September 1, 2010

Cable Fax: The Most Influential Minorities in Cable: The Top 75

By Michael Grebb and Seth Arenstein

1. Dinni Jain

President, COO, Insight

Thanks largely to Jain’s leadership, Insight has enjoyed 5 years of basic sub growth.

Jain on cn/2: "It’s a new kind of news and information network that we believe will provide substantive, thorough and timely information. Currently it’s a 24-hr all-weather channel... This fall it will launch news and political programming...There are a lot of people who are concerned about the world and can see through fluff on most news channels and want more. Our goal is to meet that need."

2. Henry Ahn

EVP, TV Networks Distribution, NBCU

Ahn’s negotiating talents are well known, even more so after executing NBCU’s 1st authentication deal. He’s always key to Olympics deals. and serves on the T. Howard Foundation board.

On Authentication Deals: "It’s been challenging to provide distribution rights on a platform that’s still in a nascent stage and constantly evolving. Our industry has not developed online/TV Everywhere standards. We, as an industry, need to coral and work quickly to do so."

Ahn on T. Howard: "The most fulfilling part of being on the T. Howard board is being in a room full of distributors and not being yelled at. All kidding aside, playing a small part in developing a pipeline for minority candidates has been a tremendous honor and truly gratifying."

3. Debra Lee

Chairman/CEO, BET Nets

Lee oversees one of the world’s most influential multiplatform media companies, which has posted record growth on her watch.

Creating C-level Diversity: "First, companies must put more effort into bringing in minorities and women at entry and mid-level positions. Second, companies need to be willing to hire minorities and women as laterals and let them grow into positions if they don’t have the exact background necessary for a particular job. Companies need to support the excellent management programs provided by NAMIC and WICT so that minorities and women can get the training necessary to move into management positions. Finally, if a CEO looks around his senior staff and doesn’t see women or minorities, he needs to commit to change that within 12 months no matter how much effort it takes."

4. Jacqueline Hernández

COO, Telemundo

One of the few Hispanic women to hold a C-level position in media, the increasing clout of Telemundo — as well as that of the Latino audience — and her expertise should keep Henandez one of the most powerful media execs for years. She’s even got a cool Facebook page.

5. Cesar Conde

President, Univision Nets

Conde oversees Univision, TeleFutura, Galavisión and Univision Studios. He also works closely with affiliate sales and marketing to keep distributors happy.

On Growth:"Univision is about growth, integration and innovation. Our strategy is to serve the U.S. Hispanic community by offering a product that is 100% catered to our audience in the language they speak. We are always exploring opportunities and re-evaluating our programming to ensure that we provide the best content, either with originals or with our partners."

6. Johnathan Rodgers

President/CEO, TV One

This cable good guy has not only built a major cable network in 6 years but recently added impressive original programming, including The Ultimate Merger reality show with Donald Trump. An NCTA board member who frequently represents cable’s views in DC, Rodgers is the driving force behind TV One’s public affairs slate, including the excellent Washington Watch with Roland Martin.

7. Rita Tuzon

EVP and General Counsel, Fox Networks

Known inside Fox as Tony Vinciquerra’s right hand, Tuzon is FNG’s top-ranking woman. She oversees legal for all Fox programming, including its cable properties.

Top Priorities: "These days it’s digital rights issues of all stripes, obtaining appropriate compensation for retransmission consent from distributors and affiliated stations and strategic planning for opportunities in the sports area."

8. Marwan Fawaz

EVP, Operations and CTO, Charter Communications

As Charter waded through turbulent financial issues in 2009, Fawaz maintained the company’s physical infrastructure — a difficult task even in good times. He’s also a leader in cable’s tech community.

Tech Challenges: "The pace of product development is accelerating at a rate we haven’t experienced in our industry for a long time. That’s both challenging and exciting. The challenging part is primarily related to the additional complexity required in our network and end-to-end systems. That results in extra pressure on us to continue developing employees who are better trained and equipped to keep up with the pace of innovation.

Cable’s Biggest Tech Opportunity in ’11: "There are many...but the main one that will help transform and evolve our products is DOCSIS 3.0."

9. Laureen Ong

President, Travel Channel

Having joined Travel in April, the former Nat Geo chief has a decidedly world view that should serve her well now.

On Travel’s Slate: "Travel Channel’s most popular series center around adventures featuring compelling characters who engage viewers. As we move forward, our programming must introduce more talent who inspire and spark discussion. Every journey has a story. It’s the sharing of stories that makes travel so appealing. Our programming in early ’11 will be full of new personalities who are entertaining, authentic and credible."

10. Herb Scannell

President, BBC Worldwide America

A top-flight exec, Scannell’s also a good sport. As Nickelodeon’s chief he allowed himself to be slimed repeatedly by the net’s trademark green goo. It’s more serious at his new gig, which includes BBC America. On his to-do list: produce programs in the U.S. and grow BBC A distribution beyond 67mln HHs.

