Katherine Gessner, MCTV

Years in Industry: 8

Education: BA, Marketing, Marietta College; MBA, Daniels College of Business, University of Denver

Gessner is into her first full year leading MCTV, following in the footsteps of her father, Bob Gessner, and her grandfather, Richard Gessner. She’s putting her own spin on the company, with a fiber focus, bringing reliable, fast broadband into small communities in Ohio. Gessner also is expanding the 55-year-old company, most recently with the acquisition of Bellaire Television Cable Company in Belmont County, Ohio.

The COVID-19 Pandemic forever changed my perspective on:
Germs and hand washing!

How has the pandemic shaped the industry’s future?
Broadband is already our core product. That won’t change. However, as more companies find that employees in a WFH setting are just as (or more) effective fast, reliable, affordable internet becomes a “must have” in consumers’ homes. The changes we saw with bandwidth usage will not go back to old usage patterns so the industry will need to rethink their approach to network management.

How has the pandemic shaped the industry’s future?
Broadband is already our core product. That won’t change. However, as more company find that employees in a WFH setting are just as (or more) effective fast, reliable, affordable Internet becomes a “must have” in consumers’ homes. The changes we saw with bandwidth usage will not go back to old usage patterns so the industry will need to rethink their approach to network management.

Number of subscriptions to streaming services:
Two – Netflix and Amazon Prime. I’m still a cable girl.

Without sports on TV, I have…
Not noticed! I don’t watch sports.

The future of broadband is…
Fiber and managed WiFi

Biggest challenge facing advertising? 
Right now, the biggest challenge for advertising is finding the happy balance between encouraging people to buy your product or service while being sensitive to the hardships many are facing right now. Advertisers will also find that it’s less effective since people are staying home more and consuming less. Ad spends will decline as a result.

Last show binged not on your networks:
“Hollywood” on Netflix

Honored For: