90 | JUSTICE, SERVED
By | June 1, 2013
Byron Allen
Title: Founder/Chairman/CEO, Entertainment Studios
Number of Years in Cable: 7
Education: USC Film School
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Get out of your own way!
Janice Arouh
Title: President, Domestic Distribution and Marketing, Entertainment Studios Networks
Number of Years in Cable: 22
Education: BA, Communications, John Carroll University
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Give your best, your very best 24/7.
Why Them? Some people are never satisfied. Fortunately for viewers, Allen is one of those people. Already lording over a huge syndication empire that he more recently augmented with seven HD cable networks, Allen tacked on another HD net, Justice Central, to serve what he sees as an underserved niche. Working in tandem with one of his chief lieutenants, Arouh, the pair scored the channel’s first major distributor AT&T and have helped drive up distribution for Entertainment Studios’ other properties by brokering innovative deals with other MVPDs. And a passion for business isn’t the only trait they share: They also both have a soft spot for charitable fundraising.
Allen
Beatles or The Rolling Stones? Beatles
The one thing I’d do differently if I could go back to high school: Absolutely nothing.
On a Saturday afternoon, you can find me… taking my kids, all 3 of them under age 5, to birthday parties.
My peers would be surprised to learn that I… do sleep.
Appetizer or dessert? Appetizer
Film fest or music festival? Film fest
Favorite decade? 1960s
I consider this person my mentor, and here’s why: The late, great Al Masini, creator of “Entertainment Tonight” and “Star Search.” He taught me how to create and sell television shows to every television station in the country.
Favorite airport? Any airport that’s private.
The movie that should never be remade? The Godfather
Who’s on deck for the next celebrity meltdown? The same usual suspects.
If I could tell my 21-year-old self something today, it would be… Invest in Internet stocks.
The biggest lesson I learned from my kid(s) this year was… enjoy life!
Dish I can make and that would impress a celebrity chef: Chocolate chip cookies
I wish Congress would just… listen to me.
The TV show title that most resembles my life is… “Comics Unleashed with Byron Allen”
Favorite business and/or motivational book? Succeeding Against the Odds: The Autobiography of a Great American Businessman by John H. Johnson
Arouh
Apple or Samsung? Apple
Beatles or The Rolling Stones? Rolling Stones
The one thing I’d do differently if I could go back to high school: Learn to swim!
On a Saturday afternoon, you can find me… at an estate sale.
My new year’s resolution for 2014 will be… improve my golf handicap by ten strokes.
My peers would be surprised to learn that I… love to sleep!
The other subject I wish I’d picked for my college major: Pre-Law
Favorite decade? 1950s in Hollywood
Favorite airport? Clay Lacy at Van Nuys Airport
The movie that should never be remade? The Wizard of Oz
The best piece of business advice I’ve gotten this year: Do not get comfortable; keep growing.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: iPad
My favorite Cable Show memory: First day on the job at Entertainment Studios Networks, Los Angeles, NCTA 2010
Netflix or Hulu? Netflix
Celebrity, sports figure or politician I’d most want to have dinner with? Bill Clinton
Celebrity, sports figure or politician I’d most NOT want to have dinner with? Dennis Rodman
Who is on deck for the next celebrity meltdown? Justin Bieber
If I could tell my 21-year-old self something today, it would be… do not play it safe… take more risks.
The biggest lesson I learned from my kid(s) this year was… the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
I wish Congress would just… enact comprehensive tax reform.
Favorite business and/or motivational book? The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference
Favorite vacation spot? Slovenia
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: Internet-connected televisions and Dual Screen Airplay Apps—to play a game on your TV using your iOS device. ?