CableFAX Digital Hot List 2012 Robert King – ESPN

Not long after King joined the company in 2004, ESPN began pumping up its digital scorecard by deciding that its purchases of broadcast rights to a game would be purchases for rights across all platforms and devices. Since that time Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms, the blogosphere, tablet and mobile conversations have also exploded—with sports as a favorite unifying topic. Add it all up, and that means King’s job as one the primary architects of ESPN’s editorial voice across the digital and print realm has ratcheted up accordingly, with no rest in site. Thank goodness this consummate team player keeps a step ahead with both his journalistic and tech savvy.

What’s your favorite digital toy and why?My iPad, by far. First off, with three kids aged eight and under, I don’t control the TV remote. Secondly, I’m always a tap away from our site, our storytelling, our stats, my friends and the entire universe of content. Thanks to my iPad, my phone’s too small, my laptop’s too heavy and I no longer mind that my TV is too busy blaring SpongeBob.

The biggest challenge with TV Everywhere/authentication is…  Ease of use. User names, passwords and access codes have to be simpler for audiences to create, retain and use.

 

What’s on your wish list for the iPhone 5?The unbelievably cool new ESPN app we’re working on, placed a staple app on the iPhone 5’s home screen. Too much to ask?

 

Would you rather own a flying car or a jetpack—and why?Flying car … so I could take The Bride and our kids with me.