A recipe for success: Food Network & Cooking Channel’s Irika Slavin on the right communications mix

“I have always enjoyed pretending I was a good cook,” jokes Irika Slavin.

The vice president of communications and public relations for the Food Network and the Cooking Channel at Scripps Networks Interactive reflects on planning “girls’ dinners” in junior high with her friends as an attempt to host adult-like dinner parties when her parents were out for the evening.

“Those memories make us laugh whenever we get together to catch up, but we were kitchen-clueless and I am certain we would never share our youth-inspired recipes with my current colleagues,” she says today.

After attending Rutgers and the State University of New Jersey-New Brunswick, Slavin moved to California and worked in the marketing department at DreamWorks, followed by more than 10 years in various roles at Warner Brothers Entertainment.

Several years ago, she relocated back home to the East Coast to be closer to her family and worked in communications strategy for the Film Society of Lincoln Center before settling into her current role at Scripps.

How did you get your start in public relations?

Like many before me, I was a little bit naïve, a little bit lucky and super eager to jump into whatever I could get my hands on — internships or jobs. Fortunately, that combination proved to be a successful cocktail for landing in the right place at the right time.


Shortly after graduation, I moved to Los Angeles, wanting to break into entertainment, and ultimately, I landed at DreamWorks.  When I started as a temp, I had a three-month assignment in national publicity and DreamWorks was still relatively new — yet such an amazing place to work at.

DreamWorks culture was such that it allowed for trying things, working on or leading projects, and affording opportunities to gain invaluable experience. I am well aware that my DreamWorks time was priceless — a first exposure to so much within an industry I wanted to be part of. It armed me with an amazing foundation to continue to learn and grow from, as well as [to form] lifelong relationships.

How has the media landscape changed in terms of coverage recently?

Evolution always has pros and cons and that is definitely the case for media. Some outlets have condensed their coverage or gone away completely and others have expanded, while new mediums have exploded onto the scene.

Ultimately, crafting the most interesting, relevant and succinct message remains the key to breaking through the noise and reaching any desired audience.
 
How does Scripps keep its brands exciting and inventive for audiences who are oversaturated with content?

That’s an ongoing challenge for most communications/PR teams. Often, brand strength and recognition adds a layer of expectation where people assume we are poised to get it right all the time.

We try to meet the challenge by listening to feedback from our fans and our media partners, paying attention to the landscape around us and current trends, and tossing in old-fashioned instinct to balance out the equation.

It seems like your audience has grown from stay-at-home moms to include every demographic. How have the Cooking Channel and Food Network audiences evolved through the years?

Food has grown into a means of expression for many people and Food Network has helped foster this relationship. Beyond pure sustenance, food represents a way to connect with family, friends — even strangers. Food allows people to try, explore and experience other cultures.

As food media has swelled, Food Network has led the charge for our fans. Growth [led to a partnership with the] Cooking Channel, and both networks strive to address the tastes, desires and interests of our audience.

The Food Network brand includes a magazine, TV shows, a product line, online communities, festivals and events, and on-air talent. How do you integrate all of these facets? What is your role in that process?

It’s always a challenge to craft a stellar strategy that drives priorities and also engages your desired audience, but our Food Network and Cooking Channel team is comprised of true fans with a shared passion for what our brands represent and for what our audience expects from us. We have team meetings to discuss how to best leverage and maximize both brands, discussing each show or priority project, and whatever might be going on or coming up.

We have found that our audience wants what they want when they want it, so [we have to be] ready with stellar programming, exciting digital offerings, a beautifully executed mouth-watering magazine, quality products or experiential live events — they each have a place in our formula for success. Organizing the moving pieces takes coordination and oversight beyond what might be typical, but plotting and planning can be a lot of fun.

Food Network Magazine launched successfully (and then HGTV Magazine) when people believed that print was waning. What do you attribute this success to?

Strong brand recognition and affinity along with ongoing interest from our audience — who wanted more — as well as a great relationship with our partners at Hearst.

What do social sharing platforms like Pinterest, Foodspotting and Instagram mean for food culture? 

