December 10, 2009

CableFAX: 15. Lifetimer: Abbe Raven

Abbe Raven
Title: President/CEO, AETN
Age: Still in the demo
Education: BA, U of Buffalo; MA, Hunter College
Social Media Quotient: 9

Why Her? As of this writing the dust has yet to settle fully on how things change as a result of Lifetime’s absorption by AETN. What’s unlikely to change is Raven’s down-to-Earth management style ("she cares about her people," an AETN exec says) or her steady hand, which lets A&E’s DeBitetto and History’s Dubuc find audiences (both nets are on pace for a record ’09). This leaves Raven to expand the brand into 140 countries.

Roots: Former schoolteacher Raven had a thrilling Veteran’s Day as she joined President Obama and the First Lady for a White House breakfast with veterans and visited a school to kick off season 3 of History’s Take A Veteran to School Day push.

Restaurant: Fig & Olive

Drink: Herbal Tea

Childhood Hero: Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman doctor

Traits I Most Admire in People: Integrity and honesty.

Favorite Show Not on AETN: 24