Anne Sweeny

International Corporate

Personality

Reasons?

She is the most powerful leader in Television Network.She is the most powerful leader in Television Network.

““Most Powerful Woman in Entertainment” by The Hollywood Most Powerful Woman in Entertainment” by The Hollywood Reporter.Reporter.

One of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” by One of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Business” by Fortune. Fortune.

One of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women by One of The World's 100 Most Powerful Women by Forbes.Forbes.

Anne Marie Sweeney is the Co-Chair of Disney Media and president, Disney-ABC Television Group.

Who is Anne Sweeny?

Principal Activities

From October 2000 to April 2004, Ms. From October 2000 to April 2004, Ms. Sweeney served as president of ABC Cable Sweeney served as president of ABC Cable Networks Group and Disney Channels Networks Group and Disney Channels Worldwide, where under her leadership Disney Worldwide, where under her leadership Disney Channel more than quintupled its subscriber Channel more than quintupled its subscriber base. In April 1998, she also oversaw the base. In April 1998, she also oversaw the successful launch of the 24-hour channel Toon successful launch of the 24-hour channel Toon Disney (now known as Disney XD), and later Disney (now known as Disney XD), and later the launch of SOAPnet in January 2000.the launch of SOAPnet in January 2000.

Principal Activities

In 2005, Ms. Sweeney led the industry into the In 2005, Ms. Sweeney led the industry into the digital era when the Disney/ABC Television Group digital era when the Disney/ABC Television Group became the first media company to put television became the first media company to put television content on new platforms. The group was the first to content on new platforms. The group was the first to leverage iTunes, the first to introduce an ad-leverage iTunes, the first to introduce an ad-supported full episode player online, and the first to supported full episode player online, and the first to deliver an application for the revolutionary iPad. deliver an application for the revolutionary iPad. Under her leadership, the Group continues to Under her leadership, the Group continues to combine high-quality content with strategic use of combine high-quality content with strategic use of traditional and emerging distribution platforms to traditional and emerging distribution platforms to deliver compelling news and entertainment viewing deliver compelling news and entertainment viewing experiences to hundreds of millions of people experiences to hundreds of millions of people around the world.around the world.

Strategic Leadership

Dare to take risk.Dare to take risk.

How does Sweeney know when to take such risks? “You How does Sweeney know when to take such risks? “You have to understand your content, your organization have to understand your content, your organization and your goals, and know how to evaluate the and your goals, and know how to evaluate the opportunity quickly.” With the video iPod, for opportunity quickly.” With the video iPod, for instance, “We saw the beta [iTunes] store. We saw instance, “We saw the beta [iTunes] store. We saw the video iPod, and we knew the reputation and the video iPod, and we knew the reputation and quality of Apple products. We also knew that Apple quality of Apple products. We also knew that Apple was a top marketer and had an amazing relationship was a top marketer and had an amazing relationship with their consumers, as do Disney and ABC.”with their consumers, as do Disney and ABC.”

Strategic LeadershipDo your research, be alert.Do your research, be alert.

For Sweeney, staying in touch with what consumers want For Sweeney, staying in touch with what consumers want and need is vital. “It’s never about one focus group or and need is vital. “It’s never about one focus group or one survey. It’s about being aware of how technology one survey. It’s about being aware of how technology impacts your life and the lives of your family members impacts your life and the lives of your family members and friends. Listen and pay attention.”and friends. Listen and pay attention.”

Consumers are the driving force for Sweeney, who advises Consumers are the driving force for Sweeney, who advises those considering risky moves to “do your homework those considering risky moves to “do your homework and think through as much as you can how your and think through as much as you can how your consumer is going to respond. At the end of the day, it’s consumer is going to respond. At the end of the day, it’s not about us; it’s about what we do for the consumer.”not about us; it’s about what we do for the consumer.”

Strategic Leadership

Never give upNever give up

Critics have disapproved of the marketing Critics have disapproved of the marketing strategy made by Sweeney, which makes the strategy made by Sweeney, which makes the programs on Disney Channel geared mainly programs on Disney Channel geared mainly towards pre-teen and teenage girls. Disney towards pre-teen and teenage girls. Disney Channel executives hoped to become more Channel executives hoped to become more “boy friendly” in 2010; especially when Good “boy friendly” in 2010; especially when Good Luck Charlie premiered and when Aaron Stone Luck Charlie premiered and when Aaron Stone and Zeke and Luther joined the main program and Zeke and Luther joined the main program line-upline-up

Innovation / Transformation

Leadership