The Cable Challenge: WICT Examines Politics, Customers… Soda Wars

Whether the Democrats or the Republicans are victorious next month, cable’s course could stay much the same. "Our lives get changed on the fringes" depending on the results, but "we have to be relatively bipartisan in what we do," Maureen O’Connell, News Corp’s svp, regulatory and govt affairs said during WICT Baltimore-Washington’s "Powerbrokers Breakfast" in DC Thurs. Viacom evp, govt affairs DeDe Lea seconded her. "We are loved and hated on both sides of the aisle on different issues," she said. "Sometimes you’ll have a very conservative Republican teaming with a liberal Democrat on some issues, particularly indecency, so you know you have to lobby both sides." O’Connell said indecency remains the #1 issue keeping her up at night, even though it has been more than 2 years since America got a peek at Janet Jackson’s right breast. "One big event like that, and your life and business is turned upside down for a while," she said. Cox’s new vp and regional manager for Northern VA Janet Barnard said she worries about (and also relishes) competition. During talks to employees, she waxes poetically about how Pepsi employees don’t dine at Coke restaurants, suggesting Cox employees buy a car from Cox Media advertisers since they’re helping feed their families. This type of thinking is an area where "our industry has a lot of work to do," she said. Comcast area vp Christine Whitaker’s biggest concern: improving the customer experience. The recently acquired Adelphia systems adds to the challenge. Unlike Comcast, Adelphia’s infrastructure isn’t supported locally, she said. Day 1 of the transition saw 100% of Adelphia calls go to an outsourced vendor. Whitaker listened in to 4 sales calls—not a single one was closed. "I was calling everyone back, saying ‘I’m the area vp, and I want your business,’" she said. "The integration is going to take some time."