Joe Abruzzese
Title: President, Advertising Sales, Discovery Communications
Number of Years in Cable: 10
Education: Seton Hall University
Best Advice in (almost) 7 Words or Less: You have two ears and one mouth, and those should be the proportions of listening and speaking.

Why Him? It’s perhaps ironic that one of the biggest advertising draws in Discovery’s programming arsenal is Shark Week. Poised and personable, Abruzzese is about as far from a shark as you can get. Highly regarded for his institutional knowledge and insights, and beloved for his magnanimous (and stylish) approach, he led his team to another stellar year for ad sales across the company’s U.S. networks in 2012—generating a record $1.46 billion, almost 10% than in 2011. The coming season brings more fodder for advertisers to feast on, including Discovery’s first original content, the Ridley Scott-directed miniseries “Klondike.” True to form, rather than hush attendees at Discovery’s recent Upfront, Abruzzese encouraged them to participate in the company’s orchestrated two-screen experience. If they happened to spill some of their reactions into the social media stream, so much the better. Word of mouth, he knows, is the best selling tool of all.

Beatles or The Rolling Stones? The Rolling Stones

On a Saturday afternoon, you can find me… playing golf or riding my bike.

This is the hobby I’ve been itching to try, but haven’t found time: Restoring old corvettes.

My peers would be surprised to learn that I… love to paint.

Appetizer or dessert? Appetizer

Film fest or music festival? Film

Favorite decade? The ’60s

I consider this person my mentor, and here’s why: Peter Lund because he is the purest decision maker.

The movie that should never be remade? The Godfather

I watch the majority of programming on this device: My big screen TV

Celebrity, sports figure or politician I’d most want to have dinner with? Mel Brooks

Dish I can make and that would impress a celebrity chef: Gazpacho

Favorite vacation spot? Capri, Italy ?

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