9 | A FULL PLATE

Why Her? In February, NBCU turned over the entire cable network portfolio to Hammer, while promoting Lauren Zalaznick on the digital and technology side. The move made sense, given Hammer’s reputation for building networks (look at ratings powerhouse USA). She gained oversight of Bravo, Oxygen, Style, Sprout and TV One. While NBCU has a bevy of established networks, plenty have room to grow—including the soon-to-launch Esquire Network. Hammer has the TLC and forward-thinking approach to help boost distribution and ratings (see Syfy). And we aren’t the only ones to recognize her influence. In April, NY Women in Communications honored her with a Matrix Award for being among “women who change the world.” As if that wasn’t enough, she’s an accomplished photographer who has had her work displayed in several galleries along with being published in Time, the Boston Globe, L.A. Times and various Houghton-Mifflin and Little Brown books. ?