Beth Higbee joined Food Network as vice president of new media in October 2000. In this role, Higbee oversees product and content development to create revenue for the Scripps Networks’ interactive division and to drive ratings for Food Network. Higbee directs FoodNetwork.com, a popular consumer website that reached profitability in 2003 and is currently the top online food destination and a top 10 TV entertainment website in the U.S. Higbee also initiates wireless, broadband, and interactive programs as brand and income extensions; she was responsible for introducing the first paid cell phone application and first convergent TV show to the company. Prior to Food Network, Higbee was part of the original team to launch startup portal Snap.com and guide its subsequent merger with NBC to become NBC Internet. While at NBCi, Higbee supervised multiple divisions and staffs as a senior product manager on the west coast, and directed operations for NBC’s entertainment websites Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Conan O’Brien on the east coast. She began her career at Rodale Press, starting with several editorial positions at Men’s Health and Prevention magazines and later as a founding member of the publishing company’s new media division. Higbee graduated from Penn State University in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and French. She is a member of Step Up Women’s Network New York, has received certification in sailing and emergency first aid, and lives in Manhattan.
