December 10, 2009

CableFAX: 21. Staff Ace: Sean Bratches

Sean Bratches
Title: EVP, Sales and Marketing, ESPN
Age: -less
Education: BA, Business Admin, Rochester Institute of Technology

Why Him? The sports giant certainly gives Bratches ample content to monetize, but his success with distribution across platforms and channels remains impressive nonetheless. Perhaps most notably this year, ESPN360.com, stridently adhering to its original distribution model, is on the upswing, and ESPN.com remains a paragon of inventive content and advertising.

Pitching the Pitch: ’10 may feature Bratches’ toughest sell to date: soccer in the US. ESPN’s preparing for a huge World Cup push. Bratches contends it will raise the stateside standing of the original football. Wishful thinking or reasonable goooaaal?

The Year Ahead:

Regardless of soccer’s movement in the US, ESPN will continue its dominance, particularly as the ad market recovers.

Favorite Food: Dark chocolate

Favorite Restaurant: Peter Luger’s

Drink of Choice: Arnold Palmer

‘10 Cable Prediction: The World Cup on ESPN will solidify "soccer" as a top-tier sport in the US

Last Book Read: The Fringes of Power by John Colville

Most Admired Trait: Integrity

Childhood Hero: Roy White

Favorite TV Show Not on ESPN: How It’s Made on 1 of the 13,547 Discovery channels

Favorite Part of Job: Spending time with the many talented people at ESPN

Best Business Advice: If you don’t come in on Saturday...don’t bother coming in on Sunday.