Cablefax The Magazine - April 2014 - 7

3 | A Positive Direction
John Skipper
Title: President, ESPN;
Co-Chairman,
Disney Media Networks
Years in Cable: 17 years at ESPN
Education: BA, North Carolina; MA, Columbia
Anne Sweeney
Title: Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks;
President, Disney|ABC Television Group
Years in Cable: 30+
Education: BA, College of New Rochelle; Ed.M,
Harvard University
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Always be
curious and keep learning.
Sweeney sent shock waves when she recently
revealed plans to leave her Disney/ABC perch
to pursue a directing career. But the swift appointment
of Ben Sherwood-whom Sweeney
handpicked to run ABC News in 2010-as her
successor is a testament to the smooth operation
that is Disney Media. Sherwood has some big
shoes to fill. Sweeney's legacy includes programming
breakthroughs and visionary drive for digital
4 | Herstory
Abbe Raven
Title: Chairman, A+E
Networks
Education: BA, Theatre University
of Buffalo; MA, Theatre
& Cinema, Hunter College
Years in Cable: 31
Best Advice: Slow and
steady wins the race.
Nancy Dubuc
Title: President, A+E
Networks
Education: BA Boston
University
Number of Years in
Cable: 15
Best Advice: Who dares...
wins.
Not even a " Duck Dynasty "
dust-up can keep these
two down. With their rise
to the top spots of AETN
Cablefax: The Magazine
extensions of the Disney/ABC suite. Over at ESPN,
Skipper continues to prove himself a superlative
team captain. This past year he oversaw rights
acquisition deals extending into the next decade
with the American Athletic Conference, the
Mountain West Conference and WNBA, among
others. Skipper also continues to think outside the
box, bringing renowned statistician Nate Silver
to ESPN. The net's most expansive programming
initiative is set to launch in August, with the SEC
Network, and a wide-ranging agreement with the
USTA will bring exclusivity for tennis' US Open
starting in 2015.
Skipper
I watch the majority of programming on this
device: Big 'ole HD TV
John, Paul, George or Ringo? John
last year, both have kept
the momentum rolling. Just
look at the list of hits across
the portfolio of nets: " Bates
Motel, " " Vikings, " " Devious
Maids " and, of course, those
guys with the beards. Up
next for Dubuc will be the
relaunch of BIO as FYI as well
as a continuing international
and digital expansion, while
Raven will continue to
focus on long-term strategy.
Especially nice to see that
both play important roles
outside the company-
Dubuc mentors inner city
girls and was honored this
year by the March of Dimes;
Raven is on the boards of the
NAMIC Foundation and CTAM
Educational Foundation and
serves as vice chairman of
the advisory board of the
Smithsonian's National Museum
of American History.
Cable exec I'd most like to see twerking?
There is no circumstance under which I need to
see any cable TV exec twerking.
One thing I would do all the time if I could: Read
Favorite Restaurant: The Honeymonk
(Lexington, NC)
Favorite vacation spot: Paris
Beach or mountains? Beach
If someone forced me to cut the cord and
only watch 3 over-the-top shows, they would
be: I have a problem with the leading question that
anyone could be forced to cut the cord.
Sweeney
I watch the majority of programming on this
device: iPad
The biggest innovation in cable over the last
year: WATCH ABC
TV show I'd most like to have a cameo in?
" Scandal "
One thing I would do all the time if I could:
Step out of my comfort zone and be bold.
The technology that will most benefit cable
over the next year is: Mobile ad measurement
My ideal celebrity partner on " Dancing with
the Stars: " Tom Bergeron
Oscars or Grammys? Oscars
Favorite TV show as a kid? " Lassie " ■
Beach-Nantucket is a fav.
Favorite TV show as a
kid? " Man from U.N.C.L.E, "
" Mary Tyler Moore Show "
Dish I can make and that
would impress a celebrity
chef: Brussel sprouts
with roasted beets
Dubuc
Raven
TV show I'd most like
to have a cameo in?
" Devious Maids " - it's high
comedy.
John, Paul, George or
Ringo? Paul! Who I met
when we did McCartney
in Red Square & I was
definitely star-struck.
Twitter or Instagram?
Twitter
My favorite newfound
hobby: Cake decorating-but
only for special
April 2014
occasions.
One thing I would do all
the time if I could: Read
on the beach.
Favorite Cable Show
memory: Launching History
Oscars or Grammys?
Oscars
Favorite restaurant: Barbuto
downtown for a casual
dinner.
Favorite vacation spot:
Pacific Coast of Costa
Rica-incredible sunsets.
Beach or mountains?
I watch the majority of
programming on this
device: iPad on my own
and on TV with my family
TV show I'd most like to
have a cameo in? " The
Good Wife "
Favorite vacation spot: I'll
never tell.
Beach or mountains?
Beach
Desert island album?
Mary J. Blige greatest hits
Dish I can make and that
would impress a celebrity
chef: Short ribs ■
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Cablefax The Magazine - April 2014

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