their self-confidence.
How many companies have you worked for since graduating from college? 7 companies total; 5 are cable networks.
Evan Shapiro
The one burning question I have for Siri on my iPhone 4S: How did you get on my Blackberry?
My favorite meal that I can also prepare myself: Cheerios
The one thing I tell my kids about success in life: It’s fleeting
My favorite business and/or motivational book: “I Am Not A Gadget,” Jaron Lanier
This incident from my youth taught me an important lesson. What was the incident and the lesson? Incident: Dropping out of college. Lesson: You can’t stand out if you spend all of your time fitting in.
What I admire most about Millennials is: Their desire to make their lives matter.
If I invented my own app it would: Find clean toilets no matter where you were.
Sarah Barnett
The one topping that should never be put on a hot dog: marmite.
My best technique for deterring time-wasting office visits from co-workers: marmite.
Worst thing I’ve ever heard someone say in a meeting: "Let’s socialize that idea."
Favorite sports team: Arsenal FC
Favorite vacation spot: Tulum, Mexico ?
