Every day, Zimmer demonstrates the true power women have in the industry as she oversees the complex distribution needs—retransmission agreements, carriage consents and affiliate agreements—of a company encompassing 200 owned or partner stations that reach a combined 220 million people and includes NewsNation, The CW Network, Antenna TV, Rewind TV and a stake in Food Network. Last year, Zimmer and her team helped grow Nexstar distribution revenue to over $2.9 billion, a 13.9% increase over the prior year.
What part of your job would surprise people the most? There is no off button on the transactional part of my job. Many negotiations happen outside of what one considers normal business hours. As a result, many discussions with clients and peers happen in a non-traditional work setting and many times under unexpected circumstances. Negotiations at times feel like a game of Survivor where you need to overcome obstacles, often sleep and food deprivation, to get the deal done. College all-nighters definitely prepared me for this job.
The industry is transforming quickly—how are you preparing your teams (or yourself) for what’s next? Team work makes the dream work. My power mindset is having the confidence to lead with purpose because true success is made from the inside. I strive to empower others, allowing for genuine collaboration. Setting the tone for shared standards allows individuals to bring their “best selves” to any situation, which ultimately, collectively, elevates team performance. A strong team is amplified by individual momentum turning personal effort into collective achievement. I’m so fortunate to have the best team in the business.