than 20 separate systems—all while
continuing to grow RGUs. Marcus not
only shepherded the massive spin-
off from Time Warner but has since
helped fuel growth despite the eco-
nomic crisis, pay down debt and even
help execute programming agreements.
TV All The Time: With Time Warner
Cable’s TV Everywhere authentication
initiative ramping up in ’ 10, Hobbs and
Marcus will be busier than usual.
Year Ahead:
Analysts laud Time Warner Cable’s
resilience amid the downturn; with the
economy starting to stabilize, the future
bodes well for Hobbs and Marcus.
51 | C-Suite Spot
Landel Hobbs (above)
Title: COO, Time Warner Cable
Age: 47
Education: Angelo State University
Social Media Quotient: 2
Childhood Hero: My dad
I Wish My Kids Would: Grow up
healthy and happy and be independent women. I want them to choose
their own paths in life, not follow
the crowd.
In 2010, the Economy will: Stabilize
Favorite TV Show: Anything on NY1
and CNBC
Favorite Part of My Job: I love it
all—seriously.
Rob Marcus (right)
Title: CFO, Time Warner Cable
Age: 44
Education: BA, Brown; JD, Columbia
Social Media Quotient: 0
Why Them? Hobbs’ profile rose this
year as he took one for the team as the
public face of the bandwidth metering
furor. Internally, he restructured the MSO
into six major regions, down from more
Landel Hobbs:
Prediction for Cable in 2010: Cable
will continue to enhance its focus on
customers.
When I Need to Recharge, I: Turn
my Blackberry off and go to the beach.
Rob Marcus
Favorite Restaurant: Nobu
Drink of Choice: Coffee, black—no
more than five cups/day
Last Book Read: Ayn Rand’s Atlas
Shrugged (audio book for when I’m
not listening to the Yankees on the
commute home)
A Day Without Facebook is: Just
another day.
Childhood Hero: My father
52 | Advanced Services
and Servicing
Bob Wilson
Title: SVP, Programming, Cox
Age: 56
Education: BS, Lehigh;
MBA, GA State
Social Media
Quotient:
7
Why Him? Wilson has Cox’s
cylinders firing with an impressive breadth of HD nets, city-specific RSNs and a sharp
focus on VOD. The latter
thrust includes MyPrimetime
On Demand, a widely-avail-able service that gives subs
access to current TV shows
at the push of a button. Earlier
this year Turner trialed some
of its content on the platform
and found VOD ad exposure
could be measured. In addition, it spurred a 10% jump in
viewing.
Local Love: Cox’s com-
mitment to localism and
public affairs is deserv-
edly documented. Perhaps
there’s no better example
than its RSNs in San Diego
and New Orleans. The
MSO used the latter to help
Crescent City citizenry move
on from Hurricane Katrina
through in-depth coverage
of the beloved Saints foot-
ball team.
The Year Ahead:
Wilson’s firm understanding
of Cox’s customer base’s
programming desires perhaps
is second to none. We expect
that to continue.
53 | Food Maestro
Brooke Johnson
Title: President, Food Network
Age: 50-something
Education: BA, Northwestern; MSJ, Medill
Social Media Quotient:
3
Why Her? Johnson continues to propel Food into
the ratings and pop-culture
stratosphere. The net now
posts the highest ratings
in its history and is a key
justification point for Scripps
Networks as it heads into
license renewals with an
eye toward higher fees. As
Johnson continues to guide
Food into increasingly lofty
heights, it’s interesting to
note that she’s also a clas-
sically trained pianist. Fitting
since her leadership has
been music to Scripps’ ears.
When I Need to Re-
charge, I: Play the piano.
A Day Without Facebook
is: The norm.
Trait I Most Admire in
People: Honesty
Three Things I’d Take
to a Deserted Island: A
guitar, Shakespeare, wine
Childhood Hero: Teddy
Roosevelt
I Wish My Kids Would:
Get jobs
CableFAX: The Magazine
December 2009
cablefaxmag.com
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