December 10, 2009

CableFAX: 47. Mr. Inside/Mr. Outside

BIll Bresnan

Title: Chairman/CEO, Bresnan Communications
Age: 76
Education: South Central College
Social Media Quotient: 1

Jeffery DeMond
Title: President, Bresnan Communications
Age: Remembers when the Crimson Tide last won a title.
Education: BS, Accounting, Jazz, U of AL, think Bear Bryant
Social Media Quotient: 4

Why Them? A top-flight jazz guitarist, DeMond brings "a special brand of quiet financial and management savvy" to cable, an admiring Bill Bresnan says. And 51-year cable veteran Bresnan just might be the most respected man in the business.

Proud Moments: This summer Bresnan won our Community Service Award (MSO-wide) for teaching parents and kids about Internet safety and providing grants to fledgling businesses. What a nice way to celebrate Bresnan’s 25th anniversary. So was winning Montana’s data business (700 sites).

The Year Ahead:

Bresnan continues to add services for its 300K subs in 4 states, data sub growth is strong at 11.5% and there’s an upside in commercial offerings.

Bresnan:

Drink of Choice: Jack Daniels

Favorite Part of My Job: Personal interaction with one of he best teams in the industry.

Trait I Most Admire in People: Loyalty

Childhood Hero: My mother

Best Business Advice: My mentor Jack Kent Cooke’s insistence on honesty, and his suggestion that the seven most important words in business are "I don’t know but I’ll find out."

DeMond:

Favorite Food: More than I should eat of almost anything.

Fave Restaurant: They’re all in Paris

Drink of Choice: Pinot Noir

Last Book Read: River of Doubt