Michael Smith

Michael Smith advises startup and established companies in the TV/OTT, digital media, video content, and technology sectors.  For the past 20 years, Michael has established a career focused on building the “What’s Next” in the lifestyle media industry.  As an accomplished executive and recognized thought leader in the OTT streaming, he is known for strategic vision and direction in the development and launch of video content and brands that have continually leveraged the new ways people consume content across an increasingly diverse audience population. Passionately curious about the intersection of media, technology, and culture; he provides a unique blend of creativity coupled with a highly analytical, financial acumen.

Joining Scripps Networks Interactive (SNI) in 1998, he advanced quickly to roles of increasing complexity and scope.  Recognized as SNI's most senior thought leader on D2C, OTT, and streaming strategy, he was promoted to Senior Vice President, General Manager of Digital Video Channels in 2016, where he led the strategic vision and development of new OTT video content products for digital platforms across all Scripps non-fiction/reality categories.

Earlier, as Senior Vice President, General Manager, he helped to create and launch the Cooking Channel in 2010, where he oversaw programming, marketing, and brand strategy for the network.  Under his leadership, audience ratings and revenue doubled and distribution grew 25%, with the channel receiving multiple Emmy nominations and multiple NAMIC Vision and CableFax Awards.   

Before the Cooking Channel, Michael was the Senior Vice President of Marketing, Creative, and Brand Strategy for the Food Network, where he oversaw Food Network Kitchens and brand extensions for the network, led a staff of 60, and helped grow the network from a #26 ranked cable network to #9 ranking. 

Prior to joining Scripps, Michael worked for Disney/ABC Cable Networks in a variety of sales, marketing, and programming roles, both domestically and in Asia, and eventually rose to executive director of on-air promotion for Disney Channel. He also worked for the CBS Television Network in affiliate relations, and began his career as an account executive at Young & Rubicam.

Michael’s talents and influence have been widely recognized. He’s been named a NAMIC Luminary, one of SAVOY magazine’s “100 Most influential Blacks in Corporate America,” and one of CableFAX’s “Top 75 Most Influential Minorities in Cable.”  Additionally, he serves on the boards of the Food Bank for New York and International Radio and Television Society, and is a mentor in career development programs for NAMIC, PROMAX, and the Emma Bowen Foundation. 

Michael earned his MBA from the University of California at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and received his bachelor’s degree in science, technology and society from Stanford University.

A native of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, Smith grew up in Jamaica, West Indies before moving to the United States.