Innovators Series With Lauren Zalaznick - Paley Center for the Media

On Wednesday evening, Dawn Sutherland invited me to a lovely event at The Paley Center for Media .

Pat Mitchell, President & CEO of the Paley Center for Media in conjunction with Accenture, who generously hosted the evening, Innovators Series With Lauren Zalaznick - President of NBC Universal Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks. The round table session with Pat Mitchell as well as the conversation with Lauren Zalaznick has a hands on, pro- active, open to suggestions type methodology with regards to how she directs/manages the various segments of programs under her repertoire. She actually listens to what is said/asked and then speaks to the topic at hand; her answers were informative and thought provoking. It was an intimate group of 75 people. Of these, 50 of us stayed for dinner after the discussion with Lauren Zalaznick.

While enjoying drinks and hors doeuvres, I got a chance to chat with Jerry Longarzo of BermanBraun and a good friend of his from High School (NYC), who currently has a daughter attending USC. What's not to love about breaking bread with people that love the Arts and Entertainment field as I do?

Why, when Dick Wolf took the floor during the Q & A and asked Lauren Zalaznick a question regarding her thoughts on TV vs. Cable Network, the entire audience sat on the edge of their seats waiting with bated breath for Lauren's answer. Lauren stated, " I am agnostic when it comes to the two forms of media. One is not superior to the other. I did not consciously decide to choose one over the other. I left one position and went to another. It was just the way things happened." What a great response to a very thought provoking question.

What I took away from the evening was the fact that we all play various roles in life; take your place on stage and watch what direction you are stepping in to and go with the flow. As Lauren Zalaznick said, "Know that whatever step you take, have the confidence to know that the pavement is there to meet your step."

Now is the time to visit the Paley Center for Media, located at 465 N. Beverly Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90210.

(310) 786-1000

Hope to see you there!

C