CableFAX: 80. The Savior: David Verklin
David Verklin
Title: CEO, Canoe Ventures
Age: 52
Education: U VA, BA, Mass Communications
Why Him? True, he hasn’t been on the job for 6 months, but can you name anyone in cable who’s aroused more interest than ad whiz Verklin? Thus it was clever for CTAM to hold back Verklin’s debut for Summit’s finale, where he impressed with his knowledge and was infectious with his energy and upbeat assessment. His clarity of mission was welcomed: Besides deploying advanced advertising nationally, Verklin wants to change the way people watch TV. “It’s not only about ads,” he said. Will recession slow Canoe? Not likely. There’s been a “ridiculous” number of advertisers seeking Canoe meetings, Verklin told CTAM.
Year Ahead: 
The recession could actually ratchet up demand for Canoe as advertisers leave the Web and retreat back to traditional advertising darling cable TV.
Last Book Read: Pioneers of Cable Television by Brian Lockman and Don Sarvey
In ’09 I Resolve To: Earn my cable wings
Cable’s Biggest Challenge: To humbly recognize that it controls the future of the television business
My Company Is Preparing for the Future By: Envisioning it, creating it and explaining it
Philosophy Of Life: Hard work beats talent if talent doesn’t work hard.
SA
