Cablefax The Magazine - November 2011 - 16

Most Powerful Women in Cable 2011: The Top 50
I'm the leader of a national sales organization and mother to five
children. My home and office lives are different in many ways, and
so rewarding. But there are running themes: Change is the only
constant. And the art of negotiation is a survival skill. "
Passion: " The fact that the cable industry is simultaneously
hitting on the creative and business sides is a source of pride
for everyone. I love selling brands like MTV, Comedy Central,
Nickelodeon and BET that mean something to consumers. "
Challenges: " The unpredictability of the media landscape
and the fear of uncertainty in how content consumption will
ultimately evolve. The best antidote is knowing I work at a content
company and this time of great change has made content
creators stronger. It's a good position to be in these days. "
27. Tonia O'Connor
President, Distribution, Sales and Marketing,
Univision Communications
O'Connor oversees strategic distribution
sales and marketing efforts for the company's
portfolio of networks, including
Univision and TeleFutura networks, the
recently formed Univision Cable Networks
division that includes Galavisión, and a suite of six growing
cable networks-De Película, De Película Clásico, Bandamax, Ritmoson,
Telehit and Clásico TV-as well as new network launches
over the coming months. Her promotion to president earlier this
year was a clear acknowledgement of O'Connor's previous contributions
to the company and community. She currently serves
on the executive committee of the T. Howard Foundation and is a
WICT member.
Women in cable: " The industry has done an admirable job
recruiting women and creating career paths for their development.
[But] women continue to be in the minority when it
comes to executive leadership positions. It's up to the senior
women in our industry to actively support sponsorship of highpotential
females within our companies. "
Challenge: " It's hard to ignore the macro issues in our economy.
The outlook continues to be bleak, and I worry greatly about
external factors, which are beyond our scope of influence. "
Motto: " Do something you love and success will follow. "
28. Frances Berwick
President, Bravo Media & Style Media
This July Bravo Media president Berwick
added Style Media president to her credits.
It's the latest upward move for the
15-year veteran, who has transitioned
Bravo from network to brand. She presided
over double-digit growth in ratings
and revenue, fostering its first Primetime Emmy for Outstanding
Reality Competition ( " Top Chef " ) in 2010. It's a world of difference
from the art-house persona that Berwick greeted at Bravo
in 1996: Today, it's a powerhouse for reality hits " The Rachel Zoe
Project, " " The Millionaire Matchmaker " and " The Real Housewives "
franchise. In that time the net's subscribers have bumped from 25
14
14b
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million to 95 million, raising revenue from $42 million to $530 million
and upping operation profit margins nearly 400%.
Passion: " The emphasis on how social media intersects with
and elevates our programming is our way of connecting
directly with our passionate fanbase. The fact that the cable
industry has embraced technology in this way is enormously
inspiring and energizing. "
Challenges: " The business of monetizing new platforms and the
challenge of keeping in front of consumer behavior is on my
mind. My goal is always to be the lead car in the race when
serving the TV Everywhere generation, and finding new models
to make it sustainable for the business and the brand. "
Motto: " Surround yourself with great people, make it fun and
take the work, not ourselves, seriously. "
29. Jennifer Gaiski
SVP, Content Acquisition, Comcast Cable
As a SVP for Comcast Cable, Gaiski
oversees a multibillion-dollar budget,
negotiates and administers programming
contracts, and coordinates field
operations and communications. She
also has oversight for management of
Comcast's joint venture partnerships with Bresnan, Mid Continent
Cable and US Cable. Under her direction, the company's video
offerings have ballooned from a customer base of 2.7 million to 24
million. Jennifer Yohe Wagner, Comcast's VP of strategic business
procurement, deems Gaiski " one of the toughest, fairest negotiators
in programming. To see her in action is remarkable, fighting
the big fights and winning so that it's fair for everyone. "
Women in cable: " A career has significant challenges, including
balancing responsibilities as a spouse, parent and caregiver.
Often these are full-time jobs themselves. When companies
find ways to support flexible work environments, work hours
and job sharing, you will find an environment where employees
of all genders prosper, particularly women. "
Passion: " The rapidly changing ways that customers view content. "
Motto: " 'It's all about the Benjamins,' because everything in
business ultimately boils down to money. "
30. Mindy Grossman
CEO, Home Shopping Network
In the midst of an ongoing recession,
HSN CEO Grossman has positioned
the multi-channel retailer for growth
with revolutionary marketing and
partnerships with top brands and
celebrities-altering the 34-year-old
company's once-folksy persona to become more hip and
relevant to consumers. Last summer, Grossman spearheaded
an exclusive partnership with Sony Pictures. The net's foray into
Hollywood, inspired by the film " Eat, Pray, Love, " included a
72-hour event with appearances by 20-plus HSN partners and
brands, featuring 400 unique items. Similar events in 2011 have
expanded its reach via Kraft Foods, blockbuster film " The Help, "
November 2011
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Cablefax The Magazine - November 2011

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