‘Honest about Self-Assessment?’
That’s what the NCTA’s Kyle McSlarrow told the audience at last Tuesday’s opening general session of NAMIC’s 20th conference in New York. Kyle was talking about the just-released NAMIC diversity study. He made a good point … the study isn’t particularly complimentary to cable. In fact, as the Sept 11th special edition of CableFAX Daily detailed, it was a bit of an embarrassment.
More specifically, though, Kyle said, “I’m proud of an industry that’s honest about self-assessment and where we stand.”
Perhaps, that is a fair description of the industry (Hey! Some guy I worked for @ Stars & Stripes back in the ‘60s said I had to be “fair and balanced”) … but I don’t think it is … quite. Not quite. Not yet.
Fact is, not as many senior cable executives allowed for the survey to include their companies … some were (maybe afraid?) not willing to even repeat their participation in the 2004 study that covered 2003 (This year’s study covered 2005).
So, I’d say, Kyle meant to congratulate “some” in the industry. And, you know who you are.
No need to repeat the disappointing news … but I do really wonder why more CEOs don’t buy into the survey … well, not really … but, shouldn’t they stand up and be counted, too? And, how can they let Kyle stand up and be proud when … well, they aren’t?
Maybe next year?
But … and I do say, but … well, somebody better make certain that the survey itself makes sense … and makes sense not just in what it reports but in how and what it does.
Random Notes:
• Joisey? Ah, when it’s Jersey Boys … well, I guess you can never have too much falsetto! Thanks to AETN for the 2nd best night of Hell Week (can’t diss the Kaitz Dinner … after all, Ray Joslin, Ralph Baruch and I sort of started it). But I love Tuesday evening during Diversity Week.
• Tsk, Tsk: Unseemly. Did ya’ll see the Tues, Sept 12th edition of The New York Times’ Business Day? Did CBS’ Les Moonves look smug in his picture on the front page of that section? Tacky. Maybe he’s a “tortoise” who “won.” Probably not. Seems Sumner might have other ideas if the markets turn … and I bet they do. And, I admit, I’m biased … for a guy who built some great once-“cable” brands and against a guy who wants to charge for “retransmission consent” when he proudly and loudly simulcasts content free on the web. (Which reminds me, are you ready for retrans and Haim Saban?)
• NAMIC & Blogging: If you missed the excellent NAMIC 20th Anniversary forums last week in New York … you can check out what you missed at their blog … but, more importantly, if you’re looking for a sales job in cable, send an email to Vimal Verma – a “brown guy” of Indian descent who runs American Desi (“Desi” is an Indian endearment sort of like “mate” for an Aussie) – at [email protected]. Who knows, you might get a great job! At the very least, you could keep the blog going and perhaps create an ongoing community.
• Belated Thanks: To Leo Hindery for eliminating the Black Tie @ the Kaitz dinner.
• Classy Acceptance: By the sometimes-shy Judith McGrath at Kaitz last Wed night. Her mid-oration nod to Tom Freston really resonated … and Josh Sapan took me to task for thinking she maybe wasn’t polished enough. He was right: she said it, and she meant it.
