The Second 50—2008 Most Powerful Women in Cable

Susan Adams, SVP, Engineering and Technical Operations, Comcast Cable, NorthCentral Division

As the engineering executive who oversees Comcast’s largest division and one routinely called on to test new products and technologies, Adams has a hand in every technical decision made in the MSO’s NorthCentral region. Her ability to both comprehend and communicate technical intricacies guided Comcast’s recent developments including tru2way and caller ID to the TV. Less visible but equally important is Adams’ oversight of internal tech initiatives such as the company’s integrated account-management systems for customer care. A true cable veteran, Adams remains involved in diversity issues and WICT.

Margot Bright, SVP/Treasurer, Bresnan Communications

As her colleagues can tell you, no one does more to affect Bresnan’s margins than Bright. A driving force in the company’s finance department, Bright possesses the knowledge of debt and private equity markets that our country clearly needs more of these days. Her expertise and agility has enhanced her reputation for executing complicated financial transactions in one of our most difficult credit markets in history.

Deanna Brown, President, Interactive, Scripps Networks

Talk about moving at the speed of the Internet. Since joining Scripps less than a year and a half ago, Brown has put the company’s interactive initiatives in the fast lane. She’s not only overseen major changes to Scripps Web sites including HGTV and Food, but she led the recent acquisitions of Recipezaar.com and Pickle.com, and the launches of FrontDoor.com and Ecologue.com. An active member of WICT, NAMIC and CTAM, Brown enjoys sharing her new-media knowledge as much as she does stretching Scripps’ digital footprint.

Ann Carlsen, Founder/CEO, Carlsen Resources

How do we appreciate the contributions of Ann Carlsen to the cable industry? Let us count the ways. A keen proponent of workplace innovation and a tireless champion for diversity, Carlsen demonstrates a holistic approach to executive search and strategic planning that enables her to delve beneath the resume and into the humanity of each candidate. She has a knack for looking not only at the status quo but forward to the next wave of business trends. Carlsen’s influence extends well beyond her company to NAMIC, WICT, CTAM, NCTA and various mentoring programs.

Lynne Costantini, EVP, Affiliate Sales & Marketing, Scripps Networks

Early this year the ex-Time Warner Cable vet joined Scripps, where she oversees all network contracts and development strategies for lifestyle networks including HGTV, Food Network and Fine Living. That means Costantini’s efforts affect nearly every cable and satellite subscriber in the U.S. She is also responsible for Scripps’ affiliate marketing efforts and local ad sales insertion activities with the company’s distribution partners. Costantini is a board member of WICT, a member of CTAM and a graduate of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute.

Mary Cotter, President, Central New York Division, Time Warner Cable

A 30-year veteran of the cable industry, Cotter has excelled in her leadership role overseeing Time Warner’s fifth-largest division. She recently hit a deal out of the ballpark, as she and her team successfully negotiated to launch the local Time Warner Cable Sports network, signing contracts with major networks and regional colleges and universities for cable coverage of sporting events. The industry will surely miss Cotter’s leadership and dedication to customer service when she retires at the end of this year.

Jennifer Dorian, SVP Network Strategy and Brand Development, Turner Entertainment Networks

When it comes to rising above the programming fray, Dorian knows that the importance of a well-conceived brand can’t be understated. From the rebranding of TNT under the "We Know Drama" moniker to TBS as the "Very Funny" network, Dorian has led the campaigns that have breathed new life into some of Turner’s core networks. Most recently, she oversaw the transition of Court TV to truTV, and she’s looking ahead at ways to drive growth with a new "broadcast replacement" strategy. When she’s not obsessing over Turner brands, Dorian supports WICT and the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute, among other organizations.

Mae Douglas, SVP/Chief People Officer, Cox

An executive so committed to the needs and development of Cox employees that she insisted "people" be part of her title, Douglas flourishes as a staple of the MSO’s senior management team. She’s been integral to the creation of Cox’s National Talent and Strategy program, which locates and recruits broadband executives, and the 15-member Cox Diversity Council. Douglas is a member of the board of directors for NAMIC, an adviser to the Atlanta NAMIC chapter, a member of the WICT Foundation board and a member of the Cable Positive board.

