Cablefax The Magazine - December 2010 - 19

19| Peter Liguori
JV CAPTAIN
Title: COO, Discovery Comm
Years in Cable: 22
Education: BA, Yale
I Watch TV Mostly: Definitely live
Why Him? As the #2 at the cable programmer,
one of Liguori's tasks is serving as the
lead executive on Discovery's joint ventures,
and there are many - from the Hub and
OWN, to the 3D network with Sony. The former
Fox Broadcasting and FX executive also
chairs the company's Content Committee,
comprised of the US networks' GMs.
The Big Picture: Ad dollars are up, ratings
on the flagship networks are robust and affiliate
revenue is rising.
Timpano Triumph: We can thank the trim Liguori
for one of the all-time great food films, The
Big Night. He produced the indie classic.
The Year Ahead: With Oprah starting and
3D getting more traction, '11 should be big.
Non-Cable Cos That Know How to Run/
Market: Pepsi and Geico, because they are
driving sponsored entertainment.
Favorite non-Discovery Show: Glee
Motto: Indifference is a sin
20|
DEAL'S DIRECTOR
David Cohen
Title: EVP,
Comcast Corp
Years in Cable:
6.5
Education: BA,
Swarthmore College;
JD, U of PA
I Watch TV
Mostly: TiVo/Recorded
Why Him? Cohen tends to stand
more behind the curtain than at
center stage-and that's the way
he likes it. Yet his hands are on the
levers of just about all of Comcast's
stagecraft, including corporate
communications, legal and lobbying,
which has become vitally important
with the NBCU deal. Cohen's managed
to keep the approval process
on track despite a torrent of opposition
from public interest groups
and other cable operators as ACA
21|
HONEST-LEE
Debra Lee
Title: Chmn/CEO,
BET Networks
Number of Years
in Cable: 25
Education: BA,
Brown U; JD,
Harvard; MPP,
Harvard (School
of Govt.)
I Watch TV Mostly: Live
Why Her? Lee's wonderfully balancing
her role as a business executive
and social leader, speaking out
frequently on important issues and
integrating them into BET's platforms.
Still she neatly balances financial
results while giving much attention to
BET's creative direction.
Diversity Directness: In a world of
scripted executives, Lee stands out.
We generally receive polite answers
when we ask executives to assess
CableFAX: The Magazine
December 2010
has fought to attach restrictions
to the deal. Meanwhile, he's also
championed diversity and community
programs within Comcast and
throughout the industry.
Blogcastic: Cohen became a blogger
in '10 at blog.comcast.com.
As he notes in his blog bio, " I'm
responsible for all the things no one
else wanted. " Love it.
Year Ahead: Will the NBCU deal
go through or not-and under what
conditions? Guru Cohen is smack in
the middle of it.
A Non-Cable Co that Knows How
to Run/Market Its Business: Apple
When It Comes to Media
Issues, the New Congress
Should: Be very careful, the law of
unintended consequences is the
worst possible legislation.
Motto: No good deed goes
unpunished
Most Underrated Drink:
Diet Sunkist
diversity and cable. Lee was blunt:
" One of my interests is making sure
we have women and minorities in
the C suites, " she said. " Unless
we're in decision-making positions,
you can't really say diversity has
worked in the cable industry. "
Year Ahead: BET's brand has
never been stronger, and there's little
evidence that will change soon.
On Your iPad: News - ABC, BET &
CNN - and Scrabble.
In a Fight between
Kevin Martin and Julius
Genachowski, Who Wins?
Julius, because he's smarter.
The Most Creative Part of My
Job: Picking honorees for BET
specials.
Fave Non-BET Show: Mad Men
Motto: Do unto others.
Most Underrated Drink:
Cosmopolitan
Favorite City for Business:
Chicago
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19
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Cablefax The Magazine - December 2010

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