Women to Watch
By Multichannel News Staff -- Multichannel News, 1/26/2009 2:00:00 AM
Maryam Banikarim
Chief Marketing Officer, Univision Communications
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Maryam Banikarim oversees marketing activities across Univision’s areas of operation, including TV, radio and online. Before joining Univision in 2002 as senior vice president of strategic marketing, she provided management and marketing consulting services to a variety of clients including Time Warner, Deutsche Bank and Bacardi Ltd. Previous roles include publisher at Macmillan Publishing and general manager and marketing director for Citysearch. She was also a member of the first integrated marketing solutions group at Turner Broadcasting.
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “When I first arrived at Univision, marketing was not a corporate priority and public relations efforts were limited. Today, Univision has adopted marketing as a strategic tool in driving our businesses. It’s with the marketing team in place that we were able to achieve many firsts: from strategically partnering with sales to bring in new advertisers to Spanish-language TV, to launching the first corporate brand campaign in many years, to creating a comprehensive corporate PR strategy.”
ON CHALLENGES: “Our challenge at Univision is to sell to people who don’t necessarily consume our product. So, communicating our brand connection takes some inventive thinking.”
WHY SHE LOVES HER JOB: “As a marketer, we are all challenged to think differently — that’s what makes it interesting. Now more than ever, it’s essential to understand and listen to our consumers and be willing to take calculated risks.”
Jennifer Caserta
Executive VP and General Manager, IFC
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Named to her current post in June 2008, Jennifer Caserta oversees day-to-day operations of the IFC network and directs program development, production, scheduling and marketing efforts. She previously was IFC’s executive vice president of marketing, communications, scheduling and alternative programming. She has relaunched the IFC.com Web site, served as executive producer for a number of IFC productions and spearheaded the launch of IFC’s first on-demand offering. Earlier, she served as executive vice president and general manager of the music network Fuse. She has also held posts at Court TV, Oxygen Media and Food Network.
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “It has been exhilarating to help build IFC into a multifaceted media brand with roots in indie film while increasingly moving into the forefront of alternative culture … I also take great pride in knowing how to pull together a strong team to help me lead and drive them to do their best and most creative work.”
INFLUENCES: “I have been blessed with great mentors throughout the years, three of whom I am lucky enough to still work with today: Charlie Collier, Ed Carroll and my boss of the past 7 years, Evan Shapiro.”
LOOKING AHEAD: “ Without being able to predict what exactly will happen, I think it’s safe to say we are in for an interesting year. What I’ve always admired about our industry is its ability to be innovative and resilient; two helpful remedies for times like these.”
Lori Conkling
Executive VP, Distribution, Lifetime Networks
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Lori Conkling is responsible for Lifetime Networks’ overall distribution strategy across multiple platforms, including linear, video on demand and mobile. She also supervises the expansion of new and existing product platforms such as Lifetime On Demand, Lifetime HD, LMN On Demand, Lifetime Movie Network HD and Lifetime Movie Network Español On Demand. She joined Lifetime from Disney and ESPN Media Networks.
ON THE INDUSTRY: “We are lucky to work in an industry where we have a direct path into people’s homes … whether through their TV set, their computer or their cell phone. The content we sell shapes people’s thinking and that carries with it a huge responsibility.”1396927554
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “My proudest career achievements have been little things along the way that probably meant very little to anyone but me. They are things like closing my first deal in the cable industry as a coordinator for the Disney Channel. I am especially proud of the deals I did that were 'firsts.’ I’m also proud to say that everyone I’ve negotiated against is still a friend.”
ON HER JOB: “I wake up at night thinking about how to keep Lifetime ahead of its competitive set. We need to think three steps ahead so that what we’re doing today will get us to where we want to be 2 years from now.”
Kristine Faulkner
VP, Product Development and Management, Cox Business
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Kristine Faulkner’s team drives the development and implementation of commercial products for Cox Business’ customers, as well as ongoing product lifecycle management. Prior to joining Cox in 2000 as a senior product manager of Web hosting services, she served as general manager and director of Internet publishing for the Daily Press in Newport News, Va. She began her career in the newspaper industry and spent 10 years with the Tribune Company.
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “The transition from the newspaper industry to cable/telecom was a great challenge, but I’m glad I accepted it and I’m proud of the amazing team at Cox who mentored and supported me as I ramped up.”
ON CHALLENGES: “My team’s challenge is not only to keep up with the technology and push vendors and suppliers to roll out more innovative capabilities for businesses, but to make sure that we appropriately translate emerging technology into services that are easy for customers to apply to their business operations.”
INFLUENCES: “Early in my newspaper career I had the great fortune to have a mentor — Lisa Bohnaker. Her role was to bring forth new growth ideas to a legacy newspaper business. Since then I’ve worked for some terrific leaders in the cable industry who share similar game-changing passions.”
LOOKING AHEAD: “If you’re going to work in the telecom industry, working at an MSO in commercial services is the most exciting place to be. There is so much growth to harvest and we’re only at the cusp of its potential!”
