Robert Gessner
Title: President, MCTV
Years in Cable: 35
Education: BBA, College of William and Mary
Best Advice: Grow old, but don’t grow up.
Why Him? When Gessner speaks, people listen. The second-generation president of the family-owned MCTV is always looking for new business ideas, not just for his company but for the entire industry. He spent several years on the NCTC board ensuring small cable operators had a seat at the table with the major programmers. Now at ACA, he’s taking on the retransmission consent challenge.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: TV
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: Our home-grown proactive maintenance system.
TV show I’d most like to have a cameo in? “Lock N Load” with R. Lee Ermey.
John, Paul, George or Ringo? Paul
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: The Internet
Favorite Cable Show memory: The “lead balloon” launch in Las Vegas, circa 1982
My ideal celebrity partner on Dancing with the Stars: If I have to dance, Audrey Hepburn from “Sabrina.”
Favorite vacation spot: Where ever I am headed next.
Beach or mountains? Mountains
Desert island album? Read the question to really understand my answer – “Seriously Bitter Sweet: The Ultimate Dessert Maker’s Guide to Chocolate” [Touche, Bob, we know we misspelled “Dessert” when we first sent the Q&A]
Dish I can make and that would impress a celebrity chef: My Thanksgiving deep fried turkey.
If someone forced me to cut the cord and only watch 3 over-the-top shows, they would be: I am very linear, so I probably would just choose to read a book.
