SVP, Corporate Communications Scripps Networks Interactive

A former reporter for USA Today, McConkey’s job is to get Scripps’ message across, whether to reporters or in Washington, D.C., where she recently met with legislators about combating childhood hunger. Over the past year, she realigned Scripps’ corporate social responsibility initiatives, including consulting on Food Network’s child hunger documentary “Hunger Hits Home.” Her favorite part of her job is working with her team: “If you can pull together a group that’s creative, collaborative, daring, diverse and diligent —and that also has fun together—you will succeed,” she says.

What’s been the biggest story in cable this year? 
This year it really has become clear that cable television is the dominant media, with 75 percent of viewing taking place on cable—and that number is even higher at 94 percent for viewing of lifestyle programming like what Scripps produces. That trend is likely to only get bigger with cable having so many blockbuster hits like “Walking Dead,” “Duck Dynasty,” “The Bible” and “Breaking Bad.”
 
How do you define success in the workplace?
You are only as successful as the team you build. So to me, if you can pull together a group that’s creative, collaborative, daring, diverse and diligent—and that also has fun together—you will succeed.
 
Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?

First, be clear about your priorities. Second, act on those priorities. If faith is first, then spend some time doing morning devotionals to start your day. If caring for elderly parents needs to be a priority, then make decisions that reflect that. Too often we rattle off what we say are priorities, but then behave in a completely different way.

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