SVP, Content Distribution, Pop

Bertino leads content distribution and marketing as well as digital and international distribution. And she leads well. Since joining Pop in 2014, the former Ovation distribution executive has helped Pop secure new carriage agreements that will add some 8 million homes in 2016. Bertino feels cable networks, independent nets in particular, have supported women in senior leadership roles for years. “I’ve had the good fortune to work for and learn from many of these female leaders and am now one myself… [affording] me a valuable opportunity to pay-it-forward and mentor up-and-coming women leaders who will in turn lead the networks of the future,” she says.

Which sector of the cable industry best demonstrates gender equality?

I can speak from my own personal experience that the network side of the business – and particularly independent networks – have been very supportive of women in senior leadership roles for many years.  I have spent 20-plus years working for independent networks where women have forged the path at the very top – president and CEO level, and other senior leadership positions including CFO, general counsel, head of ad sales and head of content distribution.  I’ve had the good fortune to work for and learn from many of these female leaders and am now one myself as head of content distribution, and it has afforded me a valuable opportunity to “pay-it-forward” and mentor up-and-coming women leaders who will in turn lead the networks of the future.

What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?

Focus on what you are passionate about, and be open to that passion evolving over time into different areas as you grow up.  You will always be successful if you do something that truly inspires you!  Life is a wonderful gift and you should find what it is that makes you happy on a daily basis.

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

Consolidation once again!  Both on the operator and network side.  Charter/Time Warner Cable, possibly AT&T and Time Warner Inc., etc.  Hopefully it will open doors for more competition in the OTT space and provide new opportunities for female execs to grow their leadership skill sets in this new environment.

The Daily

Subscribe

Let’s Not Make a Deal

S&P ’s TMT deal tracker reports that media and telecom M&A plunged to a 13-month low in February, with North American media and telecom companies striking 96 transactions worth nearly $160 million in

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Calendar

Apr 25
2024 Cablefax 100 Awards Magazine Release: April 25, 2024
Jun 13
2024 American Broadband Congress Conference Registration is Open!
Jun 26
2024 FAXIES Awards Nominations Are Open!
Full Calendar

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB?
VIEW JOBS

Hiring? In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors, The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact Rob Hudgins, [email protected], for more information.