Cablefax The Magazine - June 2018 - 33

57. THE ROYAL FAMILY
Bill Abbott
President & CEO
Crown Media Family Networks
Years in Cable: 30
Education: Holy Cross College
Susanne McAvoy
EVP, Marketing, Creative & Communications
Crown Media Family Networks
Years in Cable: 26
Education: Vanderbilt University
Erin McIlvain
EVP, Distribution
Crown Media Family Networks
Years in Cable: 13
Education: BA, University of Colorado; JD,
University of Denver
Kristen Roberts
EVP, Pricing, Planning & Revenue Management
Crown Media Family Networks
Years in Cable: 22
Education: Villanova University
Michelle Vicary
EVP, Programming & Network Publicity
Crown Media Family Networks
Education: California State University,
Northridge
If there's one term to characterize the last year
at Crown Media Family Networks, it has to be
calculated risk. Thanks to a leadership team
that was unafraid to make bold moves, 2017
proved successful with the launch of Hallmark
Drama in October 2017, the company's third
linear network. McIlvain and her team signed
agreements with DISH and Altice, and they're
actively speaking with other major distributors
to continue Hallmark Drama's growth. Vicary's
programming strategy has driven both Hallmark
Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries to
annual increases in ratings and delivery. And, of
course, these efforts would all fail without solid
marketing strategy, McAvoy's expertise. She
has transformed Hallmark Channel and served
as the liaison with parent company Hallmark
Cards. This team's combined efforts saw
Hallmark Channel become the most-watched
general entertainment network among W25-54,
total viewers and households for the entirety
Cablefax: The Magazine
of Q4 '17. Beyond its linear
networks, 2017 saw Crown
Media launching SVOD service
Hallmark Movies Now and
Hallmark Publishing, an e-book
division. These new ventures
aren't cheap, and Roberts has
maintained the company's
bottom line with ease while
navigating different industries.
She works closely with McAvoy
and Vicary to identify and optimize
cross-platform monetization
opportunities. None of these adventures
would be possible without the guiding hand of
Abbott, whose vision and passion for the brand
has led to its significant expansion since his
arrival in 2000.
Bill Abbott
The biggest innovation in media/broadband
over the last year? Recognition of fake news.
Favorite restaurant E Baldi in Beverly Hills
Best advice your mom or dad ever gave you?
Good things happen to good people.
An area where media/ broadband could use
improvement? More consistent WiFi access
What's the first thing you read in the morning?
Wall Street Journal
Susanne McAvoy
My worst Tweetstorm only ended when: I am
resolutely anti-Tweetstorms
Best advice your mom or dad ever gave you?
Success doesn't mean never making a mistake, it
means never making the same mistake twice.
Last show I binged not on my network(s):
" The Crown "
If you could have a super power, what would
it be and why? The ability to instantly transport
myself to and from Los Angeles and Kansas
City for business trips so I can get back home
to my family sooner.
June 2018
Erin McIlvain
Favorite restaurant: Izakaya Den (Denver)
Favorite short-form content? " Tom versus
Time " on Facebook was well done.
What product or service could you not live
without? My Peloton!
What's the first thing you read in the morning?
WSJ and my email
Last show I binged not on my network(s):
" McMafia "
Kristen Roberts
Best advice your mom or dad ever gave you?
Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.
What product or service could you not live
without? Uber
Last show I binged not on my network(s):
" The Crown "
Michelle Vicary
If you wrote a " Black Mirror " episode, what
dark side of technology would you explore
and why? Alexa is listening to everything I say!
Your social media platform of choice? Pinterest.
Still so addicting.
What's the first thing you read in the morning?
Early overnights!
Favorite podcast: " Fully Booked " ■
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