Cablefax The Magazine - April 2017 - 59

87. THE FANTASTIC
FIVE
Mindy Grossman
CEO & Director
HSNi
Years in cable: 10
One Word that Best
Describes Me: Passionate
Bill Brand
President
HSN
CMO
HSNi
Years in Cable: 21
One Word that Best Describes
Me: Is " Fun-novative " a word?
Jennifer Cotter
EVP, Television, Content &
Programming
HSN
Years in Cable: 24
One Word that Best Describes
Me: Multi-tasker
Peter Ruben
EVP, Affiliate Relations
HSN
Years in Cable: 30+
One Word that Best Describes
Me: Integrity
Education: MBA, UCLA Anderson
School of Business
Judy Schmeling
COO
HSNi
President
Cornerstone Brands
Years in Cable: 22
One Word that Best Describes
Me: Passionate
With the venerable Grossman at
the helm, this veteran quintet of
executives at HSN continues to
keep vibrant the company's $4
billion direct to consumer portfolio
that includes live content retailer
HSN and the Cornerstone portfolio
of home and family lifestyle
brands. Brand has been a transformational
leader in the media,
Cablefax: The Magazine
retail and entertainment industries
for 25 years. He specializes in
building strategic partnerships
that create meaningful content
that drives the business. He has
created alliances with global
companies including Toyota and
Coca-Cola. Under Cotter's leadership,
her team develops cross
platform content and executes all
launches and partnerships for celebrities
and industry influencers.
She launched HSN's first turnkey
studio space, The Loft, which is
dedicated to creating digital-first
content. Over Schmeling's 22
years at HSNi, she has contributed
significantly to the company's
growth and development including
taking the company public in
2008. Meanwhile, Ruben oversees
cable and satellite distribution for
HSN and has been instrumental in
launching and leading distribution
efforts for HSN Shop by Remote.
Grossman Q&A
What inspires you most about
this industry? Right now, it's the
drive towards personalization and
customization of viewer content.
That's the Holy Grail in retail, and
a platform-agnostic, customercentric
focus will be transformative
for both industries.
The biggest innovation in cable
over the last year? TV everywhere
apps that allow viewers to watch
both live and VOD programming
anywhere/anytime.
My OTT prediction is... As more
and more programmers ink deals
with OTT distributors, customer
growth will accelerate faster than
predicted.
What are the top three qualities
April 2017
you look for in a hire? I want to
work with people who are passionate,
obsessively curious and who
strive to make a significant impact.
What product or service could
you not live without? My iPad
is with me wherever I go. It's the
best way for me to stay connected
to the world and most importantly,
stay in close touch with my family
-my new obsession is Facetime
with my new granddaughter.
Brand Q&A
What inspires you most about
this industry? How it's always
evolving. And how HSN evolves
with it.
The biggest innovation in cable
over the last year? Technology that
makes the viewing experience more
real, more awesome, more WOW!
The best thing about fast
broadband is ... breaking the
speed limit.
Which TV family is most like
your own? The one on " Modern
Family. " Isn't everybody's?
If President Trump tweeted
about you, he would say... I've
always wanted Bill Brand's hair.
Cotter Q&A
The best thing about fast broadband
is: For viewers, it's getting
content faster and on their terms.
For cable providers, it opens up
the opportunity for broadcasting in
new ways.
Which TV family is most like
your own? The one on " Modern
Family. "
My OTT prediction is: Most
channels will shift to a content
pervasive, Netflix-like experience.
If President Trump tweeted
about you, he would say... I hope
nothing! He shouldn't be concerned
with me. He's the President.
Ruben Q&A
The biggest innovation in
cable over the last year? Cable
operators opening up their video
platforms to Netflix and YouTube.
Which TV family is most like
your own? The family from " Modern
Family. "
My OTT prediction is... Similar
OTT companies with no subscription
commitments will lead to
cable video prices also declining.
What product or service could
you not live without? My iPhone.
What does the future look like
for skinny bundles and flexible
packaging? We are just starting
to see the beginning of skinny
bundles. It will be one way for all
the cable and OTT companies
to differentiate themselves while
competing on price.
Schmeling Q&A
What inspires you most about
this industry? Ability to create joy
in people's everyday lives.
Three years from now, what do
you hope has been invented?
A hair dryer that styles your hair
exactly as you want it. No effort on
your part to master your hair!
What are the top three qualities
you look for in a hire? Curiosity,
flexibility, and integrity.
If President Trump tweeted
about you, he would say...
" Nailed it! Good job! "
Best way to spend a Saturday
night: Early dinner followed by a
couples massage! Empty nester
:) ■
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