 |
Linda JensenThe president
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Linda Jensen
- Love for Russia
- Family Background
- Life in Russia
- Marriage and Cultural Differences
- MTV and the Russian Music Market
- The Russian Music Industry
- Conclusion
Biography of Linda Jensen
Linda Jensen, the president of "MTV - Russia," is surprisingly fluent in Russian and has a contagious laughter. She believes that it is a sin to be sad. Firstly, on September 25th, the popular music channel, which she has been leading for four years, will celebrate its 6th anniversary. Secondly, the first "MTV - Russia Music Awards" ceremony will take place on October 16th. And thirdly... Linda is expecting a baby.
Love for Russia
Linda Jensen expresses her love for Russia and her first visit to the country in 1983, even before the perestroika era when Yuri Andropov was the General Secretary. She refers to it as the last years of the "communist resistance." She vividly recalls the presence of Lenin busts everywhere, empty stores, and the sale of goods with coupons. She also shares funny stories from the time when alcohol was prohibited and people would secretly drink vodka on trains. Linda was invited to a conference in Nakhodka, where she traveled by plane and then switched to a train. As soon as the train departed from the station, boxes of vodka were opened, and everyone got drunk by the time they arrived in Nakhodka. Linda mentions the freedom of voting on the streets at night and buying vodka from the trunk of a car.
Family Background
In Linda's family, the concept of leaving Russia was never seen as something horrible. Her mother is Lebanese and a Muslim, while her father is Danish. Both of them were immigrants to the United States. Linda's father used to be a captain in the Danish Navy, and her mother was a passenger on his ship, which is how they met. After getting married, her father moved from Denmark to America. Linda initially thought she would become an academician after attending Columbia University. However, in 2000, she received an invitation to work at MTV, which had already been running for two years. If someone had told her that she would have an interesting career in commercial TV, she wouldn't have believed it. Linda recalls the Soviet television and the first advertisements. She was convinced that private television would never appear in Russia.
Life in Russia
Linda has been in Russia for 20 years now, which surprises her. She realizes that she spends most of her time here and decided to start a family in Russia. She bought a wooden house in the Moscow Region, which was not initially suitable for winter, so she spent a year and a half renovating it and making it warm. Linda and her husband enjoy walking in the forest, where birch and fir trees grow.
Marriage and Cultural Differences
Linda's husband is half Russian and half Ukrainian. They live together and are expecting a child. Linda states that there are no problems due to different mentalities. She believes that women around the world know that there are pros and cons to every man. Linda appreciates her husband's intelligence and kindness. She mentions that she needs a patient person, as she is always busy and constantly on the move. She is the one who usually cooks in their family. Many people assume that Americans cannot cook, but Linda, having inherited her Lebanese mother's upbringing, can sew clothes, knit, and even cook borscht. However, she admits that she doesn't particularly enjoy Russian food because it is heavy. She has managed to change her husband's eating habits, so he now prefers fish and rice over meat and potatoes.
MTV and the Russian Music Market
Linda reveals that during her first year as the president of "MTV - Russia," they conducted extensive research and realized that the channel was too Western and not Russian enough. They made significant changes to include more Russian music, which now makes up almost 80% of the channel's content. Linda believes that this was the most correct decision she has made so far. She mentions that conducting sociological research is one of the most interesting aspects of working in television. It helps them anticipate what people want and stay one step ahead of their expectations. Linda believes that Russian and Western youth have a lot in common in terms of their desires and dreams. She predicts that in ten years, the younger generation will have even more similarities with their European peers.
The Russian Music Industry
Linda expresses her desire for the Russian music industry to thrive. She believes that 99% of pop groups have short-lived careers, which is not only the case in Russia but also in the West. The youth constantly seeks something new and original. She also mentions that failures and setbacks of famous artists are often more attractive to the audience as entertainment. Linda is excited about the upcoming "MTV - Russia Music Awards" ceremony, which will be held on October 16th at the State Kremlin Palace. She is particularly pleased that Russian and Western stars will share the same stage. Linda also believes that the awards will help Russian artists gain recognition on an international level.
Conclusion
Linda Jensen's love for Russia and her commitment to promoting Russian music and culture through "MTV - Russia" is evident in her biography. She believes in the potential of the Russian music industry and works tirelessly to provide a platform for both Russian and international artists. Despite her success, Linda remains down-to-earth and cherishes her family life in Russia.
