Denise Denson

Title: EVP, Content Distribution and Marketing, Viacom Media Networks and BET Networks

Years in Cable: 17

Education: BA, University of Southern California

Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: There’s always a deal to be done!

Why Her? After scoring some big distribution for premium movie channel EPIX in 2010, the ever-tenacious Denson isn’t letting holdouts at Comcast, DirecTV and others hold her back. This summer she finessed deals with streaming player Roku and more than 100 other devices including Android-powered tablets, pushing the universe of authenticated subscribers.

Shore Scores: Big hair continues to equal big ratings. Snooki and company helped push MTV to six consecutive growth quarters.

Year Ahead: Ratings are up, and the MTV and BET audiences are hungry for multimedia consumption—all good news for Denson.

My favorite meal that I can also prepare myself: Fish tacosFavorite restaurant: Blue Hill at Stone Barns

Favorite coffee order at Starbucks: Grande skim latte

Favorite sports team: USC football

What I admire most about Millennials is: Their optimism, confidence, and energy—even in these tough times.

If I invented my own app it would: Blow dry my hair.

Number of companies I’ve worked for since graduating from college: 2 ?