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The Panel: (from left) Michael Davies, Ted Harbert, Bonnie Hammer, Matthew Blank, Abbe Raven, Doug Herzog
By Gene Herd
Mar 15, 2007, Beverly Hills. An undeniable indication of cable warming is the annual rise of attendance at the Cable Chiefs Newsmaker Luncheon. Launched eight years ago, as homage to broadcast’s nascent competition, cablers packed the Century Plaza Hotel’s Los Angeles Ballroom in a showing that rivals the record crowds for the annual Network Chiefs summit meeting. Co-Chairs Kevin Beggs, President, Programming Production at Lions Gate TV and Aaron Kaplan, Worldwide Head, Scripted TV & Programming, Wm Morris Agency, selected Michael Davies, President/CEO, Embassy Row, as moderator. Panelists: Matthew Blank, Chairman/CEO Showtime Networks; Bonnie Hammer, President, USA Network/SciFi Channel; Ted Harbert, President/CEO, Comcast Ent. Group; Doug Herzog, President, MTVN Ent. Group and Abbe Raven, President/CEO, A&E TV Networks.
Moderator Michael Davies pushed the panel to weigh in on topics ranging from the challenge and necessity of branding to how best to maximize the opportunity that has evolved with digital media. Davies also asked the panel to for predictions about their industry five to ten years down the line.
"The best way for cable networks to stay relevant is to have a brand that appeals to younger viewers, said Harbert. Bonnie Hammer’s opinion is that "it is imperative that the brand emanate organically from the programming," referencing USA’s “Characters Welcome” as an example.
On the subject of digital media, and YouTube and iTunes in particular, Showtime’s Blank commented that "the exposure of having content on-line has been very beneficial in building buzz for upcoming shows, such as The Tudors."
Regarding advertisers, A&E’s Raven noted that "since the acquisition of The Sopranos, advertisers have been flocking to the show and it’s promo on all platforms. Advertisers want to be associated with quality content, no matter what platform, but still recognize the importance of linear tv."
Regarding the future, MTV’s Herzog noted that he and his family occasionally gather around the computer today, and sees a future where the line between tv and computer blurs even more.
Seen around the luncheon:
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1. Ed Wilson, Fox Broadcasting (left) and Gary Goodman, Lions Gate TV; 2. Megan Brown (left) and Debbie Menin of Parade; 3. (from left) Attorney Dave Bortman, Rick Brulte, Development Strategies; Johann Huber, Evyrx; 4. Gary Levine, Showtime (left) and David Mumford, Sony Pictures TV; 5. Dan Yokich, Lifetime (left) and Ryan O'Hara, TV Guide Channel and SPOT; 6. Doing lunch at the Wolf Films Corporate table (from left) Rene Balcer, Kathy Bartlett, Ruth Caruso, Charles Engel, Adrian Glauberman and Robert Nathan; 7. (from left) Kevin Beggs, Lions Gate TV, Richard Licata, Showtime, Sarah Goldstein, E! and Matthew Blank, Showtime; 8. (from left) Pam Schecter, Mark Binke, NBCU and Holly Leff-Pressman; 9. Jon Moonves (left) and Ernie Del of Del, Shaw, Moonves, et al.; 10. Richard Lawrence, Rebel Ent. and Sara Rutenberg, Natl. Lampoon; 11. (from left) Jonathan Swaden, Lee Horvitz from UTA and Tracy Lion; 12. Dick Askin, ATAS (left) and Matthew Blank, Showtime. (panelist photos: Stephen Shugarman, Getty Images; Casual attendee photos: Kristen Klier, LA Valley College Journalism Dept.)
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