draw.
Kim Fleary Executive Vice President, Comedy Development, The CW Why she’s powerful: Fleary oversees the development of all scripted comedy series for The CW network, a joint venture between Warner Bros. and CBS Corp. launched in fall 2006 when UPN and The WB networks merged. Prior to The CW, Fleary served as UPN’s senior vice president of comedy development, developing such critically-acclaimed comedies as Girlfriends, Chris Rock’s Everybody Hates Chris, and Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith’s All of Us, all of which now air on The CW. Known for her keen creative and comedic instincts, Fleary is helping refresh the network’s lineup with comedies that will appeal to its 18- to 34-year-old target audience.
Morgan Freeman Actor-Producer o Age: 69 Why he’s powerful: What other actor has played the president of the United States and God — twice? Freeman, one of the most respected people in Hollywood, was nominated for the Academy Award three times before receiving the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Million Dollar Baby. He also delivers at the box office: The 36 films in which he’s appeared — including Batman Begins and Bruce Almighty — produced gross box office receipts of more than $1.8 billion. Since 1996, Freeman has been involved in movie production, forming Revelations Entertainment and ClickStar, a broadband entertainment company backed by Intel Corp., which recently entered into digital distribution agreements with Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros.
Salaam Coleman-Smith Executive Vice President, Style Network. Coleman-Smith resides at the helm of cable television’s fastest-growing network for women, Style Network, which recently posted the highest-rated quarter in its history. She’s credited with bolstering key program franchises, including How Do I Look?, Clean House, The Look 4 Less and Fashion Police and developing new shows like the upcoming Style Her Famous and Split Ends. The dynamo has also upgraded the network’s coverage of New York Fashion Week as well as formed a partnership with singing sensation Beyoncé and her mother and business partner, Tina Knowles. The alliance will allow Style to feature an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the introduction of their new clothing line through the program Uncut: House of Deréon. — Nicole Marie Richardson
Jamie Foxx Actor-Producer o Age: 39 Why he’s powerful: An Oscar winner for his performance in 2004’s Ray, Foxx is one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. His six most recent films have grossed more than $398 million and his asking price has placed him into the club of the industry’s highest-paid actors. Foxx will be featured in Universal’s The Kingdom, this spring. Jumping in the producer’s chair, Foxx will develop another Universal feature, The Power of Duff, and Blood on the Leaves for Paramount.
Richard Gay Senior Vice President of Strategy and Business Operations, VH1 and CMT(Country Music Television) Age: 38 Why he’s powerful: A former partner at consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton, Gay is responsible for all strategic planning, key strategic initiatives, and business development for both VH1 and CMT. He also oversees digital channels VH1 Classic and VH1