Cablefax The Magazine - June 2018 - 52

73. SPROUTING A NEW BRAND
Deirdre Brennan
GM
Universal Kids
Years in Cable: 9 years (7 Australia +1
Canada + 1 US)
Education: Sydney University
Last fall, a major rebrand helped Sprout grow
into Universal Kids, with Brennan setting the
tone and strategies for all network and digital
operations from programming and development
to marketing, communications and finance.
She's actively cultivating strong relationships
with producers, broadcasters and creative
talent around the world to build a strong foundation
for the network's future that includes
animated fare from the likes of DreamWorks
Animation, fresh originals and youth-skewing
takes on big brands such as " Top Chef Junior "
and upcoming " Ninja Warrior Junior. "
74. REBRANDING & EXPANDING
Kevin Kay
President
Paramount Network, CMT & TV Land
Years in Cable: 30+
Education: BA, Boston University
Keith Cox
President, Development & Production
Paramount Network, CMT & TV Land
Years in Cable: 12
Education: BA, Double major in Economics
& Psychology, UCLA
Frank Tanki
GM
CMT & TV Land
Years in Cable: 20
Education: BS, Boston College; MBA, City
College of NY - Zicklin
Kay is doing triple duty at TV Land, CMT and the
burgeoning Paramount Network, formerly Spike,
which is drawing refreshed ratings and critical
acclaim. Together with Cox, the two are setting
the tone for content on the rebooted network,
jumping into action this past year by greenlighting
original series including " Waco, " " Yellowstone "
and the TV adaptation of " Heathers. "
Meanwhile, Tanki led TV Land to its best year
since 2013 while transforming the entire CMT
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The biggest innovation in media/broadband
over the last year? The emergence of
blockchain entertainment studios and television
applications. The movement to protect the
rights of children in an online world.
If you wrote a " Black Mirror " episode,
what dark side of technology would you
explore and why? The ability to be so connected
by technology but so removed from
human contact-something we are seeing
increasingly with today's tweens and teens.
Favorite restaurant: Bobo NY. Gwen LA.
Best advice your mom or dad ever gave
you? Be true to yourself and enjoy the
adventure.
An area where media/broadband could use
improvement? Improved windowing and rights
management.
Your social media platform of choice? Instagram
Bitcoin - pro or con? Tokenization is intriguing
but crypto-currencies are a gamble.
Favorite short-form
content? " The
Katering Show " and
" SNL "
What would be the
name of the reality
show based on your
company? " Doing it
for the Kids. "
What product or
service could you not live without? My tablet
for late-night drama watching.
What's the first thing you read in the morning?
New York Times and overnight emails
from home (Australia).
Last show I binged not on my network(s):
" The Magicians " and " Top of the Lake: China
Girl, " simultaneously.
If you could have a superpower, what would it
be and why? The ability to instill empathy in others,
because the world would be a kinder place. ■
brand, moving it beyond music to showcase a
more modern, progressive " open country " culture
that better reflects the network's audience.
Kevin Kay
The biggest innovation in media/broadband
over the last year? Backpack Kid
Favorite short-form content: Tyrion Lannister
What would be the name of the reality show
based on your company? Extreme Makeover:
Network Edition
If you could have a super power, what would
it be? Lip Sync Battling! (Oh wait, I already
have that!)
What's the first thing you read in the morning?
Chrissy Teigen's Twitter
Keith Cox
If you wrote a " Black Mirror " episode, what
dark side of technology would you explore
and why? A satirical take on a monster social
June 2018
media site overthrowing a government.
Favorite restaurant: Rossoblu
What product or service could you not live
without? Spotify
What's the first thing you read in the morning?
New York Times morning briefing
Last show I binged not on my network(s):
" Collateral " on Netflix
Favorite podcast: " Ear Hustle "
Frank Tanki
Favorite restaurant: Volare, a hidden old
school Italian gem in NYC
Best advice your mom or dad ever gave you?
Mom: " Don't be anything other than yourself. "
Dad: " Never make a rash decision to earn
yourself $10,000 or less, it's not worth it. "
Your social media platform of choice? Instagram
Last show I binged not on my network(s):
" Atlanta "
Favorite Podcast: " Planet Money " ■
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Cablefax The Magazine - June 2018

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