2010 Most Powerful Women in Cable: More of the Most Powerful

JoAnn Alfano

EVP, Entertainment, Lifetime Networks

During her second full year at Lifetime, Alfano managed to reach new heights for the ad-supported network with familiar series hits, Project Runway, Army Wives, and Drop Dead Diva, as well as original movies, Pregnancy Pact and Amish Grace.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "Lifetime is a triple threat. We do scripted series, movies and reality series – all geared to women. It is a real privilege to get to program to an audience you are part of."

Favorite Gadget: "My iPad. It allows me to be more efficient so I have time to play Angry Birds, my favorite stress reliever."

Kim Armor

CFO/SVP, Business Development, VERSUS

Taking advantage of creative programming, live entertainment, and interactive tools, Armor is on track to help VERSUS reach record profitable levels in 2010.

Most Proud of: "Being part of a team that has demonstrated credibility by expanding our business investments through programming and digital offerings, ultimately leading to consistent network growth and even greater profitability."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Forward-thinking"

Janice Arouh

President, Domestic Distribution and Marketing, Entertainment Studios Networks

Always seizing a challenge, Arouh has intensely grabbed the reigns at Entertainment Studio Networks, successfully managing the suite of HD, 3D, and cross-platform programming for the independent network.

The Most Challenging Part of Her Job: "Securing fair and equitable distribution and licensing for Entertainment Studios Network, an independent network group, in an environment of conglomerate channel bundling and escalating retransmission consent fees."

Favorite Travel Destination: "Slovenia, where the Alps and the Mediterranean meet the Pannonian plains."

Jennifer Ball

SVP, Affiliate Marketing and Distribution, Univision

The personable cable veteran has positioned Univision, TeleFutura and Galavisión as formidable marketing partners, having over-delivered on her clients’ needs by offering unique opportunities to leverage Univision’s coverage of The World Cup via iTV apps and VOD initiatives.

Biggest Challenge:"Being an entrepreneur in an established organization — building processes and procedures and recruiting a diverse team to meet new challenges. With the FIFA World Cup looming, all strategies had to be quickly in place, allowing our partners to market their products to the growing Hispanic population."

Motto: "We’re in entertainment, so make it entertaining."

Susan Banks

EVP, Marketing & Creative Services, TV One

Banks blitzed 2010 with programming and campaigns that reinforced her place as a creative, effective industry leader.

The Most Enjoyable Part of Her Job: "Nailing that new, creative idea. If it is a new copy twist, or concept for a campaign, or a new approach to using the new technology available or an innovative marketing approach, I absolutely feel thrilled and energized."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Determined"

Sarah Barnett

Pres/GM, Sundance Channel

Barnett has been guiding Sundance for just more than one year with a focus on multi-platform growth and original programming.

Programming Thoughts: "Viewers are tired of reality TV that doesn’t feel quite real. Sundance Channel will offer authentic and positive shows that add value to viewers’ lives."

Char Beales

President/CEO, CTAM

Beales embraces change, and she must now with CTAM’s local chapters going away. Still, Beales’ reshaped CTAM to keep current with a shifting industry. Up next: Summit ’11, which is in NY.

Marketers’ Education: "Young marketers need to develop their skills in the art and science of marketing. Whether they end up as generalists or specialists, knowing how to develop creative strategy, what constitutes design excellence, how to skillfully analyze results and then crunch the numbers are each and all critical."

Best Business Book: "Different: Escaping the Competitive Herd by Youngme Moon"

Mary Beck

SVP, Marketing & Promotion, MLB Network

Beck is responsible for ratings and visibility at the two-year-old MLB network. In 2010, she has used original, efficient methods of marketing and promotion to foster growth for the network.

Most Proud of: "Being among the first employees to come on board and then help launch MLB Network as the most widely-distributed cable network in history."

Pet Peeve: "Poor grammar."

Lisa Berger

EVP, Entertainment Programming, E! Entertainment

With programming hits like The Girl Next Door, Chelsea Lately, and Keeping Up with the Kardashians, Berger has impressively increased viewership at E! Entertainment for the fifth year in a row.

The Secret to Attracting Women to Cable: "There is an inherent freedom that cable has to offer. This affords a safe, passionate, yet risk-taking environment that consistently results in great out-of-the-box ideas. It has been a long time since cable has been thought of as the ugly stepsister; frankly it’s always been the Cinderella."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Passionate"

Maria Brennan

President/CEO, WICT

At the helm of WICT for only one year, Brennan already has begun to reshape and re-energize the organization, putting it on track to set a new record for membership and emphasizing data points in the business case for gender diversity.

On Workplace Equality: "I believe women in the cable industry are quite simply looking for a level playing field; as much room at the top as there is in the middle or the entry level. Through tools and resources like WICT’s PAR survey, we are able to assess the current landscape where gender equity is concerned. Progress is being made, but parity has not yet been achieved."

Favorite Travel Destination: "Greece, which is no surprise to those who know me. It’s where much of my big, fat Greek family still resides. The tricky part is staying away from excessive amounts of baklava and souvlaki to ensure the clothes I packed still fit me when I return home!"

Sherry Brennan

SVP, Sales Strategy & Development, Affiliate Sales & Marketing, Fox Networks

One of Fox’s most influential distribution strategists, Brennan is responsible for securing agreements with alternative providers and creating strategies for interactive television, mobile, and online distribution activities. She also serves as the affiliate sales liaison for CCTV International — the most prominent English-language network from China.

On Equalizing Opportunities for Women in Ops: "Encourage your daughters to study math and technology and to develop confidence in speaking their minds. But I fundamentally reject the notion that there’s an absence of opportunities for women; in my experience success is based on good judgment, hard work and a balance between smarts and relationships."

Favorite Travel Destination: "China. From hiking on the Great Wall to lighting incense at a Buddhist temple in Beijing, to shopping and foot massage in Hong Kong — the scenery, the food and the people — the juxtaposition of history and modernity — it is an amazing place. Go!"

