Former HBO Exec Bernadette Aulestia on the Future of Media, Culture, and the Art of Reinvention
In the wake of the failure of Quibi, the media startup that raised $1.75 billion and shut down 6 months later, I decided to release this interview with Bernadette Aulestia — a media industry powerhouse who launched HBO Latino and managed $7 billion in worldwide distribution.
Bernadette Aulestia knows that the future of media is cultural.
Bernadette is the media exec who launched HBO Latino and rose up through the ranks to become President of Global Distribution for Home Box Office, Inc., overseeing a $7 billion annual business and worldwide distribution of the company’s content.
But after 20+ years in the executive ranks of a media giant, Bernadette’s left and her next big act was reinventing herself and her career.
Today, Bernadette is a board member on the Board of Directors of Denny’s: one of America’s largest full-service restaurant chains, with locations in 13 countries. She is also an angel investor and advisor to startups.
Bernadette is the perfect example of how to constantly reinvent yourself and your career.
We covered so much ground in this interview:
17:18 – Joining HBO and starting HBO Latino
22:17 – The power of multicultural audiences
30:39 – The next evolution of media and entertainment
32:29 – Augmented reality, virtual reality, and remote
35:34 – What does it take to create a new media brand today?
39:35 – Finding your next act
45:05 – Curly and natural hair acceptance in the workplace and being able to embrace your full self
50:35 – How to join a public board
59: 07 – Board diversity and new regulations for California companies
1:03:13 – Startup company boards and using the independent board seat for improved diversity
Follow Bernadette on Twitter: @BernyAulestia