NAB’s Gordon Smith is rapidly becoming one of the senior communication industry trade association leaders. MPAA just hired Chris Dodd, and now the National Cable and Telecommunications Association will be in the market for a new leader as President/CEO Kyle McSlarrow heads to a new gig with Comcast/NBCUniversal.
Comcast says his new position will carry a dual function. In a release, Comcast said, “On the operations side, Mr. McSlarrow will help lead the company’s efforts in the Washington metropolitan area around the customer experience and product development. In addition, Mr. McSlarrow will participate in national efforts to improve the customer experience and will help lead strategic planning around the extension of Comcast Business Services at the federal and state government levels.”
Comcast Chairman/CEO Brian L. Roberts commented, “Kyle has been a tremendous leader and tireless advocate for the cable and media industry in Washington, D.C. He is widely respected throughout the industry for his leadership, deep understanding of the cable and programming business, and ability to manage the interest of a broad spectrum of major corporations. Kyle also brings a terrific mix of business skills and broad management capabilities to our cable operations. His interests in technology, new product development, and customer service will be a real asset to our Washington, D.C. area operations.”
Added Patrick J. Esser, Chairman of the Board, NCTA, and President, Cox Communications, ““On behalf of the entire NCTA Board, I want to congratulate Kyle and Comcast on Kyle’s appointment to this prominent new position. Kyle will be a great asset for Comcast just as he was a bold and visionary leader of NCTA, and we’re especially glad that he’ll remain within the cable family. We wish Kyle all the best as he opens this new chapter of his career.”
While there has been no official word on a replacement for McSlarrow at NCTA, the name that keeps popping up is that of former FCC Chairman Michael Powell, a Republican who preceded Kevin Martin, who in turn preceded the current Chairman, Julius Genachowski.