Jodi Brenner

SVP, Business and Legal Affairs, TV Networks Distribution, NBC Universal

Responsible for legal strategy and business development of the multi-billion dollar content portfolio for 16 cable networks, Brenner closed several all-in deals with national distributors and managed a variety of legal issues associated with NBCU’s distribution of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games on broadcast, cable, On Demand and online. She was lead council for the first-ever "NBC Olympics Online Connect" offering, an authenticated video experience made available to NBC Universal’s Olympic distributors and their customers.

Karen Brodkin

SVP, Business and Legal Affairs, Fox Cable

The former entertainment lawyer’s bulging portfolio includes Fox Sports Net, Fox College Sports and Big Ten Net; she also handles Fox Sports on the broadcast side.

On Being a Woman in Sports: "There are very accomplished and talented women at all levels of sports. Due to the dynamic and highly competitive nature of the sports business, men and women alike need to bring their ‘A game’ to every negotiation and new opportunity."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Passionate"

Ann Carlsen

Founder/CEO, Carlsen Resources, Inc.

For 21 years, Carlsen has grown her media and telecommunications placement company through hard work, personal integrity and long-standing dedication. Despite a slow economy, Carlsen once again stood alone as the premier cable placement firm.

The Most Challenging Part of Her Job: "Trying to help so many people out of work when there are not jobs to support their efforts. I wish I could invent a job for each and every person I work with."

Her Non-Professional Obsession: "Laughing with my kids and walking my dogs."

Jennifer Caserta

EVP/GM, IFC

Inspired by IFC’s 2010 brand strategy of ‘Always On. Slightly Off,’ Caserta helped IFC pick up Emmy noms for its Monty Python documentary. Up next year is an original series from SNL’s Fred Armisen.

Most Proud of: "The caliber of comedy programming we have featured in the past year. We received two Emmy nominations for our Monty Python docu-series. We have strengthened our connection with our male audience through originals and acquisitions like The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret, Kids in the Hall: Death Comes to Town, Arrested Development, and Freaks and Geeks.

Favorite Gadget: Her DVRs. "They provide me with the additional television hours I need to survive."

Mary Jeanne Cavanagh

EVP, Ad Sales, GMC

For her 26th year in the cable industry, Cavanagh once again used her strong sales experience and marketing skills to deliver triple-digit revenue increases at GMC — all while she reorganized the sales team, bringing some teams in-house and re-engineering other sales processes.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "Building a brand from just words on a piece of paper, overcoming obstacles and mentoring female salespeople into successful cable executives."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Tenacious"

Theresa Chillianis

GM, MSG Varsity

Chillianis oversees management, development and operation at MSG Varsity, a multi-platform network dedicated entirely to high school sports and activities in the NY-NJ-CT area. Even more impressive, she launched it with 24/7 programming, Web and interactive components and regionalized programming feeds in fewer than four months.

Could MSG Varsity Succeed Elsewhere? "MSG Varsity’s success is due in large part to our ability to make deep connections with local communities through each and every high school in our footprint. We are tapping into the passion around high school sports and activities, and these connections can be made in any region."

Biggest Guilty Pleasure: "Chocolate chip cookie dough, straight from the roll."

Denise Conroy-Galley

SVP, Marketing & Research, Outdoor Channel

In 2010, Conroy-Galley put the strength of her outdoor programming experience and the power of the Outdoor Channel behind the volunteer and conservation effort, Outdoor Channel Corps. The initiative, intended to protect public lands in the United States, is trying to enlist more than 1.5 million volunteers.

The Secret to Attracting Women to Cable: "A proven track record of paying them well, promoting them, recognizing them for a job well done, and allowing them to lead with authenticity and soul."

Favorite Gadget: "Heart rate monitor"

Jennifer Dangar

EVP, Distribution & Business Development, The Weather Channel Companies

This has been a year of transition for Dangar, who left her SVP of Domestic Distribution job at Discovery Networks in July 2010 to join The Weather Channel Companies, where she heads distribution and development for the Atlanta, GA-based iconic brand.

The Most Challenging Part of Her Job: "The escalation of rhetoric and inflexibility in negotiations due to increased pressure on the bottom line on both sides of the table. So many of these tough and complex conversations limit creativity and the ability to try and find a way to continue to grow together."

Her Non-Professional Obsession: "My 5-year-old ‘mini-me,’ Grace Margaret."

Lisa Delligatti

SVP, Affiliate Sales, GMC

A consummate dealmaker, Delligatti just seems to be taking on more and more. In her short time at the helm of affiliate sales, she added 2 million-plus households at GMC, while managing sales and distribution for The Sportsman Channel.

Biggest Challenge: "To continue to grow distribution for both GMC and Sportsman Channel, and to continue to build value among GMC’s 48mln subs."

Best Business Book Read: "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap… and Others Don’t"

Marlene Dooner

SVP, Investor Relations, Comcast Corporation

Dooner is responsible for all investor relations activity at Comcast Corp., serving both as a confidant to the executive team as well as the face of Comcast to the investor community. One feather in her cap: Comcast was named America’s most shareholder-friendly company for the fourth year in a row by Institutional Investor.

Mae Douglas

EVP/Chief People Officer, Cox Communications

Douglas’ quiet but steady leadership at Cox and in various cable associations has been a constant for years. Her creation of a National Talent and Strategy program has helped Cox locate and recruit top broadband execs.

Changing Perceptions: "The perception I would change about cable is that the industry is not customer-service oriented and that we don’t offer the latest technology in products and services."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Integrity"

Anne Droste

SVP/GM, Affiliate Sales, Showtime Networks

A leader in affilate sales, Droste guided the premium network to another solid year, improving subscribers by more than five million in the past 12 months.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "I have been in television for over 20 years and count many colleagues, employees and affiliates among my closest friends. Even after painstaking, prolonged negotiations, I have maintained strong relationships internally and externally. The most enjoyable aspect of my job is the people with whom I am privileged to work."

Top Travel Destination: "Any castle in Europe and my Michigan cottage in August (with my entire family)."

Ellen East

EVP/CCO, Time Warner Cable

The outgoing WICT chair and veteran communicator East uses her award-winning influence and experience to provide strategic guidance to the senior leadership team of the 14.4 million-subscriber operator.

The Most Challenging Part of Her Job: "Keeping up with the enormous amount of information in all forms of media today."

Non-Professional Obsession: "Word games on my iPhone."