Making British Shows Work in the US: "Quality is quality and great TV stands out the world over. The BBC is renowned for quality and innovative TV and we’re lucky to be able to bring the best of that to BBC America. More often than not we’re first with the next new ideas, new formats and breaking talent. There’s the occasional challenge, though. Like the British model of making 6-8 episodes/year when U.S. audiences are accustomed to 22. We’d certainly prefer longer runs, but the upside is more variety and premieres than any cable network."

11. Scott Mills

President/CEO, BET Nets

Mills does it all, leading BET’s business functions, including ad sales, distribution and international distribution.

On Opportunities: "Continuing to super serve our audience across all of our platforms, in ways such as the new scripted originals on BET, a strong programming slate for Centric, our redesigned Web presence, continued international expansion and upcoming mobile applications. In addition, we are excited about several non-media opportunities we are exploring."

12. Pearlena Igbokwe

SVP, Original Programming, Showtime Networks

The slew of shows Igbokwe has helped coax to success are too numerous to list, but trust us when we say she’s on the top of her game and climbing higher.

On Successful Shows: "I’ve been an executive on a number of successful shows ( Dexter, Nurse Jackie, Soul Food). The key ingredients these shows have had is a strong, visionary executive producer and a unique concept that resonates with audiences. An executive like me can only do so much to help a show. It’s the people who live and breathe it on a day-to-day basis who have to have the passion for excellence and the wherewithal to see it through.."

13. Albert Cheng

EVP, Digital, ABC/Disney

One of the smartest guys in cable, this youth and powerful tech guru deserves that reputation. Disney has zigged where others zagged on digital, yet it’s monetizing online content better than many — perhaps for that reason.

Challenges, Opportunities: "Multiplatform access to premium content will be what consumers want. Quality storytelling...will be the differentiator for success. What’s exciting are the breakthroughs in technology and consumer experience that can elevate the way we merchandise stories and connect with our viewers for a stronger, more meaningful relationship. The challenge will be to clearly define the value proposition for viewers in every way we distribute and price our content to maximize and grow the business with our partners."

14. Wonya Lucas

EVP/COO, Discovery Channel, Science Channel

Lucas leads strategy and operations for two of Discovery’s marquee properties. Her job also includes oversight of research and marketing.

On Being Mentored: "Seeking a diverse group of mentors is important because they provide different perspectives. I’ve found the mentors who’ve helped the most have strong business, interpersonal and life skills. They’ve all been successful in this business but they also share a sense of humility and enjoy helping others... I am who I am because of the women and men who’ve taken the time to know me, encourage me and challenge me."

15. Ray Gutierrez

EVP, Human Resources, CBS Television Networks

Talk about multitasking, Gutierrez heads HR for Showtime, CBS Sports, CBS College Sports, CBS News and CBS TV Nets. A class act, he’ll chair NAMIC’s board Nov 1.

On Philanthropy: "Giving back is something I feel is an obligation as a result of my good fortune. My grandparents, who are from Spain and Mexico, instilled in me the importance of hard work and education. While that’s been very helpful, I’ve also been lucky to find myself at a great company like Showtime. I’ve always been encouraged by Matt Blank to get involved with non-profit and industry organizations... For women and minorities, breaking into senior ranks still isn’t easy. It’s incumbent upon us to try to help others and make a positive difference."

16. Salaam Coleman Smith

President, The Style Network

Coleman Smith is one of the few African-American women running a cable net (and one of the youngest). On her watch, Style has grown with inspirational shows like Ruby and fun fare like Jerseylicious.

On Ruby: "I’m especially proud of our Emmy-nominated docu-series Ruby, which chronicles the life of a severely obese woman in Savannah, GA. Ruby’s personal journey to lose weight and celebrate life has inspired so many viewers to make positive changes. Ruby is incredibly beautiful — inside and out — and we’ve been able to use the series to create a campaign to fight obesity."

17. Christina Norman

CEO, OWN

Oprah. Need we say more? The highly anticipated debut of OWN in ’11 will put Norman to the test. Having spent years honing her executive skills at MTV, she should be up to the task.

OWN’s Path: "Our mission is to create TV with intention — TV that inspires and informs, and of course, entertains and brings our audience into the conversation. We aren’t just telling stories; we’re sharing stories. Our launch on 1/1/11 is just the beginning of this amazing journey into a new media landscape, where the viewer is the inspiration, not just the destination."

18. Loretta Walker

SVP/Chief HR Officer, Turner Broadcasting System

Walker has executive oversight for the gamut of HR issues and heads Turner’s global HR group. Under her leadership, TBS has been recognized for excellence inside cable, but also by DiversityInc, Working Mother and the Society for HR Management, among many others.

19. Lisa Williams-Fauntroy

SVP, Business Affairs & Legal, Discovery Comm

The global media company’s senior African-American attorney, Williams-Fauntroy still makes time to mentor students in DC and lead clothing drives for the poor.

