Rob Kennedy & Susan Swain
Rob Kennedy
Title: Co-CEO, C-SPAN
Years in Cable: 35
Education: BSEE, Univ. of Illinois; MBA, Univ. of Chicago
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Follow the money.
Susan Swain
Title: Co-CEO, C-SPAN
Years in Cable: 33
Education: University of Scranton, heavily augmented by the school of life
Best Advice in 7 Words or Less: Courage is more exhilarating than fear.
It may feel like we have a long road until the 2016 election, but Swain and Kennedy are making sure C-SPAN is the first to really focus on the candidates. The programmer already has shown several Road to the White House 2016 events. Big accomplishments for the co-chiefs in the past year include authenticating streams for all 3 C-SPAN nets and a major revamp of C-SPAN’s website. The public affairs programmer’s leaders also add nice personal touches to the networks, from Kennedy’s notable influence over musical choices for some roll call votes to Swain’s editing of a well-researched companion book to the net’s “First Ladies” series.
Kennedy
I watch most programming on this device: A new Samsung 4K Television. Sweet.
The biggest innovation in cable over the last year: Perhaps not the “biggest” innovation, but I think our website is pretty awesome.
Favorite screen: Sunscreen
Apple iWatch or Rolex? Garmin Fenix
Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat? Instagram
If my office produced a viral video, the background music would be… Classical
The technology that will most benefit cable over the next year is: Improvements in on-screen navigation.
Favorite Cable Show memory: Battle of the Bands (Of course!)
Favorite vacation spot: Corolla, N.C.
Desert island album: Abbey Road
Dish I can make and that would impress a celebrity chef: This would never happen. Ever.
Swain
I watch most programming on this device: Still on my HDTV with soundbar booster.
Favorite screen: My iPhone; it’s everywhere I am.
Apple iWatch or Rolex? Fitbit, actually.
Twitter, Instagram or Snapchat? I tweet, therefore I am.
Favorite Cable Show memory: My colleague Rob Kennedy competing in the Battle of the Bands in his Kangol hat.