31. Artsy Mojo

Abbe Raven
Title: President & CEO, A&E Television Networks
Age: “Still in the demo!”
Years in Industry: 24
Years left in the industry: “Hopefully, lots more!”

Bob DeBitetto
Title: EVP/GM, AETN
Age: “50... Yikes!”
Years in industry: “10 in motion pictures, 8 in TV”
Years left in industry: “I take the 5th”

Nancy Dubuc
Title: SVP, non-fiction programming & new media content, AETN
Age: 37
Years in Industry: 15
Years left in the industry: “Ask my boss”

Why them? Abbe Raven not only knows how to guide one of the most capable management teams in the business. She has also led A&E and sister nets The History Channel and The Biography Channel to more Emmy nominations than any other cable company for the past two years running. DeBitetto, meanwhile, bested the competition with his record-breaking purchase of syndication rights for “The Sopranos” (at a cool $2.5 million per episode for 75 episodes). Dubuc’s take on the reality genre has garnered the most successful justice programming on cable. And don't overlook “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,” which helped lower A&E’s median viewer age from 61 to 41 in 3 years (In Oct, A&E posted a 21% increase in the 18-49 demo compared to Oct. 2005). Raven also plans new broadband channels. Bada bing. - CAO

Abbe Raven

Defining career moment: “Opportunity to be part of the launch of The History Channel.”
Biggest cable surprise of 2006: “The influence of technology and new media on our business.”
Top personal achievement in 2006: “Seeing continued growth of A&E’s youthful demographics.”
Favorite restaurant: “Sarabeth’s for Sunday brunch.”
Favorite line from a movie or TV show: “There’s no crying in baseball” – Tom Hanks in “A League of Their Own.”
Favorite TV show not from my network: “24” and “Entourage”
Favorite sports team: Michigan Wolverines.
Favorite piece of tech: “WiFi in my house.”

Bob DeBitetto

What is your favorite word? “Yes”
What is your least favorite word? “I dunno.”
What turns you on? “Great ratings... great music... artistic brilliance... Italy... anywhere in Italy.”
What turns you off? “I will not get into politics here...”
What sound do you love? “Uncontrollable laughter.”
What sound do you hate? “Unchecked whining.”
What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? “Rock star.. Or maybe painter (of paintings, not houses).”
What profession would you not like to attempt? “Paris Hilton’s publicist.”
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “There’s a whole bunch of people here who’ve been waiting to see you!”

Nancy Dubuc

Defining career moment: “When Abbe Raven appointed me head of Development at A&E.”
Top personal achievement in 2006: “The continued momentum of A&E's series launches over the 2006 summer season: “Criss Angel,” “Mindfreak,” “Gene Simmons Family Jewels,” “Driving Force,” and the “Dog and Beth Wedding Special.”
In my free time, I like to: “Cook and play Scrabble.”
Favorite restaurant: Mary's Fish Camp (NYC)
Favorite movie: “Finding Neverland”
What is your favorite word? "Yes."
What is your least favorite word? “Edgy... we're really not. Instead we're smart about our programming choices and listen to our audiences.”
What turns you on? "Smart people"
What turns you off? "Denial"
What sound do you love? "Ocean"
What sound do you hate? “Honking Horns.”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? "Photographer"
What profession would you not like to participate in? “Prison guard"
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “You're in!”

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