On Being a Media Lawyer: "No work day is the same and such unpredictability requires me to be nimble; in just a few hours I might negotiate TV deal points, review show content for legal issues or draft nuanced provisions in a contract - and I love it. Discovery’s ever-evolving businesses keep me from being too myopic, allow me to sharpen my skills and stretch me to places beyond the traditional role of an attorney. As a ‘closet creative,’ reviewing content and having daily interaction with programming and production is a rewarding outlet."

20. Doug Gaston

SVP and General Counsel, Comcast Cable

In case you haven’t heard, Comcast has a few legal issues pending, including a potential merger with a peacock and myriad other questions. Gaston is in the middle of it all. Before joining the MSO, the grad of Temple U and Villanova Law School was a corporate associate at Morgan Lewis & Bockius.

21.George Cheeks

EVP/Co-Gen Counsel, MTVN

The grandson of Ella Mae Johnson, the first female African-American student to attend Case Western U, Cheeks has done his family proud. A key advisor to Judy McGrath, he recently won the Diversity Champion award from the NYC Bar.

Looking Ahead: "Increasing consumer demand for content across all platforms and devices dictates the legal and business trends in the entertainment industry...We must continue to develop distribution strategies that increase reach while enhancing the consumer experience so that people are incented to source our content legally. Deal making must adapt quickly to meet these ever-evolving business imperatives. Content production and distribution must work together to combat piracy. The initiatives must focus on tougher enforcement of intellectual property laws, legislative initiatives, partnerships with ISPs and pressure on participants in the piracy ecosystem.... And there must be a laser focus on consumer outreach and education."

22. Marlene Dooner

SVP, Investor Relations, Comcast Corp

Think you’re busy? Dooner is responsible for developing and managing Comcast’s relationships with the investment community and shareholders — and we’re guessing they’ve had a lot of questions lately when it comes to the pending NBCU deal.

On Keeping Investors Informed: "We have a very active investor communications program, including hundreds of investor meetings and conferences. One area where we have increased our communications is online. Our investor site...has turned into a great resource for those who invest in or follow our company. We plan to continue to enhance it."

23. Arthur Orduna

CTO, Canoe Ventures

One of cable’s brightest minds, Orduna carries much weight as he heads a team of engineers across the country building a platform to enable nationally distributed iTV. An active member of SCTE, NCTA, NAMIC and CTAM, he received an award at ITVT’s TV of Tomorrow Show for his leadership in multiplatform TV.

24. Loretha Jones

President, Original Programming, BET

Jones drove BET’s originals to their best ratings year in ’09.

Will We See a Shift Toward Scripted Programming? "We already are, with some cable networks using scripted shows to become brand-defining....Networks that are successful in doing this can translate the content into a real connection with an audience and, in turn, drive ratings."

25. Ed Huguez

EVP, Aff Sales & Marketing, Starz Entertainment

As the top affiliate sales and marketing exec at Starz, Huguez sits at the epicenter of affiliate dealmaking for its core multichannel business.

Originals and Affiliates: " Spartacus and Pillars of the Earth have been valuable additions and great complements to our premium movie programming. Demand from affiliates to promote Starz originals has exceeded our expectations...."

26. Richard Gay

EVP, Strategy & Business Ops, MTV & VH1 Nets

Gay heads strategy for a slew of properties, but also finds time to work on behalf of the Chicago Urban League, the Museum of Television and Radio and the Studio Museum of Harlem, to name a few.

On Keeping Ahead of The Curve: "We...are constantly listening to our audience and having continuous dialog with companies and members of the investment community... and, in what I truly believe is an advantage for MTVN, listening to our employees....we have the added bonus at MTV and VH1 of having employees who are members of the very target audiences that we are trying to serve."

27. Brenda Freeman

CMO, Turner Bdcasting’s Animation, Young Adults and Kids Media

The veteran marketing/promotion executive has lead efforts to turn Cartoon Net into a dominant youth-culture brand, in addition to shepherding the runaway success of Adult Swim.

Communicating With Youth: "Cartoon Network attracts a demo that has a unique sensibility...Therefore it’s very important that we serve up our content in all the places that youth spend time...A great tactic at the moment is identifying the most exquisite bit of content from a show and determining ways to seed it so kids can discover it on their own, then share with their friends. Nothing beats peer word of mouth."

28. Nigel Cox-Hagan

EVP, Creative Group and Consumer Marketing, VH-1

Cox-Hagan oversees consumer marketing, creative and on-screen promotions for VH1, VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul and Palladia. He controls VH1’s multi-million dollar marketing budget and was responsible for the successful rebranding of BET Networks’ Centric.

29. Mae Douglas

SVP and Chief People Officer, Cox Communications

The first African-American woman on Cox’s executive team, Douglas helped create Cox’s National Talent Development program. She initiated The Cox Diversity Council and co-chairs it with Cox President Pat Esser. "Mae has the unique ability to make others not only be better, but want to be better," Esser says.

How Cable Can Attract/Retain Diverse Employees: "Provide opportunity for continuous learning in order to manage their careers. Supply mentors so they can successfully connect with others who can assist them with the unwritten rules of the culture. Have leaders who are culturally competent and understand how to lead different groups."

