5. Mark Silverman
President, BTN

Years in Cable: 20

Education: BA, Economics, UCLA; MBA, U of Michigan

Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Try to learn something new every day.

Silverman is responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic vision of the conference-affiliated Big Ten Network. As the net’s first president, he was behind its impressive August 2007 launch—the network reached 30 million subscribers in its first 30 days on the air. Today it’s distributed to about 80 million households—95% of its 400 annual live events are aired in HD. Silverman came from ABC Cable Networks Group, where as GM/SVP he represented Lifetime, A&E, and History Channel. A strong work ethic has gotten him where he is today. On success, he notes, “No one gives you anything. You have to earn it.”

Mark Silverman

My favorite Restaurant: Gibsons (Chicago)

Bands I would actually see live: U2, The Who, Led Zepplin

My favorite “going out” town: New York

My favorite vacation spot: Maui

My guilty TV pleasure: “X Factor”

What I tell my kids about success in life: No one gives you anything. You have to earn it.

How many companies have you worked for since graduating from college: 3 (Disney, Broadband Sports (out of business), Big Ten Network)

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