December 10, 2009

CableFAX: 46. He's Cookin': John Lansing

John Lansing

Title: President, Scripps Networks.
Age: 51
Education: BA, Bellarmine University
Social Media Quotient: 6

Why Him? It was a banner year for the soft-spoken Lansing even without the acquisition of 65% of Travel Channel in Nov. Food in prime jumped 32% in Q3 and cracked the Top 10 for the 1st time. Great timing for Lansing as renewal talks continued.

Traveling? Will Travel talent Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern and fearless eater Adam Richman move to Food?

The Year Ahead:

More exposure for Bourdain and Zimmern will only help. The wildcard is the new Cooking Channel, re-branded from Fine Living Network.

Favorite Restaurant: Cape Cod Room, Drake Hotel, Chicago

Last Book Read: American Lion, Andrew Jackson in the White House

When I Need to Recharge, I: Take my 6-year-old daughter, Jennifer, out for Saturday- morning pancakes, then on to the park.