Title: President/GM, Animal Planet and President, Science & Velocity Networks
Number of Years in Cable: 16
Education: Semiotics major, Brown University
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Women live a very long time.
Deborah Myers
Title: GM/EVP, Science
Number of Years in Cable: 26
Education: BS, Telecommunications and Film Management and BA, Theater, San Diego State
Margaret Loesch
Title: President/CEO, Hub Network
Number of Years in Cable: 42 years total in broadcast, cable television and as a producer/production executive.
Education: BA, plus one year of post-graduate work
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Learn how to handle disappointment.
Amy Winter
Title: GM/EVP, TLC
Number of Years in Cable: 19
Education: BA, University of Notre Dame
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Think more about goal, less about risk.
Why Them? Under the purview of these leading ladies, Discovery is growing its key brands by leaps and bounds. With Kaplan at the helm, Animal Planet achieved its best-ever Q1 this year among major demos in primetime, on the heels of a stellar 2012 propelled by fan-favorites “River Monsters,” and “Whale Wars.” Kaplan also oversaw the network’s first-ever Monster Week promo, which scared up big ratings. Myers is raising Science’s profile across screens—even taking the plunge into scripted this year. And Morgan Freeman’s “Through the Wormhole?” Genius! Loesch’s family-centric approach to programming has ignited significant growth in distribution and ratings for Hub Network, with April marking its 16th consecutive month of Total Day delivery gains. Look for the joint venture between Discovery and Hasbro to continue to grow its original slate, adding series including “Spooksville” and Ashley Tisdale vehicle “Sabrina: Secrets of a Teenage Witch.” Winter is continuing to redefine pop culture, American-style, with TLC hits like “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo.” A fierce four, indeed.
Kaplan
Beatles or The Rolling Stones? The Stones, of course.
The one thing I’d do differently if I could go back to high school: Play spin the bottle.
Appetizer or dessert? Grilled cheese sandwich with tomato
I consider this person my mentor, and here’s why: My mother. A pioneer in so many ways—from her marriage to her family and her career. She’s unbelievably accomplished and also unbelievably kind and generous.
Favorite airport? No such thing.
The best piece of business advice I’ve gotten this year: Enjoy it while it lasts.
Celebrity, sports figure or politician I’d most want to have dinner with? Aung San Suu Kyi
Loesch
Beatles or The Rolling Stones? The Rolling Stones, for sure.
This is the hobby I’ve been itching to try, but haven’t found time: Re-learn piano and guitar.
My peers would be surprised to learn that I… am a real worrier!
I wish Congress would just… do what’s right for the country, not what they think will get them reelected. Our forefathers intended citizens to flow in and out of our representative government.
Favorite business and/or motivational book?In Search of Excellence by Thomas J. Peters and Robert H. Waterman had a profound impact on my leadership style.
Winter
Apple or Samsung? Apple forever.
Beatles or The Rolling Stones? If loving both is wrong, I don’t want to be right.
The one thing I’d do differently if I could go back to high school: Use less hairspray.
On a Saturday afternoon, you can find me… Cracking a Red Bull with my husband as we take on 3 little kids.
My peers would be surprised to learn that I… Am addicted to Sugar Crush (level 125, baby)
My new year’s resolution for 2014 will be… To stop playing Sugar Crush.
Appetizer or dessert? Neither… no time for courses.
I consider this person my mentor, and here’s why: My mother…because she told me to ‘think about how that would make you feel if you were that person’ and it’s a tool I have used in every facet of my career.
Favorite airport? Any one that has pre-check in working order.
The movie that should never be remade?It’s a Wonderful Life
The best piece of business advice I’ve gotten this year: Stay focused on delivering the best original content.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: For cuts we are working on, iPad. To watch purely as a viewer, TV.
If I could tell my 21-year-old self something today, it would be… do NOT play softball…ever.
The biggest lesson I learned from my kid(s) this year was… there is always a new way to look at or use things.
The day we get multiplatform measurement is the day I… witness the true power of Boo Boo unleashed.
Dish I can make and that would impress a celebrity chef: Creme Brulee. ?
It’s that time of year again for The WICT Network’s Signature Luncheon, and this Friday’s fete will be a massive celebration of 20 years of the organization’s PAR initiative.
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