Nancy Daniels, Marc Etkind, Robert Scanlon & Rick Holzman

Nancy Daniels
Title: EVP & GM, TLC
Years in Cable: 7 at a cable network, 9 years freelance production
Education: BS from Ithaca College
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Whatever the job – make yourself invaluable.

Marc Etkind
Title: GM, Destination America
Years in Cable: 18
Education: Brown University
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Live each day as if you’re running for class president.

Rick Holzman
Title: EVP & GM, Animal Planet
Years in Cable: 25
Education: Middlebury College
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Surround yourself with people who challenge you.

Robert Scanlon
Title: GM, Velocity
Years in Cable: 37
Education: Ithaca College
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Seek the job you’d do for free.

This GM crew has racked up a number of milestones in the past year. Daniels can boast that the recent wedding specials of “19 Kids and Counting” (for Jill and Jessa) were the two most-watched telecast in series history, pulling in an impressive 5.2 million and 4.3 million viewers. Etkind has helped make Destination America one of cable’s top-5 fastest growing networks, with three years of double-digit growth. Now he’s turning his attention to integrating the recently acquired TNA Impact Wrestling into the channel. Holzman got the bump up to GM at Animal Planet last July. Following his appointment, the network finished 2014 as a top 20 cable network for men 25-54 for the third consecutive year. He’ll continue to leave his mark on the net by expanding on the “Surprisingly Human” brand. Scanlon has guided Velocity to double-digit ratings growth in prime among key demos, including a 33 percent boost among men 18-34. He’s also the architect of Discovery’s agreement with Barrett-Jackson, the World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions, which will bring 100 hours of live programming to Velocity and Discovery Channel this year.

Daniels
I watch most programming on this device: On my television. Watching on anything else feels like work!
If I had a show on YouTube it would be called… “Say Yes to the Stress”
Apple iWatch or Rolex? Rolex (I think my iMac, MacBook Air, iPad, and 2 iPhones are enough apple for me—do I have to actually strap it on my body too?)
Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat? Twitter—I get most of my breaking news from Twitter.
My favorite newfound hobby: Spin/yoga hybrid class
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is… multiplatform audience measurement.
The awards show the industry needs right now is… less awards shows.
Favorite vacation spot: Lake Winnepesaukee, N.H.
Desert island album: Anything by Taylor Swift. I have the musical taste of a 14-year-old.
Favorite TV show as a kid: “Little House on the Prairie.” I loved all the books, and I wanted to BE Laura Ingalls.
The last time I had a good laugh was… in a marketing meeting with Leah Remini.
My favorite business/motivational book: Good to Great

Etkind
If my office produced a viral video, the background music would be… “Party In the U.S.A.” – Miley Cyrus
Favorite vacation spot: Iceland
Desert island album: Philip Glass, Songs From The Trilogy, because it brought my wife and I together.
Favorite TV show as a kid: “Rifleman” because I was named after the little boy on the show by my older brothers.
Dish I can make and that would impress a celebrity chef: Pigs in a blanket

Holzman
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: The expansion of VOD and TV Everywhere
Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat? For me, it’s Twitter.
Which character would I most want to double-cross me on “Game of Thrones” and why? Daenerys Targaryen. Why? Dragons!
Desert island album: Definitely London Calling by The Clash
Favorite TV show as a kid: “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”
My favorite business/motivational book: Everything Bad is Good For You

Scanlon
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: The X1 set top box
If I could interrupt Kanye West just once, I would say… is it true you’re opening for Taylor Swift?
My favorite newfound hobby: Boating
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: 360 degree video
Favorite vacation spot: Wherever my wife is
Desert island album: Child Is Father To the Man – Blood Sweat and Tears
The last time I had a good laugh was… filling out this questionnaire.