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55. Programming’s Rep in WashingtonPreston PaddenTitle: EVP, worldwide government relations, The Walt Disney Co. Age: 58 Why him? A countless number of programming lobbyists could have taken this spot (News Corp’s Maureen O’Connell and Viacom’s DeDe Lea come to mind), but we’ve decided to let Disney’s lobbying powerhouse Padden serve as the face for the hardworking bunch. With a la carte getting little attention and indecency taking a back seat to other national concerns (sorry Kevin Martin), it has been a somewhat quieter year for programmers (hence the drop in this year’s ranking from #4 last year). Still, there’s been plenty of work to be done. Padden has kept busy fighting Matt Polka’s attempts at retransmission reform (he was part of this summer’s retrans roundtable). He has also had to adjust to a new number 2, with Mitch Rose leaving to start his own firm (which counts NCTA among its clients). Joining Padden in the DC House of Mouse is former XM svp Bill Bailey. We've been covering Padden too long to underestimate him. He's one of the best. - AM Defining career moment: “Helping to create the Fox Network, including the Fox Net cable distribution arm (thank you Bob Thompson, then of TCI), that brought Fox programming to consumer in areas without local Fox broadcast affiliates.” Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Brian Roberts because he did not just 'coast' with what his Dad had built.” Biggest cable surprise of 2006: “Kyle McSlarrow’s unbelievably successful job of navigating the 2006 Telecom legislative process.” Top personal achievement in 2006: “Captaining a new boat made in Canada across Lake Ontario, through the Erie Canal, down the Hudson River, and down the Jersey Coast to my home on the Chesapeake Bay without needing a Coast Guard rescue.” Favorite restaurant: The Palm Click here to return to the 2006 CFAX 100 List. |
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