30. Stephen Hill

Pres, Music Prog & Specials, BET

Anyone who’s watched BET over its 30-year history knows that music has been an integral part of its DNA. While BET has diversified its slate in recent years, music and special events remain key — and Hill is in charge of those.

On Keeping BET Fresh: "We understand that to our audience, music matters... And because of our strong connection to the pulse of African-American culture, we’ve been able to create moments that were unforgettable and in some cases, unbelievable...We set the standard when we honor our collective accomplishments and understand our ability to inspire great things."

31. Steve Apodaca

President, Ops, Charter Communications

As President of the West Operating Group, Apodaca was so impressive he was promoted recently to his current position overseeing sales and service ops nationwide.

Challenges of a New Job: "It was a welcome challenge, but when the geographic scope of my job essentially doubled overnight, our team had to quickly adjust the structure of our organization to ensure the right people were in the right positions. Speed was critical to continue focusing on the customer experience and avoid interrupting the pace of Charter’s operations."

32. Byron Allen

Founder/Owner, Entertainment Studios Networks

Comic, talk show host and broadcast syndication exec, Allen’s one of the few African Americans who owns a media company in its entirety. Now he’s pushing to get cable carriage for his six HD networks.

On Cable and Diversity: "Cable’s done a horrible job – it’s a tragedy and a national disgrace. Women don’t own networks that are widely distributed, nor do Asians, Latinos, LGBTs, Native Americans or African Americans. And without diversity in media ownership, we can’t have a true democracy. It’s time for President Obama, FCC Chairman Genachowski and Attorney General Holder to step in and deliver change."

33. Lisa Chang

SVP, HR, Turner Broadcasting System

Chang leads HR for the company’s entire Technology, Strategy & Operations division and TBS’ International division. In addition to that, she’s President of the CTHRA board and Founder/Chair of its Human Capital Benchmark Survey Committee.

Employee Needs in a Recovering Economy: "Employees seem to be keenly interested in learning & development. Coming out of the recession there seems to be a greater focus on building personal skill sets that are translatable. Given the fast pace of change in our industry, it’s in our best interest to provide these opportunities to ensure we have the best and most skilled talent available as well."

34. Chris Powell

EVP, HR, Scripps Networks

Among Powell’s many achievements, he has led Scripps’ enterprise-wide training and development initiatives, including the Mentoring Experience program and Foundations of Leadership management training. He serves on the WICT and CTHRA boards.

Does Scripps Recruit Talent Aggressively in a Slow Economy? "Most definitely...Regardless of the state of the economy, Scripps needs to have the best talent to optimize our success..The current economic environment is an opportunity for Scripps to proactively source and recruit candidates working in organizations that might not be able to offer them an opportunity to contribute, grow and be rewarded for their performance, experience and skills."

35. Lino Garcia

GM, ESPN Deportes

As Deportes’ founding GM, soft-spoken Garcia’s at the top of his game as the mainstream TV industry is just starting to grasp the power of the Latino audience and its love of sports and TV.

On Opportunities: "There are so many in the next 12 months, but I will highlight just a couple. First, the ’10 Census is anticipated to open even more doors for the U.S. Hispanic marketplace. ESPN Deportes will benefit from being further lifted by that rising tide. As was the case in the ’00 Census, more and more companies will invest in the Hispanic marketplace. Networks like ESPN Deportes, which have proven to deliver value for affiliates and advertisers, will benefit significantly. Within our space, Deportes...will have a strong emphasis on mobile and online."

36. Mark Garner

SVP, Distribution, Business Dev & Marketing, AETN

A tireless champion of interactive technology and advanced media, the thoughtful Garner is one of the architects of AETN’s digital distribution strategy, negotiating TV Everywhere deals and developing interactive TV and commerce applications. A member of our Sales Hall of Fame, Garner chairs the NAMIC board and is Co-chair of CTAM’s ACSC Multiplatform Committee.

37. Kevin Stephens

SVP/Commercial & Ad Ops, Suddenlink

Stephens leads a multi-level sales organization that includes ad sales, business and carrier services, which generates some $250mln in annual revenue and represents a major growth driver. A proven leader at Suddenlink who’s active in several industry groups, Stephens establishes specific and fair goals — and then holds staff accountable to them.

38. Paul Richardson

SVP, HR, ESPN

The veteran HR pro oversees ESPN’s 6K+ workforce in 50 business units worldwide. Beyond Bristol, he’s most proud of his service to the Foundation Board of the CA State Summer School for the Arts.

On ESPN’s Challenges in Recruiting Qualified Global Candidates: "Despite the economic downturn, competition for the best talent remains fierce. At ESPN, we believe our people are our most valuable resource; they give us a competitive advantage. Among other things, this means we are challenged to make sure potential employees know who we are as an employer, our values and priorities, the kind of career development they can expect, the importance of diversity and the absolute necessity to maintain a positive, global work environment where every employee can bring their ‘whole’ self to work and contribute at the highest level."