Catherine Dunleavy, EVP/CFO, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment

Dunleavy manages the portfolios of NBC Uni’s cable properties, keeping a firm watch on the company’s bottom line and an eye on the kinds of deals that would best complement its offerings. She helped push through the Oxygen acquisition and continues to manage the portfolios of both longtime NBC Uni networks like Sci Fi and Bravo and newer family members such as Chiller and Universal HD. Dunleavy’s influence extends beyond the NBC Uni universe — she works with suppliers, production companies and even industry guilds.

Dianne Earley, VP/GM, Cox Media Northern Virginia

As the head of the advertising sales division of Cox Northern Virginia, Earley recently oversaw the launch of the innovative GoScout Homes service, which marries Cox’s on-demand video product and the GoScout Web site to offer an enhanced resource for promoting and identifying local real estate opportunities. She also oversaw a reduction in employee churn from 50% in 2005 to 29% in 2006, and led the company to deliver $1 million over revenue budget in 2006. Earley is actively involved in NAMIC and John H. Johnson School of Communications at Howard University.

Ellen East, EVP/Chief Communications Officer, Time Warner Cable

Only a year into her new post at TWC, East already has moved into a leadership role at her new digs with grace. One of only eight executives who report directly to Glenn Britt, she’s taken lead roles in positioning the MSO for its Time Warner spin-off and overall competitive position, guided as always by her keen sense of strategy. As one of the industry’s most influential communicators, East is using the same chops she applied when Cox CEO Jim Robbins took on ESPN to guide communications and counsel during high-profile negotiations. Among her tremendous industry outreach, she’s a WICT vice chair and rising chair, and NCTA’s public affairs committee chair.

Kimberly Edmunds, SVP/GM, Cox Kansas

Edmunds has parlayed her experience as VP of customer care for Cox — she was responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s customer service strategies including call centers — into a customer-centric strategy in her current job. Edmunds is responsible for all operations of Cox’s Kansas systems, serving more than 305,000 customers. She is a current member of WICT and a fellow of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute.

Sahar Elhabashi, COO, Discovery Networks International

She’s got the whole world in her hands? Maybe so. Elhabashi jumped from MTV Networks to DNI only last September, but her shrewd business acumen and international sensibility already are making their mark. Her awareness of the growing importance of DNI as a significant contributor to Discovery Communications guides her day-to-day oversight of a diversified portfolio of 19 brands reaching 877 million subscribers in 170 countries. Year-over-year for the first half of 2008, Discovery’s international revenue increased by 21% and operating cash flow increased by 55%. That’s what we call global warming.

Kristine Faulkner, VP, Product Development and Management, Cox Business

Cox’s success as a pioneer in the commercial services market is largely due to Faulkner’s aggressive product leadership. The MSO leads all providers of small/midsize business data solutions in customer satisfaction, according to the J.D. Power and Associates. Faulkner’s team currently is launching the first MSO-hosted and -managed IP voice product, featuring disaster recovery, remote office and unified messaging capabilities. Outside the office, Faulkner counsels families preparing for pediatric heart surgeries.

Kathleen Finch, SVP/GM, DIY Network

Finch is a deal-maker who in 2008 successfully developed mutually beneficial relationships with key media stakeholders including NBC’s Today Show and Hearst’s Popular Mechanics and Country Living magazines. Her creativity and savvy have led DIY to secure notable talent for its programs, including Tony Siragusa and Kevin Dillon. She is a WICT and Stanford University alumni mentor, and she recently discussed workforce issues affecting women as a panelist for WICT on Capitol Hill.

Brenda Freeman, Chief Marketing Officer, Turner Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media

Veteran brands guru Freeman oversees on-air and off-channel promotions, client services, ad sales marketing, online promotions and special events for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim and Boomerang, plus all kids/young adult digital businesses across Turner’s networks. After joining Turner in January, she turned her efforts to launching a comprehensive marketing campaign to accompany new series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. She also is formulating all-new pro-social campaigns under the Get Animated umbrella. Freeman is a WICT board member and an advisory board member for the University of Maryland’s College of Engineering.

Jennifer Gaiski, SVP, Content Acquisition, Comcast Cable

Gaiski has been acquiring and selling cable programming for 14 years, and each year her peers gain more admiration for the standards by which she operates. Since being promoted in 2007 to SVP of content acquisition at Comcast, Gaiski has been in charge of the department’s multibillion dollar content acquisition budget, negotiating and administering programming contracts, coordinating field operations and overseeing management of Comcast’s partnerships with Bresnan, Midcontinent Cable and US Cable. An active member of WICT, Gaiski is a staunch advocate for the professional development of rising stars/mentees in the cable industry.

