Mindy Grossman, Judy A. Schmeling, Bill Brand, Jennifer Cotter & Peter Ruben
Mindy Grossman
Title: CEO, HSN, Inc.
Years in Cable: 10
Education: Manhattanville College; George Washington University
One Word that Best Describes Me: Passionate
Judy A. Schmeling
Title: COO & CFO, HSN, Inc.
Years in Cable: 21
Education: BS, Accounting, Florida State University, 1982
One Word that Best Describes Me: Intuitive
Bill Brand
Title: President, HSN; CMO, HSN, Inc.
Years in Cable: 20
Education: Ohio University, School of Media Arts and Studies
One Word that Best Describes Me: Passionate
Jennifer Cotter
Title: EVP, Television and Content, HSN
Years in Cable: 20+
Education: BA, Seton Hall University
Peter Ruben
Title: EVP, Affiliate Relations, HSN
Education: MBA, UCLA Anderson School of Business
One word that best describes me: Integrity
Each member of the HSN exec team brings a unique role to the company’s success. Cotter is charged with ensuring viewers are always engaged, making HSN a content-driven retailing leader. Ruben oversees TV distribution efforts and has been instrumental in launching HSN Shop by Remote. Brand, who encourages employee charitable service, continues to focus on personalizing the customer experience and is focusing on the lifecycle marketing program and community blogs to increase user and customer engagement. Schmeling is a hands-on manager involved with an impressive command of the company’s operations, and Grossman’s leadership has driven HSN to experience continued growth for years, despite a down economy and challenging retail environment.
Mindy Grossman
Favorite charity event you work with: The U.S. Fund for UNICEF. I have made two trips into the field to Senegal and Guatemala. They were life-changing.
Star Trek celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… “Have courage and be kind.”
What was the last costume that you wore and why? Wonder Woman! In honor of my daughter’s 26th superhero-themed birthday party!
My cable industry mentor and why: Barry Diller. He personifies the essence of how risk-taking and boldness is the essence of transformation.
My favorite newfound hobby: Peleton Cycle classes!
My typical breakfast: My Starbuck’s
Judy Schmeling
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging? Bright!
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “Anger Management”
My first job: Burger Chef Hostess
Best way to spend a Saturday night: Dinner and wine, either at home or out!
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Driverless car—think how much I can get done!
My favorite newfound hobby: Pure Barre and Paddleboarding
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: Shop by Remote
Favorite vacation spot: Saint George Island, FL
My typical breakfast: A protein shake
My Starbucks order: Venti coffee (boring, I know!)
Bill Brand
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “The Bachelor”
Favorite charity event you work with: Habitat for Humanity International
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… “It’s Fun Here!”
My favorite hashtag is: #CommunityOfCourage
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Drone
Favorite vacation spot: St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands
My Starbucks order: Venti Awake Tea with 2 inches of low-fat milk
Jennifer Cotter
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “Billions,” Showtime; “Girls,” HBO; “Love,” Netflix
My first job: Audience coordinator at “The Late Show with David Letterman.”
Favorite charity event you work with: Through HSN Cares, we have the great fortune of working with amazing charities from UNICEF, Habitat for Humanity and St. Jude.
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… “Stay organized, positive and laugh when it’s appropriate.”
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… “The Apprentice.”
Best way to spend a Saturday night: Enjoying time with my husband, my sons and our dogs.
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Driverless car! I can’t wait to use my commute time more wisely and have more time to focus on my family when I get home.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: TV
My personal theme song is: Anything Beyonce.
My Starbucks order: Venti iced coffee, nonfat milk, no sweetener and an extra shot of espresso.
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: Personalization is the future. Consumers expect it. An exciting development in the cable space is the advancement and potential of the EPGs. Xfinity is a great example, these guides allow the cable industry to embrace customization of content as a new channel of business
My cable industry mentor and why: My boss, HSN President Bill Brand. We have a similar career path/history. Bill is incredibly smart, supportive and has evolved from cable to marketing to retail. It’s really interesting to watch someone you admire grow into a president’s role and responsibility and still stay true to themselves.
Peter Ruben
My first job: In cable TV as a marketing coordinator for Warner Amex Cable. Part-time was a produce clerk at Shop Rite.
Favorite charity event: RUFF, Rescue Ur Furever Friend.
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… “You Can’t Make This Stuff Up”
What should cable do to improve its image? Create clear expectations for customers and exceed them.
My favorite hashtag: #humblebrag
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Driverless Car—the roads will be safer.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: 55-inch Samsung HD TV.
Favorite vacation spot: Viceroy Hotel in Anguilla