50. Debbie Adler Myers
By | November 1, 2013
GM/EVP, Science Channel
Discovery Communications
Myers, who oversees the network’s programming, marketing and communications, has tongues wagging over Science Channel’s first scripted feature, “The Challenger Disaster,” starring William Hurt, Brian Dennehy and Bruce Greenwood. Myers regularly reads viewer mail to understand what viewers want. And sometimes she even writes back. “There’s nothing better than making a show that we’re really proud of and then hearing back from one of our hardcore fans that they loved it too,” she says.
What’s your favorite part of your job?
It sounds trite, but it’s working with my team. I am incredibly fortunate to work with an incredible group of professionals at Science Channel who are as passionate as they are brilliant. It makes it even easier to love my job.
What’s been the biggest story in cable this year?
The biggest story for me has been the power of AMC with “The Walking Dead” and “Breaking Bad.” When a cable network flexes their muscles like that, it raises the bar for all of us.
How do you define success in the workplace?
I read the viewer mail every week for Science Channel and often take the time to write back. There’s nothing better than making a show that we’re really proud of and then hearing back from one of our hardcore fans that they loved it too.
Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?
At Science Channel, we just let one bleed into the other. We always have kids running around our offices. And at events like Comic-Con or Punkin Chunkin, we encourage staff to bring their spouses and families. I think it’s enormously important for them to feel like they are part of the network, too.
Who would you want to swap jobs with for a month and why?
The first name that popped into my head was Sheila Nevins, because I think everything she does at HBO is brilliant… but then I realized that it might be fun to switch with David Zaslav for a month.
