Cablefax The Magazine - May 2015 - 41

59. THE ADVOCATES
Michael Powell
Title: President & CEO, NCTA
Years in Cable: 4
Education: College of William
& Mary; JD, Georgetown
University Law Center
Matthew
Polka
Title: President
& CEO, American
Cable Association
Years in Cable:
27
Education: BS, Journalism, West Virginia University
(1982); J., Duquesne University School of Law (1986)
President Obama and the FCC gave the two leaders
of cable's biggest policy organizations plenty to
chew on this year with the adoption of sweeping
changes to Internet regulation. While both support
the concept of an open Internet, both vehemently
oppose the reclassification of broadband providers
60. MONEY TALKS
Linda
Yaccarino
Title: Chairman,
Advertising
Sales and Client
Partnerships,
NBCUniversal
Years in Cable:
18
Education: Penn
State University
Best Advice in 7
Words or Less:
Be curious. Have
courage. Follow
your convictions.
Yaccarino was appointed Chairman in
January, following a highly successful and
profitable 2014. She surpassed competitors
at the last Upfronts by bringing in more
commitments, and at higher price increases.
More recently, she launched NBCU's Audience
Targeting Platform (ATP), which combines
television viewing data with other consumer
data to optimize client media plans. Yaccarino
oversees $9 billion in revenue for the entire
NBCU portfolio. Also in 2014, she spoke at
her alma mater Penn State's commencement.
Cablefax: The Magazine
as common carriers. With the NCTA's lawsuit in
mid-April, former FCC chair Powell is leading the
charge against the reclassification, which essentially
reverses his policy when he held his post at the
Commission. Polka, similarly, petitioned for review
of the FCC decision, stating the order " needlessly
saddles ACA's members. " One thing's for sure: the
year ahead will be anything but boring.
Polka
Should the industry embrace or reject " virtual
MSOs " and why? We have to embrace it. It's
our broadband pipe that will be used to deliver it, so
why would allow others to take advantage of that?
If I had a show on YouTube it would be
called... " Cable Polka Party, with Matt Polka " ...
what else could it be???
The technology that will most benefit cable
over the next year is:
More online choice and OVD's that will create
opportunities for cable, maximize our broadband
plants, and pave the way for more choice on all
platforms.
Which character would I most want to
61. RENEWING PRIVATE RYAN
Beth Roberts
double-cross me on " Game of Thrones " and
why? Doesn't matter, because we all get killed off
in the end anyway! Sheesh!
Favorite vacation spot:
The Big Apple. My wife, daughters and I couldn't
be happier than when we are seeing the shows,
walking the city, and taking in the sights, sounds
and energy.
Who's on deck for the next celebrity
meltdown? Maybe not meltdown, but I think
the Kardashians, et al., have celebrity drama
pretty well covered. Ugh. Why do people even
pay attention? What do they DO??? (Yes, I'm an
old fuddy-duddy!) And, after HBO's " Going Clear, "
anything Scientology.
The last time I had a good laugh was... with
my wife and two daughters talking about funny
things from the past, knowing too we are far from
perfect, but that we are very blessed.
My favorite business/motivational book: The
Good Book. It's all in there. Stand firm. Position
yourself. Face your battles! Treat others kindly.
Serve others first. Help is ALWAYS There. Every
soul matters. ■
entertainment portfolio of 10 entertainment
networks and two production studios. Among
her key achievements in 2014 was the
negotiation and renewal of the Ryan Seacrest
relationship, which will be maximized across
the NBCU cable portfolio and NBC broadcast,
respectively. This year, she'll continue to focus
on these kinds of high-profile deals. As 2015
continues, she'll continue to focus on highprofile
business deals while constructing new
and innovative business models.
Favorite screen: Multi-tasking with television and
Internet simultaneously.
Title: EVP, Business Operations, NBCUniversal
Cable Entertainment
Years in Cable: 13
Education: BA, Vassar College; JD, Boston
University School of Law
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Be bold but
be smart.
Roberts leads all business and legal affairs,
strategies and negotiations for NBCU's cable
May 2015
The day we get multiplatform measurement
is the day I... feel confident we understand the
true value of each show.
Apple iWatch or Rolex?
Apple iWatch, but version 2.0.
I wish Congress would just... stop representing
special interest groups and get back to representing
the people.
The technology that will most benefit cable
over the next year is... creating OTT networks to
complement our linear networks.
The last time I had a good laugh was...
scrolling through DYAC... belly laughs!
My favorite business/motivational book:
Leading So People Will Follow by Erika
Andersen ■
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