Education: Lafayette CollegeBest advice in 7 words or less: Don’t be afraid to stretch. (You can apply that advice to just about every part of your life).
Jeff Wachtel
Title: Co-President, USA Network
Years in Cable: 13
Education: BA, Yale
Why Them? McCumber and Wachtel were elevated in March to share the title and lead the five-year No. 1 cable network, which launched a record eight original series in summer 2011. With the exception of “Law & Order: CI,” which completed a 10-season run, all were renewed: That marks the largest renewal order ever for a cable network. USA also has plenty of name brands in its kitty: “Royal Pains,” “White Collar,” “Covert Affairs,” “Burn Notice” and “Necessary Roughness,”—boasting original programming five nights a week.
Year Ahead: The edgier-than-usual-USA-fare “Suits” was renewed for a second season. An indication of a new direction in programming?
Chris McCumber
The Top 3 most played selections on my IPod: It changes every week, but right now it’s Wilco "The Whole Love," DJ Quik "The Book of David" and I just can’t get "Super Bass" from Nicki Minaj off my "recently played" list!
Favorite sports team: The New York Giants, of course
A favorite meal that I can prepare myself: A dish my wife and I had on our honeymoon called "Duck Three Ways"…. My kids just call it "Yum."
My favorite business or motivational book: "The Speed of Trust" by Stephen M.R. Covey. Trust is the key to success in everything we do.
Favorite vacation spot: Anywhere with my family.
Jeff Wachtel
Favorite meal I can also make myself: Lasagna
Personal Theme Song: “You Can’t Always Get What You Want”
This incident from my youth taught me an important lesson: My parents divorced when I was 9. It taught me that smart, good people can do crazy things.
Favorite “going out” town: London
One thing I tell my kids about success in life: Success is loving what you do and loving who you’re with. You can’t control the rest.
State of DEI: NAMIC, AIM Analyze Workforce Representation
At a time when investments in DEI efforts are being questioned, NAMIC is checking in to remind the industry of the tangible change these initiatives are making.
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