39. Hamid Heidary

EVP, Central Operations, CTO, Insight Communications

Insight’s tech whiz is leading the charge to make the MSO all-digital, so it can offer 100 HD nets and faster data.

On an IP World: "I am intrigued with how everything is converging toward an IP delivery mechanism. [Soon]..IP delivery will most probably take center stage and become the principal method of providing services to our customers. Today we use about 95% of our network capacity to deliver video (analogue or MPEG digital) and only a sliver for IP-centric services...One view is our networks eventually will become a total IP delivery system for all that we offer, video, phone and high-speed data."

40. Enrique R. Martínez

EVP and Managing Director, Discovery Nets Latin Am

Martinez has helped Discovery’s 13 Latin American nets gain carriage in 34 countries, reaching 153mln subs.

Comparing Discovery in Latin America and the US: "One of the things that makes Discovery such a strong media brand is our content, much of which has universal appeal. Bear Grylls does well in the US, but also with Latin American audiences. Big productions such as Planet Earth, NASA and Life have universal appeal, too. But there are differences. The US version of Life used Oprah Winfrey to narrate; in Latin America we used Grammy winning singer-songwriter Juanes — a personality and voice that Latin America recognized."

41. Lisa Choi Owens

SVP, Digital Media, Scripps

A member of Scripps’ Senior Management Committee who’s heavily involved in the company’s global plans, Owens leads digital activities, including the heavily trafficked foodnetwork.com, hgtv.com and now travelchannel.com. She’s a NAMIC board member and a Betsy Magness alum.

What Programmers Will Do Online in the Future: "I would imagine that programmers will not be doing ‘more’ of the same, but will be taking more advantage of the utility of the Web, with more complementary vs. just tightly aligned experience with programming. There will likely be more integration with social networks. Sites will feature a true two-way dialogue with users vs. broadcasting information the programmer chooses to communicate. Through such two-way dialogue, programmers will get more user participation in creating or at least guiding content decisions."

42. Lisa Hsia

SVP, Digital Media, Bravo

Hsia heads Bravo Media’s digital endeavors, which have received Emmy noms four years running.

Advice on Starting a Digital Career: "There’s no age barrier to working in the digital media space! Whatever your age or experience, success will come from having a sense of curiosity about what’s happening in this rapidly changing field and a feel for what makes something compelling to a user. Next, you need to focus on the metrics and business models to make a compelling case for your ideas. A passion for learning – coupled with smart strategy – is the most important quality."

43. Michael Smith

GM, Cooking Channel

The pop culture success of Food earned its former marketing SVP a shot at launching Cooking.

The Difference Between Cooking and Food Net: "Cooking Channel is a complement to Food. It’s for people who want to take things to the next level, passionate food lovers seeking more instruction, exploration into diverse topics, more chefs and personalities."

Smith’s Favorite Indulgence/Comfort Foods: "Lemon-flavored sweets and desserts, whether it’s lemon pound cake, lemon meringue pie, lemon drop candy, or lemonade. I love the contrast of sweet and tart."

44. Veronica Cajigas

SVP, Intl Media & Global Bus Ops, Discovery Comm

The Harvard alum and former management consultant handles global media operations across Discovery’s portfolio. She’s consistently cited internally for honors.

Developing a Global Cable Business: "Make sure you understand the market and its stakeholders. Only after doing that decide what can be leveraged and applied from your previous experiences (e.g. the US market) and what needs to be ‘customized’ to meet local needs. I have always applied the phrase ‘Think globally, act locally’ to summarize my approach."

45. Charisse Lillie

EVP, Comcast Foundation; VP, Community Investment, Comcast Corp

Lillie is a fixture in cable, heading Comcast’s community outreach and investment — which have become substantial.

The Importance of Comcast’s Community Activities: "When Ralph Roberts founded Comcast, he was committed to creating a culture that fostered community service and employee engagement. That philosophy has continued under Brian Roberts. Giving back is part of our DNA. Our focuses are expanding digital literacy, building tomorrow’s leaders and promoting community service."

46. Michelle Rice

EVP, Affiliate Sales & Marketing, TV One

A Betsy Magness alum and NAMIC board member, Rice led the team that captured our Sales Team of the Year honors earlier this year and pushed TV One past the 50mln sub mark. As TV One chief Johnathan Rodgers says, "She personally sets an example of how multi-ethnic diversity can and should be represented within our industry."

47. Nathalie Lubensky

SVP, Affiliate Marketing, ESPN

Lubensky’s work on the ESPN Diversity Council has enabled her to influence initiatives that attract the best talent for the nets she represents.

On Changes in Affiliate Needs: "Strategies have evolved from transactional marketing (providing special offers and rewards) to a longer-term view of building brands. Ultimately, affiliates are looking for ways to strengthen customer engagement with their products and services. Affiliate marketing programs that thrive now and well into the future will focus on supporting brand building, which will include ‘exclusive’ content/opportunities and a major thrust on retention and consumer engagement."

