December 1, 2008

CableFAX: 58. Trifecta: Henry Schleiff

Henry Schleiff
Title: Pres/CEO, Crown Media Holdings
Last Year: #58
Age: 60, that’s gross, not net....!
Education: Continuing, but also U of PA, (BA)’70 and Law School (JD)’73

Why Him? While he still bleeds newsprint, jaunty Henry seemed slightly subdued this year. Perhaps he reserved his noisemaking for the boardroom, where he did nicely. The always hilarious Schleiff followed a carriage renewal with Comcast (24mln subs) late in ’07 with re-ups for Time Warner Cable (13mln) and Cox (6mln) this year. Unclear is whether he managed to raise Hallmark’s license fees much beyond a nickel/sub. Other good news was strong ratings, keeping Hallmark in the top 10 and sales revenue reaching $250mln.

Cool Moment: Henry’s still talking about a hole in one he made a few years ago, with Ethel Kennedy watching. Well, it was the only green in regulation he hit all day.

Year Ahead:
Schleiff’s committed Hallmark to a record 30 original films; with credit expected to remain tight, a Hallmark sale seems less likely.

Favorite Part of My Job: I am the opposite of an entrepreneur; I really like, appreciate and am certainly made better by having such a talented team to guide me. I lead best, from behind...!

Trait I Most Admire in People: Either a sense of humor or, at least, appreciation of a sense of humor. This assumes, of course, that a smooth golf swing is not a trait...!

Best Business Advice Received: The screenwriter, William Goldman said, “No one knows anything about this business” – he was right about the entertainment business and, indeed, about so many other aspects of life and society.

Favorite Music: River Dance. And, while I could listen over and over to Who Shot Liberty Valance, almost anything by Gene Pitney.

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