December 1, 2008

CableFAX: 11. Hammer Time: Bonnie Hammer

Bonnie Hammer
Title: President, NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and Universal Cable Productions
Last Year: #35
Age: Is a state of mind
Education: Boston U, BA, Communications; MA, New Media and Tech

Why Her? Success at the helm of USA and Sci Fi — the former fortified its position as the top-rated basic network with its strongest-ever summer, the latter jumped into the top 10 — this year earned Hammer control of Universal’s entire cable stable. She not only will be continuing to raise the bar on the entrenched networks, as she did by adding a record five new series to USA this summer, but will be raising the profile of the whole suite including newbies Chiller, Sleuth and Universal HD. She’s also charged with developing and producing original content across the NBCU’s cable properties and ancillary platforms.

Year Ahead:
Will her Midas touch extend to the new properties?

Drink: It’s all about enhancing the mood — mocha latte anytime before 5 and a great vintage anytime after.

Favorite Interactive Content: Intelligent conversation

Philosophy: It ain’t over ‘til it’s over

Trait I Most Admire In People: Graciousness — always important whether you’re up or down, winning or losing.

Favorite Sports Team: If I didn’t say the Knicks, my 15-year-old would stop speaking to me...not that he communicates all that much anyway.

CO

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