December 12, 2007

Getting Noticed

Name: Charlie Collier
Title: EVP/GM, AMC
Age: 38
Years in Industry: 17

Name: Kim Martin
Title: EVP/GM, WE tv
Age: 47
Years in Industry: 20
Years left in the industry: “As long as I’m still having fun!”

Why Them? Standing out from the crowd has become a necessary obsession for cable network executives – and these two were standing tall this year. Collier took his time shepherding AMC into original programming, but Emmy-winning miniseries “Broken Trail” and series “Mad Men”—recently picked up for a second season—were clearly worth the wait. Next up is “Breaking Bad.” But while Collier is keen on drama, he refuses to get stuck in a genre rut. Case in point: AMC wooed writer David Seltzer to pen upcoming sci-fi/horror amalgam “99 Stories.” Martin proved once again in ’07 that you don’t need the entrenched reputation of Lifetime or sheer industry heft of Oxygen’s Gerry and Oprah to get outstanding (wedding) reception. This year’s launch of WEGoBridal as a television, on demand and online triple threat was more brilliant than any “Platinum Weddings” diamond. The Sunday-night, “Bridezillas”-centric television block is bringing in the ratings, and its complementary Web site has growing commerce possibilities. This honeymoon’s just beginning.  CAO

Charlie Collier
What is your favorite word? “Daddy”
What is your least favorite word? “Whatever (as a response)”
What turns you on? “Passion”
What turns you off? “Ignorance”
What sound do you love? “A putt sinking”
What sound do you hate? “Whining”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? “Talk show host” 
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “Just kidding — now get back down there and here's a little something for the effort...”

Kim Martin
Favorite sports team: “Kick Chicks, my daughter’s soccer team.”
My perfect vacation goes like this: “Biking through the wine country.”


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