Barbara Hagen, Area VP/GM, Naples, Comcast Cable

Hagen’s move to the helm of Comcast’s Naples region this year gave her responsibility for 270,000 subscribers, approximately $350 million in revenue and more than 700 employees. She is particularly effective at deal-brokering, as nearly one-third of her area’s subscribers are part of bulk accounts that are negotiated by Hagen and her team with real estate developers throughout Southeast Florida. A graduate of the Betsy Magness program, Hagen is a member of WICT.

Barb Hedges, SVP, Consumer Marketing, Charter

It would be difficult not to notice the way Hedges has helped revolutionize Charter’s marketing operations. Her steady hand in leading the operator’s move to a centralized, data-driven analytical marketing model not only has yielded tremendous results within Charter, but also has helped propel a shift in collective thinking within the greater MSO community. The results of Hedges’ initiative to centralize Charter’s direct-response marketing efforts? Charter’s response rates for prospecting and migration has nearly doubled and its overall return on its marketing investment has doubled as well.

Marge Jackson, VP, Marketing, Comcast Cable Eastern Division

Having to square off against deep-pocketed competitor Verizon throughout much of the Eastern region means Comcast needs to be smart, creative and agile in implementing new strategies across its product lines and conveying those benefits to customers. Fortunately, Jackson is up to the task. She proved her strong strategic marketing skills for two years as VP of sales and marketing for Comcast in New Jersey before taking on responsibilities for the entire Eastern region in June.

Kathy Johnson, President, NAMIC

As the industry’s top diversity driver, Johnson displays the passion and drive to shift the paradigm as the ideology of companies benefiting from a multi-ethnic workforce is adopted within corporate culture. Under her stewardship, NAMIC’s Mentorship Program, Executive Leadership Development Program and Leadership Seminar provide companies with direct access to candidates who diversify the workforce.

Kate Juergens, EVP, Original Programming & Development, ABC Family

With brand-defining series Greek, Kyle XY and Lincoln Heights under her belt, Juergens has proven that she possesses a knack for pinpointing programming that speaks to the heart of ABC Family’s millennial audience. And 2008 has been no exception. This year Juergens developed summer smash The Secret Life of the American Teenager, whose premiere attracted more than 4 million viewers and became ABC Family’s highest-rated original series ever. She routinely meets with studios, writers, producers and directors to develop original content for the network and is responsible for stepping up the level of talent ABC Family now attracts.

Suzanne Kolb, Chief Marketing Officer, E! Entertainment and The Style Network/GM, E! Online, Comcast Entertainment Group

Kolb’s promotion this May underscored what so many industry insiders already knew: She’s a deal-making dynamo who understands the importance of partnerships in extending a brand. Kolb worked closely on E!’s deal with CanWest to ensure the successful launch of the network in Canada in 2007, and led the creation of the "Style Beauty Bus" tour. More recently, she was behind E!’s highly successful launch campaigns for shows Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood and Chelsea Lately. Kolb works closely with the company’s international division in directing brand strategies worldwide, and even co-supervises E!’s news-gathering team.

Charisse R. Lillie, VP, Community Investment, Comcast, and EVP, Comcast Foundation

Lillie does double-duty at Comcast, leading both its multimillion dollar corporate and Foundation charitable giving initiatives, and all of the company’s national community partnerships. This year, she oversaw the highly successful Comcast Cares Day, during which 50,000 employees volunteered throughout the country and $6.5 million of Foundation grants were given to community-based organizations. Additionally, Lillie has been integral in expanding Comcast’s partnerships with historically black colleges and universities and in supporting Comcast’s efforts to become the largest sponsor of Emma Bowen Foundation scholars.

Nathalie Lubensky, SVP, Affiliate Marketing, ESPN

Lubensky has quickly risen through the ranks to her current position overseeing marketing for ESPN and Disney media properties. In this role, she not only drives brand awareness and ensures all distribution deals receive strategic marketing support, she leads the company’s diversity charge by actively fostering, retaining and mentoring employees of a diverse background. Lubensky’s dedication to affiliate marketing campaigns has resulted in the sales team meeting or exceeding its distribution goals this year.

