Colleen Abdoulah
Title: Pres/CEO, Wide Open West
Age: 48
Years in Industry: 23
Years left in the industry: “Is there
something I should know?!”
Brian Lamb (center)
Title: Founder, C-SPAN
Robert Clasen
Title: Chairman/CEO, Starz
Age: 63
Years in Industry: 33
Years left in Industry: “As long as it
continues to be fun and challenging.”
Why her? We can't help ourselves.
We just love Colleen Abdoulah (even
if she does head up an overbuilder!).
First, there's her sense of humor. How
many people send us photos of themselves in bunny get-ups? Then there's
her incredible passion, evidenced in
Why Them? They’re all probably WOW's motto: “Lead with Courage.
sick of all of us gushing all over them, Serve with Heart. Celebrate with
but oh well… Here it goes again. Grace." Er, were not 100 percent sure
Lamb has already reached legend- on that celebrate with grace part… Is
ary status within the cable industry, it graceful to don an actual Wonder
but he did the industry prouder Woman costume after being deemed
than ever this year by receiving the a WICT Wonder Woman of the Year?
Presidential Medal of Freedom, But Abdoulah and her team deserve to
the nation’s highest civilian honor. showboat a little. WOW ranked highest
Kennedy and Swain, meanwhile, in J.D. Power's annual cable/satel-have both become invaluable mem- lite satisfaction survey for the North
bers of the C-SPAN family. They Central region for the 2nd consecutive
added “President” to their titles this year with a score higher than any other
year, with Kennedy handling finance, video provider. That's something for
technical and operations, and Swain cable to emulate. AM
taking on programming, new program offerings and marketing/PR. As What is your favorite word? “Love”
the ’08 election approaches, C-SPAN Least favorite word? “Hate” What
has also started airing events and turns you on? “Intimacy” What
coverage all week rather than waiting turns you off? “Anger” What sound
for the weekly “Road to the White do you love? “Laughter” Sound you
House” (which is now available on hate? “War” What profession other
VOD, by the way). It's also adding than yours would like to attempt?
more HD to the mix. After all these “A Broadcast Interviewer (radio or TV).”
years, C-SPAN remains a key life- What profession would you not
line for those interested in balanced like to participate in? “Surgery” If
and thorough coverage of important heaven exists, what would you
national issues. Yes, we could go on like to hear God say when you
and on about cable’s gift to America. arrive at the Pearly Gates? “You
But we’ll stop. For now. MG loved well.”
Rob Kennedy (right)
Title: Co-president/COO, C-SPAN
Susan Swain (left)
Title: Co-president/COO, C-SPAN
Why Him? Though he spent part
of this year embroiled in legal proceedings with Disney, Clasen found
plenty of time to champion the HD
On Demand initiative, an increasingly
important weapon in cable’s arsenal
as Direc TV keeps the pressure turned
up on HD content. Starz HD On
Demand, which launched last fall with
100 hours of programming per month
– including 20 movies - on Comcast,
expanded in both breadth and depth
in 2007. Cox added the service in
select markets in November, and
Clasen is hoping to bring additional
MSOs into the fold in ’08. For creating
innovative ways to keep tech-savvy
cable customers satisfied, our hat’s
off to you, Bob. CAO
The cable industry’s biggest chal-
lenge in 2008 is: “To take the lead
in offering consumers a package of
IP video services together with high
speed cable modems.” Person I
most admire in the cable indus-
try and why: “Ralph J. Roberts, a
successful businessman and gentle-
man who always makes time for
people.” Biggest cable surprise
of 2007: “The continued attempt by
a Republican-led FCC to re-regulate
and micromanage the cable industry.”
I wish cable would: “Become more
innovative in its packaging and more
aggressive in offering Internet services.”
