Vikki Neil
SVP/GM, Online Brands
Scripps Networks Interactive
Why Her? Business is booming at FrontDoor.com, which Neil oversees along with media properties including HGTV.com, DIYnetwork.com and HGTVPro.com. In fact, FrontDoor.com saw a huge surge in traffic between Dec and Jan ’10, becoming the second most popular real estate site in January ’10 thanks in large part to HGTV’s Dream Home Giveaway contest.
Selling It: Neil finds her experience in sales invaluable. “A sales background provides perspective on how to break though the noise in the marketplace,” she says. “It teaches you that everything you work on needs to be able to be explained to someone succinctly – the ‘elevator pitch.’ It’s not always easy to do, but [it’s] good for everyone.”
Who Wins A Fight Between Facebook and Twitter? “Facebook. First, the ability to express yourself in a visual way is key to any social network and its survival. The ability to post photos and communicate adds context to what otherwise would be just mere words. I think of Facebook as almost a collaborative diary. Twitter’s greatest asset – immediacy – is also its downfall.”
What You Miss About The Days Of Analog: “You could unplug back then. It’s hard to truly do that now. I also just miss hearing some people’s voices. It’s easier to text, so everyone makes fewer phone calls. It has its benefits on a busy day, though.”