Alina Falcón

President of News, Univision Communications

Falcón is responsible for news and sports programming across the Univision organization. In her 25 years at the Spanish-language media company, her multiple programming awards and other professional accomplishments have played a critical role in building Univision’s news reputation.

Most Proud of: "Contributing to the tremendous growth of Spanish-language media in the U.S., and to making Univision one of the top broadcasters, regardless of language. We have provided the best in entertainment, news, and information to millions of Hispanics for many years, and I look forward to continued growth in the coming years."

Favorite Travel Destination: "I enjoy going on cruises with my family and friends."

Susie Fogelson

SVP Marketing, Creative Services & Brand Strategy, Food Network

Relying on a healthy level of energy and passion, Fogelson steams toward her 10th year leading the strategic and creative services team at Food Network. In this role, she balances her activities at the Food Channel, the Cooking Channel, and judging The Next Food Network Star.

The Most Challenging Part of Her Job: "The bigger and more expansive we become as a brand, the more coordination and creativity is needed. We are at full speed 365 days a year because there are opportunities everywhere for this robust category and brand — Got to stay in mental shape."

Non-Professional Obsession: "Good wine and cuddling with my little girls in bed watching the Cooking Channel and Scooby-Doo."

Jennifer Gaiski

SVP, Content Acquisition, Comcast Cable

For 15 years, Gaiski has played a large role in Comcast’s push to improve its content acquisition strategies, helping the cable leader grow its video subscribers to more than 23 million.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "The variety. I love it. I thrive on it. A typical day might include negotiating a long-term affiliation agreement with a major network group, explaining the ins and outs of our multi-billion dollar in expense to the CFO in budget reviews, working with a new channel to help them understand what it takes to get launched, and having lunch with a mentee. The variety of my job and the people with whom I come into contact keeps me engaged and on my toes."

Favorite Travel Destination: "Ambergris Key, Belize"

Laura Galietta

SVP, Ad Sales Marketing, Scripps Networks

Industry veteran Galietta resourcefully uses her marketing and promotional expertise to develop strategic partnerships and innovative tools.

Most Proud of: "The places I have worked at and the people I have worked with. I have been very fortunate over the course of my career to work at three of the leaders in cable. At each of these places, I have had the good fortune to work with leaders who are not only the best in the business but who have led by example and inspired, mentored and encouraged me to be all that I can be."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Curious"

Stephanie Gibbons

EVP, Marketing and On-Air, FX Networks

Much like the edgy FX hits Sons of Anarchy and Justified, Gibbons handles her job dramatically and passionately, building thoughtful marketing programs for the network.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Gibbons’ Job: "Figuring out how to spread the good word, in countless diabolical, non-Amish ways, about programming I am crazy passionate for."

Favorite Gadget: "My flat iron"

Rebecca Glashow

SVP, Digital Distribution, Discovery Communications

Glashow has hit full speed as she quickly approaches the end of her second year as SVP at Discovery. During 2010, she focused on everything from 3DTV to mobile applications to online material.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "Working for a meaningful brand that resonates positively with people across the globe. And, the privilege to work alongside hundreds of passionate, creative and brilliant people, including my boss and mentor, Bill Goodwyn."

Non-Professional Obsession: "Cupcakes"

Donna Goldsmith

COO, WWE

As Forbes’ second most powerful woman in sports, Goldsmith strategically leads the global media company through the mazes of entertainment, sports and politics. As her second year as COO comes to an end, she continues to take down any and all challengers.

The Secret to Attracting Women to Cable: "WWE has had great success with attracting females to our programming since our network partners now rate all of our TV content PG. Over the years, WWE has been a program that grandparents, parents and children watch together. Now, more than ever, our compelling ‘soap-opera like’ stories, athleticism of our superstars and divas, and PG content has facilitated a great viewing experience for women and their families."

Non-Professional Obsession: "General Hospital"

Gatsby Gottsch

EVP, Finance, RFD-TV

In 2010, Gottsch grabbed her finance job at RFD-TV by the horns. First, she expanded the media company’s presence in Europe and then led the organization’s premier project, the Tournament of Roses event.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "I learn something new every day. The cable industry is in a constant state of change, and it’s a full-time job trying to keep up. However, as the industry evolves, I evolve and become a stronger person for myself and my company."

Favorite Travel Destination: "Nerja, Spain"

Kellie Grutko

VP, Marketing, Comcast Spotlight

As the most senior female in the Comcast Spotlight organization, Grutko oversees $1.5 billion in local ad sales and runs marketing and communications for more than 80 markets.

Most Proud of: "Being flexible enough to stand out despite going through multiple mergers with seven bosses in one year. I’ve found that change brings about opportunities, and I am proud that I worked myself up from a coordinator to where I am now, VP of Marketing for the largest cable ad sales organization in the country."

Pet Peeve: "When people are late."

Joan Gundlach

EVP, Distribution, Hallmark Channels

In 2010, Gundlach decided that she would apply her skills as a change agent to herself, leaving AETN after more than 20 years to join Hallmark Channels as a member of the media company’s executive team.

Most Proud of: "My two teenage sons. As a parent there is no report card or annual review to let you know how you are doing. You get some sense for it from teachers, school counselors, other parents, grandparents, friends, etc. but it’s a tough job. My kids are well rounded, happy (ok, they have their moments when I will not let them do something) and "color blind" in terms of friends. I am very proud of them."

Favorite Gadget: "DVR"

Carol Hevey

EVP, Ops, Carolina Region, Time Warner Cable

One of the most dynamic leaders in cable, the MSO’s re-org will have Hevey overseeing roughly half of its ops, serving 6mln subs with 16K employees.

Changing Perceptions: "People believe we’re a low-tech industry, when the truth is that we are the innovators who started the communications revolution that’s changed the way people get information, communicate with one another, even the way people date! And our video innovations have truly given people the freedom to watch TV whenever and however they want. We need to do a better job of convincing consumers that if they want the latest and greatest in technology, we’re the place to get it."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Adventurous"

Dale Hopkins

EVP/CMO, Game Show Network

Straight-shooting, creative and innovative, the popular industry veteran leads marketing and sales at Game Show after working at Comcast for most of her career. She joined GSN in 2009.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "Direct deposit and the IT Department."

