December 12, 2007

D.C. Warriors

Name: David L. Cohen
Title:  EVP, Comcast Corporation        
Age: 52
Years in Industry: 5
Years left in Industry: “Not counting.”

Name: Carol Melton
Title: EVP, Global Public Policy, Time Warner
Age: 53
Years in Industry: 24

Name: Sandy Wilson
Title: VP of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs, Cox Enterprises
Age: 48
Years in Industry: “Lots”
Years left in Industry: “Lots more.”

Why Them? Each of these execs wield considerable power at their respective positions, and all of them help shape the way cable is perceived in Washington and on Main Street. Cohen is the most powerful… an uber-EVP who not only oversees the top MSO’s lobbying efforts, but also its corporate communications, legal, administration, government affairs and public affairs. He has the ears of both Brian Roberts and Steve Burke, who have entrusted him with leading efforts to redefine perceptions of Comcast and the cable industry in D.C. and beyond. His hiring of former NCTA lobbymeister David Krone only augments Comcast’s D.C. machine. Melton, meanwhile, covers not only the cable industry but other Time Warner assets. And she has been a picture of stability as boss Lynn Yaeger prepares to retire and the very able Ellen East comes over from Cox to replace her. Wilson has really come into her own this year following the retirement of Cox’s D.C. fixture Alexander “Netch” Netchvolodoff… and we expect more great things from her as her role continues to expand.  MG

David Cohen
The coolest new cable tech is: “Wideband (DOCSIS 3.0)”
Favorite restaurant: “Susannah Foo”
Favorite city: “Philadelphia”
Favorite TV show (If you’re a programmer, please pick one NOT from your network):  “Any ‘CSI’ or ‘Law and Order’.”
Favorite movie: Chariots of Fire
Favorite piece of tech: “Blackberry”
Least favorite piece of tech: “Blackberry”

Carol Melton
What is your favorite word? “Yes”
What is your least favorite word? “No”
What turns you on? “Winning”
What turns you off? “Losing”
What sound do you love? “Ocean waves”
What sound do you hate? “Whining”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? “Anonymous Michelin Red Guide Inspector”
What profession would you not like to participate in? “Dentistry”
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “Welcome”

Sandy Wilson
What is your favorite word? “Listen”
What is your least favorite word? “Can’t”
What turns you on?  “Being with the people I love”
What turns you off? “Whining”
What sound do you love? “Laughter”
What sound do you hate? “The dentist’s drill”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? “Portrait painter”
What profession would you not like to participate in? “Professional wrestler”
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “There are some people here you’ll be really happy to see”


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