Women Of The Hour: 12 Most Powerful Women In Global Entertainment
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It's been a decade of women rising up in social, financial, and corporate situations. Movements like Me Too and Time's Up have brought millions together, and for many, they are experiencing understanding and support for the first time. Some women have stood out as leaders among the gender, and more than ever, they are sitting at the head of the table, becoming some of the television, film, and music leaders and inspiring young people for the future.
Janet Healy – Producer, Illumination
She was behind the visual effects we saw on Jurassic Park and Terminator 2 before taking the role of producer with one of the largest animated film companies. Healy led the studio located in Paris and was a leader in various hits such as "Despicable Me" and The Secret Life of Pets.
Mo Abudu – Founder Of EbonyLife Media
The Nigerian founder and producer of EbonyLife Media signed a contract with Netflix, becoming the first African production company to make a deal with the streaming giant. Abudu has also made exclusive deals with Sony Pictures and AMC Networks and will soon release projects including Nigeria 2099 and more.
Oprah Winfrey – OWN
No list of female leaders across the globe would be complete without the famous talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist. She left her world-famous talk show to start her own cable network OWN, and she's earning millions from her partnerships with actor Tyler Perry, Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray, and Dr. Oz.
Bonnie Hammer – Vice-chairman, NBC Universal
According to Forbes, she's the most powerful woman in television with Hammer's Cable Entertainment Group, the umbrella over USA Network, E!, Bravo and SyFy. Hammer served as the lead on the creation management team for Peacock streaming service.
Rola Bauer – President, International Television Productions at MGM (Germany)
Bauer served as managing director of Studio Canal, a French production company. The two-time Emmy nominated producer stepped down to join MGM as president of their German location. According to Hollywood Reporter, Bauer has already launched Last Light, starring Matthew Fox and others, securing MGM's global growth and positioning.
Amy Entelis – Exec VP Talent And Content Development, CNN Worldwide
Since 2012, Entelis has been behind more than 35 CNN Original programs. She initiated the launch of CNN Films and has watched its success. Somebody's Gotta Do It With Mike Rowe debuted with the best premier ratings for an original CNN series under Entelis' watch.
Kristine Belson – President, Sony Pictures Animation
She worked for DreamWorks Animation for nearly a decade, adding her name to films like How to Train Your Dragon and others. In 2015, USA Today reported, Belson moved to Sony Pictures Animation and has participated in the development of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse., Oscar winner for the best animated feature film.
Valerie Creighton – President And CEO, Canada Media Fund
She's been supporting women-led productions for the past 30 years and, today works in Canada, where women make up nearly half of the country's writers, producers, directors, and entertainment leaders. During the pandemic, Creighton was credited for keeping the more than 1,500 local productions from going under during a time of financial struggle.
Donna Langley – Chair Of Universal Pictures
Leading one of the six major motion picture studios in the United States, Langley led the studio to its most profitable year in history in 2014, raking in $5.5 billion. Universal is, of course, behind blockbuster films such as The Fast and Furious franchise, Fifty Shades of Grey, and the Minions series.
Jennifer Lee – Chief Creative Officer, Disney Animation Studio
She was director for blockbuster hits like Frozen and Frozen 2, the first of which grossed over $400 million in the U.S. Lee is the first female director of a Walt Disney Animation Studios feature film and the first female director of a feature film that earned more than $1 billion in gross box revenue. Lee won an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, and Annie Award and has big plans for upcoming Disney films.
Dana Walden – Chairman Of Entertainment, Walt Disney Television
Walden served as chairman and CEO of Fox Television Group and successfully negotiated a billion-dollar deal to air The Simpsons on FXX, the most profitable show in syndication. Five years later, she's responsible for ABC becoming the No. 1 entertainment network in 25 years. The leading woman is behind Hulu's (owned by Disney) success with hits such as The Handmaid's Tale, Little Fires Everywhere, Only Murders in the Building, and others watched as the streaming giant earned 270 Emmy nominations and 29 wins.
Minyoung Kim – VP Content For Asia Pacific Netflix
She joined Netflix after leading roles at Twitter and NBC Universal. As one of the company's first content executives based in Asia, Kim has helped set up the first Seoul office and negotiated the first five Korean originals. Today, Kim is leading half a billion dollars of content on Netflix in 2021 alone, including Kingdom: Ashin of the North, Bangkok Breaking, and Squid Game!
Sources: Forbes, Hollywood Reporter, USA Today
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