December 12, 2007

Great Content Marketers

Name: Katie Lacey
Title: SVP, Marketing, ESPN
Age: 42
Years in Industry: 2

Name: Geof Rochester
Title: EVP, Marketing, WWE
Age: 48
Years in Industry: 12
Years left in Industry: “Too many.”

Why Them? Lacey is the definition of a rising star, and she will only gain prominence when she co-chairs CTAM in ’08. Only two years into her cable career, she oversees the lion’s share of ESPN and ABC Sports branding, which in this age of ESPN anytime anywhere, includes television, publishing, Internet, mobile and even outdoor campaigns. Rochester scores major points for his ability to hopscotch between complex, event-based marketing and more traditional methods. He also masterminds over-the-top stunts. Rochester was the force behind the “mane event” between WWE patriarch Vince McMahon and Donald Trump, which ended in a triumphant Trump shaving Vince’s head in the ring. Holla holla.  CAO

Katie Lacey
What is your favorite word? “Par”
What is your least favorite word? “Incentivize”
What turns you on? “Curiousity”
What turns you off? “Chain restaurants”
What sound do you love? “The ocean”
What sound do you hate? “Gum cracking”
What profession other than yours would like to attempt? “Writer/journalist”
What profession would you not like to participate in? “Politics”
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? “Martinis are served at 5.”

Geof Rochester
I knew the cable industry was for me when: “I saw the marvelous array of programming brands that I could co-market with when I arrived at Comcast.”
The cable industry’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Establishing a vision that addresses how the industry is impacted by the increasing movement of content to the web.. i.e., the recently announced ‘South Park’ deal to distribute it on the Web.”
The coolest new cable tech is: “Slingbox application.”
Defining career moment: “Joining Comcast. This really introduced me to the industry that I have now come to love—media and entertainment, vs. my previous life in consumer goods and travel.”
Person I most admire in the cable industry and why: “I have two choices: The Roberts for having a smooth transition of power from father to son, and for building something that has survived so many dramatic industry changes. And Vince McMahon, who took a regional wrestling company and transformed it into a global media company with this unbelievable marketing machine. Also for running one of the best run, family-led, publicly traded companies.”
Top personal achievement in 2007: “That despite all of the media frenzy from the summer, our business continues to be very strong as demonstrated by strengthening pay-per-view results and a tremendous showing on DVD for our theatrical, The Condemned.”
Person (other than my current boss) who I’d most like to work for: “Dick Parsons”
Favorite city: “San Francisco”
Three things I would take with me to a desert island: “My Blackberry and two extra batteries.”
Favorite TV show: “Law and Order” in all of its forms


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