WILLIAM J. ABBOTT President and Chief Executive Officer Crown Media Family Networks

As president and chief executive officer of Crown Media Family Networks, William J. Abbott oversees the company’s growing portfolio of family-friendly entertainment brands including linear networks , Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama, in addition to subscription video on demand service and e-book publishing division Hallmark Publishing. Abbott is an industry veteran with more than 20 of leadership experience in cable, most of which he has spent at Crown Media, which is owned by Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Since joining the company in 2000, Abbott’s vision and passion for the brand has established flagship network Hallmark Channel as the leading destination for quality, family-friendly entertainment on cable. Building on its signature slate of original movies, Abbott is responsible for significantly expanding and diversifying the network’s lineup of original content to include primetime scripted series, daytime Emmy®- nominated lifestyle program Home & Family, and such annual specials as Kitten Bowl, Hero Dog Awards, and Paw Star Game. Abbott also piloted the development of Hallmark Channel’s highly-popular holiday programming initiative Countdown to Christmas, which year after year elevates the network to be among the most-watched and highest-rated on cable throughout fourth quarter. Taking a page out of the Countdown to Christmas playbook, Abbott realigned the network’s programming strategy in 2015 to include seasonal stunts throughout the year including Countdown to Valentine’s Day, Spring Fever, June Weddings, Summer Nights, and Fall Harvest.

In 2005, under Abbott’s stewardship, the company launched sibling network Hallmark Movie Channel, which underwent a wholesale brand transition to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries in late 2014. As its line-up of trademark mystery movies series continues to expand, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries has become one of cable’s fastest growing networks, registering double-digit annual ratings growth over the last several years.

More recently, Abbott was responsible for further growing Crown Media’s stable of services with the launch the company’s third linear network, Hallmark Drama; a subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now; and an e-book publishing division, Hallmark Publishing.

Over the course of his 18-year tenure with Crown Media, Abbott rose to the rank of President & CEO from the company’s advertising sales division. Most recently, he served executive vice president of ad sales, overseeing offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Atlanta and leading the company’s national advertising sales operations and digital network development. While at the helm of ad sales, Hallmark Channel’s annual revenue grew from $10.2 million to $223 million setting the network apart as an industry leader.

Prior to joining Crown Media, Abbott served as senior vice president of advertising sales for Fox Family Worldwide where he was responsible for growing ad sales revenue for Fox Family Channel and Fox Kids Network. Abbott’s additional experience includes positions with CBS Radio Networks, Seltel, Inc. and Nadler & Larimer Advertising.

Inducted into Broadcasting & Cable’s Hall of Fame in 2017, Abbott lives in New York with his family but travels often to the company’s Los Angeles office as well as the Kansas City corporate headquarters of Hallmark Cards. He is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass.

# # # KRISTEN ROBERTS

Executive Vice President, Pricing, Planning & Revenue Management Crown Media Family Networks

Kristen Roberts is executive vice president of pricing, planning, and revenue management for Crown Media Family Networks, home of three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama; subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now; and e-book publishing division, Hallmark Publishing. She is based in New York and reports to Bill Abbott, president and chief executive officer.

In her role, Roberts is charged with the strategic analysis and management of all revenue streams for the company, including ad sales, digital, and distribution, as well as the planning of all revenue generating models for content on both Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. In addition, she works closely with the executive vice president of marketing, creative, and communications, Susanne McAvoy, and executive vice president of programming and network publicity, Michelle Vicary, to identify and optimize cross-platform monetization opportunities.

Previously, as senior vice president of advertising pricing and planning, Roberts collaborated with the finance, traffic, marketing, and programming departments to ensure all advertising opportunities were fully leveraged. She monitored all inventory closely to determine pricing levels and worked with the ad sales team on developing proposals and presentations. Roberts was also responsible for preparing and presenting all post-Upfront reporting and analysis to the sales and finance departments. Additionally, during monthly review meetings, she kept the financial team apprised of all ad sales projections.