Top Travel Destination: "Farmville"

Tana Nugent Jamieson

SVP, Drama Programming, A&E

Seizing the momentum of The Glades, A&E’s most-watched original series, Jamieson continues to mesh creative productions with unique reality shows and position the net for continued success.

The Secret to Attracting Women to Cable: "Conflicting values and complex emotions. At the risk of generalizing offensively, guys prefer Good vs. Evil, Good Guys vs. Bad Guys. Women tend to relish the nuance, the complication, the grey. Am I saying women are developmentally more evolved? Well, I only get 50 words per answer, so…"

Her Non-Professional Obsession: "60 Minutes — so good it makes you cry."

Kate Juergens

EVP, Original Programming & Development, ABC Family

Juergens is giddy with her success leading the organization developing and producing an impressive suite of original family-friendly shows for ABC Family, with new series like Pretty Little Liars boosting results at the family-friendly network.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "Seeing those few scripts that do break through every year and being given this incredible opportunity to breathe ‘life’ into them. And the fact that I get to do this every day and get paid for it."

Favorite Gadget: "My iPad — so adorable."

Jennifer Kavanagh

VP, Digital and New Media, Oxygen Media

Kavanagh has seen big success this year, including the introduction of oxygenlive.com, an online site that combines digital tools that enable interactive users to chat, post, and use Twitter during Oxygen shows.

Most Proud Accomplishment: "The exciting innovations that have come from Oxygen Digital in the last year. By maintaining a ‘startup mentality’ within a large organization, we have been able to grow the core digital business without sacrificing new, transformational ideas and executions."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Curious"

Grace Killelea

SVP, Talent, Comcast Cable

One of the most dynamic women in cable, Killelea’s influence spreads throughout the industry from her role as national facilitator of the Betsy Magness Leadership Program. She’s also one of the best moderators of panels we’ve ever seen.

On Workplace Equality: "Women comprise 46% of the US workforce; however, we aren’t represented in senior leadership roles to match this number. One measure of success would be to have more women in the C-suite. Another would be for women to have promotion rates equal to their male counterparts — we have more buying and decision power today than ever and employers should leverage these assets more frequently."

Favorite Travel Destination: "I travel more than 90K miles a year on business — so one of my favorite travel destinations is back home to center city Philadelphia."

Michelle Kim

GVP/Chief Counsel, Time Warner Cable

As the head legal eagle, Kim leads negotiations related to carrier, distribution, and programming agreements and arrangements. No easy task.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "My colleagues on the programming team. We belly laugh with each other in the most adverse of circumstances — literally, make each other roll on the floor laughing. It would be impossible to sustain the level of work we do without the respect we share for each other and the pervasive good humor."

Favorite Travel Destination: "Burgundy, France"

Suzanne Kolb

President, Marketing, News and Online, E! and Style

Kolb and E! are having a banner year, with the Kardashians and Chelsea Handler on the slate.

On Technology: "It’s the greatest opportunity. Specifically, the ever-evolving opportunities new technologies provide to connect consumers with media brands in unprecedented ways."

Ellen Kroner

EVP, Communications, Rainbow Media

Kroner juggles many tasks but after 12 years has successfully built an impressive communications strategy that best represents Rainbow’s diverse selection of network and programming brands.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "The process of working with my talented team to arrive at a consensus on communications strategies. Working through challenges and solutions with this diverse group of top-notch communicators is intellectually stimulating and highly rewarding."

Her Non-Professional Obsession: "I am the proud ‘foster parent’ of two orphaned baby elephants, Sabachi and Kilguni."

Leah LaPlaca

VP, Programming & Acquisitions, ESPN

LaPlaca, who already oversaw the NFL and professional golf for ESPN, took the reins of the NBA and poker coverage in 2010. For ESPN, this decision was a good bet considering the strong track record LaPlaca has built handling programming buys at the worldwide leader in sports.

The Most Enjoyable Aspect of Her Job: "Having to ‘be a sports fan’ as part of my job description and working with passionate, smart, forward-thinking colleagues and partners to find ways to better serve our fellow fans."

Favorite Travel Destination: "Positano, Italy"

Julie Laulis

COO, Cable ONE

Laulis oversees all operating divisions and call centers for the 720,000-subscriber Cable One. She utilizes her 25 years of experience to efficiently manage the balancing act of raising revenue, cutting costs, and avoiding employee layoffs.

The Most Challenging Part of Her Job: "Being a change agent. It can be uncomfortable to ask or nudge people out of their comfort zone for their own growth and the company’s success. Ultimately, it is something I like. I have been drawn to that role several times in my career."

Her Non-Professional Obsession: "Triathlon. I love the challenge of competing in an event that is three sports."

Beth Lawrence

EVP, Ad Sales & Media Solutions, The Weather Channel Companies

Relying on her sales and marketing experience with online leaders Yahoo! and AOL Time Warner, Lawrence joined The Weather Channel at the start of 2010.

Most Proud of: "Balancing a pretty high-energy work responsibility with a hectic family life in Manhattan that includes a husband, twin teenage sons and a dog we picked up from Central Park. The twins are my finest accomplishment."

Favorite Gadget: "Battery Operated Chromatic Tuner"

Lori LeBas

SVP, Strategy & Business Operations, ESPN

LeBas manages the strategy and business operations for ESPN’s sales and marketing organization and also leads ESPN’s ticketing operations, as well as rollouts of tools and processes related to ESPN platforms.

The Secret to Attracting Women to Cable: "Highlighting the wide range of career possibilities within the cable industry. Every possible career interest can be met within the cable industry today. And the opportunities to work on interesting, complex, and challenging projects are endless."

Non-Professional Obsession: "Yoga"

Sharon Levy

EVP, Original Series and Animation, Spike TV

Levy’s known for her instinct about the young male demo. Her major effort involves expanding Spike’s roster of originals.

Most Proud of: "Working with my development team to build the profile and ratings of Spike’s originals and turning them into successful franchises. These include 1000 Ways to Die and Deadliest Warrior, which have spawned not only a hit cable series but a successful video game and a soon-to-be theatrical film spearheaded by renowned director Shawn Levy."

