Cablefax The Magazine - November 2016 - 44

More of the Most Powerful Women in Cable 2016
Michelle Vicary
EVP, Programming &
Network Publicity
Crown Media Family
Networks
Although she makes
it look easy, the evernimble
Vicary continues
to seamlessly expand the programming strategy
for Crown Media Family Networks, which includes
48 original movies, fi ve specials, three scripted
series on Hallmark Channel and 27 new movies on
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. She's already planning
for even bigger slates for both networks in 2017, including
59 new original movies on Hallmark Channel
and 19 on Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and she's
overseeing the development of new Hallmark Hall of
Fame world premiere productions, which migrated
from Crown Media parent company Hallmark Cards
this February.
Janet Han Vissering
SVP, Development &
Production
Nat Geo Wild
Nat Geo Wild continues
to hit high notes, with
Vissering leading the
network's more than 150
hours of programming commissioned each year for
broadcast around the world. She manages Wild's
development team, working with the world's leading
independent producers, distributors, creative agencies
and strategic broadcast partners. The result is
a potent mix that includes signature series such as
" Dr. Pol, " " Cesar 911 " and " Animal Fight Night, " and
programming events like summer staple Sharkfest
and a Saturday morning kids programming block.
Always keeping the big picture in mind, Vissering
also provides daily oversight of production to ensure
creative continuity-from project conception through
delivery.
Christine Whitaker
SVP, Keystone Region,
Northeast Division,
Comcast
Since being appointed to
her current role in July
2015, Whitaker's goal has
been to make Comcast's
best product be the customer experience. She's built a
strategy around that vision by refocusing and retraining
her team. As she looks to the future, Whitaker
will focus on investment around business services to
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support an expanded network and increased speeds.
A live sports enthusiast, she brings a competitive spirit
and passion for winning to her position. Whitaker has
mentored formally and informally over the years, making
it a point to guide also men in order to help them
understand the challenges women and minorities face
in leadership positions.
Debra Wichser
CFO
Pop
Wichser oversees Pop's
fi nance, accounting,
human resources and
ad sales pricing and
planning departments.
The former CBS corporate development executive
evaluated investment opportunities, contracts and real
estate transactions for CBS' cable networks, interactive
and fi lm divisions, and led research and analysis for
strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, divestitures
and joint ventures. AT&T's proposed acquisition of Time
Warner is the big cable story of 2016, she says. " Not
only the size of the transaction, but also the implications
for both the cable/satellite and media industries. It will
be very interesting to see what the combined company
does differently in terms of innovation. "
Amy Winter
EVP & GM
Up TV
Things are looking up at
Up, thanks to Winter's
skillful handling of the
network's comprehensive
rebrand and reposition.
Not only did the new " We Get Family " tagline marry
well with Up's family-friendly original fare including
" Bringing Up Bates " and " Growing Up McGhee, " plus
new acquisitions " Parenthood " and " Gilmore Girls, " it
aged down the network's audience by nearly a decade.
Winter also broadened Up's digital reach with the inspiring
" Uplift Someone " videos. " I am inspired by all the
powerful women leading network brands and creative
content. I believe many more boards would benefi t from
female voices at the table across all sectors. "
Leigh Woisard
SVP, Public Affairs
Cox Communications
An innate ability to
build strong teams and
encourage innovation
has helped Woisard in
leading an aggressive
November 2016
Gigabit Internet launch strategy. Due in no small
part to her efforts, the company was singled out by
the White House and HUD Secretary Castro for its
role in bridging the digital divide. Woisard is constantly
seeking out aggressive and creative ways
to promote Homelife, Contour, Gigabit Internet and
Cox's community programs. She cites continuous,
unrelenting change as cable's biggest story of the
year. " This year has felt as though at any moment,
a signifi cant announcement could be made that
just might change everything. "
Julie Yoo
SVP, Corporate
Development
Scripps Networks
Interactive
Yoo leads Scripps' corporate
development and
early stage investment
strategy, which includes identifying, evaluating and
executing acquisitions, joint ventures, investments
and partnerships that support the company's
growth objectives. The work of Yoo and her team
helped secure the company as a programming
leader, and although she's steeped in lifestyle
content, Yoo cites ABC's " Quantico " as a series
that refl ects the kind of women's roles she enjoys.
" I love Priyanka Chopra's role in that drama, " she
says.
Dana Zimmer
President,
Distribution
Tribune Media
Zimmer has her hands
full managing distribution
for the company's
broadcast and television
content portfolio for the cable, satellite and telco
industries as well as non-traditional digital media
outlets. She's currently strategizing a more effective
new media plan for Tribune's broadcast
and television portfolio. Her negotiating skills and
expertise closed broadcasting network affi liation
agreements, and her year-end MVPD renewals
were the company's biggest area of growth. Since
joining Tribune, Zimmer and her team have closed
more than 300 successful retransmission deals
and secured multiyear agreements with operators
representing more than 75 percent of the industry.
In just over one year, she converted Tribune's WGN
America from a " superstation " into cable network
to 100 percent of the country.
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Cablefax The Magazine - November 2016

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