Cress oversees Nat Geo’s global brand vision, a position that places her at the helm of all activities related to conceptualizing and implementing its marketing strategy around the globe. It’s been an exciting time and place to be at the company, with the recent foray into scripted with “Genius”—the show that also has influenced with whom Cress would love to break bread: Mileva Mari, the first wife of Albert Einstein. “Her determination and ability to challenge the status quo in an environment in the late 1890’s where women were certainly not encouraged to do so is truly inspiring,” she says.
Who is your favorite current female TV character and why?
Am really loving Kimmy Schmidt at the moment! She is truly unbreakable and inspires traits the world really needs right now. I adore her optimism and can-do spirit! Her honesty and naivety are the perfect mask that push us into hot topics like politics, entitlement and feminism in a refreshing way.
What industry topic do you think will dominate industry headlines in 2018 and why?
The major topic will continue to be shifting consumer behavior and the impacts of SVOD. Consumers hold the power—in media consumption and beyond! They vote not only with their money but more importantly for us in the media industry with their time. Understanding how they parcel out and maximize their time is critical. Their expectations are changing and we need to meet them where they are and where they want us to be with their content.
What famous woman, living or deceased, would you like to have dinner with?
She is not as famous as she should be but on the heels of National Geographic’s show “Genius” on the life of Albert Einstein, I find myself a little obsessed with Mileva Marić. Mileva was Einstein’s first wife and a serious force to be reckoned with. Her determination and ability to challenge the status quo in an environment in the late 1890’s where women were certainly not encouraged to do so is truly inspiring. She pushed boundaries in every way and yet her career and ambitions fell short due to challenges women still face—the lack of both mental and physical support. I have so many questions for her!