Wonya Lucas, Chief Marketing Officer, Discovery Communications

With her talent, operational experience and industry stature, Lucas is clearly making her mark in Silver Spring and around the globe. As the driving force behind Discovery’s global marketing and branding strategy, she’s responsible for strengthening the company’s brands and leveraging its assets to expand its worldwide viewer base. This year, among other endeavors, she helped launch HowStuffWorks.com’s first-ever brand campaign by leveraging Discovery assets and integrating the company’s brand and marketing efforts.

Gwen Marcus, EVP/General Counsel, Showtime Networks

Showtime CEO Matt Blank routinely turns to Marcus for legal expertise about the network’s most important deals, from affiliate agreements to programming deals. As the executive in charge of Showtime’s entire legal department, she has responsibility for the company’s transactions, litigations, intellectual property, programming standards, compliance and regulatory issues. You know, just to name a few. Outside the office, Marcus is a key policy resource for NCTA and has been recognized by Cable Positive and GMHC for her fundraising to fight HIV/AIDS.

Cyndi McClellan, EVP, Research & Programming Strategy, Comcast Entertainment Group

McClellan oversees acquisitions for E!, Style Network and G4, and has played an integral role in driving ratings across the networks with acquired series, movies and specials. And under her guidance, all three networks are on track to deliver their most-watched years ever in 2008. Building on E!’s Movies We Love franchise, McClellan recently secured rights from New Line Cinema for Sex and the City, He’s Just Not That Into You and The Women. She also led Style’s key acquisitions of The Biggest Loser, Extreme Makeover and Real Wedding Crashers.

Mary McLaughlin, Area VP, New Hampshire and Maine, Comcast Cable Northern New England Region

McLaughlin is in the challenging position of presiding over a significant number of former Adelphia properties. Additionally, Maine and New Hampshire have higher than average satellite penetration. As such, her role executing the launches, delivery and support for Comcast Digital Voice and the MSO’s triple play, VOD and numerous HD channels is not only under the microscope but contributes significantly to Comcast’s success in New England. She also oversees the area’s relationships with technical operations contractors and drives the purchasing of workforce tools for in-house technicians, like the recently deployed handheld device.

Chris Moseley, SVP, Marketing, History

Moseley has been an integral force in the rebranding of History as a network that highlights the human story — ordinary people who do extraordinary things. Working closely with national ad sales and the affiliate group, she creates marketing opportunities that break through the clutter. Her team’s efforts have resulted in network double-digit increases in all key demos. Moseley has served on the WICT Foundation Board of Trustees and in leadership capacities at CTAM, the Cable Center and Promax International. She received NCTA’s Vanguard Award and was inducted into the Promax Hall of Fame.

Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, President/CEO, WICT

Under Mosley’s watch, WICT membership has grown every year since 2004, and reached an all-time high of 7,550 members in September. As any MSO or programming executive she’s met with can attest, her negotiations with industry leaders for support of WICT initiatives grow more thoughtful and passionate each year as she continues to push the boundaries of competitive working conditions for women in cable. This former Olympic athlete has provided tools used in countless cable deals this year, and she remains active in the community on the Board of the Women’s Sports Foundation, a member of Jack & Jill of America and as a motivational speaker for corporations, civic groups and schools.

Mary Murano, EVP, Affiliate Sales, TV Networks Distribution, NBC Universal

Murano hit the ground running at NBC Uni in January when she came aboard with the Oxygen acquisition, and she’s hardly come up for air since. She played a key role in the distribution of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and is credited with managing the successful rollout of mun2 to more than 9 million subscribers, not to mention completing many key renewals with cable affiliates in 2008 for networks including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Bravo, Sci Fi, Oxygen, Telemundo, Chiller and Universal HD. Murano is a member of CTAM and WICT, and was a proud participant in the revitalization of Project Lazarus and Kent House with Cable Positive at this year’s Cable Show.

Dr. Libby Haight O’Connell, SVP, Corporate Outreach/Chief Historian, A&E Television Networks

O’Connell does not make deals in the traditional sense of the word. She creates important and lasting relationships that resonate with cable partners. Developing corporate outreach programs that benefit the cable industry, viewers, teachers, students, their community and the nation as a whole, she is a model of how positive outreach efforts can raise the profile of the cable industry. A recent case in point: Following up on History’s Take a Veteran to School Day, O’Connell championed the new Thank a Vet at Work campaign, which encourages employers to take time out of the day to thank veterans in their workplaces.

