84. Climate Cops

Debora Wilson
Title: President, The Weather Channel
Age: 48
Years in the Industry: 12
Years Left in the Industry: “Many more!”

Decker Anstrom
Title: President/COO, Landmark Communications, Inc
Age: 56
Years in the Industry: 18
Last year: NR

Why Them? No big hurricanes this year, but The Weather Channel still found a way to stay relevant. Wilson, backed by Anstrom, launched “Climate Watch,” an initiative focused on the global climate change debate. “Climate Code with Heidi Cullen,” meanwhile, counts Ted Turner and Richard Branson as guests and was paired with “Climate: One Degree,” the network's first broadband channel. It was an interesting (and risky) decision to focus the broadband site on global warming without much Weather Channel branding—proving that even an older net has new broadband tricks. – AM

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Debora Wilson

I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I saw how entrepreneurial the industry is.”
Defining career moment: “Visiting the Gulf Coast with the American Red Cross after Hurricane Katrina.”
Top personal achievement in 2006: “Ensuring the US had no major land falling hurricanes this year (Just kidding... kind of). An alternative answer: Launching The Weather Channel's programming focused on the global climate change debate.”
In my free time, I like to:  “Spend time with my family.”
Three things I would take with me to a deserted island: “My laptop, The Weather Channel Emergency Preparedness Kit, my family photos.”
The world would be a better place if: “Everyone took responsibility for caring for our Earth.”

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Decker Anstrom

Biggest (and most unappreciated) cable surprise of 2006: “The resounding (20-2) defeat of ‘ la carte’ legislation in the Senate Commerce Committee.”
Favorite line from a movie or TV show: “I’ve tried all the major religions, but I always come back to baseball.” - Susan Sarandon in “Bull Durham.”
Three things I would take with me to a deserted island: “(1) A high definition TV system to watch DVDs of (2) the Tigers' recent rout of the Yankees, and (3) The Weather Channel’s new series on climate change, ‘Climate Code With Heidi Cullen’.”
I wish cable would: “Find a sustainable win/win approach for operator/programmer fee and carriage disputes and new interactive opportunities.”

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