Deals & Steals on gifts galore!

  • Video
  • Shop
  • Culture
  • Family
  • Wellness
  • Food
  • Living
  • Style
  • Travel
  • News
  • Book Club
  • GMA3: WYNTK
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Terms of Use
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Contact Us
  • © 2023 ABC News
  • Living

Vice Media's CEO Nancy Dubuc talks about the worst advice she never took

VIDEO: Vice Media CEO Nancy Dubuc shares the worst advice she's received
1:08
Vice Media CEO Nancy Dubuc shares the worst advice she's received
ABCNews.com
ByLayne Winn
February 11, 2019, 4:27 am

Nancy Dubuc has seen her fair share of media pitches.

Dubuc worked for A&E Networks for 19 years, with the last six of those years as President and CEO, before recently becoming CEO of Vice Media in the fall of 2018. With years of experience creating award-winning programming and making decisions that impact the entirety of a company, Dubuc looks back and credits the worst advice she's received to when she was told early on in her career to not be so quick to say no during a pitch meeting.

(MORE: Vice Media CEO Nancy Dubuc on how an internship shifted her career path toward journalism)

“I was in a role where I was receiving a lot of creative pitches all the time and this agent wanted me to not give a straight answer as to how I felt about the show,” Dubuc told ABC News’ chief business, technology and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis.

“They instead wanted me to just sort of go along with loving everything and then giving feedback and having to follow back later. I never understood that,” she added.

Editor’s Picks

Melinda Gates shares the worst advice she never took

  • Oct 15, 2018

Brooklyn Decker shares the worst advice she never took

  • Aug 20, 2018

Jewelry designer Kendra Scott shares the worst business advice she ever got

  • Jan 28, 2019

Dubuc began her career at the Daily Free Press newspaper in Boston — working in advertising sales — and later went on to intern at NBC, which prompted her to switch from advertising to journalism.

While at A&E, Dubuc worked on popular shows such as "Forged in Fire" and "Pawn Stars," and worked across HISTORY, Lifetime, FYI, VICELAND and more industry-leading brands. She made the decision to leave A&E to begin her next chapter at Vice, hoping to find “some of that young, hungry talent” and ready to “start taking those risks.”

Nancy Dubuc, CEO of Vice Media, speaks at the New York Times DealBook conference, Nov. 1, 2018 in New York City.
Stephanie Keith/Getty Images, FILE

As someone with little time to spare, Dubuc has found that it's better to be honest and upfront.

“I think from a time management standpoint, I’ve always lived by 'no' is the second best answer to 'yes' and so cut to the chase and just be a straight shooter,” Dubuc said.

(MORE: Jewelry designer Kendra Scott shares the worst business advice she ever got)

She also said that when she says "no" to a pitch, that's actually an opportunity to expand on an idea and reshape it for the better, rather than a total rejection.

“I think being able to say 'no' in the room would also lead us to some other idea and that if you just sort of go along with the charade of pretending to like something, then you’re never going to get to the next thing."

Hear more from Nancy Dubuc on episode #117 of the “No Limits with Rebecca Jarvis” podcast.

Editor’s Picks

Melinda Gates shares the worst advice she never took

  • Oct 15, 2018

Brooklyn Decker shares the worst advice she never took

  • Aug 20, 2018

Jewelry designer Kendra Scott shares the worst business advice she ever got

  • Jan 28, 2019

Up Next in Living—

Rolling Fork nonprofit works to help renters return to the town as homeowners following tornado

December 6, 2023

What to know about anti-aging medication in development that could help dogs live longer

December 1, 2023

How to use a shower rod to hang Christmas garland without ruining your walls

November 29, 2023

Christmas tree pests: Woman opens up about surprise encounter

November 29, 2023

Shop Holiday Digital Deals

ABC will receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

The latest lifestyle and entertainment news and inspiration for how to live your best life - all from Good Morning America.
  • Contests
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Children’s Online Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Your US State Privacy Rights
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • About Nielsen Measurement
  • Press
  • Feedback
  • ABC News
  • ABC
  • All Videos
  • All Topics
  • Sitemap

© 2023 ABC News
  • Privacy Policy— 
  • Your US State Privacy Rights— 
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy— 
  • Interest-Based Ads— 
  • Terms of Use— 
  • Do Not Sell My Info— 
  • Contact Us— 

© 2023 ABC News