48. Tamara Franklin

SVP, Affiliate Strategy & Business Development, Scripps Networks

A mentor and active WICT member, Franklin’s ’09 successes with renewals led to her being named National Accounts Team Leader for Comcast.

Franklin on Mentoring: "I believe every interaction represents an opportunity to mentor and/or be mentored. As such, I believe I am mentoring (and being mentored by) a very diverse group, on some level, at any given time...I always encourage others to establish career goals and objectives based upon knowledge growth, professional development and exposure, rather than ‘the trappings of success,’ such as title or office size. If you do the former well, the later almost always follows."

49. Terry Cordova

SVP, CTO, Suddenlink Communications

Set to celebrate 30 years in cable, Cordova’s team last year launched a bandwidth reclamation effort to support new services, including capacity for 200 HD channels.

Cable’s Top Tech Hurdles: "It’s critical that MSOs, SCTE and CableLabs continue to drive standardization (software & architecture) in key industry initiatives like IP video, media gateways, multi-room DVR and Tru2Way/EBIF. Standards will help bring more choice to customers quicker and more cost effectively and could be the impetus to inspire innovation by application developers and non-traditional CPE manufacturers."

50. Melody Tan

SVP, Strategy and Business Ops, Content Distribution and Marketing, MTV Networks, BET Networks

Holder of one of the longest titles in cable, Tan’s work reaches a bevy of issues, platforms and technologies, from authentication and advanced advertising to acquisitions.

Tan on Her Portfolio Focus: "Distribution is a critical revenue-growth driver. Therefore, I focus on identifying new opportunities that strengthen our relationships with key cable, DBS and telco affiliates, as well as with emerging distributors. TV remains the primary entertainment screen, and we seek to enhance the TV viewing experience by developing VOD, HDTV, interactive TV and 3D. We also recognize online and mobile as critical complements to TV and are participating in TV Everywhere/Authentication to provide compelling, multi-screen access."

51. Janet Rollé

EVP & CMO, BET

The veteran marketer held senior posts at MTV Networks prior to joining AOL. She joined BET in ’07 and chairs the US Tennis Association’s Multicultural Participation Committee.

Advice on Seeking a Media Job Wth an Untraditional Background: "Leverage your prior experience while augmenting it with the training necessary to succeed in the industry. I made my transition from dance to marketing by getting an MBA to acquire relevant skills, while building on the aspects of dance that would serve me best in business: respect for the creative process, self-discipline, teamwork and leadership."

52. Sara Clarke

SVP, Corporate Strategy, Analysis and Communication, Showtime Networks

The Harvard MBA develops strategies on everything from sales and marketing to revenue growth, distribution, legislation and technology.

Showtime’s Most Exciting Growth Prospects: "Continuing to meet consumer and affiliate demand for great programming is at the core of our momentum and growth potential. Digital media marketing and ITV initiatives provide innovative tools to extend our reach. Partnering with affiliates who promote the enduring value of premium content remains essential."

53. Enzo Francescoli

Founder, CEO, Gol TV

Cable has fine athletes in its ranks, but they’d find it tough to best Francescoli, one of the great soccer players of all time.

Is it Tougher Being Picked by Pele’s as a Top 100 Soccer Player or Running Gol TV/GolTV HD? "I don’t know that I could put one above the other. It was difficult to create a soccer channel in the US from scratch, but our team turned the idea into a reality. I couldn’t be prouder. Being selected as 1 of the 100 best players in history is 1 of the greatest honors of my life, without a doubt."

54. Abby Pfeiffer

SVP, HR, Charter

The Betsy Magness alum was upped to SVP in ’09. She oversees benefits, comp, training and more.

Overcoming Career Hurdles: "The most challenging lesson I learned as an HR professional was to pick my battles. Early on I wanted to bring about positive change, but this didn’t always align with what others felt were priorities for the business. So I learned to first understand the business and then align functional priorities accordingly."

55. Luis Silberwasser

SVP, Content, Discovery Latin America/US Hispanic Nets; GM, US Hispanic Nets

Silberwasser recently was tapped to head content for Discovery Nets International’s 100 channels in 180 countries.

Biggest Challenges Heading Content for Discovery Nets Intl: "Earlier this year, I’d say my biggest challenge was getting out of Europe despite the Icelandic volcano eruption. Seriously, in the US, people think of ‘international’ as one big region. The reality is that it’s made of very different and complex sub regions; within those regions, there are significant differences, business, cultural and TV consumer habits. It makes this ‘international’ job very complex, but extremely exciting and full of opportunities. The biggest challenge is navigating the nuances and complexities, keeping your eye on identifying common trends and developing new ideas that will give Discovery the biggest impact in the long term."

56. Donna Northington

SVP, Strategic Planning, Turner Network Sales

An alum of Betsy Magness, CTAM’s Executive Program (Harvard) and NAMIC’s ELDP (UCLA), Northington’s portfolio extends from distribution to content acquisition.

