CableFAX: 93. Racing Ahead: Marc Fein
Marc Fein
Title: EVP, Programming, Production and Business Operations, Versus
Age: 38
Education: Bronx HS of Science; St. John’s U
Why Him? When you’re part of a small company you sometimes do many jobs. Thus Fein’s large portfolio. Fortunately, Fein has a sound strategy. In addition to being an alternative national sports net, Versus will super-serve fans of a few key properties instead of trying to be a home to every sport and providing minimal coverage. Those properties include World Extreme Cagefighting and the Indy Racing League.
Score! Fein’s push to grab NHL rights through ’11 has begun to pay off as Versus grabbed double-digit ratings during the ’07 regular season and the ’08 Stanley Cup finals (games 1 and 2) were the highest-rated and most-watched NHL postseason games since ’02.
Year Ahead: 
Fein’s key initiative for ’09 is launching Versus’ 24/7 HD channel with more than 800 hours of HD programming/month, including the Tour de France and all Indy Car races.
What Stadium Has the Best Food? There’s nothing better than a dirty water dog from the old Yankee Stadium
Favorite Music: Springsteen to Billy Joel to 1970’s classic rock to hip hop to Sinatra….depends on my mood, which is completely driven by ratings
Favorite Show Not on My Network: Prison Break
Last Book Read: "Can’t remember which one was last since it’s been a while – don’t have a lot of free time between work and two kids under 18 months old – but last three were Freakonomics, Blink and Tipping Point.
In ’09 I Resolve To: Save the world…or at least grow our ratings
Favorite Part of My Job: In addition to the great people I get to deal with, both internally and with our various partners, it is the diversification of all the areas I get to be involved in…that and getting a ride around a track in an IndyCar at 190 mph.
Biggest Challenge: We are still a young brand and although have made great strides in a very short period of time, our biggest challenge is to continue to grow ratings, awareness and distribution.
My Company Is Preparing For The Future By: Making sure we are better positioned as a leader in the digital-media space and each day continue to build upon our strong foundation so we are better able to compete in a rapidly changing sports landscape year after year.
Philosophy Of Life: Don’t make mountains out of molehills. A lot of issues can get resolved, and not turn into major problems, if you just talk them through respectfully and reasonably.
I Wish My Kids Would: Learn to throw with their left
Favorite Word: Logical
Trait You Most Admire In People: Being straightforward and reasonable
Favorite Sports Team: Yankees
My Hero: Anyone with a Nielsen box or Local People Meter who watches Versus all day
SA/KF
