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Susan Packard
President, Scripps Networks
Affiliate Sales and International Development
Susan Packard is responsible for all distribution of Scripps-owned cable networks to cable operators, satellite distributors, and television stations. In this capacity, she leads a nationwide team of people who sell and market to these providers. Packard also manages a team which sells Scripps-owned cable content internationally. She works to create global brands by developing strategic alliances with domestic and international partners. In addition, Packard is an officer of Scripps Networks, Inc., which includes Home & Garden Television (HGTV), Food Network, the Do It Yourself Network (DIY), FINE LIVING, and Shop At Home.
Most recently, Packard was president of Scripps Networks New Ventures, responsible for developing new networks and new media applications, including broadband, video-on-demand, and interactive television. Prior to this, Packard served as chief operating officer of HGTV, one of the nation’s fastest growing cable networks. HGTV is the only network devoted to providing entertaining how-to information from some of America’s best home builders, decorators, gardeners, and craft experts, as they provide practical information to help people make the most of their lives at home. Susan began her extensive sales, marketing, and management career in 1978 at Burke Marketing Research in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1980, she joined Home Box Office (HBO), and over the next eight years she moved up through the ranks, serving in various sales, marketing, and management capacities in their Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles offices. Prior to joining HGTV, Packard was part of the start-up team for CNBC, where she served as vice president of affiliate relations and national accounts. In addition to her U.S. duties, she also oversaw all of CNBC’s business activities in Canada. After six years at CNBC she joined HGTV in early 1994 and oversaw its launch as one of the most successful new cable networks. Packard has contributed her time, energy, and experience to the start-up of many industry organizations, such as DMA-wide marketing co-ops, the Southern California Cable Television Association, and state and regional CTAMs. She has served on the National CTAM Marketing Board, the Board of Cable Positive, and in an advisory capacity to the National Cable Television Association (NCTA). She currently serves on the Scripps Howard Foundation Board, the board of the WICT (Women in Cable & Telecommunications) Foundation, and recently was elected to The Cable Center’s Board.
Packard was the recipient of the 1998 Woman of the Year Award presented by Women in Cable & Telecommunications. In 1999 Susan was profiled in Modern Visionaries, a book chronicling the contributions of pioneering women in the cable and telecommunications industry. Also in 1999, Electronic Media recognized her as “One of 12 to Watch” in all media businesses; and Cablevision Magazine cited her as one of the “12 most powerful women in cable.” In 2000 she had the distinction of being named one of the Top 100 in the cable industry by CableFax magazine. In 2001, Packard was honored by induction into the Cable TV Pioneers, an organization comprised of senior cable executives. The Cable TV Pioneers organization is credited with fostering the original idea of the National Cable Television Center and Museum, now known as The Cable Center, located in Denver. Currently, Packard serves on the Center’s Board of Directors. In 2002, she was featured by the Knoxville News-Sentinel as one of five Extraordinary Women in East Tennessee; and in 2003, Packard received the Outstanding Alumni Award, the highest honor given by the College of Communications, Arts and Sciences, at Michigan State University.
Having served on the Board of its Visitors Bureau, Packard continues to be active with the University of Tennessee and contributes her efforts toward the cable and telecommunications curriculums at the University. She has guest lectured at the University of Tennessee, Michigan State University and the University of Ohio-Oxford. She holds executive office on the Board of Directors of the YMCA of Metropolitan Knoxville, serves on the board of the Columbus Home for Children, the Community Advisory Board of the Junior League of Knoxville, and is a business advisor to Casa de Sara, an organization which fosters the education and healthcare of children in Bolivia.
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