If our audience is spending time within these platforms, then our responsibility is to figure out how to engage in a relevant and organic way for Food Network & Cooking Channel.

Exploring the digital space will continue to be a priority — as the space evolves and as fans look for access points to Food Network or Cooking Channel, we will continue to build our presence in the best possible way for our brands.

Recent New York Times articles discussed the artisanal and farm-to-table food movements. Do people see food as art — or something to collect or conquer? Are chefs now similar to rock stars?

What a unique and creative approach to viewing food as a means of expression. It’s likely that some people always have viewed food in this light.

Whether getting dressed up to go out to a new restaurant or spending quality time cooking at home with family and friends, food is a means to connection and expression, and collecting and/or conquering can be an approach to personalizing the food experience.

Some chefs definitely have strong followings and rabid fans. It’s always fun to see people when they meet one of the chefs they have a vested interest in or who they enjoy watching on TV.

What role does public relations play in building the Scripps brands and raising the profile of the Food Network and Cooking Channel?

Public relations is a slice of the pie (no pun intended) for how any brand communicates with their consumers or audience. Public relations is needed to maintain — as well as grow — profiles, awareness and overall continued interest. Food Network and Cooking Channel each strive to create and implement smart, creative communications strategies in all that we put out for our audience to consume.

What’s the best part of your job?

I was a fan first — long before I relocated back to New York City — so the best part of this job is having this job. Not everyone gets to see work and fun blend together, and I try not to take that for granted. Plus, food tends to make people happy and that makes work that much more enjoyable.

News Editor Amy Jacques interviewed Irika Slavin for this month’s member profile.

Getting to know Irika Slavin

What’s your favorite meal?
Random cravings aside, a simple grilled-cheese sandwich has always been a favorite.

If you could have any three dinner guests, past or present, who would they be? 
My mother passed away a few years ago, so I’d absolutely want to include her in any dinner party and we can rotate additional guests as needed.

What’s your favorite place to travel?
As clichéd as it may sound, Paris really is one of the most amazing cities, though California’s wine country also ranks high up on my favorite list.

