Cablefax The Magazine - November 2011 - 18

Most Powerful Women in Cable 2011: The Top 50
and fragrance launches for Mary J. Blige and Jennifer Lopez.
Women in cable: " The cable industry continues to become more
diverse and as a result, there are and will continue to be more
opportunities for women. Over 50% of HSN's corporate officers
and 60% of our directors and above are women. We are a firm
believer that diversity drives innovation and business success. "
Passion: " I am most excited about rapid changes in technology
that are merging entertainment and commerce. "
Career accomplishment: " Taking HSNi public in 2008 and thriving
through the recession and beyond. "
31. Claire Watts
CEO, U.S., QVC
Since joining QVC in 2008 as President
of U.S. Commerce, Watts has played
an integral role in recasting QVC into a
leading, innovative multi-channel retailer.
Named CEO in January 2011, Watts
oversees a strategic direction committed
to thousands of contemporary beauty, fashion, jewelry and home
products. As the largest televised shopping retailer in the nation,
QVC has expanded by fostering relationships with celebrities and
guests to introduce and demonstrate product lines, including Heidi
Klum, the Kardashians, Isaac Mizrahi and Rachael Ray.
Women in cable: " It is rewarding to have some remarkably
talented women throughout the [QVC] organization setting
strategy and running some of our most important operating
divisions. Women are uniquely qualified in our business, because
it combines operations, technology, creative aesthetics,
innovation and strategic acumen with a love for shopping. "
Challenges: " As our industry continues to evolve, we need to
remain proactive in our strategic approach. I learned early on in
my career the critical importance of developing good leaders. I am
passionate about developing the leadership team at QVC to address
the challenges of the ever-changing cable landscape. "
Motto: " Listen more, talk less. "
Pet Peeve: " Be on time. "
32. Louise Sams
EVP/General Counsel, TBS, President, TBS
International, Turner Broadcasting System
As EVP/general counsel Sams leads
a global staff on such legal matters as
acquisitions/joint ventures; production/
clearance of content for Turner's news,
entertainment and animation networks;
protection of the company's intellectual property; and litigation/employment
matters. Meanwhile, as president of TBS International,
she heads production, distribution and ad sales relating to Turner's
kids and entertainment networks and media services outside of
North America, as well as distribution and commercial operations
for CNN's international services and Turner's international joint
ventures, licensing and merch activity outside North America. Her
global strategy leadership has resulted in Turner's reach of 100plus
branded channels in 30 languages and 200 countries.
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Women in cable: " When I look around Turner Broadcasting and
other companies in this industry, I see a lot of smart, creative
and motivated women. (They) all have great opportunities in
the cable TV business, but can't be shy about asking for those
opportunities and then working hard to prove themselves. "
Passion: " TV Everywhere demonstrates cable's commitment
to providing consumers what they want, when they want it,
on any device. I'm encouraged by the way our industry is embracing
TV Everywhere with an eye toward the future. "
Favorite destination: " I enjoy visiting new places where I can
experience another culture and learn new things. It continually
reminds me that people around the world are more alike than
they are different. "
33. Kathleen Finch
Senior VP/GM, HGTV, Scripps Networks
Interactive
Since Finch found a new home as SVP/
GM for HGTV in September 2010, leading
all aspects of HGTV's program development
and production, the network
has launched a dozen new series. And
this October, she helped expand the TV channel and online brand
with the all-new HGTV Magazine. Finch has also been instrumental
in securing brand partnerships with high-profile celebrities and
national icons, including " The Ellen DeGeneres Show " and Disney
Parks. Named one of Time's " 100 Industry Innovators to Watch, "
Finch serves on the boards of the Knoxville Symphony and the
Knoxville Metropolitan Airport Authority.
Passion: " The ways we can increasingly utilize social media to
build fanbases and affinity groups and drive engagement for
our programming and talent-and the two-way conversations
it allows-are fascinating. "
Challenge: " How to compete for attention in a highly fractured media
world with platforms and delivery methods that weren't even
fathomable a few years ago. We all chase that same desirable demographic,
and attracting it requires new tricks and noisy ideas. "
Career accomplishment: " I am most proud when I can bring together
disparate groups who might not normally work in sync,
and encourage them to find ways to work together to take a
good idea and make it a great idea. "
34. Lori Conkling
EVP, National Accounts, Field Sales &
Canada, A&E Networks
Talk about a full plate. Conkling's
purview includes distribution strategy
across multiple platforms for AETN's
10 networks, including A&E, History,
Lifetime Television and Lifetime Movie
Network. She also oversees field sales, national accounts and
distribution strategy for North America. Among Conkling's
recent achievements is helping Lifetime Movie Network sprint
toward becoming one of the fastest-growing Nielsen-rated
channels, now reaching 83 million. This year, she was named
November 2011
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