Prior to her tenure with Crown Media, Roberts served as an account executive for A&E Television Networks. In this capacity, she participated in Upfront proposals, customizing client presentations, and maximizing ad sales projects with such clients as GE Corporate and Quick Step. From 2000 – 2002, Roberts was an account executive for Hallmark Channel, during which time she was able to bring in prestigious new advertisers such as General Motors, Outback Steakhouse, Subaru, and Hershey. Roberts began her career with Fox Family Channel.

Roberts is regularly included in the Cablefax 100 list and recognized among Cablefax’s “Most Powerful Women in Cable”. She graduated from Villanova University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing.

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SUSANNE MCAVOY

Executive Vice President, Marketing, Creative & Communications Crown Media Family Networks

Susanne McAvoy is the executive vice president of marketing, creative, and communications for Crown Media Family Networks, home of three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama; subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now; and e-book publishing division, Hallmark Publishing. Based in New York, McAvoy reports to Bill Abbott, president and chief executive officer.

In her role, McAvoy leads cross-departmental marketing and communications initiatives and directs social media strategies for the company’s portfolio of businesses. She oversees all facets of Crown Media’s marketing efforts, developing multi-platform campaigns that target consumers, affiliates, and advertisers. She is also responsible for the stewardship of brand management and evolution for Crown Media’s various divisions. She spearheaded the rebrand of Hallmark Channel in 2012 to include a new look and tagline, “The Heart of TV”, as well as the 2014 brand transition of Hallmark Movie Channel to Hallmark Movies & Mysteries. McAvoy’s oversight also includes the creative and design departments, including print, on-air promos, and web design. In addition, she serves as a key creative liaison with parent company, Hallmark Cards, developing synergistic opportunities with its other brand extensions and the nearly 4,000 Hallmark Gold Crown® retail stores.

McAvoy joined Crown Media as vice president of ad sales marketing. In that capacity, she was responsible for maximizing advertising sales revenue by developing and executing strategic marketing and promotional initiatives, including customized integrations and sponsorship packages tailored to achieve advertisers’ objectives. She also partnered with ad sales management to create the annual Upfront presentation and oversaw client events.

Prior to Crown Media Family Networks, McAvoy was an ad sales marketing consultant for Bravo where she facilitated the 2007-2008 Upfront sales-marketing initiative. Other past positions include director of corporate marketing for Comcast Spotlight, director of affiliate marketing at Oxygen Media, and senior manager of affiliate marketing for MTV. McAvoy began her career with Turner International in Hong Kong before moving to their Atlanta office.

Throughout her career, McAvoy has been honored with a number of prestigious industry accolades. In 2016, she was named one of Advertising Age’s Women to Watch, as well as Marketer of the Year by Cablefax. One year later, she was recognized among Multichannel News’ Wonder Women, Class of 2017. In addition, she is regularly featured on the Cablefax 100 list and among Cablefax’s Most Powerful Women in Cable. Her work has earned her such distinctions as a CTAM Mark Award, Ad Council Silver Bell Award, Cable Advertising Bureau Award, and two ACC (Association of Cable Communicators) Beacon Awards.

McAvoy has served as director-at-large on the national board for Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), as well as director-at-large on the board of the organization’s New York chapter, for which she also served 8 years as a board member. She joined the board as the membership chair, and served a two- year term as chapter president, followed by a two-year stint as immediate past president. McAvoy is also an active member of Promax|BDA.

McAvoy graduated cum laude from Vanderbilt University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and psychology. She is also a Betsy Magness Leadership Institute graduate, Class XXIV. McAvoy resides with her husband and two children in Darien, Connecticut.

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MICHELLE VICARY

Executive Vice President, Programming & Network Publicity Crown Media Family Networks

Michelle Vicary is executive vice president of programming and network publicity for Crown Media Family Networks, home of three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama; subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now; and e-book publishing division, Hallmark Publishing. Vicary is based in the company’s Studio City office and reports to Bill Abbott, President and Chief Executive Officer.

