Cablefax The Magazine - April 2017 - 46

62. THE CROWN
Bill Abbott
President & CEO
Crown Media Family Networks
Years in Cable: 29
Education: BA, English Literature,
Holy Cross College
One Word that Best Describes
Me: Consistent
Susanne McAvoy
EVP, Marketing, Creative &
Communications
Crown Media Family Networks
Years in Cable: 25
Education: BA, Communications &
Psychology, Vanderbilt University
One Word that Best Describes
Me: Neat freak
Kristen Roberts
EVP, Pricing, Planning & Revenue
Management
Crown Media Family Networks
Years in Cable: 23
Education: BA, Marketing, Villanova
University
One Word that Best Describes
Me: Committed
Michelle Vicary
EVP, Programming & Network
Publicity
Crown Media Family Networks
Education: BA, Radio, Television
& Film, California State University,
Northridge
Abbott, McAvoy, Roberts and
Vicary may have slightly different
approaches to their jobs at Crown
Media, but they share several
important qualities that keep the
crown shining bright: kindness,
46
commitment, and a penchant for
creative excellence. Abbott's vast
knowledge of the cable industry
and keen instincts help him accurately
forecast industry trends.
Vicary's innate ability to identify
and tailor content for the Hallmark
brand has fueled the growth of
Hallmark Channel and Hallmark
Movies & Mysteries. McAvoy's
creative and on-point ideas-
spanning consumer, ad sales, and
affiliate marketing-continually hit
the sweet spot, helping generate
viewership and revenue. And
Roberts deftly manages to keep
the organizational side of the
operation afloat. Even without the
networks' successful Christmas
programming events, they both
grew in key demos in 2016;
among total viewers, Hallmark
Channel was up 14 percent and
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries was
up 25 percent.
Abbott Q&A
What inspires you most about
this industry? The terrific talent.
The biggest innovation in cable
over the last year? Comcast
partnering with Netflix.
The best thing about fast broadband
is... Fast email.
Three years from now, what do
you hope has been invented?
Self-driving cars.
What are the top three qualities
you look for in a hire? Team
player, strong perspective, hungry
for success.
Which TV family is most like
your own? There is no family like
mine, and have my wife, kids, cats
cablefaxmag.com
& dogs to prove it!
My OTT prediction is... It will live
within the cable ecosystem much
more than people anticipate.
If President Trump tweeted
about you, he would say... " That
the media does not give us the
credit for our success that we
deserve! "
What product or service could
you not live without? Waze
How long is your morning commute?
Long enough to know I
should live in NYC.
Favorite Saturday morning
cartoon from your childhood?
" Scooby Doo "
What does the future look like
for skinny bundles and flexible
packaging? More limited than
people think.
Best way to spend a Saturday
night: Reading a script in front of
a fire.
McAvoy Q&A
What inspires you most about
this industry? The constant
change.
The biggest innovation in cable
over the last year? The continuing
proliferation of over-the-top
platforms and services.
The best thing about fast broadband
is... faster everything.
What are the top three qualities
you look for in a hire? A willingness
to take risks, loyalty, team
player.
Last show I watched not on my
networks: " The Americans "
Best way to spend a Saturday
night: Playing games as a family.
April 2017
Roberts Q&A
Three years from now, what do
you hope has been invented? A
unified metric that crosses platforms
and captures all commercial
viewing in this constantly changing
environment.
What are the top three qualities
you look for in a hire? Someone
who shows up on time, has diversity
of experience and opinions
and is excited to come to work.
How do you celebrate your
birthday? Drinking margaritas.
Favorite Saturday morning
cartoon from your childhood?
" The Jetsons "
Last show I watched not on my
networks: " How to Get Away with
Murder "
Vicary Q&A
What inspires you most about
this industry? Creating content
that viewers are passionate about
is the greatest inspiration.
The biggest innovation in cable
over the last year? All I know is
TV Everywhere is more everywhere
in my home than ever!
Three years from now, what do
you hope has been invented?
Gaming consoles that look like attractive
home décor sitting under
my television.
What product or service could
you not live without? Waze. I find
it comforting to know it will take
me exactly one hour and 47 minutes
to get home from the airport
even at 10 at night.
How long is your morning commute?
One mile! I'm going to walk
it one day. ■
Cablefax: The Magazine
http://www.cablefaxmag.com
Cablefax The Magazine - April 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cablefax The Magazine - April 2017
