December 12, 2007

New Era at NatGeo

David Haslingden
Title: CEO, National Geographic Channel/CEO, Fox International Channels
Age: 46
Years in Industry: 12
Years left in Industry: 12

Steve Schiffman
Title: Acting GM, National Geographic Channel
Age: 46
Years in Industry: 9
Years left in Industry: 90

Why Them? Think globally, act locally. That’s the new mantra at National Geographic Channel in the wake of the departures this year of both Laureen Ong and John Ford. While new chief Haslingden is staying the course of leveraging Fox’s distribution muscle, he (not surprisingly) is gunning to connect more strongly with NatGeo’s international web of networks in an attempt to chip away at Discovery’s global dominance. One of the main goals is to develop global-appeal programming that can premiere worldwide, a concept Schiffman is championing and began testing in November with “Man Made: Queen Mary 2.” NatGeo’s graphics have also been tweaked to more closely resemble those of its international brethren. But don’t worry, perennial favorite “Dog Whisperer” remains untouched.

David Haslingden
I knew the cable industry was for me when: “It was unlikely I'd get a job anywhere else.”
Defining career moment: “Being told, ‘Well, you were paid weren’t you?’ in response to my boasting about having done a good job.”
In my free time, I like to: “Spend time with my wife, try to socialize with my children in a way that doesn't involve shopping, run with my dog, progress my pet project of drawing insight from tribal and animal group behavior patterns as to the optimal way to create value from people working together in a company, (and fantasize that one day I’ll write a book on my pet project).”
Favorite city: “Rome”
Three things I would take with me to a desert island: “My wife, and my two children.”
Favorite TV show: “The Sopranos”
Favorite movie: Dr. Zhivago
Favorite sports team: “Australian Rugby team (even now).”
The world would be a better place if: “We dramatically increase the use of nuclear energy, we continue to move toward free trade and away from protectionism, and politics and religion become less and less intertwined.”

Steve Schiffman
I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I met Jim Cantore.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “Decker Anstrom… THE role model of what leadership and ethical behavior should be industrywide.”
In my free time, I like to: “Take my daughter to the golf range.”
Favorite restaurant: “Papaya King”
Favorite city: “New York”
Favorite line from a movie or TV show: “Show me the money.” – Jerry Maguire
Favorite movie: Jerry Maguire
Favorite sports team: “N.Y. Giants”

 
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