Cablefax The Magazine - June 2018 - 17

20. REMOTE CONTROL
Frances Berwick
President, Lifestyle Networks
NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment
Years in Cable: 22
Education: MA, Modern Languages,
Edinburgh University
Chris McCumber
President, Entertainment Networks
NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment
Education: BA, Government and Law,
Lafayette College
Daring, dramatic and just plain dish-y? Thanks
to these two execs, NBCU Cable has it all. If Berwick
has a favorite among her cable networks,
she doesn't let it show. She devotes equal time
to each as she develops must-see content for
Bravo Media, E! Entertainment, Oxygen Media
and Universal Kids. She's always adding content
to satisfy viewers who want to be entertained
in new and familiar ways as evidenced by " The
People's Choice Awards " return to TV on E! in
November. It's been said she's on a first-name
basis with her employees-quite a feat considering
that she has about 600 people under her.
Finding a voice in today's saturated superhero
market isn't easy, so McCumber looked to the
21. SHAKING IT UP
Michael Biard
President, Distribution
Fox Networks Group
Years in Cable: 19
Education: BA, Biology-Psychology,
Columbia University;
JD, Loyola Law School
Joe Marchese
President, Advertising Revenue
Fox Networks Group
Years in Cable: 9
Education: Bentley University
This powerful duo gets things done. Marchese didn't waste time shaking
things up after assuming his current role last year. Within days he introduced
a brand-lift optimization system; sequenced creative cross-platform
campaign optimization and single-sponsor exclusivity within on-demand
streams; and announced that FX would cease selling standard commercials
across digital and on-demand environments. As head of distribution, Biard
closed on the largest and most fiscally significant deals ever with FoxCablefax:
The Magazine
June 2018
past to launch Syfy's " Krypton, " the story of
Superman's grandfather. Otherwise, the exec
has his eyes on the future as he continues to
strengthen USA Network and Syfy with compelling
content. He oversaw the expansion of Syfy
Wire, the network's news division, which has
tripled in traffic during the last year and helps
create viewer loyalty with hits including " 12
Monkeys. "
Frances Berwick
Favorite Restaurant: Jing Fong in Chinatown
NYC: dim sum that is worth the wait and the long
escalator ride to get to the banquet hall.
Best advice my mom or dad gave me: The importance
of integrity and the appreciation of what
you have rather than a focus on what you don't,
along with " never sign anything you haven't read "
and " if you can't say something nice, don't say
anything at all. " Clearly, I can't be a " Bravolebrity. "
Chris McCumber
Your social media platform of choice?
Twitter
Favorite short-form content? Music videos
on YouTube
What product or service could you not live
without? Spotify
What's the first thing you read in the morning?
News on the New York Giants (football)
Last show I binged not on my network(s):
" Billions " ■
affiliated stations. This year, he also absorbed Fox News
and Fox Business into the FNG portfolio, leading distribution
negotiations for all Fox brands and content within the
newest distribution platforms.
Michael Biard
The biggest innovation in media/broadband over the
last year? Netflix integration with MVPDs.
Favorite restaurant: Brasserie (Mammoth Lakes, CA)
An area where media/ broadband could use improvement?
Advertising: Reconciling consumer demand
with ad-supported business models requires radical, unprecedented
cooperation and innovation across the industry.
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible
packaging? Contentious
Last show I binged not on my network(s): " The Crown "
Joe Marchese
My worst Tweetstorm only ended when 2017 year ended - as part of my
New Year's resolution to stop using social media
Favorite restaurant: Tie between Carbon and ABC Cocina
Your social media platform of choice? Twitter as a news and crowdsource
comedy feed. ■
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