July 1, 2010

Lifetime Achievement Award: Bonnie Hathaway, VP of Public Affairs

Time Warner Cable (Retired)

The industry respected Time Warner Cable VP of Public Affairs Bonnie Hathaway’s wish to retire quietly. That’s why we’re excited Hathaway’s former colleagues and cable friends prevailed upon her to accept our Lifetime Achievement Award. She deserves it, and more.

From her start with HBO in the ’80s Hathaway has elevated community relations, demonstrating the importance of corporate philanthropy and community involvement. "She has been so successful because she is a true believer in corporate responsibility. Her work has never been just a job, it’s been a passion and she’s made believers out of many others," says longtime friend and Insight SVP Sandy Colony. Hathaway hung it up in May, in time for summer on the Jersey Shore. CableFAX Daily Editor in Chief Amy Maclean interrupted Hathaway’s well-deserved R&R for some reflections on her career.

CFAX: Is there an achievement you’re most proud of?

BH: Lasting 27 years! Actually, one of the things I’m most proud of is one of the last — the development of Connect a Million Minds [TW Cable’s five-year program to inspire students in science, technology, engineering and math; see more on page 12]. It’s really the culmination of my career in cable and in a way mirrors how far public affairs has come. From its development to its execution to its evolution, it has been one of the most strategic and sophisticated projects I’ve been involved with, and the one from which I’ve learned the most.

CFAX: How has the industry’s view of public affairs shifted from when you started as a programmer to today?

BH: Initially public affairs mainly involved regulatory issues and franchising, so local relationships were an important part of the job. When I started with HBO in 1983 it was launching original movies, so I set up screenings of its first production, The Terry Fox Story, in conjunction with our cable affiliates in the South to support those local relationships.

When the Cable Television Public Affairs Association [now ACC] held its first meeting I believe was when cable public affairs really started to gel as a recognized professional discipline. There were about 35 of us in the room, most of whom were meeting for the first time, and many of whom are still in the industry. The birth of Cable in the Classroom established the value of cable as an educational tool and gave us a new audience — parents and educators — to reach, and a new message to deliver.

As the industry has become more sophisticated so has cable public affairs. Instead of one person handling government, media and community relations, now those areas often are separated under a corporate communications umbrella. But I’d argue that localism still is at the core of what we do, especially in today’s competitive environment. The importance of Public Affairs to that localism is recognized and appreciated.

CFAX: We’ve seen Cable Positive fold. What’s the future for other groups in the next 3-5 years?

BH: I wish I had a crystal ball for this one. The only thing I can say from the perspective of experience is that these things tend to wax and wane and I hope the industry realizes the importance of these groups. Participating in them makes us better in our jobs and provides a way to share experiences and grow, which benefits the companies in the long run.

CFAX: Do you plan to stay involved in cable? Do you have personal goals now that you’re retired, like taking up skydiving?

BH: Actually I’m going kayaking and whale watching in August. Other than that, my plans are not to have any plans for a while.

[ Online Bonus: At cablefax.com Bonnie Hathaway talks about her mentors and working with Glenn Britt.]