Indy Show Notebook

Research numbers show that VoIP service "is a huge way to get [customers] in the tent, and then offer them other services," said CTAM pres/CEO Char Beales during a marketing panel Tues. She also noted that digital cable helps immensely in thwarting DBS competition, and that cable subs truly desire bundles for simplicity. Buckeye vp, sales and marketing Florence Buchanan believes customer service is the best marketing tactic, and the MSO even offers customers 24-hour home and office phone access to chmn Allan Block. Cable One uses credit cards for non-pays and contracts to great benefit in attempting to achieve its 5% churn goal, said vp, strategic marketing Jerry McKenna. The MSO also receives tremendous loyalty from DVR subs (4.8% churn for those with, over 7% for those without). — Sunflower Broadband customer service manager Rod Kutemeier garnered big laughs from T-shirts the op uses to reach students in Lawrence, KS: "ASK ME ABOUT MY PACKAGE" reads one, an edgy reference to SB’s service bundles; and "I HAVE THE BEST PIPE IN TOWN" shouts another. — ACA yesterday elected Patrick Knorr of Sunflower Broadband chmn and Dave Keefe of Atlantic Broadband as vice chmn for 2-year terms. In addition, six board members were elected to 3-year terms: Bruce Beard of Millennium Digital Media, Allan Block of Buckeye Cablevision, Doug Fuller of NPG Cable, Jim Gleason of New Wave Communications, Dan Ryan of RPM Group and Steve Simmons of Patriot Media.