emmy®extra September 2007 · more emmy®extra features
Where the
High Life Meets
Real Life
The Style Network won't settle for being
the number-one destination of high-end
fashionistas, says Salaam Coleman Smith.
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She’s the executive vice-president of cable’s Style Network, so of course, she’s stylish. But this TV exec is also a Stanford grad, with a bachelor’s of science in organizational behavior and management science.
All the better for strengthening signature Style programs, like How Do I Look, Clean House, Fashion Police and its coverage of New York Fashion Week. And for launching new entries like Style Her Famous, Split Ends and a multi-tiered partnership with Beyoncé and mom, Tina Knowles. Clearly, Salaam Coleman Smith (left) knows the business of the business.
She worked ten years in management consulting before joining MTV Networks. As vice president of programming for Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, she oversaw Nick at Nite's rebranding and played a role in MTV and Nickelodeon’s global expansion.
In 2003, she came to E! Networks as senior vice president of programming and in 2005 was named senior vice-president at Style, an E! Networks property. She was soon upped to executive v.p. at Style, which has seen impressive ratings gains.
It’s a lot to be proud of, but Coleman Smith happily points to the partnership she brokered between Style and Dress for Success: The nonprofit—which helps disadvantaged women find jobs by building their self-esteem and giving them business attire—has seen a whopping 57 percent increase in donations in just one year.
Emmy’s Kara Mayer Robinson asked for her take on Style Network’s new look: |
A Programming Makeover for
a Size-Twelve World
“A size-two network in a size-twelve world. That’s how I used to describe the Style Network when it skewed toward high-end fashionistas," Coleman Smith recalled.
"Don’t get me wrong — we had amazing runway and designer shows that looked exquisitely beautiful. But our programming was missing three key ingredients: juicy stories, relatability and real-life design. And what good is spotlighting style when a woman can’t apply it to her own life?"
Hosts as Real-World
Fashion Style Guides
A size-two network in a size-twelve world. That's how I used to describe the Style Network... What good is spotlighting style when a woman can't apply it to her own life?
Salaam Coleman Smith
Executive Vice President, Style Network. |
“A key step on my mission to make Style accessible was to round up a handful of fresh, top talent to serve as style guides and mentors," she explained.
"Always a viewer favorite, Thom Filicia, host of Dress My Nest, continues to wow us at Style. Jay Manuel transforms his fashion expertise into spot-on advice in Style Her Famous. Watching How Do I Look’s ultra-chic, ageless Finola Hughes is like hanging out with a best friend.
"None of our hosts speaks specifically to the über-fashionable," Coleman Smith said. "Each makes style easy, accessible and fun.
Entertain, Guide, Enlighten
“Today our lineup flows with fun lifestyle shows that women adore. I Propose sheds light on true love with a unique groom’s perspective. Our shopping and makeover programs, like Instant Beauty Pageant, are mother and daughter co-viewing favorites."
"One of my absolute favorites is Split Ends, where we take two hairstylists and spin them into fish out of water as they swap salons."
The Washington, D.C. native, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband, a media professor at USC, and her three-year-old son and newborn daughter, said Kimora, one of Style's newest additions, truly reflects the net's evolution:
"It’s based on Kimora Lee Simmons, an amazing fashion icon who, with her lavish home and Page Six presence, has clearly lived a high-end life but at the same time is a real-life mom. We peek into her luxurious life of fashion, but we also see the beauty in her life as a mom."
“These shows share a common thread: they entertain, guide, enlighten and help women live their best life.
“I won’t argue that scripted shows like Lost and Brothers & Sisters can’t be entertaining. But there’s something incredibly soul-stirring and empowering about witnessing real women being transformed."
"It’s my goal to find more real characters and true stories to create emotional connections. I can’t tell you how proud I am that we’re now a great destination for all women. It’s about having fun, laughing and adding complexity to your life, but never forgetting how beautiful life can be.” •
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