xosotin chelseathông tin chuyển nhượngcâu lạc bộ bóng đá arsenalbóng đá atalantabundesligacầu thủ haalandUEFAevertonxosokeonhacaiketquabongdalichthidau7m.newskqbdtysokeobongdabongdalufutebol ao vivofutemaxmulticanaisonbethttps://bsport.fithttps://onbet88.ooohttps://i9bet.bizhttps://hi88.ooohttps://okvip.athttps://f8bet.athttps://fb88.cashhttps://vn88.cashhttps://shbet.atbóng đá world cupbóng đá inter milantin juventusbenzemala ligaclb leicester cityMUman citymessi lionelsalahnapolineymarpsgronaldoserie atottenhamvalenciaAS ROMALeverkusenac milanmbappenapolinewcastleaston villaliverpoolfa cupreal madridpremier leagueAjaxbao bong da247EPLbarcelonabournemouthaff cupasean footballbên lề sân cỏbáo bóng đá mớibóng đá cúp thế giớitin bóng đá ViệtUEFAbáo bóng đá việt namHuyền thoại bóng đágiải ngoại hạng anhSeagametap chi bong da the gioitin bong da lutrận đấu hôm nayviệt nam bóng đátin nong bong daBóng đá nữthể thao 7m24h bóng đábóng đá hôm naythe thao ngoai hang anhtin nhanh bóng đáphòng thay đồ bóng đábóng đá phủikèo nhà cái onbetbóng đá lu 2thông tin phòng thay đồthe thao vuaapp đánh lô đềdudoanxosoxổ số giải đặc biệthôm nay xổ sốkèo đẹp hôm nayketquaxosokq xskqxsmnsoi cầu ba miềnsoi cau thong kesxkt hôm naythế giới xổ sốxổ số 24hxo.soxoso3mienxo so ba mienxoso dac bietxosodientoanxổ số dự đoánvé số chiều xổxoso ket quaxosokienthietxoso kq hôm nayxoso ktxổ số megaxổ số mới nhất hôm nayxoso truc tiepxoso ViệtSX3MIENxs dự đoánxs mien bac hom nayxs miên namxsmientrungxsmn thu 7con số may mắn hôm nayKQXS 3 miền Bắc Trung Nam Nhanhdự đoán xổ số 3 miềndò vé sốdu doan xo so hom nayket qua xo xoket qua xo so.vntrúng thưởng xo sokq xoso trực tiếpket qua xskqxs 247số miền nams0x0 mienbacxosobamien hôm naysố đẹp hôm naysố đẹp trực tuyếnnuôi số đẹpxo so hom quaxoso ketquaxstruc tiep hom nayxổ số kiến thiết trực tiếpxổ số kq hôm nayso xo kq trực tuyenkết quả xổ số miền bắc trực tiếpxo so miền namxổ số miền nam trực tiếptrực tiếp xổ số hôm nayket wa xsKQ XOSOxoso onlinexo so truc tiep hom nayxsttso mien bac trong ngàyKQXS3Msố so mien bacdu doan xo so onlinedu doan cau loxổ số kenokqxs vnKQXOSOKQXS hôm naytrực tiếp kết quả xổ số ba miềncap lo dep nhat hom naysoi cầu chuẩn hôm nayso ket qua xo soXem kết quả xổ số nhanh nhấtSX3MIENXSMB chủ nhậtKQXSMNkết quả mở giải trực tuyếnGiờ vàng chốt số OnlineĐánh Đề Con Gìdò số miền namdò vé số hôm nayso mo so debach thủ lô đẹp nhất hôm naycầu đề hôm naykết quả xổ số kiến thiết toàn quốccau dep 88xsmb rong bach kimket qua xs 2023dự đoán xổ số hàng ngàyBạch thủ đề miền BắcSoi Cầu MB thần tàisoi cau vip 247soi cầu tốtsoi cầu miễn phísoi cau mb vipxsmb hom nayxs vietlottxsmn hôm naycầu lô đẹpthống kê lô kép xổ số miền Bắcquay thử xsmnxổ số thần tàiQuay thử XSMTxổ số chiều nayxo so mien nam hom nayweb đánh lô đề trực tuyến uy tínKQXS hôm nayxsmb ngày hôm nayXSMT chủ nhậtxổ số Power 6/55KQXS A trúng roycao thủ chốt sốbảng xổ số đặc biệtsoi cầu 247 vipsoi cầu wap 666Soi cầu miễn phí 888 VIPSoi Cau Chuan MBđộc thủ desố miền bắcthần tài cho sốKết quả xổ số thần tàiXem trực tiếp xổ sốXIN SỐ THẦN TÀI THỔ ĐỊACầu lô số đẹplô đẹp vip 24hsoi cầu miễn phí 888xổ số