Cablefax The Magazine - April 2014 - 22

32 | Culture Club
Denise Denson
Title: EVP, Content Distribution &
Marketing, Viacom Media Networks
Years in Cable: 20
Education: BS, Finance/International
Accounting, U. of Southern CA
Best Advice: Enjoy the ride, and
bring others along.
There's no rest for the weary
when you're charged with managing
distribution for the country's
fourth largest media conglomerate
in a landscape of often messy
renewal negotiations. Denson's
already rolled up her sleeves a
few times this spring, successfully
negotiating carriage renewals
with NCTC and, separately, with
MetroCast at the 11th hour. Not
so smooth were talks with Cable
One where MTV, Nickelodeon,
Comedy Central and company
ended up going dark after the two
side were unable to strike a deal.
But Denson's tough negotiating
skills and ability to remain calm in
the storm have always served her
well. Her best advice, after all, is
" enjoy the ride. "
33 | Laying Down the Law
Rita Tuzon
Title: EVP/General Counsel, Fox Networks Group
Years in Cable: 17 or 10, depending on how
you slice it.
I watch the majority of programming
on this device: TV rules
One thing I would do all the time
if I could: Dinner with my kids
Justin Bieber or Miley? Miley -
MTV VMA gold
Dish I can make and that would
impress a celebrity chef: I'm actually
a great cook-I love to make
fresh California fish tacos.
The day we get multiplatform
measurement is the day I... will
be on cloud nine, because we'll fully
realize how our content is consumed
across platforms.
If someone forced me to cut the
Education: BA, Human Biology, Stanford; JD, UC
Berkeley's Boalt School of Law
Best Advice in (about) 7 Words or Less:
Success in life isn't acing the final exam, it's
doing the homework.
Growing up in a family that didn't allow TV,
Tuzon is sure deep in it now. A sports fanatic,
she spent the year overseeing the legal efforts
of Fox Sports 1 in the States and an expanded
role with Fox Sports' international investments
in Latin America and Asia. Wrangling the legal
challenges of ad-skipping services is also
something that'll keep her busy for some time.
We know she's well up for the challenge.
I watch the majority of programming on this
device: A great big ol' Ultra HD TV on the wall
John, Paul, George or Ringo? John, without
question
34 | Let the Laughter Begin
John Landgraf
Title: CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions
Years in Cable: 10 Years at FX
Education: BA, anthropology, Pitzer College
Best Advice: The high road goes the furthest.
Last year was a big one for Landgraf, who
moved up the ranks to CEO of FX Networks
and Productions. This year? The rollout of an
ambitious comedy slate packed with
juggernauts and show newcomers like
" Fargo, " plus renewed life for Ali G. And
this exec gets the last laugh even when
the content is more creepy than funny,
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Justin Bieber or Miley? I have a 12-year-old
daughter. Have to say neither.
Oscars or Grammys? Grammys
Favorite Restaurant: The Mustang Café in Park City
Favorite vacation spot: Tie: Big Island of Hawaii
and Deer Valley Utah
Beach or mountains? Tie, see above
Favorite TV show as a kid? My mom didn't let
us watch TV.
The last time I had a good laugh: Playing a
board game with my kids last weekend.
Dish I can make and that would impress a
celebrity chef: Absolutely nothing... but I can
decorate a cake like nobody's business.
The day we get multiplatform measurement
is the day I... Rejoice.
My favorite business/motivational book:
Blink by Malcolm Gladwell
The biggest innovation in cable over the last
year is: DAI that works ■
like continued FX ratings and critical acclaim winner " American Horror
Story, " which returns for a fourth season in October.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: I watch the
majority of television on a large flatscreen TV. The work is so brilliantly
cinematic these days, it is truly a waste to watch it on a smaller screen-
unless you think Avatar was tailor made for a iPhone.
I wish Congress would just... do what's right for America (as a whole).
Frank Underwood or Nick Brody? Frank Underwood and Nick Brody
on their best day would both get their asses kicked by Elizabeth and
Philip Jennings.
Justin or Miley? Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus both (sadly) need a great
deal of psychological counseling. So neither.
Last time you had a good laugh? The last time I had a good laugh was
when I watched the first three episodes of " Louie " yesterday. Utterly brilliant.
Absolutely gut split-tingly hilarious. ■
April 2014
Cablefax: The Magazine
cord and only watch 3 over-thetop
shows, they would be: I will
never cut the cord!! ■
http://www.cablefaxmag.com
Cablefax The Magazine - April 2014

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