42 | The Maverick
Mark Cuban
Title: Pres/Co-Founder, HDNet
Age: Approaching dirt
Education: BA, Indiana U
Social Media Quotient: 10
Why Him? The billionaire owner
of HDNet and HDNet Movies was
at least as controversial in ’09 as
ever, even though he’s got Comcast carriage now. If you believe
the news reports, at any given time
Cuban’s starting a sports league,
launching a cable sports channel,
buying the Dodgers or the Pirates,
railing against up-converted SD
or discussing ways to take down
Google. But back to HDNet, the
addition of Stephen Fry in America
was a strong pick and at 78 years
young Dan Rather isn’t slowing and
his Dan Rather Reports rocks.
Trick or Tweet? Cuban tweeted
negatively about NBA refs. The
league fined him $25K. He paid
and tweeted: ‘Can’t say no one
makes money from Twitter now.
The NBA does.’ Cuban’s Twitter
followers grew immensely.
The Year Ahead:
As more HD sets get sold there’s
only one way for HDNet to go.
Prediction for Cable in ’10:
ITV finally takes hold; cable is one
of the leaders. Pay VOD shows
significant growth.
Admired Trait: Preparation
Best Business Advice: When
you sit at the poker table you always look for the fool. If you don’t
see him, it’s you.
28
cablefaxmag.com
43 | First Lady
Colleen Abdoulah
Title: President/CEO, Wide Open West
Age: 49
Education: MBA, U of Denver
Why Her? She’s still the only female
President/CEO of a major service provider (a sad commentary on the state
of women at cable operators). But
beyond that dubious distinction Abdoulah’s WOW! continues to impress with
its empowered employees and, in turn,
their obsession with customer care.
This formula has led to an expanded
sub base for the Denver-based overbuilder and 8 J.D. Power awards.
Father Knows Best: Abdoulah’s
dad, who ran a restaurant, instilled in
44 | Smart Start
Peter Stern
Title: EVP/Chief Strategy Officer,
Time Warner Cable
Age: 50
Education: BA, Music and English,
Harvard; JD, Yale
Social Media Quotient: 0
Why Him? Arguably one of cable’s
most brilliant thinkers, for several
years Stern’s been the loudest public exponent of the concepts that led
to TV Everywhere. He’s also credited
with driving innovations like the Emmy
Award-winning Start Over.
Starting Over Indeed: Stern is leading the refocus of Time Warner Cable’s
strategy to fit its new standalone status.
The meticulous Stern is said to be eyeing
virtually every company function.
Year Ahead:
As with all MSOs, the economy is a wild
card; with Stern the progress of TV Everywhere will be crucial to his 2010.
Drink of Choice: Water
In 2010 Cable Will: Get even more
interesting and the pace will further accelerate, however improbable that seems.
To Recharge I: Play piano.
Last Book Read: Physics of the Impossible (with my son)
December 2009
her the concept that treating employees well helps a business grow.
Year Ahead:
We’re betting on Abdoulah’s competitive streak again despite the uncertain
economy in WOW’s footprint of Illinois,
Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
Fave iPhone/Blackberry App: Email
Trait I Most Admire in People:
Patience, as I am constantly challenged
on this trait
If I Were a Mad Men Character I
Would Be: Unable to work after lunch.
Childhood Hero: My mom
I Wish My Kids Would: Stay the exact
age they are right now
Favorite TV Show: Any show I can
“Start Over”
Favorite Part of My Job: The people
CableFAX: The Magazine