Top Travel Destination: "Australia"

Charisse R. Lillie

VP, Community Investment, Comcast/EVP, Comcast Foundation

Lillie this year spearheaded the rollout of the Comcast Digital Connectors program (in partnership with One Economy Corporation), which expands digital literacy and promotes broadband adoption among low-income communities.

Why Comcast is Involved in Charitable Giving: "Comcast’s community investment activities are a vital part of our business strategy. Brian Roberts has said that our community investment is as important as our investment in technology. When Ralph Roberts founded Comcast, he was committed to creating a culture that fostered community service and employee engagement. It is imperative that the cable industry give back to our communities."

Favorite Gadget: "BlackBerry"

Vicki Lins

CMO, Canoe Ventures

In addition to her marketing portfolio, Lins earlier this year formed Canoe’s advisory board and was appointed its Vice Chair. The board works to set the agenda and standards for advanced TV.

Most Proud of: "My 3-year-old son recently catching his first frog with his bare hands in our stream and having a big enough heart to let it go after it spent three days in our kitchen."

Her Motto: "There is no finish line."

Margaret Loesch

President/CEO, The Hub

One of most successful and well-connected programming execs in the children’s and family category, Loesch launched The Hub to 60 million homes in October.

Launch Hurdles for a Kids Net: "Breaking through the vast array of content consumed by today’s audiences; having well-written and well-crafted programming content that resonates instantly to draw kids’ attention from their current favorites; developing a marketing strategy that makes your content distinctive and available everywhere!"

Top Travel Destinations: "Idaho and both Dakotas!" (the only states she’s not visited)

Gail MacKinnon

EVP, Government Affairs, Time Warner Cable

Having built Time Warner Cable’s government relations team from scratch after the company’s ’09 spin-off from Time Warner, MacKinnon is creating an image and identity for Time Warner Cable among local, state and federal officials.

Biggest Challenge: "Trying to keep the federal government from regulating the Internet."

Top Travel Destination: "Bora Bora"

Fran Mallace

VP, Field Management, Cox Media

A winner of 12 CAB awards, Mallace has done nearly everything there is to do in ad sales at Cox, including regional and national ad sales.

Biggest Challenge: "We must ensure that we are communicating relevancy with our customers and truly understanding their needs so we can provide the best sales/marketing solutions for their business success. We also need to align our internal customers with what that means and build the infrastructure to accommodate these new business opportunities. This will allow us to be an indispensable partner."

Cindy McConkey

SVP, Corporate Communications, Scripps Networks

An innovator in media relations and employee communications, McConkey has overseen everything from employee newsletters to DIY Network media kits to community outreach initiatives that have been recognized with industry honors.

On Social Media: "It provides greater reach and more direct access to our audiences, which is a plus. It also requires an authenticity and transparency in messaging that I really appreciate. On the other hand, some aspects of social media have led to a devaluing of accurate and credible communications that can be irresponsible and frustrating."

Her Motto: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3-5

Nancy McGee

EVP, Marketing, Starz Entertainment

McGee is leveraging Starz Entertainment’s original programming success with Spartacus to extend the brand, utilizing multi-platform marketing and clever promotional partnerships.

Challenge Ahead: "Making something amazing happen in the market without spending a fortune. It requires a particular level of strategic thinking, imagination, teamwork, resourcefulness — and some luck, along with a great product, of course. When everything works, it is hugely satisfying."

Top Travel Destinations: "Italy is perfect in nearly every dimension and my weekend hideout in Breckenridge, Colorado."

Mary Meduski

EVP/CFO, Suddenlink Communications

Meduski was instrumental in raising $1.2 billion in the high-yield debt market this year, with the proceeds used to refinance short-term bank maturities, streamline Suddenlink’s capital structure and pave the way for investment in Project Imagine, a multi-year capital expenditure program to expand broadband capacity.

On Project Imagine: "It will enable us to enhance our customers’ experience by delivering more high-quality, advanced digital video, high-speed Internet and phone services."

Top Travel Destination: "Santorini"

Tricia Melton

SVP, Entertainment Marketing, TBS, TNT, Turner Classic Movies

For most, a successful series launch would constitute a good year. Not Melton, who’s developed marketing campaigns for several new series, including TNT’s Men of a Certain Age, Memphis Beat and Rizzoli & Isles.

On the Web, Social Media and Marketing: "Social marketing is a key component in our marketing, but we believe that it is integrated with our overall marketing strategy. It isn’t a separate strategy out on its own. It’s the connective tissue that shapes and amplifies our marketing. Content is our currency, and we use social marketing to let viewers personalize and continue the storytelling of our shows and brands beyond the linear experience. We believe in a continuous development of conversations and dialogue with viewers using the power of social marketing."

Her Motto: "Stop talking. Start walking." – L.M. Heroux

Laura Michalchyshyn

President/GM, Planet Green, Discovery Health and FitTV

In 2010, Michalchyshyn launched Planet Green’s Verge primetime programming block, which introduced The Fabulous Beekman Boys, Future Food and Dean of Invention. It helped Planet Green expand beyond a tip-driven eco network to a destination for broader entertainment.

Planet Green’s Biggest Challenge in ’10: "There is never only one challenge in a year, but one that stands out was leading Planet Green’s transition into becoming Nielsen rated this fall. It’s been an exciting evolution for us and our brand."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Passionate"

Robyn Miller

SVP, Marketing, Tennis Channel

Miller generated consistent, competitive ratings for Tennis Channel coverage at the four Grand Slams this year and helped increase the network’s Web traffic 20 percent in part through creative media partnerships.

Biggest Challenges Ahead: "There are two significant challenges: First, finding ways to maximize the consumer impact of an independent network’s limited marketing resources; and second, navigating our agenda within a highly fractured tennis industry while maintaining good working relationships with its many different (and sometimes competing) segments."

Top Travel Destination: "Anywhere there’s a beach and no BlackBerry service."

Chris Moseley

SVP, Marketing, History

One of cable’s most savvy execs, it took a pro of Moseley’s stature to develop the ‘History Made Every Day’ tag to re-brand the network. The re-brand was done with great finesse.

Most Proud of: "‘Making History Every Day.’ The collaborative strategizing and innovative creative work between History’s marketing, programming and research teams helped differentiate the History brand and led it into the top five in all of cable for the first time ever, breaking new records every month this year in multiple demos."

