Courteney Monroe
Years in Cable: 16
Education: BA in Political Science from Williams College; MBA, The Wharton School
Best Advice in 7 words or less: From my father, right after college graduation just before I started my very first day of work at an advertising agency: “The latest to ever be to a meeting is on time.” (Ok it’s a bit more than 7 words if you count the prepositions!)
With the departure of David Lyle and Howard T. Owens in April, Nat Geo Channels tapped Chief Marketing Officer Monroe to take the full reins as CEO, adding to her considerably full plate that already included launching a fully redesigned website in 2014 and rolling out authenticated TVE app NatGeoTV. As an industry veteran who ran marketing for years at HBO before her Nat Geo gig and has managed staffs of more than 150 people, she’s more than up to the task. At Nat Geo, her creativity has already helped boost the success of big projects like “Killing Kennedy,” which became one of the most watched programs ever on Nat Geo largely because of Monroe’s marketing efforts including a recreation of a 1960s-style newsstand in New York and Washington, D.C.; reproductions of front-page articles from Nov 23, 1963; a second-screen interactive digital experience with KennedyAndOswald.com; digital news takeovers; and fan giveaways and sweepstakes. Now that she’s stepping into the CEO role, her scope of responsibilities will expand considerably. Her new job may not fulfill her childhood dream of going into broadcast journalism and anchoring “The Today Show” (there’s still time, Courtney!), but we suspect this next chapter in Monroe’s distinguished career will offer plenty of exciting challenges and keep her plenty busy. We’ll be watching!
I watch the majority of programming on this device: Big screen TV. Still nothing better.
The hobby I’ve been itching to try, but haven’t found time: Yoga. Although truthfully I don’t think I have the patience.
Favorite vacation spot: Jackson Hole, WY
Beach or mountains? See answer above.
Desert island album: Zac Brown Band “The Foundation.”
My favorite business/motivational book: The Corner Office by Adam Bryant