The Value of Cable’s Associations: "The value NAMIC, WICT and CTAM have brought to our organization is immeasurable. The breadth and quality of opportunities enhances all, from executives who experience the first-class Ivy League rigor of CTAM’s Harvard Executive Program, to our rising stars, who gain leadership experience through seminars and workshops offered by NAMIC and WICT... The ability to supplement the professional development offered at our home company with industry programs exponentially builds the talent needed to succeed in this complex, ever-changing environment."

57. Mathew Hong

SVP, GM, Sports Operations, Turner Sports

A fierce advocate for diversity, Hong’s been integral to Turner deals with the NCAA, MLB, NASCAR and Yahoo! Sports.

Hong on Cable Sports’ Next 5 Years: "In 2011, cable networks will carry the majority of programming hours for the NBA playoffs, MLB postseason, NASCAR Sprint Cup season, the four golf majors, the Bowl Championship Series games and the NCAA Div I men’s basketball championship...I see a continuation of this trend for 5 years with more top-shelf, must-see sporting events on cable."

58. Claudia Teran

SVP, Associate General Counsel, Fox Cable Networks

Teran played a pivotal role in the renewal of Fox Soccer Channel’s rights to England’s Barclays Premier League. She handles legal for Fox Sports in Latin America, Fuel TV here and overseas and Fox’s global sports syndication business.

Cultural Differences and Business: "Where you’re doing business inevitably influences you — whether domestic or international. To be successful, it’s critical to be aware of cultural as well as business norms. Doing our homework before entering into a negotiation is important."

59. Jacqueline Welch

SVP, HR, Turner Broadcasting System

A tireless community volunteer, The Partnership Against Domestic Violence (PADV) board chairman’s day job has her working with TBS’s corporate-level global talent management, diversity and development.

Employment Advice: "Wherever you work or endeavor to work, understand the organization’s model for making money and how what you do supports it. Basic business acumen goes a long way, as does being informed about industry trends. That’s why daily press clippings are posted prominently on Turner’s Intranet, so employees have easy access to general news and content specific to Time Warner and Turner. I also urge people to listen in on their organization’s quarterly earnings calls. From a soft-skills perspective I always stress the importance of clear communication, regardless of the form."

60. Pragash Pillai

SVP, Engineering & Technology, Bresnan

One of cable’s most respected tech minds, Pillai uses a ‘fast forward’ approach. He observes big MSOs’ tech doings and quickly follows the best examples.

Tech Developments: "Digital media portability and convergence are becoming very robust, especially with IP delivery of content. We are able to provide content through various mediums to customers. Cable is transforming into an advanced telecommunications platform."

61. Susan Banks

EVP, Marketing, TV One

Honored by Ebony in ’08 as one of 10 Outstanding Women in Marketing and Communications, Banks has done much with a limited budget. In just a few years, her branding of TV One earned her a ProMax Brand Builder Award (2007).

62. Luis Torres-Bohl

President, Mexicanal

Torres-Bohl is known for being a hands-on leader who’s poised to continue growing the Mexican-themed network as it reaches it 5th anniversary this year. In ’10, west coast launches were executed in multiple major markets as Torres-Bohl commuted between the U.S. and Mexico, developing and cementing relationships.

63. Drew Wilson

SVP, Global Ops; Division CFO, Discovery Comm

Think you have a lot to do? Wilson not only heads the global accounting staff for Discovery’s 120 networks globally, he’s also Division CFO for Digital Media, Education and Commerce.

On Handling a Huge Portfolio: "I apply basic rules to ensure I’m productive and responsive to the everyday challenges of managing a large global team: 1. I try to set clear, measurable goals and give continuous feedback. 2. I stay flexible and dynamic in thought, as no plan turns out the way you anticipate. 3. I re-prioritize daily and keep an active "to-do" list. 4. I think business first, to help prioritize my workload. 5. I communicate; I isten and talk to people, stay connected and plugged into what is happening at all levels."

64. Rob King

Editor-In-Chief, ESPN.com

Bristol has lured some of the country’s top newspaper writers to work for the portal King runs. Earlier this year King and his team launched sports sites in key markets, including Chicago, LA and NY.

Keeping espn.com Relevant: "We keep our ears and eyes open and never stop asking ourselves how we can do a better job of meeting the needs of sports fans."

Favorite Spectator Sport: "The NFL has me in its crushing grip. But I’ll also watch anyone swing a golf club."

65. Myrna Soto

SVP, Chief Information & Infrastructure Security Officer, Comcast Cable

In addition to being responsible for information and infrastructure security, including customer data, Soto finds time to mentor Hispanic young adults for IT leadership positions.

Mentoring Changes: "I find myself focusing on more social media and social networking education. Not only how these channels can be very beneficial from a professional networking and knowledge management perspective, but also the perils of not managing your digital identity well. The Internet is forever, so I always tell those I am mentoring to be very selective in how they use certain sites, as professional discretion is extremely important."