Tonia O’Connor, EVP, Distribution Sales and Marketing, Univision Communications

A consummate team player, O’Connor set about building bridges both within Univision and with the cable community immediately after joining the company in January. Her approach has yielded quick results, including development of Univision’s VOD offering within her first six months. O’Connor’s oversight of distribution sales and marketing includes negotiating carriage deals and retransmission consent agreements for the company’s networks and TV stations. She knows the Hispanic market’s current $960 billion purchasing power presents a multimillion dollar opportunity for distributors, but beyond the numbers she strives to create innovative partnerships that will deliver value to both content providers and distributors.

Beth Roberts, EVP, NBC Universal Entertainment Business Affairs, Digital and New Business Development

Roberts piloted the move of original episodes of Law & Order: Criminal Intent from NBC to USA Network in 2007, one of the first successful transitions of a hit broadcast series to cable. This year, she spearheaded the NBC Universal Digital Studio’s first original online series, Gemini Division, which debuted on NBC.com, Scifi.com, geminidivision.com and on an array of mobile, gaming and VOD platforms. Additionally, she recently negotiated a deal for Sci Fi with Trion World Network to co-develop a video game franchise.

Marva Smalls, EVP, Global Inclusion Strategy, MTVN/EVP, Public Affairs/Chief of Staff, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family

As EVP of global inclusion strategy, the affable Smalls works with the leadership of all MTV Networks brands to champion multiculturalism, inclusiveness and diversity across the company worldwide. She also leads the development of the next generation of leaders across MTVN’s worldwide brands. As chief of staff for Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group, she coordinates and directs financial resources, personnel and facilities for the New York, Los Angeles and international offices.

Amy Smith, SVP, Philadelphia Metro Region, Comcast

It takes a strong person to helm a conspicuously high-profile region for Comcast — the MSO’s hometown, in fact. Smith and her team juggle multiple tasks under the spotlight. The Philly team plays a critical role in shaping product trials and launches and driving customer service metrics like technical accuracy and market health. In addition to pushing growth in areas like phone, Internet sales and business services, Smith also oversees crucial battleground areas impacted by the telcos now operating in Philadelphia-area counties.

Stephanie Smith, President, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia

During the past year Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia celebrated its 10-year anniversary, transitioned to a complete high-definition facility, led the network’s venture into second-screen partnerships for game broadcasts and is now forging an ambitious new digital media strategy. Smith has spearheaded the development in every one of these areas, overseeing the network’s sales, marketing and news divisions business. She also remains a strong force on the Philly sports business landscape and gives back to her community through work at the local Ronald McDonald House, Police Athletic League and other organizations.

Jill Stark, VP, Charter Business

Stark has been a gale force behind Charter Business’ growth in the West and Central divisions. Unabashedly steadfast in her commitment to Charter’s strategic development, Stark is not afraid to walk away from a deal that would cost the company competitively in the long run. Thanks in part to her contributions, Charter’s commercial revenue growth in the second quarter of 2008 was up 17% year over year, and the number of commercial phone customers it serves nearly doubled year to date.

Paula Trustdorf, President, West Division, Charter

With the highly competitive markets in Dallas/Fort Worth and Southern California under her purview, Trustdorf continues to emerge as an industry force. In a year’s time, she has overseen dramatic improvements in customer growth, technical performance, employee morale, customer service and financial results across Charter’s West region. She’s intimately involved in all large deals within the region, and recently helped bring the highest Internet speeds residentially available to the Long Beach, Calif., community.

Rita Tuzon, EVP/General Counsel, Fox Networks Group

Tuzon’s segue to the role of supervising all Fox Networks’ legal and business matters was a natural step for this savvy executive who cut her teeth as a litigation partner at entertainment law firm Hill Wynne Troop and Meisinger. Her current purview comprises standards and practices pertaining to Fox Broadcasting, Fox Cable, Fox Sports and Fox Networks Engineering & Operations. She’s also the immediate past president of the board of directors of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, and also serves on the board of the National Geographic Channel.

Jacqui Vines, SVP/GM, Cox Greater Louisiana

Vines is accountable for the development, growth and profitability of a business unit with 1,200 employees, a payroll of more than $50 million and 309,000 customers. Under her leadership, the Greater Louisiana team has established a cultural platform embracing customer service, community and profitability enabling 10% year-over-year growth in basic video customers. She also has led the investment and planned investment of more than $500 million in infrastructure upgrades in the 13 parishes (counties) served by her markets. Vines is an active member of Baton Rouge Rotary, WICT and NAMIC.

