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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