Cablefax The Magazine - August 2021 - 79

CONTENT LEADERS
45. VALUING THE UNDERVALUED
Peter Olsen | President, Ad Sales | A+E Networks
Years in Media & Broadband: 30
Education: University of Massachusetts; Boston University
My personal superpower is: Encouragement
No need to worry about aging out of the 18-49 demo under Olsen's
watch-he's making sure of that. Keeping A+E Networks at the forefront
of advertising innovation, he has set in motion a shift to recognize
and engage with all audiences and tap into the receptivity and buying
power of the critically undervalued 55+ viewer. And you remember that
KFC-Lifetime 15-minute mini-movie last year? It was recognized as one
of Adweek's " Top 22 Campaign's that Made Ad Pros Jealous in 2020. "
46. FOREVER YOUNG
Tom Ascheim | President, Warner Bros.
Global Kids, Young Adults & Classics
WarnerMedia
Years in Media & Broadband: 30+
Education: BA, American Studies, Yale
College; MBA, Yale School of Management
My personal superpower is: Superhuman
strength
Ascheim isn't afraid of trying new things, especially
if it means more people will feel at home
when watching content from WarnerMedia Studios. Under his leadership,
WarnerMedia will soon be launching a " Cartoonito " preschool
programming block across Cartoon Network and HBO Max this fall
with more than 20 new titles. That number will grow to nearly 50 with47.
AND THE WINNER IS...
Rob Sharenow | President, Programming | A+E Networks
Years in Media & Broadband: 20
Education: BA, Brandeis; MA, NYU (both in American Studies)
My personal superpower is: Coming up with a high volume
of creative ideas and having the fortitude to know that the
majority of them will need to be shot down for good reasons
Two major honors were bestowed on Sharenow and his A&E team
in 2020-the network's first Academy Award in the Best Documentary
(Short Subject) category for " Learning How to Skateboard in
a Warzone (If You're a Girl) " and a Peabody for its groundbreaking
unscripted series " Surviving R. Kelly. " Under Sharenow's leadership,
both projects-and a string of others-made good on the network's
Cablefax: The Magazine
August 2021
" Voices Magnified " campaign to amplify social
change-makers and address critical issues
facing our nation today.
MY PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL
ACHIEVEMENT OVER THE PAST
12 MONTHS IS... Seeing my teams be
extremely creative, collaborative, and determined
to keep our content engine up and running.
MY COMFORT TV BINGE? When Boston sports teams are doing
well, that's my comfort TV. When they're doing poorly, it's my discomfort TV.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS
SUMMER? Not having a mask-shaped tan line on my face.
LAST PODCAST LISTENED TO: " Rivals: Music's Greatest Feuds. " ■
cablefaxmag.com
79
MY PROUDEST PROFESSIONAL
ACHIEVEMENT OVER THE PAST 12
MONTHS IS... that A+E Networks kept its
workforce intact.
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC FOREVER
CHANGED PROGRAMMING? Networks
and streamers can't be all things to all people;
focus on what you do well, where you can win and
execute at highest level.
WHAT SHOW/MOVIE HASN'T BEEN REBOOTED THAT
YOU WISH WOULD BE? " I Dream of Jeannie " ■
in the next two years, and the content mix will include more options for
young girls. He's also been finding creative ways to communicate with
his team, crafting virtual " Palooza " events for his employees.
WHAT HABIT ARE YOU KEEPING POST-PANDEMIC?
A daily walk.
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC FOREVER CHANGED
PROGRAMMING? Raised the importance of animation.
WHAT SHOW/MOVIE HASN'T BEEN REBOOTED THAT
YOU WISH WOULD BE? " Gremlins " and " Tiny Toons " - Oh wait,
we're doing those.
NEW WORD OR PHRASE YOU'VE LEARNED? Underlapped
MY COMFORT TV BINGE? " Big Bang Theory "
STATUS OF YOUR SOURDOUGH BREAD STARTER?
Active - we have so much sourdough bread going on in my house.
WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS
SUMMER? Beach with no mask. ■
Cablefax The Magazine - August 2021

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