Madhu Goel Southworth
Southworth heads up AMC Studios’ oversight of domestic and international licenses for AMC hits like “The Walking Dead,” “Fear the Walking Dead” and “Mad Men.” Attractions like Universal Studios Hollywood’s The Walking Dead and their counterparts in Orlando, Hong Kong, Germany, Spain and Italy fall under her purview, as do several “Mad Men” extensions like a special exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art and Mad Men Dining Week. Southworth says cable can support diversity by identifying talented, diverse executives early and providing them “a seat at the table.”
What’s your biggest professional accomplishment in the past 12 months?
As the lead Legal and Business Affairs executive for newly-formed AMC Studios, I began oversight of domestic and international licenses for both “The Walking Dead” and “Fear the Walking Dead,” including deals associated with the permanent “The Walking Dead” attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood and several parks in Hollywood, Orlando, Hong Kong, Germany, Spain and soon in Italy. My team also oversaw legal and business affairs work for the Emmy-nominated “Mad Men” Uncut project and in collaboration with marketing and PR on several projects related to Mad Men’s final season, including the special exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art, the unveiling of the “Mad Men” Draper bench at the Time Life Building in New York City, Mad Men Dining Week, and several special screenings including one at Lincoln Center.
Best business advice you’ve received?
Have a clear sense of your role. Often lawyers or the legal department are viewed as advising on what cannot be done from a legal perspective, but I view my role as helping “make it happen.” Approach each problem with that lens and help clients come up with creative solutions to meet their goals in a sound and safe legal way.
How can cable better support diversity?
Provide a seat at the table for more diverse senior executives. Talented diverse executives need to be identified early, groomed and nurtured to become an integral part of their company’s and industry’s future.