Melani Griffith
Senior VP, Programming and Video Services, Insight Communications
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Melani Griffith is responsible for the management and strategy of the video product, as well as negotiating all of Insight Communications’ programming deals. With over 14 years of marketing and programming experience in the cable industry, she has also worked in advertising sales at Fox Cable Networks and affiliate sales at AMC Networks and at Discovery Communications. She earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California at Los Angeles and a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia Business School.
INFLUENCES: “Kim Martin, Lynne Costantini and David (as in David and Goliath). [Kim] taught me everything about affiliate sales and the cable business. Lynne believed in me before I believed in myself and helped me make the transition from programmer to distributor. David is really code for Michael Willner, Chris Slattery and Pam Halling. They all taught me how to face an opponent regardless of size and power, and win.”
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “Every time I look at Insight’s quarterly customer growth and every time I close a tough deal.”
LOOKING AHEAD: “One of the biggest challenges we are facing in 2009 is how to continue to make our products competitive, affordable and relevant in this economic crisis. Cable is not recession-immune and we need to be creative, flexible and quick-moving to be successful next year.”
Jacqueline Hernández
Chief Operating Officer, Telemundo
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Jacqueline Hernández was named to her newly-created post at Telemundo Communications Group in April 2008. She oversees all domestic revenue and marketing; digital media and emerging platforms; Telemundo’s Latino-youth cable network mun2; affiliate relations; and all research functions. Previously, she was publisher of People en Español. Before joining People en Español, she was vice president of global account development at Turner International. She joined Turner Broadcasting in March 2000 as director of interactive sales, where she headed up the global interactive sales team for CNN International and Cartoon Network.
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “Nearly 10 years ago while I was at CNN, I received an award for a program I developed called 'Latin Leaders of the New Millennium.’ Looking back I can see how forward thinking this program was as it integrated 360 degrees across different platforms … It was one of the first times a program had been done fully bilingual in English and Spanish.”
WHY SHE LOVES HER JOB: “The opportunity at the Telemundo Group truly excites me. Despite the economic challenges we are all facing, the importance of the Hispanic consumer has never been greater.”
INFLUENCES: “I’ve had great bosses in my career who have also served as mentors that I keep in touch with throughout the years. I’ve had the luxury of working for the best across every medium.”
LOOKING AHEAD: “As I look into the future, there are two areas that I see growing. Multicultural will become increasingly important … especially the Hispanic segment [and] digital — everyday we see more ways to consume content digitally.”
Loretha Jones
President, Programming, BET
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Loretha Jones oversees original programming, news, development, planning and acquisitions for BET Networks, which she joined in November 2008. Previously, she was executive vice president of MTV Films/Paramount Pictures since July 2007. Before that, she was senior vice president of MTV Films/MTV Home Entertainment, after being a consultant and producer for MTV Films. Before her career as a producer, she was an attorney with the law firm of Frankfurt, Garbus, Klein & Selz.
INFLUENCES: “Debra Lee has been a major influence — even before I became part of the network I would read about her. Knowing that she was trained as a lawyer as I am inspired me tremendously about what the possibilities could be. Also, Suzanne DePasse when she was nominated [for an Emmy] for her work on Lonesome Dove and for the things that she’s done over the years.”
BEGINNINGS IN FILM: “I first moved into the film business by starting to produce films that were directed and created by some of my clients — Spike Lee was one of my first clients, and School Daze was one of my first films. Another movie I produced with one of my clients was the Five Heartbeats with Robert Townsend.”
ADVICE TO OTHERS: “Not to give up. I grew up in the South Bronx and was raised by my grandmother who only had a second or third grade education, but was the smartest woman I knew. We read together often, but the biggest thing that we used to do together is watch a lot of television. She just constantly gave me a tremendous amount of support and encouragement.”
Toni Judkins
Senior VP, Original Programming, TV One
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Toni Judkins was named to her current role overseeing TV One’s original programming strategy in the fall of 2008. She joined the network in 2007 as vice president of programming and production. Before joining TV One, she most recently was a production executive at VH1. An MTV Networks veteran of 12 years, she supervised production for several original series and specials. Her knowledge of music and music history also landed her an on-air spot as a host on VH1 Classic from 2004-2006. She has also produced independent feature films and various other film and music projects. “Toni has terrific creative skills, and, through her long career at MTV Networks, she truly understands cable programming and cable production,” said TV One President and CEO Johnathan Rodgers. “But, most of all, she understands TV One’s audience and has a strong vision for the TV One brand and its programming promise.”
ON HER JOB: “I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to head up original programming for TV One. We are fortunate to have a team of bright and creative minds dedicated to strengthening our brand with fresh, innovative content.”
INFLUENCES: “Internally, Johnathan Rodgers, a generous leader, has taught me so much. I am continuously inspired by Cathy Hughes. Additionally, Christina Norman, Michael Hirschorn and Lauren Zalaznick have all had great influence on me.”
