- Image by Disney via CrunchBase
Anne Sweeney is not only the Co-Chair of Disney Media Networks and President of Disney-ABC Television Group, but she has been described by some as the most powerful woman in entertainment.
Her tenure has coincided with this decade’s explosive growth of social media and digital television content delivery. The immensely popular series LOST, which ended a six-season run in May 2010, was a key element of ABC’s strategy in both areas.
Interviewed by Poppy Harlow of Fortune Magazine last week (a portion of which is embedded below), Sweeney was asked if ABC is looking for the “next LOST,” and she gave a very thoughtful answer which shows that she really does understand the unique nature of the series. “[LOST] was a moment in time, a fantastic creation and collaboration that benefited from the birth of technology during the run of the show.”
Addressing the question of whether a television network can afford in times of economic uncertainty to pay to produce a show as expensive as LOST, Sweeney said, “LOST did incredibly well on every platform and around the world. People were willing to pay for it. [Going forward,] paying attention to cost is critical, but that’s really where technology comes in to help us.”
Fans frequently criticize television network executives for the way that they treat (or mistreat) their favorite series, and it is great sport. But in Anne Sweeney, I see a confident and intelligent leader capable of making creative and forward-thinking decisions. But that every executive were as skilled.
David Swinney helps businesses implement social media strategies and plans in order to identify customers and their influencers, engage them in conversation, and leverage those connections to improve the bottom line.
As a technologist with a background in social media, corporate communications, technical and customer support, vendor relationship and project management, he is able to comfortably discuss various social media topics with managers, individual contributors, and just plain folks.
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