What does it take to keep going when your world falls apart? Kevin shares how showing up, asking for help, and embracing perseverance can help us rebuild hope, love, and joy—even in the darkest moments. For nearly three decades, Kevin Kay has proven to have the Midas touch. During his long tenure at media-giant Viacom, he was responsible for creating and developing award-winning, cultural-driving, distinctive global franchises that entertained millions and added billions in revenue to Viacom’s balance sheet.Kay’s wealth of experience as a media executive includes leading Nickelodeon Development and Production with content that solidified Nickelodeon as the #1 kids network, overseeing the launch and extraordinary growth of Spike TV as President, and ultimately, serving as President of Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT. Among the enduring franchises for Viacom he shepherded include “Yellowstone” “The UFC”, “Lip Sync Battle” and “SpongeBob SquarePants.” These franchises were not only mega hits on television, but created licensing and merchandising gold.As President of Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT Kay led the day-to-day management of the overall growth strategy and creative direction for all three business units directly reporting to the CEO of Viacom. Combining his passion for great storytelling and music with an emphasis on creativity, Kay directed all aspects of original programming and specials, marketing/creative, research, scheduling, digital/social, corporate communications, music strategy and collaboration with ad sales and affiliate relations executives and branded content teams. He led the charge on Paramount Network’s launch in January 2018, featuring premium original scripted and non-scripted programming, while guiding the success of TV Land and CMT; both of which enjoyed unprecedented ratings and revenue growth throughout his tenure.Prior to the rebranding of Paramount Network, Kay’s accomplishments as President of Spike included successfully shifting the network’s focus to target a more gender-balanced audience with brand-defining original hit series which resulted in dramatic revenue growth for Viacom building distribution to 98 million homes at its peak. Most notably, this includes the five-time Emmy-nominated and critically-acclaimed multi-platform mega-hit series, “Lip Sync Battle,” hosted by LL COOL J and Chrissy Teigen.In the sports arena, Kay was responsible for bringing the UFC to Spike and was named in USA Today’s list of “Most Powerful Men in Mixed Martial Arts,” overseeing the development and production of the fastest rising sports franchise on television. Kay developed and green lit the hit series “The Ultimate Fighter” which lasted 14 seasons on Spike and helped to propel the UFC into a 4.2 billion dollar sale.
Before joining Spike in 2003, Kay served as Executive Vice President, Production and Original Series Development for Nickelodeon, Nick At Nite and TV Land. He was responsible for Nickelodeon’s program development and current series production activities. He oversaw the development of many Nickelodeon franchise hits, including the animated smash hit “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “The Fairly OddParents” as well as “All That” and “Kenan and Kel.”Not one to rest in transition, Kay launched DJKay Entertainment, a full-service multi-platform production company focused on scripted and non-fiction programming.
Recent series include Nickelodeon’s “All That”, “Warped” and “Weed Rescue” as well as the documentaries “Comedy Against the Odds” and “Virtual Insanity.” This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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- 13:36How Design Designs Us | Prernaa Mangla | TEDxNerulDesign isn’t just about pretty rooms or stylish furniture it’s about how the spaces around us quietly shape who we are.In this talk, Prernaa Mangla, Creative Director and Founder of MWM Spaces, opens up about her 20-year journey of interior designer growth. From being the only Fine Arts student in her class to building a team of 100+ people and completing 500+ projects, she’s seen how a well-thought-out space can completely change the way we live and connect with each other.Through real stories of challenges, unexpected wins, and the lessons she’s learned from designing homes, offices, restaurants, and more Prernaa shows how design isn’t just about making things look good. It’s about creating places that make us feel, think, and grow. Prernaa Mangla is a visionary Creative Director at MWM Spaces, a renowned interior design company based in Gurgaon, India. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for innovative design, Prernaa has been instrumental in shaping the aesthetic identity of numerous spaces. Her expertise spans a wide range of projects, from residential to commercial, each infused with a unique blend of functionality and creativity. As a creative leader, Prernaa inspires her team to push boundaries and explore new possibilities in interior design. Her dedication to delivering exceptional results has earned her a reputation as a talented and forward-thinking designer. On stage, Prernaa will share her insights on the power of design to transform spaces and lives, offering a glimpse into her creative process and the stories behind her most notable projects. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
