Spotlight on the CableFAX 100—The Hub's Margaret Loesch

Margaret Loesch

Title: President/CEO, The Hub

Years in Cable: 18

Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: It’s hard to listen when talking.

Why Her? Loesch knows how to get things done. A year after launching The Hub as a 24/7 network, the tot-driven channel is now in 61 million homes and has shown consistent audience gains over its former identity as Discovery Kids. With its stable of original shows based on kid favorites like “My Little Pony” and “Strawberry Shortcake,” family game shows built around co-owner Hasbro favorites like Scrabble and nostalgia programming including “The Wonder Years” and “Happy Days,” Loesch hopes to parlay The Hub’s notable trend in co-viewing among parents and kids into increased ad sales.

Giving Back: Loesch remains active in the ongoing rebuilding efforts of her hometown of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and more recently Hurricane Irene.

The one thing I tell my kids about success in life: Don’t give up on your dreams. Life will produce many hurdles but also many opportunities. Open every door of opportunity because it only takes one “right” door to make your dreams come true.

Favorite “going out” town: Are you kidding me? New Orleans, of course!

Worst thing I ever heard someone say in a meeting: Three equally awful things: 1) From a 30-something network executive (no kidding): “Who was Jack Benny?” 2) From a 20-something mid-level studio executive: “What was Watergate anyway?” 3) From a successful producer: “Didn’t you used to work with my father?”

Bands I would actually go see live: Black Eyed Peas, Maroon 5, Lady Antebellum, The Rolling Stones, Eminem, and if Freddy Mercury was alive today, definitely Queen!

My favorite business and/or motivational book: “Shackleton’s Way – Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer”

If I could only have authenticated online access to five cable networks (not affiliated with my company), they would be: CNN, USA, TNT, AMC, TLC. ◆