Hickok played an integral role in facilitating the $11.9 billion sale of Scripps to Discovery earlier this year, a move that boosted Scripps’ stock price by more than 25%. The industry veteran’s relationship with Scripps dates back to 1988, when she joined the company as a financial analyst. Almost three decades later, she is behind a transaction that will dramatically alter the cable landscape. “I would enjoy having dinner with Ina Gartner, the Barefoot Contessa,” she says. “The conversation and food would be spectacular. I love her story, her Food Network show and all her cookbooks.”
What industry topic do you think will dominate industry headlines in 2018 and why?
The digital revolution that has been disrupting distribution platforms, content formats, and consumer consumption habits will clearly continue to be a focus. We’ll all continue to be working through the issues around the decline of traditional pay-tv subscribers, the size of the bundle as well as the shift of advertising dollars to large platform players. And of course, volume, cost, and sustainability of content being produced and monetized across the media landscape will drive more headlines next year. Direct-to-consumer launches, content discovery, artificial intelligence and consumer data driven ad solutions will also garner headlines as well. And did I mention consolidation?
What famous women, living or deceased, would you like to have dinner with?
I would enjoy having dinner with Ina Gartner, the Barefoot Contessa. The conversation and food would be spectacular. I love her story, her Food Network show and all her cookbooks.
Best advice for relieving stress?
Deliberately and consistently scheduling time to do what you enjoy. For me that could be one of several things. Yoga, cooking, meeting a friend for dinner or simply watching a sappy show or two.
