CableFAX: 67. Margin Man: Mark Hollinger

Mark Hollinger

Title: COO, Discovery Comm
Age: 50
Education: BA, Colgate; JD, Yale
Social Media Quotient: 2

Why Him? The limelight doesn’t shine on Hollinger as brightly as for some other execs, but he’s been critical in strengthening Discovery’s operational prowess. Evidence: Under Hollinger’s leadership, Discovery’s profit margin went from 28% in ’07 to 38% in ’08. And while he and David Zaslav have made tough decisions regarding departments and personnel, no one can dispute Discovery’s resilience in this horrible economy. Its stock has just about doubled over the last year while the rest of Wall St melted down. Not bad.

Worth Watching: Hollinger has a knack for finding synergies across the company’s global operations. But can he handle Oprah?

The Year Ahead:

Hollinger already has shaved a lot of Discovery’s fat. His ability to find new operational efficiencies will be tested in ’10.

Favorite Food: Barbecue

Favorite Restaurant: The Varsity in Atlanta

When I Need to Recharge, I: Hang out with my sons.

Favorite iPhone/Blackberry App: Live Major League Baseball games.

Twitter is: A great example of just how narcissistic America is.

Trait I Most Admire in People: Balance

Childhood Hero: Hank Aaron

I Wish My Kids Would: Stop fast forwarding through commercials

Favorite TV Show not on Discovery: Dexter

Favorite Part of My Job: Watching faces light up whenever I tell people I work at Discovery.