A 30-year cable veteran consistently at the forefront of technological innovation, Thomas oversees all sales and affiliate relations for Starz’s satellite and telco accounts, which happen to be the best performing distributors of the company’s premium services. A trend to keep an eye on, according to Thomas, is how companies maintain diversity during mergers. “A lot of times the acquiring company will implement a work force reduction policy of LIFO: Last In/First Out. Oftentimes minorities and women are the most recent hires and thus have had a limited chance to gain experience.”

What qualities do you look for when making a new hire? 

The most important qualities I look for in a new hire are 1) a great attitude and 2) an “athlete” that is “smart,” “works hard” and is “willing to pass the ball and play a number of positions.”

Name one emerging trend in cable we should all have our eye on. 

Mergers: A lot of times the acquiring company will implement a work force reduction policy of LIFO: Last In / First Out. Oftentimes minorities and women are the most recent hires and thus have had a limited chance to gain experience. ‎African proverb “… When Elephants fight, Ants get hurt…” ‎Elephants have little regard for an ant, yet ants can devour an elephant, one bite at a time.

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Wednesday–March 18

Distractions

Commentary by Steve Effros I hadn’t planned to write another column about FCC Chairman Brendan Carr’s proclivity to wade into political controversy, but I’ve gotten so many inquiries about his latest

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