Gary Marsh, Ben Pyne & Justin Connolly
Gary Marsh
Title: President & Chief Creative Officer,
Disney Channel Worldwide
Years In Cable: 28
Education: UCLA
Ben Pyne
Title: President, Global Distribution,
Disney Media Networks
Years In Cable: 24
Education: BA, Princeton; MBA Harvard
Justin Connolly
Title: EVP, Affiliate Sales and Marketing,
Disney and ESPN Media Networks
Years in Cable: 13
Education: BA, MBA, Harvard University
One Word that Best Describes Me: Fortunate
A robust slate of series plus original movies “Descendants” and “Teen Beach 2” spelled big success for Disney’s television properties targeting the pint-size set. Under Marsh’s able watch, Disney Channel was the No. 1 cable net in Total Viewers and Total Day in 2015. Pyne continues to assure the Disney footprint is expanding across distribution platforms, with a particular eye to digital. Connolly, promoted a year ago, is leading the company’s media networks distribution strategy through a time of disruption, sealing deals including an agreement with Sony to deliver Disney/ESPN content to PlayStation Vue.
Gary Marsh
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging? Like a python trying to swallow a kangaroo—hard to digest, but necessary for survival.
Last show I watched not on my network(s): “Billions”
What was your first job? Non-industry: fry cook at Pioneer Chicken; Industry: production assistant on “Camp Wilderness”
Favorite charity I work with: City of Hope
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… Act as if…
If this election year was a reality TV series, it would be called… The Biggest Loser
What should cable do to improve its image? Better user interface
Best way to spend a Saturday night: great wife + awesome daughter + cute puppy + remote control = happy man
My favorite newfound hobby: Words with Friends
My personal theme song is: “If Only” (from Disney Descendants)
Favorite vacation spot: Grand Idyllwild Lodge
My typical breakfast is: Honey Nut Cheerios, from Disney Channel Cereal Bar
Ben Pyne
My first job: Freelance musician and bartender
My typical breakfast: Grapefruit
My Starbucks order: Quad grande skim latte
Favorite charity I work with: T. Howard
What should cable do to improve its image? Make TVE seamless and promote the amazing value of content and brands available on it
Favorite vacation spot: Paris
Justin Connolly
What does the future look like for skinny bundles and flexible packaging? Better with Disney and ESPN networks
My first job: Vendor at Fenway
Favorite charity event I work with: The Jimmy V Foundation
What should cable do to improve its image? Massive upgrades to the user interface
What excites you most about DOCSIS 3.1? People who know what the DOCSIS acronym is
“Star Trek” celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. So if Mr. Spock’s motto is “Live Long and Prosper,” mine is… Ask questions and listen
What should cable do to improve its image? Massive upgrades to the user interface
Best way to spend a Saturday night: Date night with my wife.
New favorite binge: “American Crime”
Hoverboard, driverless car or drone: Driverless car.
I watch the majority of programming on this device: Living room TV.
My personal theme song is: “Beautiful Day” – U2.
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: Improved auto-authentication.
My Starbucks order: Four cake pops for my kids.
