Cablefax The Magazine - May 2016 - 45

59. #CABLETALK
60. ALL TOGETHER NOW
Linda Yaccarino
Title: Chairman,
Advertising Sales &
Client Partnerships,
NBCUniversal
Years in Cable: 19
Education: Penn
State University
Matthew M. Polka
Title: President & CEO, ACA
Years in Cable: 28
Education: BS, Journalism (News-Editorial),
West Virginia University; JD, Duquesne University
School of Law
One Word that Best Describes Me: Indefatigable!
(Blame Ted Hearn who coined this about
me many years ago!)
Michael Powell
Title: President & CEO,
NCTA
Years In Cable: 5
Education: Degree in
Government, College of
William and Mary; JD,
Georgetown University
Law Center.
A list of top people in
cable wouldn't be complete without the addition
of these two. Polka is responsible for the daily
operations and affairs of the 850-plus member
non-profit ACA, dedicated to serving the interests
on independent, small and medium-sized
broadband, cable and phone businesses. He
helps indies stay competitive as they navigate
the legislative and regulatory framework. Meanwhile,
NCTA chief Powell engages regularly in
social media to keep the conversation current.
Whether he's simply wishing C-SPAN a happy
birthday or reposting thought-provoking articles
on how the FCC's privacy rules affect consumers,
Powell maintains an on-going dialogue.
Matt Polka
If this election year was a reality TV series,
it would be called... " Off Script and Out of
Bounds! "
My favorite hashtag is: #WeAreAmericanCable!
I watch the majority of programming on this
device: iPad, hands down. ■
Cablefax: The Magazine
In a shifting ad
sales market, Yaccarino
continues to
flex her chops for
deal-making. This
year, she'll lead a
combined NBC, Telemundo and NBCU cable
entertainment Upfront, a new strategy for the
company that speaks to both the economics
of the events, and more notably to NBCU's
" All Together " brand strategy. By giving one
pitch to advertisers in, Yaccarino believes the
event reflects the company's emphasis on a
unified portfolio and makes it easier for clients
to conduct business. In Yaccarino's hands, the
Upfront will no doubt break new ground. ■
61. A ROYAL NEGOTIATOR
Beth Roberts
Title: EVP, Business
Operations, NBCU
Cable Entertainment
Years in Cable: 13
Education: Vassar
College, Boston
University School
of Law
One Word that
Best Describes Me:
Optimistic
The NBCU Cable Entertainment star continues
to rise, and Roberts is a big part of the reason.
During the past year she oversaw negotiations
including the season two renewal " Mr. Robot "
on USA and " The Royals " on E!, an overall
deal with Mr. Robot creator Sam Esmail, and
pilot to series deal for " Falling Water " on USA.
She also worked with her team to place new
emphasis on co-productions across the NBCU
cable portfolio and closed co-production
agreements with CBS Television Studios, Lionsgate,
Fox TV Studios and Legendary, among
others. ■
May 2016
62. ADVENTURES WITH ADAM
Adam Bonnett
Title: EVP, Original
Programming, Disney
Channels Worldwide
Years in Cable: 25
Education: NYU
(Tisch School of the
Arts)
One Word that
Best Describes Me:
Childlike
It takes a combination of creative inspiration and
business acumen to steer the Disney train, and
Bonnett is an agile conductor. In 2015 he led
the teams that developed new series for Disney
Channel and Disney XD, as well as crown jewels
" Descendants " and " Teen Beach 2, " the network's
highly successful original movies. Look for more
momentum this year, including the debut of a new
series pilot from the creator of " Lizzie McGuire, "
and Disney Channel's 100th original movie, based
on the " Adventures in Babysitting " franchise.
My first job: Assistant VP, talent relations &
casting, at Nickelodeon for Rich Ross. I was unorganized
and not good with details. The fact that
Rich thought I'd make a good executive one day
is a testament to his " vision. "
" Star Trek " celebrates its 50th Anniversary
this year. So if Mr. Spock's motto is " Live
Long and Prosper, " mine is... " If you stay at the
party long enough, someone is bound to make you
the host. " I love this quote and have used it in my
professional career. It speaks to patience, persistence,
and the idea that you will always come out
on top, if you know it's a marathon, not a sprint.
What was the last costume that you wore
and why? Pee Wee Herman for Rob Lotterstein's
(executive producer, " K.C. Undercover " ) birthday
party. Rob is one of the smartest, funniest writers
I know, so I needed a really good costume for his
party. All I needed was the red bow tie.
New favorite binge: " Making a Murderer. "
I couldn't stop watching, and it's a refreshing
departure from what we do on Disney Channel.
Hover board, driverless car or drone: Drone.
I care too much about my safety to get anywhere
near the first two.
My typical breakfast is: Eaten at my desk.
My Starbucks order: Trenta Iced Coffee. I never
knew it existed until about a year ago. I'm a lot
more productive in 9am meetings now. ■
cablefaxmag.com
45
http://www.cablefaxmag.com
Cablefax The Magazine - May 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cablefax The Magazine - May 2016
