David Zagin

Title: VP, Distribution, A&E Networks

Years in Cable: 24

Education: BS, Syracuse University

Best Advice: Would you make that decision if it were your own company?

Why Him? Overseeing affiliate sales revenue and distribution for AETN’s 12 North American cable networks, Zagin’s Day Planner is bursting at the seams. And the golf aficionado scored three holes in one this year. He upped his game at the network with distribution growth to nearly 100 million households for A&E, History and Lifetime. His commitment to hi-def programming propelled A&E HD to 70 million subscribers, and he oversaw rapid expansion of A&E Networks’ 3D offerings. Hats off!

Up All Night: For Memorial Day 2012, A&E will air “Coma,” a scripted two-night medical thriller from exec producers Ridley and Tony Scott, the team behind the network’s Emmy-nominated “The Andromeda Strain” and “The Good Wife.” The spookfest is a modern-day retelling of Robin Cook’s best-selling novel and Michael Crichton film.

Year Ahead: Zagin has plenty to work with in 2012, as AETN develops 40-plus original series concepts, including projects from name-brand producers Ryan Seacrest, Ryan Murphy, Mark Burnett and Michael Davies.

Favorite meal I can also prepare myself: Anything I can throw on the grill

Biggest cable innovation over the last year: Television on the iPad, because my daughter can now watch her favorite shows in her room.

Restaurant: Elio’s on NYC’s Upper East Side

One thing I tell my kids about success in life: If you want to play hard, you need to work (study) hard.

Sports team: Syracuse University Basketball. I was there when they won the national championship in 2003.

Favorite “going out” town: NYC. Nothing better!

What puzzles me most about Millennials: They abbrev evry wd when they write. ?

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