Philip Segal

Original Productions, CEO and Executive Producer

Philip Segal

Philip Segal is CEO and Executive Producer of Original Productions, a FremantleMedia company.  With operating responsibility for the company’s business, creative, development and production divisions, Segal has overseen the creation of many of the top-rated , U.S. reality shows on air including, Storage Wars, Storage Wars: Texas, the Deadliest Catch, Ice Road Truckers, American Hoggers, America’s Lost Treasures, Ax Men, Black Gold and Bering Sea Gold. From 1990 to 1996, Segal as Executive Vice President at Amblin Television, part of Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment.

Tell us the highlights of your professional career. What are your proudest achievements?

My proudest achievement is my 19-year-old son.  In terms of my career, I’ve had the privilege of being mentored by amazing women. At  Amblin Entertainment [SDSU alumna] Kathy Kennedy, was one of my greatest mentors. She was a powerhouse, an incredible leader, had great taste, was calm under pressure and a big picture thinker.  I also worked for Lucie Salhany at Paramount, another gifted, powerful woman. I’ve been blessed to work with incredibly talented people. One of my proudest moments was to re-launch the popular BBC Series, Dr. Who, after a 7-year effort. I say this not just because it’s great literature, but because of what Dr. Who stands for—belief in yourself and the courage of your convictions. If there’s something you’re passionate about, it will eventually come to fruition.

What’s your favorite college memory?

I didn’t have the typical college experience because I lived at home and worked to put myself through school, working at a hospital and at the KPBS station, sweeping floors and getting coffee, helping on fund raisers. I also interned for a professor at SDSU who was also a producer for PM Magazine.

Who was your favorite professor and/or what was your favorite class?

Our telecommunications professor was also the producer for PM Magazine. He was a lovely man who was immensely patient and wanted so much to understand what students were thinking and wanted to take the time to explain concepts until we understood. 

If you were to give current SDSU students some advice, what would you say?

I would say, always think creatively. Don’t paint yourself into a corner or see every hurdle as a stop sign or a “no.” We are often discouraged by things we can’t do and don’t spend enough time to think about what is possible. Use your time at school to experience everything and don’t edit anything. You may never have such a chance again.

What are you reading?  What’s your favorite book?

I’m currently reading Steven Jobs’ biography. My favorite book is Jules Verne’s Carpathian Castle.

What is your passion?

Entertaining. I love telling stories. If I can make someone smile, laugh or cry, passion is an emotional roller coaster of storytelling. When it’s right, your audience goes on an amazing journey.

What’s your motto?

Pablo Picasso said, “I do not seek, I find.” Those words are true for me. I am a very curious person. I like to go out and find things.

If you won the lottery, what would you do with your winnings?

I would probably want to make sure I have enough so I don’t have to worry about someone taking care of me in old age. Everything else I would use to get every kid off the streets of Los Angeles and get them into education and a better life. There are over 18,000 kids living on the streets of LA and it’s one of the saddest things on the planet.

What trait do you value most in your friends and colleague?

Loyalty.

If you knew you could not fail, what would you attempt?

I would cure blindness! We see the world through our eyes. Everything in my head is pictures, not words. What a loss not to be able to see.
Joanne Ferchland-Parella completed the interview in Los Angeles, CA on February 27, 2013.