Posted July 28, 2006

Imagen Gives Nielsen Executive High Ratings
She’s cool, calm, and collected and — as those who know her best can attest — always in control. Possessed with these characteristics, Susan Whiting has quickly climbed the corporate ladder to become one of the most powerful and enduring executives in the ratings game. In a little over two decades, she has risen to the position of president and chief executive officer of the nation’s premier television ratings company.

As head of Nielsen Media Research, Whiting also serves as executive vice president of VNU Media Measurement and Information (MMI), the world leader in measuring the usage of media, including music, motion pictures, books, home entertainment, videogames and the Internet, thus making her one of the most influential women in the media industry, and the perfect candidate for Imagen’s prestigious President’s Award that will be presented to her at the 2006 Imagen Awards Gala, Aug. 18.

Whiting joined Nielsen Media Research in 1978 as part of the company’s management training program. The following year, she was assigned to a unit developing new approaches for measuring an emerging medium – cable television. Since then, she has worked in every aspect of the business.

In 1997, Whiting was appointed general manager of National Services and Emerging Markets, where she was responsible for the sales and marketing of national services for broadcast and cable networks, advertising agencies, syndicators and local cable system customers. Four years later, in 2001, she was named president and chief operating officer, and assumed responsibility for day-to-day management of the company. Within nine months, she assumed the role of CEO as well as president.

Whiting also serves as a member of VNU’s Operating Committee and is a member of the Board of Directors for Nielsen//NetRatings and Wilmington Trust Corporation. Among her other board affiliations, Whiting is a member of the Board of Trustees of Chicago’s Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, and a trustee of Denison University, where she graduated with a BA, cum laude, in economics.

If there is another title by which the amazing Ms. Whiting is also known, it is “Wonder Woman,” an honor bestowed upon her when she was named one of Multichannel News’ Wonder Women in 2003. And it’s not surprising that she is also recipient of the Outstanding Female Role Model award from the NBA Wives Association.

Among her many attributes, Whiting has been known to win over even her harshest critics, treating friends and foes alike, with the skill and grace of an exemplary executive who knows her job and does it exceedingly well.

While there are those who would challenge the ratings game and how it’s played, there’s no question that the one person who knows how to play it better than anyone else is the charming and exceptionally talented Susan Whiting.

The Best of the Electric Company Now Available on DVD
One of the most popular television shows of the ‘70s was the highly acclaimed, Emmy award-winning children’s television series, The Electric Company, created by the nonprofit education organization Children’s Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop).

This extraordinary series became a springboard for many future stars, among them, Morgan Freeman, Bill Cosby, Rita Moreno, and Luis Avalos. The ensemble cast also included voice-overs by Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Joan Rivers, and Zero Mostel. The Short Circus provided a youth element to the cast, featuring Irene Cara and others.

Now, The Best Of The Electric Company is available for the first time on home video. Released in February by Shout! Factory, the four-disc set features 20 of the best episodes in true nostalgic glory, new interviews and more.

The Best of the Electric Company DVD includes a wealth of bonus features including new interviews with Rita Moreno, creator Joan Ganz Cooney, executive producer Sam Gibbon, head writer Tom Whedon (Golden Girls, Alice) and Short Circus member June Angela. Show trivia, new episode introductions by Moreno, classic outtakes and a fun Karaoke version of Silent E round out the disc’s extras.