Lara Spotts

Spotts defines a successful career as “one in which you feel continually challenged, engaged and stimulated.” No doubt she’s been all three this year. During the last 12 months, Spotts was not only promoted but also has been actively working to pioneer and launch Bravo’s first and second original scripted series. In total, she’s helped launch a whopping 18 original series within the past year. In the year to come, Spotts will shepherd a bigger change in Bravo’s portfolio than ever before with the launch of two new scripted series, “Girlfriend’s Guide to Divorce” and “Odd Mom Out,” as well as a pair of inventive formats and docu-series.

What’s been the biggest story in cable this year?

One of the biggest stories this year — across cable and broadcast — is the undeniable increase in a show’s rating from live or live + same day to L7.  Seeing networks like CBS move to a L7 ratings model feels like a step toward the future… but a baby step.  Fox has an interesting idea with their “30 Day Multi-Platform Total Audience” model, but in order for ad sales supported networks to stay afloat in this Hunger Games-ian environment, do we need to entertain other models?

How do you define a successful career?

To me a successful career is one in which you feel continually challenged, engaged and stimulated. A position which at once allows you to maximize your strengths and forces you to stretch beyond them.  When I was seeking my first job after college, someone gave me the incredible advice, “Never take a job for which you’re qualified” and I have lived by that… please don’t tell Frances Berwick.

Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?

I can’t wait to see how my professional peers answer this question as I have yet to find such a trick.  I’m waiting for someone to revolutionize corporate America the way Uber did urban transport.  Until then, my main strategy is, “Be where you are,” so when I’m with my family, I’m wife and mom, when I’m at work, I’m all business.