Kay
Koplovitz 
Founder of USA Networks
and the first woman network
president in television
history
Kay Koplovitz is the founder
of USA Networks and the first woman network president
in television history. A pioneer in cable television networks
and new media ventures, she is a visionary woman who led
the emergence of cable television from the backcountry of
America to challenge the broadcast networks for coveted
audiences. She continues to be a leader in raising venture
capital for women entrepreneurs and in launching new programming
companies that challenge the frontiers of the digital age.
She is the author of, Bold Women, Big Ideas
(May ’02), which she wrote to inform and inspire women entrepreneurs
to create wealth through equity. Ms. Koplovitz speaks on
subjects ranging from media and the digital revolution,
to venture and private equity and corporate governance.
Among her recent accomplishments,
Ms. Koplovitz created Springboard Enterprises, a
national organization that fosters venture capital investments
in women-led high growth companies. In its first four
years, Springboard has presented 275 companies that have
raised $2 Billion in new capital. She also co-founded
Boldcap Ventures, a venture capital fund backed exclusively
by leading women executives. Boldcap invests principally
in early to mid stage companies in the media, technology,
and healthcare sectors. Always advancing professional
women, Ms. Koplovitz co-founded The Directors’ Council,
a search firm founded by eight experienced corporate directors
to fulfill the need for independent and qualified director
candidates. The Directors’ Council sources independent candidates
primarily from a pool of qualified women and minorities.
Koplovitz & Company,
LLC, Principal
Koplovitz & Company provides
advisory services to entertainment companies, sports organizations,
advertisers and distributors and advises companies on growth
strategies. The firm makes investments in early and
mid-stage companies in media, technology and related sectors.
Reality 24/7, Chairman
Ms. Koplovitz is Chairman of Reality 24/7, a new
television network that is dedicated to the news, celebrities,
shows and games of reality programming. Reality 24/7 is
set to launch in 2004.
USA Networks, Founder, Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
Kay Koplovitz is the founder
of USA Networks, television’s first advertiser-supported
basic cable network, and was the first female network president
in television history. She served as Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer from USA’s premiere in 1977 as an
all sports service (Madison Square Garden Sports), until
stepping down in 1998. During her tenure, she built USA
into the #1 ranking in primetime viewership among cable
networks, for 13 of her last 14 years at the helm. Under
Koplovitz’s direction, USA launched the SCI FI Channel
in 1992, which has become one of the industry’s top ranked
networks in viewership according to Nielson and is distributed
to over 140 million households worldwide. In April
1994, she launched USA Networks International, which now
operates in Latin America, Europe, Brazil and South Africa.
The Company was sold in 1998 for $4.5 Billion and became
a publicly listed company.
Ms. Koplovitz counts among
her accomplishments: Presidential appointment as Chair of
National Women’s Business Council (1998-2001); Corporate
board directorships of Liz Claiborne; Instinet, and
previously Oracle, Nabisco and General
Re. She serves as trustee of the Museum of Television
and Radio and The Central Park Conservancy, The Partnership
for New York City and The International Tennis Hall of Fame.
She holds a master’s degree in Communications from Michigan
State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the
University of Wisconsin as well as honorary doctorate degrees
from Emerson College and St. John’s University. A
native of Milwaukee, Ms. Koplovitz is married to private
investor William C. Koplovitz, Jr.
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