Michael Smith is general manager of Scripps Networks Interactive’s newest lifestyle media brand, Cooking Channel. He currently oversees the creation, integration, and programming and marketing of the network, which launched in May 2010 in 58 million homes, making it one of the largest new channel launches in history.

Previously, Smith worked as senior vice president of marketing, creative and brand strategy for Food Network. While there, he also served as its senior vice president of marketing and creative, and in vice president roles for both on-air strategy and creative. His teams’ work was recognized with several industry awards, and in 2003, Smith received a Brand Builder Award from PromaxBDA,Broadcasting & CableandMultichannel News.

Prior to Scripps, Smith worked for Disney/ABC Cable Networks in a variety of sales, marketing and programming roles, both domestically and in Asia, and eventually rose to executive director of on-air promotion for Disney Channel. He also worked for the CBS Television Network in affiliate relations, and began his career as an account executive at Young & Rubicam in 1986.

Smith’s talents and influence have been widely recognized. He’s been named a NAMIC Luminary, one ofSAVOYmagazine’s “100 Most influential Blacks in Corporate America,” and one ofCableFAX’s “Top 75 Most Influential Minorities in Cable.”

Smith earned his MBA in 1986 from the University of California at Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, and received his bachelor’s degree in science, technology and society from Stanford University in 1984.

A native of Red Deer, Alberta, Canada, Smith grew up in Jamaica, West Indies before moving to the United States in 1971.

Speaking on: Joining the Food Fight