CableFAX: 60. The Negotiator: Lynne Costantini
Lynne Costantini
Title: EVP, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Scripps Networks
Age: 18-54 demo
Education: BA, Econ, Manhattanville College; JD, NY Law
Social Media Quotient: 8
Why Her? Since leaving Time Warner Cable to join Scripps in early ’08, Costantini ( pictured left with Giada de Laurentis) has become an increasingly important player in Knoxville. She’s charged with perhaps the most important task companywide — renegotiating license renewals that could considerably fatten Scripps coffers. But first she must convince operators that Scripps’ record ratings justify the hikes. Never an easy sell, but even tougher in this economy.
Year Ahead: 
As a protégé of the late, great Fred Dressler, we’re betting Costantini has the skill to succeed despite MSOs’ initial reluctance to pay more.
Prediction for Cable in ’10: Cable faces two big hurdles. One is gaining industry consensus regarding viewer/sub analytics. Two is developing standardized processes to manage multiplatform content. Any screen, any time is here. Now how do we manage it?
Last Books Read: How the Mighty Fall by Jim Collins (business) keeps you humble. World Without End by Ken Follett (pleasure). I love historical fiction with strong female characters.
Childhood Hero: My grandmothers, both had incredibly difficult lives but forged a positive path for their children and grandchildren within a loving, non-judgmental environment.
Best Business Advice: Make Friends before you need them; and leaders never have a bad day.
