Caralene Robinson

Robinson hasn’t wasted any time since joining VH1 a couple years ago: Her two shows—“Dating Naked” and “Mob Wives”—have already earned a handful of PROMAX/BDA nominations. As 2016 approaches, Robinson’s focused on maintaining the strength of VH1 strongholds such as “Love and Hip Hop Atlanta,” Mob Wives and “Couples Therapy” while launching new scripted vehicles, original movies and broader unscripted fare. “Projects such as ‘Empire’ and Straight Outta Compton prove that diverse storytelling is monetizable,” she says.

What’s your biggest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months?

It’s the time I’ve spent advising young professionals. I’m also proud of the opportunities I’ve created for diverse professionals.

How can cable better support diversity?

Projects such as Empire and Straight Outta Compton prove that diverse storytelling is monetizable. Therefore, it’s crucial for cable to support diversity at all levels both in front of and behind the camera. This must be reinforced at the executive level, shared with working teams, and with clear measurement and rewards.

What’s been the biggest story in cable this year?

The biggest story in cable this year is multi-platform marketing innovation. While the industry is trying to catch up and monetize non-linear platforms, it still doesn’t release marketers from the obligation to optimize across all consumption portals. We must go where our consumers live, work and play, and be contextually relevant.