Lisa Washa, VP/GM, Wisconsin KMA, Charter

Washa directs the full gamut of business activities in one of Charter’s most successful markets. One of her greatest strengths is her ability to drill beyond the high-level idea down to the process that will work for all areas. This year, she oversaw the complex consolidation of two KMAs into one area to maximize efficiencies, and managed her team through a destructive flood to restore service to customers within only a few days. Washa is involved in the Fond du Lac Chamber of Commerce, and recently was selected to WICT’s Betsy Magness program.

Sandy Wax, President/GM, PBS Kids Sprout

As head of the four-way joint venture between Comcast, HIT Entertainment, PBS and Sesame Workshop, Wax continues to raise the bar on programming in the three-way universe of linear television, online and on demand. This year Sprout launched interactive programming block The Sprout Sharing Show, which features short videos children and their families submit online. The network also launched the comprehensive pro-social initiative Sprout Smart, designed to inspire parents to connect with their preschoolers about important issues such as health, nutrition, safety and social development. This year the online and on-screen program is focusing on healthy eating.

Sandra (Sandy) Weicher, Area VP, Lake Area, Comcast Cable, Greater Chicago Region

Picking up on Comcast’s "analog reclamation" project that converted several analog channels to digital packages, Weicher led the charge to bring in 15 new high-definition channels to the Chicago area in August, including Bravo, CNBC, The Weather Channel and NBA TV. She is an advisory member of the WICT board.

Italia Commisso Weinand, SVP, Programming & Human Resources, Mediacom

Weinand has been with Mediacom since the company’s inception in 1996 and has held her current position for a decade. During that time, Mediacom has expanded to serve more than 1.5 million subscribers and 3,500-plus employees, and Weinand has risen to the challenge with deep institutional knowledge and finesse. In one of her best programming deals of late, she oversaw the MSO’s carriage pact with the Big Ten Network in the nick of time for the opening of the college football season.

Susan D. Whiting, EVP, The Nielsen Company/Chairman, Nielsen Media Research

Whiting is at the forefront of helping the cable industry measure, understand and monetize consumer behavior across multiple platforms as digital technology drives a revolutionary shift in media consumption. Under her stewardship, Nielsen this year expanded its ability to help clients make critical operating decisions. Nielsen acquired mobile measurement company Telephia, now Nielsen Mobile; purchased the remaining shares of BuzzMetrics and NetRatings (now Nielsen Online); invested in brainwave research firm NeuroFocus; and bought IAG Research.

Kim Williams, COO, NFL Network

Williams excels at taking the assets of the National Football League and maximizing them to the betterment of the NFL Network and its affiliates. NFL Fan Appreciation Day, the NFL Network Cowboys promotion and the Path to the Draft Sweepstakes are just a few recent examples of her finesse in extending the network’s presence across media platforms. Her ability to command negotiating power and collaborate with her internal team means the NFL Network continues to push boundaries.

Karen Wishart, EVP/Chief Legal Officer, TV One

Don’t be fooled by Wishart’s unassuming operating style. Her influence speaks volumes not only about her expertise in legal affairs, but in programming, business affairs and public policy, too. Her move from Scripps to TV One has come at a time when TV One is segueing into ancillary businesses, such as publishing, that extend the network’s brand and open new revenue possibilities. She has a hand in all of TV One’s business deals, but her fingerprints are especially apparent on those involving programming, talent and new business development. And given her propensity to give back to the industry, it’s no surprise Wishart last year was recognized by NAMIC and the Washington/Baltimore WICT chapter.

Linda Yaccarino, EVP/GM, Turner Entertainment Ad Sales & Marketing

Yaccarino and her team have created some of the most innovative branded opportunities in cable, providing advertisers with unique ways to reach engaged viewers everywhere they consume video. Under Yaccarino’s leadership, Turner Entertainment partook in several groundbreaking deals this year and has led the marketplace in the 2008-09 upfronts. Her team unveiled the revolutionary advertising system TVinContext at the company’s 2008 upfront, and they continue to drive high-caliber marketing partnerships around the TBS, TNT and truTV brands. She is also actively involved in WICT and Young Audiences of America, among other organizations.

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