Victoria Mitkova dives successfully in the deep waters of Bulgarian Medias

The ex-alumnus of Neshka Robeva – Victoria Mitkova is inexhaustible in all areas. Born in Shumen, confident and ambitious, the young lady never stops developing herself and wining success after success in all levels. Maintaining a stable and healthy balance between her family and career, she combines wittily the role of a mother, as well as the one of executive chief of TV MSAT. And after all there is what more to dream about…  It is well known that you have trained rhythmic gymnastics in the school of Neshka Roberva.

Was this your child dream?

I would not call it exactly a child dream, but more like passion for the beautiful and charming movements of the girls with ribbons and hoops, which later in my life became my main activity. I started training when I was 7 in my home town Shumen and 5 years later the famous trainer started gathering talented children from the whole country for the Olympiad in Atlanta in 1996. Then I came to Sofia in order to devote myself completely to the rhythmic gymnastics. Neshka was very strict about the trainings, the mental and physical pressure was extremely high, but all this helped tremendously in building me as a serious and responsible person.

Why didn`t you continue developing yourself in this direction?

With time passing by I found out that sport usually make people develop just in one direction and not to be able to go out of a certain scheme and specifics. It`s enough to build a strong self control that is really, really helpful in real life, but from here on one should be searching for other challenges.

What is your profession?

Initially I studied “Pedagogy” in Juridical faculty of the Technical university – Varna and then I transferred and graduated specialty Law in South-western university N. Rilski – Blagoevgrad. My professional career I started in central cooperative bank, after which I continued my development in the factors and marketing company and currently I am an executive chief officer of TV MSAT.

And how did it happen that you started work in the media field?

During my time in the factors company we released one extremely successful TV project, one of whose results was the opportunity TV MSAT to become one of the leading Bulgarian medias today. Right after this achievement I was hired as the executive officer of the TV.

In your position of executive officer of TV MSAT, how do you estimate the competition in this field?

The TV sector in Bulgaria in recent times goes through a dynamic development. The competition is very big, which, for our biggest joy and surprise, determines and the high quality of the TV services in our country too. MSAT is one of the first private channels that started in Bulgaria more than 10 years ago and that are also being broadcasted on the satellite TV in Europe as well. During the years we shaped ourselves as a stable media with various interests that have the capacity to satisfy completely the media interest and public. We are in top 10 of the most preferred TV from the audience 30+, that is well educated, interested in news, novels, quality entertainment productions and good music. Our main competitors are tv7, BBT, Evropa and Eurokom, with whom we share almost equal market share.

What new can the spectators expect from MSAT?

In the beginning of November we start with a new program scheme, with which we currently experiment. We are in a process of negotiations with some big production houses and also for our own productions, as well as for the rights of some foreign ones too.   We are interested n buying movies from the Russian cinema and bigger amount of children movies production. Currently we are building our new ultra modern building, which will have the area of 3000 sq. meters. In it you will find TV MSAT, Alfa radio and their commercial departments.

Tell us something more about the upcoming TV shows?

After a detailed research we already know what type of TV broadcasts and in what time our spectators like, so that we can already satisfy completely their interest. Our program will stay poly-semantic, but we will accentuate more on the movie production, as well as the author’s shows, the novels and the news.  I would not be able to speak in great details about this, as currently we are still in negotiations about some extremely interesting and expensive productions, that the MSAT spectators will have the chance to see in the new TV season.

You are a successful woman. What is the recipe?

A person feels successful, when he or she has managed to achieve a balance between his profession and his family. When you are happy in your personal life and you are respected in your professional field, then you can say that you are successful.

If you have a chance to turn back the time, would you guide your life in a different direction?

Definitely no. I would like that I go through all that has happened to me again. A person needs to go through and experience the good and the bad thinks as well, because this is how he builds himself as a healthy and complete person.

Can you please describe one of your days?

Every morning I get up around 7 and I know how my day will go according to a strictly defined schedule. Around 8:30 I am already prepared for the work day with a hair style and slight make-up. In 9 I am already in my office in the tv and plan my business meetings. I often travel to Varna which influences me very relaxing. In the evening I go back home as quickly as possible, in order to be able to spend as much time as possible with my family.

How did you meet your husband and how did you manage to impress and captivate him?

This was absolutely happy chance, but I believe in the fact that for everybody there is predetermined half, so called significant other, which in one way or another finds the way towards your heart. I think I won and impressed him by my strong charisma and my natural easiness of character.

And what about him?

He impressed me with his original logic, as well as with his wonderful sense of humour. He combines in himself in the same time a strong sense toward the business and a creative talent. I like his innovativeness that often helps to me too.  Tell us more about your children. What are their names? How old are they? Mila is 7 year’s old and her name was an idea of her father, who decided to name her after me, because I am very precious to him. /She’s laughing/. She is a beautiful child with interest sense of humor and a creative logic. Joan is 5 months old, but he looks at least 10 months old, since he is fairly big and probably he’ll become a strong man.

What is the main think to which you would like to teach your kids?

I Want to them teach them to be worthy people, responsible in front of themselves and in front of others. To be serious and to be able to manage hardships in life quickly and effectively. To keep as much as possible from child's spirit in them and to never stop feeling the delight from the little things in life.

In your opinion how does the modern business lady look like?

She is a modern mother, a loving wife, ambitious, well educated and well informed manager.

How do you manage to maintain this perfect look? Do you do sports?

Eating healthily is on first place to me, but sport is also very important. I train regularly at home.

What is the feature that you like most in yourself?

I enjoy the fact that I am very stubborn, responsible and most of all – positive. I also like that I usually take up with executing of the task that is the most difficult one, which on the other hand motivates me even more to succeed.

Do you like traveling?

I enjoy it very much, plus it doesn’t really matter to which country – the important thing is to be a new, unknown to me and exotic one and last, but not least – to be with my beloved people. Usually I do a little research for the sightseeing, the national cuisine of the place that we are about to visit.

And which is your favorite shopping destination?

Actually, to be honest, browsing around shops is most on my list with favorite activities and shopping therapy is not so important to me. I do not feel the need in Sofia to roam around the famous trade streets, but however, when I am abroad with my family, I divide the pleasure in two main types – cultural sightseeing and shopping.

What do you usually do on your spare time?

Since I delivered my second child, I almost do not have any free time. If I am not at work, I devote myself entirely to the cares and nurturing of my two children, which is actually quite a big fun. Otherwise, both with my husband, we are professional divers with certificates of CMAS and we use the little free time for underwater adventures.

How do you have fun with your family?

Our favorites are the walks outside of the big and crowded city. We love the peace and the quietness. We also like the sea a lot and it recharges us with a positive energy.

Where did you this summer?

It is already the fifth year in sequence that except abroad, it is obligatory rule that we also visit hotel Azalea in holiday resort Saint Constantan and Elena.

What do you dream for?

My dream is mainly related to my kids. To grow up in a good surrounding and to be able to protect themselves from the negative influence of everything bad that may be around them in one or other moment of their life.  I personally believe that my personal dreams are sacred and inmost and I will have to walk a long road to make them come true.

And what are you afraid of?

Of course, like all mothers I am afraid for the safety of my children and for everything, related to them.

Your name means a victory, achievement. What is your personal achievement in life?

I think that I am in the beginning of my life and professional road, so my big victories are about to come from now on.

What would you wish to the readers of Merry magazine?

To all the readers and fans of Merry magazine - I wish them to be positive people, not to pay attention of the bad in life and to seek for the beautiful and the good. 

September 2008