December 12, 2007

The Gatekeepers

Name: Matt Bond
Title: EVP, content acquisition, Comcast Cable
Age: 45
Years in Industry: 14
Years left in Industry: “All of them.”

Melinda Witmer
Title:  EVP/Chief Programming Officer, Time Warner Cable
Years in Industry: 14
Years left in Industry: “A lot.”

Bob Wilson
Title: SVP, programming
Age: 54
Years in Industry: 28

Greg Rigdon
Title: SVP, business development, Charter
Age: 39

Cathy Fogler
Title: VP/GM, video
Age: 38
Years in Industry: 10.5

Years left in Industry: “x=3y+4y(xy-3x)+sqr(e+4i), where x and y are prime three-digit numbers.”

Why Them? We're throwing cable’s most powerful content gatekeepers (covering nearly 50mln cable subs… mmmm… 50mln cable subs) into one listing. But all this influence in one ranking? Couldn’t the collective weight of their power over programmers create a massive black hole from which even the hopes and dreams of struggling indie networks couldn’t escape? It's a risk we’re willing to take.  MG

Matt Bond
I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I went from being a bankruptcy lawyer to being invited to HBO’s Aspen Comedy Weekend.”
Defining career moment: “Getting the job running the programming group at TCI.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Steve Burke, who sweats the details and is also a great leader.”
In my free time, I like to: “Hiking, water sports, making margaritas.”
Favorite TV show (If you’re a programmer, please pick one NOT from your network):  “South Park”
Favorite movie: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Favorite piece of tech: “Blackberry”
Least favorite piece of tech: “Blackberry”
My perfect vacation goes like this: “The last one, with no return flight.”

Melinda Witmer
The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Intrusive regulation.”
The coolest new cable tech is: Start Over”
In my free time, I like to: “Hang with my husband and kids.”
Favorite song: “Unwritten” by Natasha Bedingfield
Favorite sports team: “Scarsdale Raiders”

Bob Wilson
The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Being better than the competition.” 
Defining career moment: “Being lucky enough to connect with Cox in 1979.”
Top personal achievement in 2007: “MyPrimetime VOD deals: the future of television.”
Least favorite piece of tech: “EPGs – cable has to get with it.”
My perfect vacation goes like this: “Wake, eat, golf, eat, read/play on the beach, eat/talk, sleep, repeat.”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? “Rock star.”
What profession would you not like to participate in? “Bull rider – those guys are nuts.”   

Greg Rigdon
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “John Malone, Pioneer and Master of the deal.”
Favorite restaurant: il Giostro in Florence – chef/owner is a  Russian-Hapsburg Prince
Favorite city: St. Petersburg in June (Russia)
Favorite line from a movie or TV show: “ABC, Always be Closing!” – Glenn Gary Glenn Ross
Favorite TV show (If you’re a programmer, please pick one NOT from your network): House

Cathy Fogler
In my free time, I like to: “Be with my three boys:  husband- Rob, sons- Max and Joe.”
Favorite line from a movie or TV show:  “It’s a fine line between stupid and clever” David St. Hubbins, This is Spinal Tap
Favorite song: “How Far We’ve Come” - Matchbox Twenty
Favorite sports team: “Detroit Red Wings”
My perfect vacation goes like this: “Gorilla trekking in Rwanda.”


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