Best Business Book: "How to Advertise by Kenneth Roman and Jane Maas, with Martin Nisenholtz. Ogilvy’s mantra of using marketing to build sales overnight and brands over time is still the driving force behind marketing ROI. Add to that the principle that marketing is about creative ideas that connect with consumers where they live — the explosion of screens brings new opportunities for digital marketing to add to the mix of identifying and engaging consumers."

Debbie Myers

EVP/GM, Science Channel

Under Myers, Science Channel is enjoying its best ratings ever, thanks to a bit of star power from Morgan Freeman and others. She has also spearheaded the Science Talent School, which seeks to cultivate new voices to help a wider audience better understand science.

Most Proud of: "Looking back on this year, I am most proud of my team and the innovative programming and the level of excitement we’ve created at Science Channel. Through The Wormhole with Morgan Freeman was a hit, and we’ve grown ratings by 29% and brought in 26 new advertisers."

Favorite Gadget: "Anything Steve Jobs dreams up."

Suzanne Norman

SVP, Strategy and Business Operations, CMT

As CMT’s highest-ranking female executive, Norman orchestrated the network’s recently announced sitcom launch and a 20% increase in ratings for this year’s CMT Music Awards.

On Work-Life Balance: "It’s a challenge, but many companies, like MTV Networks, offer flexible work arrangements to help women meet their individual needs. My employer’s support, along with flexibility, technology and a personal commitment to make it work, allow me to get my job done at work and at home as a mother."

Favorite Gadget: "My new Droid"

Dr. Libby Haight O’Connell

Chief Historian/SVP, Corporate Outreach, AETN

A cable treasure, O’Connell incorporates her academic work with her role as AETN’s chief of corporate and educational outreach. We think she deserves a Pentagon citation for History’s Take A Veteran to School program, which brings veterans into schools to educate students.

Why Outreach is Important: "AETN is dedicated to great storytelling with the highest quality content. Part of that spirit of excellence is reflected in our lifelong commitment to corporate citizenship and the very best in educational outreach… [this] extend[s] AETN’s pledge of authenticity and excellence on all platforms and in all arenas… touching lives internationally, nationally and on a grass-roots level. That’s why it’s important. This is not just a simple marketing exercise. This is who we are."

Top Travel Destinations: "Every summer, I recharge my batteries in a wilderness area in Ontario. But I also love visiting cultural capitals, like Kyoto, Santa Fe, and Florence."

Lisa Choi Owens

GM, Scripps Networks Digital

One of the most articulate women in cable, Owens’ portfolio includes heavily trafficked sites like FoodNetwork.com, HGTV.com and TravelChannel.com. She also oversees social, mobile, video syndication and other emerging media.

On Recruiting Women: "The cable industry provides numerous opportunities for women, and they are succeeding at nearly every level. One way to get more women involved in the business is to recruit them right out of college at the beginning of their careers and to expand the idea of ‘cable’ to ‘media’."

Favorite Gadget: "iPad"

Casey Patterson

SVP, Event Production, Talent Development and Studio Relations, Spike TV and TV Land

Responsible for creation and execution of event programming as well as talent development for two brands within MTV Networks Entertainment Group, Patterson handles specials like The Video Game Awards to the Guys’ Choice Awards.

Her Connection to Spike’s True Dads Initiative: "True Dads speaks to the impact of father figures in the traditional and non-traditional sense. My grandfather stepped up as a father figure in my life when I was two years old after my parents divorced. That gesture, his influence and compassion helped to mold both my character and work ethic."

Her Motto: "Passion and persuasion"

Kathy Payne

VP, Programming, Cox

The incoming WICT chairperson and a long-time WICT officer, Payne’s day job involves hammering out programming contracts that influence more than 6 million Cox customers on 100-plus networks, including Fox, MTV, Comcast, Scripps, Rainbow, A&E, Lifetime and Cox’s regional and sports channels.

On Programmer-Operator Relations in ’11: “Complicated and contentious, but at the same time full of opportunity. The deals are more complicated today due to rapidly evolving technology and customer fragmentation.  Programmers and operators need to work together to face the combined effect of rapidly rising costs of video service and the fragmentation of consumer attention due to alternate ways to receive content and other media (e.g., internet, Redbox, Netflix, Facebook). If programmers and operators don’t come up with a good solution together, consumers are going to make decisions that may not be good for either of our businesses.”

On Piracy: “This issue is extremely important to Cox.  We support an authentication model–subscribers who pay to see the linear service should
be able to see that same programming online as long as we authenticate that they are a Cox subscriber to that particular service. Again, both
programmers and operators need to be creative to support the rising costs of video service.  The economy has forced our customers to be very sensitive to the value they are receiving for the money they pay for video service. Consumers want more choice and value.  The authentication model is good for the customer (more choice), the programmer (who gets additional viewing) and the operator (who more fully satisfies their customer).   And, hand in hand with authentication, is the need to limit the amount of programming that is on the internet for free as that devalues video content which is very expensive to produce and distribute.  I believe that our cable platform is the best one to deliver video programming in digital, high definition, on-demand and online, and we need to work together to maximize our businesses.”
 
One Word to Describe Herself: “Optimistic”

Maria Perez-Brown

SVP, Programming and Development, Sí TV

The driving force behind Sí TV’s programming initiatives, this year Perez-Brown launched the comedy series Latino 101, struck a deal with Endemol to bring Elle and Tito — The Married Life from the Web to TV and acquired rights to Prison Break.

What Latino Audiences Seek: "Latinos want to see their authentic selves reflected in the media they consume regardless of the platform. They also want to have an opportunity to tell their own stories, which is why it is key that we have Latino producers and writers. Overall, Latinos want quality, entertaining programming."

One Word to Describe Herself: "Passionate"

Michelle Rice

EVP, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, TV One

In her role as head of distribution, Rice led TV One past the 50 million subscriber mark earlier this year.

Most Proud of: "Aside from my kids Myles and Sydney both making the honor roll first semester, I am very proud of my team. TV One hit a major distribution milestone this year… we don’t have the negotiating leverage, large staff, and budgets of some of the larger cable network groups. However, we are holding our own because we have a quality product and a strong value proposition. The year is not over yet, so I think the best is yet to come for TV One. Stay tuned!"