66. Keith Dawkins

SVP/GM, Nicktoons & Teennick

A member of MTVN’s Office of Global Inclusion Advisory Committee, Dawkins’ plate got more crowded in Aug as he added oversight of Teennick. The only GM Nicktoons has ever had, the 7-year Nick veteran previously was a supervising producer for VH1 News.

67. Gustavo Prillick

Pres/CEO, Broadstripe LLC

Prillick’s leading Broadstripe’s 160K subs out of Chapter 11 by upgrading its plant and call center. A veteran of several industries, he’s also instituted lifetime pricing options for phone and Internet.

Comparing Cable to Other Industries: "Cable lacked a lot of competition for a long time, thus it lacks a sensibility to customer needs and response time present in other industries. Cable also has a complex business model with lots of moving parts requiring motivated and talented people. Upgrading the skill set and level of commitment of staff to treat customers as an extension of their family is perhaps the biggest challenge I’ve ever experienced."

68. Karen Wishart

EVP, Chief Legal Officer, TV One

Wishart’s much more than TV One’s top lawyer. She’s often its chief deal negotiator and is involved with myriad issues.

Skills Law Schools Should Teach About Business: "Law schools are great at teaching legal analysis skills, but not nearly as good at introducing advanced business skills, like business analysis, planning or risk assessment. Hundreds of lawyers can write a great legal brief, but not nearly enough can balance legal answers with a company’s business reality and risk tolerance. As many of us in cable also are responsible for business development, having this knowledge is crucial to the success and growth of our companies.

69. Sebastian Trujillo

SVP and Operating Manager, Galavisión Network

Trujillo’s been running programming, operations and production for the network since April ’08.

On Improving, Growing: "In today’s fragmented media environment, the challenge is not only to provide our loyal audience with the best product via existing platforms, but to deliver engaging content that goes beyond traditional TV viewing. One opportunity is through targeted interactive initiatives; another is by working closely with our distribution partners on non-linear offerings."

70. Kimberly Edmunds

SVP, Customer Operations, Cox Communications

The Betsy Magness grad and new Cable Center board member brings years of local experience (she was a Cox GM) to her corporate post.

3 Ways Cable Can Improve Customer Service: "Think more broadly about what customer service is. Recognize traditional customer service is only foundational to ensuring that customers remain loyal, committed and profitable....Two, become very strategic about how we weave together great products and a superior experience throughout the many stages of a customer’s life cycle...Three, invite the customer into every decision. Allow them to shape what we do in serving them, but also in sales and marketing."

71. Jatin Desai

CTO, itaas

The Atlanta-based interactive TV provider has racked up big EBIF wins with Comcast thanks to Desai’s business-minded engineering solutions.

Top Technologies: "I am most excited about technologies like DOCSIS 3.0, MoCA 2.0, which increase bandwidth for consumers. Adding bandwidth will enable service providers to offer truly innovative interactive services in addition to more content and better connectivity. Consumers will benefit from the new services that the extra bandwidth will allow, getting us closer to the holy grail of any content, anywhere, anytime. The extra bandwidth, when combined with EBIF, tru2way and beyond can provide cable with a one-two punch against the toughest competition."

72. Anand Kini

SVP, Financial Analysis & Planning, Comcast Cable

The Harvard MBA assesses trends, prepares forecasts, 3-year plans and budgets.

Is Cable Recession-Proof? "No business is truly recession-proof. However, despite a challenging economy, cable continues to deliver solid financial results. It generated 24% free cash flow growth in ’09 and stocks have outperformed the market by 20% in ’10. Cable’s ability to offer compelling value... drives its resiliency."

73. Janet Han Vissering

SVP, Program Development, Global Wild, NGCI

Talk about diversity, the 250+ hours of original programming Vissering commissions yearly runs in 166 countries.

Gut Check on Global Programming: "Programs need to transcend language and cultural barriers. The best way to do this is to focus on finding programs with strong stories and characters. Having this foundation will most always transcend language and cultural boundaries."

74. Tina Waters

SVP, Human Performance for Customer Ops, Comcast

Waters strategizes on recruitment, retention, recognition and development for 50K+ customer care workers.

Her Priorities: "To help our employees focus on delivering a consistently superior customer experience, we’re: 1. Acquiring the Best Talent. We’ve launched a pre-employment screening tool for Customer Care that’s based on core competencies...2. Engaging & Motivating Talent. We’re developing supervisors so they’re able to focus at least 60% of their time coaching frontline teams. 3. Maximizing Performance. We’re...focusing on setting clear goals...."

75. Julie Wurfel

SVP, Strategy & Business Dev, Scripps Nets Intl

Wurfel’s job is tied to Scripps’ belief that global expansion will become a critical growth engine. As such, she’s among cable’s world travelers.

Travel Tips: "1. Travel light (carry-on only = no lost baggage!); 2. Sleeping pills are your friend; and 3. Exercise as soon as you land at a destination. Somewhat cheeky, but I really live by these principles!"