Stephanie Gibbons

President, Marketing & On-Air Promotions, FX Networks

Whether Gibbons is marketing “The People v. O.J. Simpson” or “Baskets,” she combines the instincts of an artist and the insight of a master marketer. To do her job, she becomes involved early on in the series development process to understand the intentions of the creators and the arc of the story and characters—all to better engage viewers. Gibbons has overseen the marketing of programming that features LGBT characters, leading to the network’s recognition by GLAAD. When it comes the biggest story in cable this year, Gibbons says it’s the coverage of the presidential election. “It’s been both compelling and disturbing to witness,” she says.

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

I would educate myself on the term “adult acne.”

Which current programming best reflects the kind of women’s roles you like to see and why?

Last season’s “Game of Thrones” was a gender refresh of sorts – the female characters were directly or tacitly assuming the seat of power and finding estrogen was not necessarily a panacea for solving the ills of the world. It’s always uplifting to see the sexes suffer equally.

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

For me, the coverage of the Presidential Election. It’s been both compelling and disturbing to witness the convective coverage surrounding the rise of Trump on the national and world stage. Is the media the chicken or the egg? Definitely a case study for decades to come.