Andrew Baer (pictured)
Title: SVP/CIO, Comcast
Rise of the CIOs
Frank Boncimino
Title: CIO, Time Warner Cable
Why Them? It may seem a bit controversial, but we’re reserving a high ranking for the unsung heroes of the back office—the unappreciated, underrated
and underpaid (you can thank us later for that one, guys) CIOs who roll up their
sleeves every day to do things most of us couldn’t begin to comprehend. We
don’t have space to recognize them all, so we’re letting Baer and Boncimino
carry the mantle. These guys (and gals) aren’t just watching over server bays
anymore. On the MSO side, they are doing things like creating software tools
for CSRs to help them upsell the bundle. On the programming side, CIOs are
helping to repurpose content for the Web and even mobile applications. In other
words, a good CIO these days can greatly affect your bottom line. Know them.
Love them. Be glad you don’t have to understand what they do. MG
Andrew Baer
Cable’s biggest challenge in 2008 is: “Improving customer satisfaction.”
In my free time, I like to: “Go boating on the Chesapeake Bay.”
24Hype Definition
Chase Carey
Title: President/CEO, Direc TV
Why Him? Let’s be honest. Cable was getting cocky,
pointing out that DBS operators simply can’t compete
when it comes to the triple play. That’s somewhat true,
of course. But what’s also true is that savvy CEOs like
Chase Carey aren’t stupid. He has watched (twirling
that mustache, no doubt) as cable operators and telcos
try to bleed each other dry marketing the “bundle”—all
while he can focus almost obsessively on video, video,
video. And lately more HD. And while we can all quibble
about exactly how many HD channels Direc TV is offering, consumers are getting the hard sell that satellite
is the path to their HD salvation. Who’s telling them?
Christopher Lloyd, Sigourney Weaver, Peyton Manning,
Beyoncé… you know… the HD experts. Then again,
Direc TV’s tactics seem to be convincing many consumers to switch. The satcaster added 240K subs in 3Q
alone and now boasts 16.6mln total—with Carey noting
the large number of affluent subs flocking to his open
arms (a potential advantage if the economy turns sour).
All of this has aided the basic sub losses that incumbent cable operators have experienced lately. And it’s a
key factor in forcing MSOs to step up to the HD plate
by upgrading to switched digital video, and pressuring
programmers to launch more HD channels and content.
C’est la vie. C’est competition. MG
