Vicki Lea is a Media Executive with over 35 years of experience in National Branding, Creative
Services and Television Show Development. Her experience as Creative Director, Producer,
Writer and Director of network television productions includes work with companies such as TNN,
MTV, Viacom, ACTS (now Hallmark), Warner Brothers and CBS. Productions include studios in
Los Angeles, New York Nashville and Dallas/Fort Worth, and Louisville as well as on-location
productions across the nation. Lea has served on the Advisory councils for WB and for CBS where
strategies for the networks were determined and implemented. Lea was the key Creative Executive
handling the startup of the WB affiliate in Nashville, WNAB-TV, positioning the station to be a
National Superstation. She was one of the first Executives on the Management team to launch the
first all-digital facility, a $100 Million Studio started by Roy Speer of the Home Shopping Network.
One of the higher-profile brands created by Lea was for SPIKE-TV. Lea coined the “First Network
for Men,” as a major brand while working with the MTV Founders in New York to determine a
direction for the Network and group of Networks. The founders embraced Lea’s concept which
would transition TNN into a new Brand under the Viacom Corporation. Lea also created the
concept for a current day Ozzie & Harriet show which effectively launched the “Ozzie Osbourne
Show” as one of the first reality shows on Network Television.
Lea has Produced, Directed and Written national shows including “Movie Monday” starring Julia
Duffy and Debbie Dunning, “Movie Neighbors” starring Jeff Dunham, “5 Nights of the Waltons”
with Jon Walmsley, “Thanksgiving Day with the Waltons” starring Michael Learned, “Hot Summer
Nights at Disney World” starring Patrick Duffy and Uptown Julie Brown, “Sofa Cinema” starring
Bill Engvall, and “Our World.” She has worked as Producer with “Entertainment Tonight,” “E!
Entertainment,” “PM Magazine” and “Wheel of Fortune.” She was the first in the industry to
launch social media integration with a network television show and a live web chat room, connecting
people across the nation to chat in real-time while watching a television show. That show was “Movie
Monday.” Lea Produced and Created the story for the film, “The Spirit of Christmas” and worked
on the Producer’s Team for the PBS film “Money Rider.” Her work has received recognition
winning an International Gold Medallion Award, an Emmy Award, the Quill Award and two Addy’s.
As Executive Producer and Host of the television show, “America’s Treasures,” Lea successfully
built a National brand with local marketing tie-ins. Lea is also Editor of the “America’s Treasures”
Magazine. As one of the 50-state affiliates of AMERICA’s TREASURES, “Tennessee Treasures,”
was created and launched as the first regional show in the brand. The brand originated with the
board game Trivia Louisville, which received overwhelming response in Kentucky with full media
promotions and media coverage including TV, Radio, Print, and Retail. The National television
show, “America’s Treasures” has reached more than 20 Million households.
Lea’s entrepreneurial vision has guided the launch of new products and new ventures along with the
expansion of corporations such as Providence Journal, TNN and MTV. Her consulting for creative
development, video production, agency-related work, marketing plans, and financial packaging,
encompasses a variety of industries including Legal, Medical, Real Estate, Aviation, Non-Profits,
Inventions, Technology, Travel as well as and Entertainment. Dealing in Management, Financial
packaging and the presentation of $2 Million to $17 Million ventures, Lea has played a crucial role
in those ventures.
An avid pioneer of new technology, inventions, and trends, Lea has designed software for Network
and Television Station use as well as being invited to participate in beta testing for Microsoft. Lea
has even participated in competitions for creating new APP’s with presentations to Google.
On the community level, her accomplishments include the successful plan to preserve the Alvin
York Institute from demolition. She was the change agent responsible for influencing the creation
of a bill in Kentucky to change the Film Tax Credit in the state after 25 plus years of stagnant results.
Lea speaks to groups sharing stories of America’s Treasures, giving business insights to Economic
Development Groups and inspiring Women to achieve their potential. She is also invited to
regularly share stories of success with Entertainment and Media groups.