73 | ELECTRIC AVENUE
Rob Kennedy
Title: President/Co-COO, C-SPAN
Years in Cable: 31
Education: University of Illinois, University of Chicago
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Follow the money.
Susan Swain
Title: President/Co-COO, C-SPAN
Years in Cable: 29
Education: BA, University of Scranton
Best Advice in 7 Words Or Less: Do your homework.
Why Them? Power duo Kennedy and Swain keep adding to C-SPAN’s all-important Web presence. C-SPAN’s online video library now contains 157,000-plus programs and will soon be available via an iPad app. Its newly redesigned home page makes it easier to navigate programming online and on the tube. C-SPAN’s redesigned Digital Bus continues to tour the country, partnering with local cable operators to provide a hands-on experience for teachers, students and the public to interact with C-SPAN content. The Bus is also adding original content for “American History TV,” its weekend history block on C-SPAN3. With new “Local Content Vehicles,” C-SPAN is also partnering with affiliates to produce book and history programming from communities nationwide.
Campaign 2012: Could anything be more vital to C-SPAN’s mission than the 2012 elections? The network is adding to its live coverage with such new tech as “LiveU” cameras that utilize wireless broadband for transmission.
Year Ahead: C-SPAN is converting all production to HD, slated for completion in 2012. We read an increase in hi-def distribution as a good sign.
Rob Kennedy
Biggest innovation in cable over the last year: I’m very excited about the potential of dynamic, IP-based navigation systems.
Favorite “going out” town: Philadelphia
Top 3 selections on my iPod: “I Fought The Law,” Green Day (great workout tune); “Work,” Jimmy Eat World; “1985,” Bowling For Soup
Favorite business and/or motivational book: Getting Things Done, David Allen
Sports team: Philadelphia Phillies
Favorite vacation spot: Outer Banks, N.C.Favorite iPad app: We’re working on an app for the C-SPAN Video Library; looks great and should be out by year-end.
Guilty TV pleasure: “The Middle”
How many companies have you worked for since college? 4; 3 in the cable industry. ?