Best Business Book Read: "Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap… And Others Don’t by Jim Collins"

Jennifer Robertson

SVP, Digital Media & Business Development, WE tv and Wedding Channel

A risk taker who’s always on the cutting edge of innovation in the digital arena, Robertson also spearheads strategic, brand-building initiatives like the development and launch of WE tv’s Film Academy.

Her Biggest Challenge: "Adapting a mature business model to reflect the ongoing changes of our viewers’ behaviors. We need to anticipate and provide quality content in the ever-expanding ways viewers would like to receive it. Certainly, our greatest asset as programmers is brand-defining originals across all mediums."

Best Business Book: "Positioning: The Battle for Your Mind by Al Ries and Jack Trout. This book has been around for some time, but the message is even more relevant today. With the fragmentation of media, it has become even more critical to create a distinct position for your brand in the mind of the consumer, regardless of the platform."

Diane Robina

EVP, Programming, Production and Marketing, TV Guide Network/President, FEARNet

Juggling two jobs, Robina brought Curb Your Enthusiasm to TV Guide Network (and got Curb mastermind Larry David to create original content to run exclusively on the network) while simultaneously preparing FEARNet for its linear TV launch.

Biggest Challenge Ahead: "To revitalize an iconic brand like TV Guide as we look to reposition our network as a premier programming destination for great television entertainment. We have wonderful beachfront real estate in cable with distribution in more than 80 million homes. We also have a well-recognized brand with great heritage."

Favorite Gadget: "The DVR. There is so much great television today, and although I have limited time to watch, my DVR allows me to catch all of my favorite shows each week. What’s on my Season Pass? Everything from drama series to reality — Mad Men, Boardwalk Empire, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Glee, Jersey Shore and The Real Housewives of New Jersey."

Jessica Rodriguez

SVP/GM, BBC Worldwide Latin America and U.S. Hispanic

Rodriguez has been instrumental in leading the creation, launch and operations of BBC Worldwide pre-school channel CBeebies in Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market.

How Cable Can Better Serve the Hispanic Market: "It requires an understanding that individual households can cut across multiple generations and levels of acculturation. Cable needs to be able to provide quality content that runs from niche to mainstream, from acculturated to less acculturated, and that emphasizes language and culture connections at affordable pricing points."

One Word to Describe Yourself: "Resilient"

Janet Rollé

EVP/Chief Marketing Executive, BET Networks

Rollé directs brand, marketing and creative strategy for all businesses of BET Networks, including the BET and Centric networks, BET digital networks and BET.com.

Qualities She’s Worked to Have Associated with BET: "Deep respect for the unique, powerful and diverse perspectives of all segments of our audience, passionate concern for their needs and unwavering support of their aspirations."

Best Business Book: "Bury My Heart at Conference Room B by Stan Slap. Well beyond leadership ‘skills,’ it makes the case for recognizing and valuing the humanity of managers… what could be more important in business and in life?"

D’Arcy Rudnay

SVP, Corporate Communications, Comcast

You think Rudnay, the media’s top contact at Comcast, has been busy working on the NBCU acquisition? Ya think?

On Innovation: "New-media platforms have completely changed the way we communicate about Comcast. The news cycle is now 24 hours, seven days a week, with many different channels and ways to communicate to many audiences. The rapid pace and new formats enable us to quickly reach reporters, influencers, bloggers and consumers directly in the way they want to consume information about Comcast, either in print, on TV, radio, in blogs, on YouTube, Twitter etc."

Top Travel Destinations: "Austria and Anguilla"

Ellen Schned

SVP, Distribution, Ovation TV

In just a matter of months after joining Ovation in April, Schned led the network’s distribution team to secure an additional 2.2 million subs. Her warmth, smile, generosity and savvy are known throughout cable.

Schned’s Priorities: "Subs, deals and more subs. Oh, and a life in between."

Top Travel Destination: "Anywhere warm and tropical. Now that I’m a renewed California resident, I’m Cabo and Hawaii bound."

Rebecca Schulte

SVP/GM, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic

Schulte has overseen ratings growth in her network’s live game and original programming, increased the amount of HD programming and led the launch of two successful local sports websites.

Business Advice: "Always take advantage of the resources that you have available, particularly when it comes to the people who surround you. I have been fortunate to have worked with many talented people who have provided a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience. I have benefited greatly from these people throughout my career."

Her Motto: "Work for the job you want, not the job you have."

Lisa Schwartz

EVP, Distribution, Ops and Business Dev, IFC Entertainment

Talk about a portfolio, Schwartz handles domestic and foreign distribution on everything from IFC theatricals to premium VOD, pay TV, digital, portable devices, home video and all emerging new platforms.

Priorities for IFC Films: "Continue to drive acclaimed independent films… to simultaneous box office and premium VOD success. As we grow our businesses, we’ll continue to be committed to keeping our distinctive voice across all of our brand offerings, including IFC in Theaters, IFC Midnight and Sundance Selects."

Motto: "If you’re not first, you’re last." (Inspired by Ricky Bobby of Talladega Nights)

Lisa Sherman

EVP/GM, Logo

This year, Sherman shepherded Logo into the world of Nielsen ratings, hitting all the network’s targets. She also took on the responsibility of overseeing Logo’s programming direction.

Sherman’s Priorities: "We’ve created tremendous momentum at Logo in just five years. I’m aiming for even more success in ’11 by growing our ratings and ad sales revenue beyond targets we hit this year with fierce and original programming that appeals to the ‘gaystream’ — gays and their families and friends."

Her Motto: "What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger."

Julie Simon

SVP, Advanced Services, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Fox Networks

A veteran executive who has worked on the operator and programmer side, Simon is one of Fox’s top distribution executives, overseeing day-to-day activities for HD, iTV and VOD. She’s also been a vocal force in NCTA’s Battle of the Bands challenge.

Biggest Challenge: "We’re facing increasingly blurring lines across platforms and content delivery mechanisms. My biggest challenge is how to protect our economic ecosystem, affiliate relationships, brand identity and ratings while creating opportunities for growth in a technology climate that’s evolving faster than our collective ability to monetize and measure it."

