Connolly served as Disney’s chief negotiator for its agreement last fall with Charter, and judging by the number of 100 honorees who identified the contract as precedent setting, we’d say that’s a pretty big deal. He was also key in shaping the strategy for the global expansion of Disney’s direct-to-consumer streaming services as well as innovative partnerships with the likes of T-Mobile, Apple and LG. Disney EVP, Platform Distribution Operations Lori LeBas, who hired Connolly more than 20 years ago, describes him as the type of leader who really listens and cares about others. “These traits have served him well as a business leader as he has built career-long relationships with all sorts of business partners, some of whom are not always happy or pleased with what Justin and his team must do or say. I challenge you to find anyone who has a bad word to say about Justin or how he handles himself,” she says.
Was Charter’s Disney deal precedent setting? Yes. Good outcome for consumers, distributor and programmer alike. That’s a positive precedent from my perspective.
Business speak phrase or buzzword I find most annoying: A response that starts with, “To be honest…”
What’s your position on Stanley cups (not the NHL kind)? Almost as big and unmanageable as the NHL kind; I am more of a red Solo cup person.
Do you personally still have a traditional cable video package? Of course.
TV series everyone should binge: “Fargo” Season 5 and “The Bear”
If you were a social media influencer, what product would you peddle? Disney’s SVOD services
Favorite way to de-stress? Go to the movies
Fast food guilty pleasure: In-N-Out.
