Cathy Hetzel
Heitman is behind RCN’s rebrand of its five cable systems, steering the company through customer and RGU gains of more than 7%, increased HSD speed tiers and the launch of its Opera App store on 200,000 TiVo boxes. Success is about results, she says, but not just from one individual—it’s what you accomplish with your team. “To quote Vince Lombardi—‘Individual commitment to a group effort— that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work’.”
How can cable do better job at supporting the industry’s women?
I think the cable industry has made great strides at supporting women. Women in the industry can help continue these strides by giving support to other women in the industry. This will help more women succeed and distance them from stigmas that may exist.
What’s been the biggest story in cable this year?
I think the biggest story in cable this year is the consolidation of the industry. The Comcast/Time Warner and AT&T/DIRECTV mergers are going to be game changers for our industry. I would also add that Rentrak’s acquisition of Kantar’s US TV assets and our partnership with Group M are further evidence of consolidation and the opportunity for a massive and passive currency for television advertising.
How do you define a successful career?
My definition of a successful career starts with doing something you really love and doing your best to create value for your company. Progress and innovation are key measures of success and don’t be afraid to fail. When you do fail, learn from it and move on.
Best trick for maintaining the personal-professional life balance?
I believe the best trick for maintaining balance in life is pacing yourself. Of course, it’s easier said than done, but to have an enjoyable career you need to understand the importance of pace. You need to learn how to spread your energy effectively to enjoy work life and personal life.
When not in the office, where are we most likely to find you?
Assuming my “office” includes time spent on airplanes and in front of customers, I enjoy yoga, kayaking and the volunteer work I do for Dress for Success Oregon, an organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