Most Recent Book: "I’m re-reading The Elegant Universe – a lay-person’s guide to string theory, general relativity and quantum mechanics. One of these days I may actually understand it!"

Susan Stone

VP, Operations, MLB Network

In 2009 alone, Stone oversaw operations for MLB Network’s launch to 50 million homes — the largest cable launch in history. She also presided over more than 2,300 live hours of MLB Network studio programming.

Biggest Challenge: "Being able to manage the day-to-day activities, plus address bigger picture and long-range planning items, including new white space regulations, and what kind of near-future participation should we have in the 3D broadcast world."

Favorite Gadget: "My Sirius Radio Sportster. I live 50 miles from my office; it keeps me sane."

Claudia Teran

SVP/Assoc Gen Counsel, Business and Legal Affairs, Fox Cable Networks

Overseeing business and legal affairs for several Fox cable divisions, Teran helped launch Fox Soccer Plus — a premium cable network offering some of the world’s premier professional soccer and rugby competitions — and played a pivotal role in the renewal of Fox Soccer Channel’s exclusive rights to England’s Barclays Premier League.

Successful Negotiations: "The secret… is really listening to the other side — to what they say (and do) as well as to what they don’t. Knowing what their priorities and goals are provides valuable guidance to structure a deal that works for both sides and gets you to your ideal goal."

Travel: "I love to go to new places outside of the country… alternating between relaxing… and… the hustle and bustle of new cities…. Exposure to and appreciation of new environments helps put perspective on your everyday life."

Pat Thompson

Managing Director, RBC Daniels

A legend in indie cable, Thompson is known for getting deals done with grace and integrity. Thompson received a Lifetime Achievement Honor from CableFAX in July.

Most Proud of: "Being the first woman in the U.S. to broker cable systems. From being told that women don’t do that job to still being here 32 years later, what a tremendous ride it’s been. That I have been able to persevere in a very male-dominated industry and triumph as ‘the Queen of small system sales’ amazes me every day."

Best Business Book: "Ted Turner: It Ain’t As Easy As It Looks, by Porter Bibb."

Kathy Timko

Chief Operating Officer, Canoe Ventures

As you can imagine, coordinating Canoe Ventures’ 6 MSO partners is a gargantuan responsibility. Timko is credited with choreographing the delicate dance that’s made great use of each partner’s strongest assets.

How ITV is Changing Cable: "Television has long been a one-way experience. With ITV, consumers now become full participants in the medium. This offers the cable industry an extraordinary opportunity to engage with consumers using new and innovative forms of advertising and programming, and be a driving force in changing the television-viewing experience. It’s an exciting time!"

Favorite Business Book: "Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. Not a business book per se, it’s a tremendous story and a great reminder that, in anything you do — business or personal — a clear purpose and an unwavering focus on reaching the goal can be the difference between success and failure."

Amy Tykeson

CEO, BendBroadband

In a whirlwind of activity, Tykeson has launched what’s considered the nation’s fastest wireless broadband service, purchased a broadcast television station and broken ground on a Tier 3 LEED-certified private data center.

How Wireless Broadband will Change Cable: "With DOCSIS standards, cable has best of breed wired infrastructure, the workhorse for video and rich applications, which supports wireless connectivity. Wireless integration is well underway in cable homes and via hotspots. Some operators, like BendBroadband, have deployed broadband over licensed spectrum for an eventual seamless experience."

Favorite Quote: "Life is a great adventure or nothing." – Helen Keller

Loretta Walker

SVP/Chief Human Resources Officer, Turner Broadcasting System

Under Walker’s leadership, the HR division has developed and successfully implemented performance management technology globally. Turner says this has pushed it to the forefront of HR systems and enabled employees and HR managers to be self-sufficient in all performance management functions.

On Attracting Top Talent: "Our ability to attract top talent to our networks begins with the strength of our globally recognized brands. People who are passionate about their careers and our industry want to be part of an organization that fosters the kind creativity and innovation at work across the Turner portfolio."

Top Travel Destination: "Cape Town"

Italia Commisso Weinand

SVP, Programming, Mediacom

With more than 3 decades in cable, Commisso Weinand is one of the most knowledgeable programming minds in the business. Prior to Mediacom, the personable exec spent 10 years with Comcast.

Cable Should: "Remember and recognize that although the ranks of people who want to eat our lunch has grown, they are still leaving the table hungry."

Alexandra ‘Sandy’ Wilson

VP, Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Cox Enterprises

The former FCC Cable Bureau Chief develops and implements public policy strategies for Cox’s broadcast, cable, broadband and wireless lines of business.

Most Proud of: "My excellent taste in employers and teammates. Working for a company and with people you really care about — and who care about you — is a sure recipe for professional fulfillment."

Top Travel Destination: "I am long overdue for a trip to Australia, where my mom and dad grew up and where I spent some of my early years. With any luck, I’ll pick up some of the charming accent I lost soon after moving here as a kid."

Karen Wishart

EVP/Chief Legal Officer, TV One

In recent months, Wishart helped craft key production deals, including one that allowed TV One to produce its first scripted series. She also is exploring potential partnerships to expand TV One’s presence in select international markets.

On Sealing the Deal: "The secret to successful negotiations is doing detailed prep work — knowing full well that regardless of how well prepared you are, a curve ball will be thrown, and you’ll have to fly by the seat of your pants to come up with creative ways to complete the deal."

Her Motto: "Management can be mandated because anyone can make you a boss. However, leadership is a choice, not on the part of those who wish to lead, but by those who choose to follow."

Kathy Zachem

VP, Regulatory and State Legislative Affairs, Comcast

Zachem is involved with every major regulatory policy debate in DC. She’s also the leading legal mind handling the regulatory component of the Comcast-NBCU deal.

Proudest Moment: "Finding the nerve to leave a 25-year career at a law firm that I helped build and that was my ‘second family’ to join Comcast and start anew at the ripe old age of 50. But it has all worked out better than I could have expected."

Favorite Hobby: "Playing poker, and, in particular, Texas Hold’em. My 80-year-old father and I can be found on select Saturday nights in local fire hall tourneys trying to play and win for a slot at the Main Event in Las Vegas."