WOMEN ELITE 2008: FOX--Balance has benefits

Studios will only succeed if they appreciate the value of their employees, both female and male, says Mary Daily, executive VP of marketing for North America at 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Daily has enjoyed that supportive atmosphere at Fox, which has notched key DVD accomplishments recently, including bowing the first digital-copy-enhanced title last year with Live Free or Die Hard. She feels blessed to have women head a number of divisions within the larger Fox corporate family, including Elizabeth Gabler and Nancy Utley, president and chief operating officer of production companies Fox 2000 and Fox Searchlight, respectively.

“I think more companies would benefit from a balance in the workplace,” Daily says. “You need the yin and the yang to be truly successful. I don’t see how you can successfully market to 50% of the population if your organization consists of only single-sex decision-makers.”

She does believe it’s becoming more comfortable for women to pursue Hollywood careers, as there are increasing examples of women who have landed at the top of their companies.

“Women like Kelley Avery and Ann Daly [Paramount Home Entertainment worldwide president and DreamWorks Animation chief operating officer, respectively], who have blazed a trail in the video business, spring to mind,” Daily says.

She expects Fox’s work environment will serve the studio well through the end of 2008.

“I’m really proud of the team spirit we have within the marketing group and a renewed sense of energy,” she says.