In her role, Vicary is charged with the strategic oversight of all production and original programming for all of Crown Media’s platforms. In addition, she supervises acquisitions, program scheduling, and the on-air scheduling promotional strategy for the company’s linear and digital services. Vicary is also responsible for talent relations and the execution of program publicity strategies for the two channels.

In the course of her tenure, Vicary spearheaded Hallmark Channel’s highly successful foray into original primetime scripted series, including “,” “Good Witch,” and “.” In addition, Vicary oversaw the launch of daily lifestyle program, “Home & Family,” hosted by Mark Steines and Debbie Matenopolous, and drove the expansion of the channel’s content footprint to include annual specials, including “Kitten Bowl” and “Hero Dog Awards.” In 2018, Vicary was responsible for staking out even more new territory for the network with the launch of its first family reality series, “,” starring and Rodney Peete.

Vicary has also been instrumental in the programming strategy for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries since its rebrand in 2014. Under her supervision, the network has launched a number of highly popular mystery movie franchises that have become the trademark of the network. These include “Garage Sale Mysteries,” starring ; “Aurora Teagarden Mysteries,” starring Candace Cameron Bure; “Murder She Baked,” headlined by Alison Sweeney, and Fixer Upper Mysteries, starring Jewel.

Previously, as senior vice president of acquisitions and scheduling, Vicary’s responsibilities included oversight of strategic scheduling, acquisitions, and program planning. She negotiated all acquisition deals, collaborating with the original programming team to increase the effectiveness of projects and manage the networks’ inventory needs. In Vicary’s preceding role as vice president of program scheduling and administration, she oversaw the network’s on-air schedule, stunts, and quarterly strategies.

With Crown Media since its inception, Vicary has assumed ascending positions since she joined the company as manager of programming and promo scheduling. Prior to joining Crown Media Family Networks, Vicary was vice president of marketing for Evening Star Music Group, where she spearheaded the label’s launch and created marketing and distribution arms for its roster of artists. Vicary started her career as manager of scheduling and on-air promotion for MGM Television Networks, where she created the monthly network schedule, conducted long-term movie and series planning and managed all on-air promotions.

Vicary is regularly named on the Cablefax 100 List and among Cablefax’s “Most Powerful Women in Cable”. In addition, she was honored as one of Multichannel News’ Wonder Women, class of 2012. Vicary received a bachelor’s degree in radio, television and film from California State University, Northridge.

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ERIN MCILVAIN

Executive Vice President, Distribution & Content Strategy Crown Media Family Networks

Erin McIlvain is executive vice president of distribution and content strategy for Crown Media Family Networks, home of three linear networks, Hallmark Channel, Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Hallmark Drama; subscription video on demand streaming service, Hallmark Movies Now; and e-book publishing division, Hallmark Publishing. Based in Crown Media’s Denver office, McIlvain reports to Bill Abbott, president and chief executive officer. McIlvain is responsible for aligning business development efforts with the distribution of Crown Media’s original content across multiple platforms. Her oversight also includes forging and cultivating strategic partnerships that will generate untapped distribution opportunities. She plays a key role in the ongoing expansion of the distribution footprints for Hallmark Movies & Mysteries and Hallmark Drama.

Previously, McIlvain was vice president of broadcast relations and programming for Charter Communications where she was responsible for acquiring broadcast, network, VOD, and TVE content for the Nation’s third largest MVPD. In this role, along with other members of Charter’s content acquisition team, McIlvain negotiated numerous retransmission consent agreements and complex multi-platform distribution deals.

Prior to Charter Communications, McIlvain was the vice president of national accounts at Crown Media Family Networks. She was responsible for negotiating and securing contract renewals with all national accounts. Additional responsibilities included management of contract compliance and analysis of new revenue opportunities. McIlvain began her career at DISH Network, negotiating retransmission consent and linear cable network distribution deals. During her tenure at DISH, she received the unique opportunity to work for a start-up subsidiary for six months in Hong Kong.

McIlvain graduated from the University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in History and received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver, School of Law. She is a member of the Colorado State Bar. McIlvain resides in Denver with her husband and daughter.

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