Lauren Zalaznick

Lauren Zalaznick, President of NBC Universal Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks, oversees Bravo Media, Oxygen Media, iVillage and NBC Universal’s Green is Universal initiative. She was named President, NBC Universal Women and Lifestyle Entertainment Networks in May 2008, when she added iVillage to her portfolio and announced the launch of Women@NBCU, which is a content and marketing initiative that creates a unique approach for advertisers to connect with this desirable demographic across all the NBC Universal brands.

Oxygen is a program service of NBC Universal Cable Entertainment and is currently available in more than 73 million homes. One of the nation’s leading female-focused cable television networks, Oxygen airs unconventional and original programming including “The Janice Dickinson Modeling Agency,” “The Bad Girls Club” and “Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood.” Under Zalaznick’s watch, Oxygen achieved its best quarter ever among all key demographics, in second quarter 2008.

Zalaznick was named president of Bravo in May 2004 and expanded her oversight in May 2007 when the network announced the formation of Bravo Media, a new multimedia global content company. Bravo Media, formerly The Bravo Company, expands beyond the current core television and digital content offerings to include every consumer touch point, including publishing, merchandising, a talent management alliance, Bravo To Go (wireless), Bravo Experience and international markets.

Under her watch, Bravo has achieved numerous records and unprecedented “firsts,” including back-to-back best years ever in 2007 and 2006; the most Emmy-Award nominations ever in 2008, and, Bravo has become the No. 1 ranked entertainment cable network for upscale, educated and engaged television viewers. Additionally, since NBC Universal acquired Oxygen in 2007, the network has shattered every previous ratings record and is pacing to have its best year ever.

Zalaznick also oversaw the launch of Bravo’s suite of broadband services, including BravoTV.com, OUTzoneTV.com and BrilliantButCancelled.com, resulting in record-breaking traffic in 2007 for unique visitors, page views, and video streams. Zalaznick led Bravo in making the network's first-ever media acquisition, TelevisionWithoutPity.com, a premiere Internet destination for the discerning television “junkie.” And, Bravo has become a leader in providing original content for the wireless platform, with hugely popular WAP sites, cellular content and program-driven SMS text messaging and interactive voting through cable set top boxes.

During her tenure, Bravo has garnered exceptional critical acclaim and awards including Emmy nominations for Bravo’s outstanding shows, “Project Runway,” “Top Chef,” “Inside the Actors Studio,” and back-to-back Emmy wins for “Kathy Griffin: My Life On the D-List” (2007, 2008) and “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy” in 2004 and a Peabody Award win for “Project Runway” in 2008. Zalaznick has developed and launched pop culture buzz-generating shows like “The Real Housewives” franchise, “Work Out,” and “Top Chef,” the No. 1 food show in cable.

Prior to Bravo Media and Oxygen Media, Zalaznick held the role of President of the Universal-owned TRIO network from May 2002 to December 2005. Tagged the "IT" cable network by "Entertainment Weekly" and called "the hidden gem in the Vivendi Universal assets crown" by the Wall Street "Journal," TRIO was awarded the prestigious Peabody Award for the acclaimed documentary “The N-Word” which aired in 2004.

Zalaznick previously served as Senior Vice President, Original Programming and Development for VH1, where she supervised the creation and production of VH1's most watched series, documentaries, concerts and specials.

Her early career was focused on film. She produced a number of independent feature films including the award-winning "Kids" (Cannes 1995); "Safe" (Cannes 1995) starring Julianne Moore; and the award-winning "Girls Town" (1996 Sundance Film Festival Filmmakers Trophy and Special Jury Prize).

Zalaznick's work has been highly praised by industry organizations and the media. She has won numerous accolades and awards from the industry, most recently she was a juror for Cooper Hewitt’s 2008 National Design Awards; received a “Muse Award” in 2007 from NYWIFT; recognition by Multichannel News as a “2005 Wonder Woman.” Also in 2007, she was recognized for the fourth consecutive year by the Hollywood Reporter as one of the “Top 100 Women in Entertainment,” and one of Cable World’s “Top 50 Women In Cable.” DETAILS Magazine named Zalaznick a “Maverick” two years running in their annual “Mavericks” issue (‘06, ‘07). She has been featured in Variety's "Women in Showbiz" issue, and was also named the “Top Programming Executive” by CableFax Daily.

Zalaznick received her B.A. degree from Brown University, and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.