Alma Mater: Boston University
A quote or motto you live by: “It’s better to attempt to do something great and fail than attempt to do nothing and succeed.”
Sarlanis oversees programming development, production, content strategy and operations across TNT, TBS, truTV, ID and HLN, infusing new creative approaches at the networks that include spotlighting overlooked and marginalized communities. Under his leadership, TNT and TBS continue to rank as the top two cable entertainment networks in 2025 in prime, while ID continues to deliver buzzy hits, including its first “docbuster” covering the Sean “Diddy” Combs case, which reached 9.8 million total viewers across linear and streaming.
Impact Factor: Sarlanis is an outspoken advocate of the LGBTQ+ community and is the founding member of the LA WBD PRIDE chapter as well as a supporter and volunteer at the LA LGBT Center. He is also the driving force behind ID’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month campaign, “No Excuse for Abuse,” which offers on-air resources, PSAs and tools to ensure viewers are equipped to identify various forms of domestic violence.
Where do you see the biggest opportunities to make an impact in the next few years? Executives who are willing to go with their gut and make risky choices have a tremendous opportunity right now. At a time when the whole industry is disrupted and many are making fear-based decisions, those who choose to make bold choices can stand out and have a real impact.
If you weren’t in this business, what career might you have pursued? I think educators provide such a critical role in our society. Had I not been in entertainment, I would have loved to find a way to help mentor and inspire younger generations.
Where do you find energy and inspiration outside the office? I think the work being done by certain talent in the creator economy is incredibly inspirational. By working outside the traditional system, these creators are producing content that constantly motivates me to challenge our own status quo.