Coleman Breland, Lenny Daniels & Donna Speciale
Coleman Breland
Title: President, Turner Network Sales
Years in Cable: 20
Education: BA, English, Pfeiffer College; MA, Journalism, Radio, Television and Film, University of Georgia; graduate studies Edinburgh University in Scotland.
Best Advice: Marry way over your head.
Lenny Daniels
Title: EVP/COO of Turner Sports
Years in Cable: 22
Education: Attended FIU
Best advice in seven words or less: Build a team or succeed less.
Donna Speciale
Title: President, Turner Entertainment and Young Adults Ad Sales
Years in Cable: 20+
Financing Turner’s epic programming slate and media creations is no small feat. Yet these three sales heroes join forces to accomplish this herculean task year after year. Together they sell, deal, partner and innovate their way to creating new methods of content monetization that please both advertisers and their respective audiences. Manning the bridge is Breland, who this year called upon his well-honed negotiation skills to land several key long-term multiplatform affiliate agreements, putting Turner into more homes. Speciale found similar success crafting an integration deal with Starcom that promises heightened organic brand integration across multiple channels. Rounding out the list is Daniels, whose investment in Bleacher Report paid off big when it achieved tremendous growth in key research metrics and advertising categories.
Breland
I watch the majority of programming on this device: Still TV since kids abscond with the tablets.
TV show I’d most like to have a cameo in: “Walking Dead” (come on, it’s filmed in GA)
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: Whatever brings younger demos into the fold
Desert island album: R.E.M., Murmur
Favorite TV show as a kid? “Mod Squad”
Daniels
My favorite newfound hobby: Junior drag racing
One thing I would do all the time if I could: Spend time on the water somewhere
Favorite vacation spot: Hawaii
Beach or mountains? Beach, without question
Desert island album: Boston, Don’t Look Back
Dish I can make and that would impress a celebrity chef: Baby back ribs
Speciale
John, Paul, George or Ringo? Paul
Twitter or Instagram? Instagram, now that my daughter has allowed me to join.
My favorite newfound hobby Soul Cycle
Oscars or Grammys? Grammys
Favorite Restaurant: Too many fantastic choices in N.Y. to choose
Favorite vacation spot: Anguilla
Beach or mountains? Beach
Favorite TV show as a kid: “Happy Days”
Dish I can make and that would impress a celebrity chef: Stuffed artichokes
