A DTV consensus emerged from an Independent Show panel of cable marketers: keep the message simple, and tout cable as the best alternative to a converter box. While some 90% of the public is "aware" of the transition, it’s not clear citizens know much about it, said Armstrong vp, cable marketing David Wittman. Some analog cable subs think they’ll get digital cable for free, an ongoing CTAM study shows, said Scott Terrill, a marketing vp at, Suddenlink’s parent. That confusion is why Wittman advocates running educational seminars with customers, particularly the elderly, having operators give speeches to local groups and reaching out to local press. Cable might also find an opportunity via supply and demand. ATMC vp Pat Olsen noted retailers in her NC footprint have slim stocks of converter boxes. And Sunflower Broadband manager Andrea Pritchard had advice gleaned from the experience of her system’s all-digital transition June 2: start your communications effort as early as possible and make use of your Web site for FAQs.

The Daily

Subscribe
Thursday–October 16

People

Mediacom SVP, Programming Glenn Goldsmith , who oversees the company’s national content acquisition strategy, has been appointed to the board of the T. Howard Foundation . “I look forward to working with

Read the Full Issue
The Skinny is delivered on Tuesday and focuses on the cable profession. You'll stay in the know on the headlines, topics and special issues you value most. Sign Up

Jobs

Seeking an INDUSTRY JOB or hiring for one?
VIEW JOBS

In conjunction with our sister brand, Cynopsis, we are offering hiring managers a deep pool of media-savvy, skilled candidates at a range of experience levels and sectors. The result will be an even more robust industry job board, to help both employers and job seekers.

Contact us at marketing@cynopsis.com, for more information about posting a job on the website and our Jobs newsletter, sent twice weekly to 85,000 media professionals.