Engaging Executives

Advertising Age reports that Lauren Zalaznick, president of NBC Universal's Women and Lifestyle Networks is convening a panel of powerful women to advise the network and its clients on how to reach women.  

The panel will include Maria Bartiromo, Meredith Vieira, Tori Spelling, Susan Lyne, and Shelly Lazarus, along with 21 other "estimable names."  The "panel" will be offering marketing and general business advice, will blog, appear on air, and contribute to a quarterly newsletter, "Power of the Purse" about marketing to women. 

Zalaznick, who was profiled in a fascinating New York Times Magazine article last October, says the panel will allow NBC Universal to "think like a marketer instead of a programmer." 

The Ad Age article focused heavily on Madison Avenue's concern that the panel would be "cutting out" the advertising agencies as a source of creative ideas.  They obviously see the world through agency-colored glasses.

However, our glasses have a different hue.  We see the panel as an executive advisory board, and Ms. Zalaznick seems to be doing everything right.  She has assembled a diverse group of well-respected peers, she is gathering advice on strategic business issues, and she is leveraging their experience and insight to benefit a broader audience. 

We'll keep watching to see how the panel takes shape in the coming year and what impact it has on NBC's business.