If Oprah Winfrey wants something done right, she does it herself. This fall, the media mogul will take the reins at her cable channel, OWN.
Winfrey and the board fired Christina Norman as chief executive in May, and the network has had an interim chief since. The six-month-old network has low ratings and currently airs reruns of "Dr. Phil" and "What Not to Wear." OWN needs original programming and, more importantly, strong leadership and a clear creative voice in its day-to-day operations.
That's just what Winfrey, 57, has. With her self-titled television show and magazine, she inspired fan loyalty that would make most companies jealous.
Now, she will have to use that strong personal brand -- as well as her media savvy -- to get the network on track.
In addition to her current position as chairman, Winfrey will take on the CEO and chief creative officer roles at the network, which is co-owned by Discovery Communications and her Chicago-based production company Harpo Studios. Harpo presidents Erik Logan and Sheri Salata will join her at OWN, where they will also serve as presidents. (WSJ, NYT)
Sales Buzz
Big Brother (FINS)
Surveillance cameras watching your every move would be good reason to turn down your dream job, said 58% of respondents to a FINS survey.
What Would You Do?
Answer the question and see how you match up with the rest of the FINS community.
You've just been offered your dream job, but... your CEO has a camera trained on you and all of your colleagues.
Sign ...or... Decline
Levi's Moves (Retailing Today)
Vice president of global sales Paul Zadoff will become the denim company's senior vice president of wholesale commercial operations for the Americas.
Executive Turnover On the Rise (FINS)
CEO departures rose in June. Fifteen chiefs in media, apparel, consumer products, retail and food companies left their jobs last month, four more than in May.
Marketing Buzz
Where the People Are (Ad Age)
Are America's biggest economic hubs moving west? The population of those aged 25 to 34 dropped in northeastern states in the last ten years and jumped in Utah, Nevada and Idaho, among others.
Learning Marketing at the Four Seasons (Bloomberg Businessweek)
The Four Seasons does not pamper just its guests. A summer intern at the luxury hotel chain shares her experience as a social media marketer.
McCann Loses One to Ogilvy (Ad Age)
McCann veteran John Kottmann, is leaving the Interpublic-owned agency for WPP's Ogilvy & Mather.
Buzz Around the Office
Good Samaritan (YouTube)
Would you help this raccoon out?
List of the Day: How to Improve Your LinkedIn Profile
1. Customize your public profile URL.
2. Add an email address to your profile.
3. Contact former coworkers, clients and bosses for recommendations.
(Source: Glassdoor)
For news you need to know throughout the day, follow FINSider (sales, marketing) on Twitter and Facebook!