December 10, 2009

CableFAX: 48. The App Man: Tony Werner

Tony Werner

Title: CTO, Comcast
Age: 53
Education: Dakota County Technical College
Social Media Quotient: 4

Why Him? Werner keeps Comcast near the cutting edge, whether it’s the excellent iPhone app, leadership on cultivating EBIF and tru2way or the big authentication initiative. Perhaps it’s fitting that he blows off steam by swimming with sharks...literally (he and his wife are accomplished skin divers). We prefer virtual shark diving. Is there an app for that?

Peacock Plug-In: Werner will integrate Comcast and NBCU if that deal goes through. Might be a lot of shark swimming in his future.

Year Ahead:

Werner’s job has never been more complicated — and it will get even worse over next year as Comcast undertakes big technology initiatives (all amid potential NBCU craziness). Werner knows from complexity and pressure. And he’s good.

Favorite Restaurant: Supper, South St, Philadelphia

Drink of Choice: Red wine

When I Need to Recharge, I: Go for a run with my dogs.

Last Book Read: Snowball

Favorite iPhone/Blackberry App: Comcast mobile app (okay, I’m biased)

Trait I Most Admire in People: Integrity

Three Things I’d Take to a Deserted Island: iPod, Kindle (wireless is available right?) and my wife, not necessarily in that order.

Favorite Part of My Job: Working with smart people.

Best Business Advice: A small number times a big number is still a big number – John Malone