kiến thiết chiều nayXSMN thứ 7 hàng tuầnKết quả Xổ số Hồ Chí Minhnhà cái xổ số Việt NamXổ Số Đại PhátXổ số mới nhất Hôm Nayso xo mb hom nayxxmb88quay thu mbXo so Minh ChinhXS Minh Ngọc trực tiếp hôm nayXSMN 88XSTDxs than taixổ số UY TIN NHẤTxs vietlott 88SOI CẦU SIÊU CHUẨNSoiCauVietlô đẹp hôm nay vipket qua so xo hom naykqxsmb 30 ngàydự đoán xổ số 3 miềnSoi cầu 3 càng chuẩn xácbạch thủ lônuoi lo chuanbắt lô chuẩn theo ngàykq xo-solô 3 càngnuôi lô đề siêu vipcầu Lô Xiên XSMBđề về bao nhiêuSoi cầu x3xổ số kiến thiết ngày hôm nayquay thử xsmttruc tiep kết quả sxmntrực tiếp miền bắckết quả xổ số chấm vnbảng xs đặc biệt năm 2023soi cau xsmbxổ số hà nội hôm naysxmtxsmt hôm nayxs truc tiep mbketqua xo so onlinekqxs onlinexo số hôm nayXS3MTin xs hôm nayxsmn thu2XSMN hom nayxổ số miền bắc trực tiếp hôm naySO XOxsmbsxmn hôm nay188betlink188 xo sosoi cầu vip 88lô tô việtsoi lô việtXS247xs ba miềnchốt lô đẹp nhất hôm naychốt số xsmbCHƠI LÔ TÔsoi cau mn hom naychốt lô chuẩndu doan sxmtdự đoán xổ số onlinerồng bạch kim chốt 3 càng miễn phí hôm naythống kê lô gan miền bắcdàn đề lôCầu Kèo Đặc Biệtchốt cầu may mắnkết quả xổ số miền bắc hômSoi cầu vàng 777thẻ bài onlinedu doan mn 888soi cầu miền nam vipsoi cầu mt vipdàn de hôm nay7 cao thủ chốt sốsoi cau mien phi 7777 cao thủ chốt số nức tiếng3 càng miền bắcrồng bạch kim 777dàn de bất bạion newsddxsmn188betw88w88789bettf88sin88suvipsunwintf88five8812betsv88vn88Top 10 nhà cái uy tínsky88iwinlucky88nhacaisin88oxbetm88vn88w88789betiwinf8betrio66rio66lucky88oxbetvn88188bet789betMay-88five88one88sin88bk88xbetoxbetMU88188BETSV88RIO66ONBET88188betM88M88SV88Jun-68Jun-88one88iwinv9betw388OXBETw388w388onbetonbetonbetonbet88onbet88onbet88onbet88onbetonbetonbetonbetqh88mu88Nhà cái uy tínpog79vp777vp777vipbetvipbetuk88uk88typhu88typhu88tk88tk88sm66sm66me88me888live8live8livesm66me88win798livesm66me88win79pog79pog79vp777vp777uk88uk88tk88tk88luck8luck8kingbet86kingbet86k188k188hr99hr99123b8xbetvnvipbetsv66zbettaisunwin-vntyphu88vn138vwinvwinvi68ee881xbetrio66zbetvn138i9betvipfi88clubcf68onbet88ee88typhu88onbetonbetkhuyenmai12bet-moblie12betmoblietaimienphi247vi68clupcf68clupvipbeti9betqh88onb123onbefsoi cầunổ hũbắn cáđá gàđá gàgame bàicasinosoi cầuxóc đĩagame bàigiải mã giấc mơbầu cuaslot gamecasinonổ hủdàn đềBắn cácasinodàn đềnổ hũtài xỉuslot gamecasinobắn cáđá gàgame bàithể thaogame bàisoi cầukqsssoi cầucờ tướngbắn cágame bàixóc đĩa开云体育开云体育开云体育乐鱼体育乐鱼体育乐鱼体育亚新体育亚新体育亚新体育爱游戏爱游戏爱游戏华体会华体会华体会IM体育IM体育沙巴体育沙巴体育PM体育PM体育AG尊龙AG尊龙AG尊龙AG百家乐AG百家乐AG百家乐AG真人AG真人<AG真人<皇冠体育皇冠体育PG电子PG电子万博体育万博体育KOK体育KOK体育欧宝体育江南体育江南体育江南体育半岛体育半岛体育半岛体育凯发娱乐凯发娱乐杏彩体育杏彩体育杏彩体育FB体育PM真人PM真人<米乐娱乐米乐娱乐天博体育天博体育开元棋牌开元棋牌j9九游会j9九游会开云体育AG百家乐AG百家乐AG真人AG真人爱游戏华体会华体会im体育kok体育开云体育开云体育开云体育乐鱼体育乐鱼体育欧宝体育ob体育亚博体育亚博体育亚博体育亚博体育亚博体育亚博体育开云体育开云体育棋牌棋牌沙巴体育买球平台新葡京娱乐开云体育mu88qh88

Share This Post

More To Explore

How to Craft a Severance Package for Your Business
Business

How to Craft a Severance Package for Your Business

Creating a standardized severance package ensures that departing employees are treated fairly and consistently, irrespective of their position or circumstances. Companies uphold transparency and fairness