Gina Lombardi
President, MediaFLO USA
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Gina Lombardi provides strategic direction and manages operations for MediaFLO USA, the Qualcomm subsidiary that delivers its FLO TV mobile entertainment service to mobile phones via a dedicated nationwide multicast network. She steered MediaFLO USA through its March 2007 commercial service launch, and led negotiations to secure both Verizon Wireless and AT&T as wireless operator partners. She was also instrumental in the signing of programming deals with CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC and MTV Networks. Previously, she served as senior vice president of marketing and product management for Qualcomm Internet Services. She began her career at Qualcomm in 1990 in contract administration and advanced through several positions in legal affairs before moving into product development and management in the mid-1990s.1396927554
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “To lead a talented group of people in creating a compelling nationwide mobile TV service.”
WHAT SHE LOVES ABOUT HER JOB: “Being able to work with influential wireless companies … and best-in-class media brands.”
INFLUENCES: “Irwin Jacobs created the foundation for an innovative company, Qualcomm, and this has allowed innovative ideas such as FLO TV to be created and brought to U.S. consumers.”
LOOKING AHEAD: “2009 is the beginning of the FLO TV service with a nationwide network available this spring. FLO TV consumers are watching 20 minutes per day on their cell phone, and we anticipate this to continue to grow over time.”
Gail MacKinnon
Exec VP and Chief Gov Relations Officer, Time Warner Cable
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Gail MacKinnon oversees Time Warner Cable’s Washington, D.C., public policy office and is responsible for the company’s legislative and regulatory strategies. Previously, she served as senior vice president of global policy for Time Warner Inc. Before that, she was senior vice president for government relations at the National Cable & Telecommunications Association. Before assuming her position at NCTA in January 2006, she was vice president of government relations at Viacom. She has also held posts at Tele-Communications Inc., CBS and Turner Broadcasting.
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “I’ve had the opportunity to serve in so many varied parts of the industry, which has given me a broad perspective from representing not only two cable MSOs but also several programming networks and broadcast interests as well.”1396927554
ON CHALLENGES: “Like all cable companies, we’re transforming daily in terms of the array of services we’re able to provide.”
INFLUENCES: “While I have been fortunate to work with so many talented and smart people over the years, there is one person who has had a profound influence on my professional development, Carol Melton. From my earliest days in the industry, Carol has played a significant role in my life from mentor, to role model, to boss — both at Viacom and Time Warner — to close personal friend.”
LOOKING AHEAD: “Maintaining cable’s tradition of embracing innovation and focusing on the customer is central to the industry’s success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.”
Sue Naegle
President, HBO Entertainment
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Sue Naegle is responsible for overseeing all of HBO’s series programming and specials. Before joining the network in April 2008, she was a partner and co-head of the television department at United Talent Agency. She also managed UTA’s training program. During her time at UTA, she oversaw the packaging of TV series such as HBO’s Six Feet Under. She was also involved with HBO’s current series True Blood since its inception.
WHY SHE LOVES HER JOB: “[Cable] offers more creative freedom in terms of content, especially pay cable [and there] is the amount of time you have to tell a story … it’s like a novelistic approach to television.”
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “As an agent … your job is to pave the way and to let your clients get their voice into the world. In a way, it’s similar to what I’m doing now at HBO. So it was a very comfortable transition … My work with the training program is one of my best memories and some of the most fun I had at UTA.”
ON CHALLENGES: “My focus is on what makes an HBO show, and how [it] is distinctive in a world where basic cable and pay channels are emerging and doing well and have great shows. It’s a challenge that everyone’s embracing.”
LOOKING AHEAD: “Technology changes how we watch TV. But it can’t change what we’re watching. That still goes back to the creator. We’re all in the content business.”
Tonia O’Connor
Exec. VP, Distribution Sales and Marketing, Univision
WHY WE’RE WATCHING: Tonia O’Connor, who joined Univision Communications in January 2008, is responsible for leading the company’s distribution efforts with cable, satellite and telecommunications operators, and managing the affiliate relations teams for the Univision and TeleFutura Network stations and the Galavisión cable network. Previously, she spent 13 years at Gemstar TV Guide.
PROUDEST ACHIEVEMENT: “I’m very proud of executing Univision’s first global retrans agreement with Comcast … it was a fulfilling experience finding a win-win for both parties. These are complex negotiations, but when the parties are truly committed to entering a partnership there’s always a way to bring it over the finish line.”1396927554
INFLUENCES: “I have worked for some of the best people in this business and learned so much from them. However, there isn’t anyone that has taught me the virtues of an unwavering work ethic and the highest level of integrity like my mother.”
WHY SHE LOVES HER JOB: “Univision represents the ideal opportunity for me … it involves the complexity of marrying mature businesses with emerging business models.”
ON CHALLENGES: “Throughout my career it’s served me well to step out of my comfort zone whenever the opportunity presented itself. For me it’s about taking calculated risks, which always pays off.”
Women to Watch
01/27/2008FLO TV Hires MTVN's Kim
09/02/20092007 Women to Watch
01/28/2007Qualcomm Names Stone To Head FLO TV Unit
01/22/2009Web’s Advances Aren't TV's Loss
02/17/2008
