December 12, 2007

Couple of Gems

Name: Rich Battista
Title: CEO, Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.
Age: 43
Years in Industry: 16
Years left in Industry: “Hopefully many…”

Name: Ryan O’Hara
Title: President, TV Guide Network and Broadband
Age: 38
Years in Industry: 11
Years left in Industry: 11

Why Them? Gemstar-TV Guide seems to have it all: Coveted EPG patents on the Gemstar side and perhaps one of the most recognizable brands in the TV universe with the TV Guide part of the business. Together it’s a formidable combination. Battista manages the whole company with finesse and vision, exploiting intellectual property while touting a classic brand across TV, print and online. O’Hara, meanwhile, has spearheaded efforts to take TV Guide Network into a bold future of original programming. That scroll keeps on shrinking while the innovative shows keep getting better. Either way you slice it, this team is moving forward with gusto.  MG

Rich Battista
What is your favorite word? “Passion”
What is your least favorite word? “No”
What turns you on?  “Hanging out with my twin boys.”
What turns you off? “Apathy”
What sound do you love? “The roar of the crowd from a Boston Red Sox walk-off homer.”
What sound do you hate? “Cable operators telling me they have no bandwidth.”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? “1940s big band singer.”
What profession would you not like to participate in? “George Bush’s grammar coach.”
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?  “I love all of the new original programming on TV Guide Network”

Ryan O’Hara
I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I was an intern for CNN and Turner Sports in 1986 in Moscow, USSR and became hooked on cable television.”
The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Internet video”
Biggest cable surprise of 2007: “The welcoming of Andrea Wong to cable.”
In my free time, I like to: “Play beach volleyball. This year’s four person cable volleyball team would include Mike Hopkins, Neal Tiles and Michele James.”
I wish cable would: “All subscribe to CableFAX” (Editor’s Note: Did we mention Ryan’s extraordinary intellect and humanity?).


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