Yesterday’s news of the shocking departure of NBCU’s top dog Jeff Shell hit me especially hard. I’ve made no secret of my deep admiration and respect for Shell, who ran the FOX Cable Network group during my period of ascent at FX, and who endorsed and embraced my ability to expand my purview and involvement … Read more
I intensely respect a dear friend who once headed marketing for networks and world class apparel companies. We don’t share a lot in common except our first names; these days, from what I can tell he’s far happier than I am. He lives overseas with the love of his life, runs a world class destination … Read more
I adore my best friend–seriously. Without this person, I wouldn’t be able to function or speak as honestly as I do nowadays. But sometimes, on occasion, I’m surprised by the degree of passion expressed when they opine about topics that most of the self-described “normies” that have populated my world would consider off-limits, and certainly … Read more
Media researchers, particularly those of us that were fortunate enough to steer networks and studios, used to be called “spin doctors”–people who could use creatively use data to paint a reasonably credible picture of dominance or momentum for an eager trade press and investment community. But in a world where increasingly the number of outlets … Read more
NOTE: This piece also appears today on our sister site, www.thedoubleovertime.com. Happy 4/20 Day to those who celebrate. From the looks of things from my perspective, that’s a more significant sector of my world than, say, those that celebrated last month on 3/17, and those who will celebrate next month on 5/5, (Though plenty, of … Read more
I can’t begin to tell you how many so-called friends begged, screamed, cajoled, pleaded and spent countless hours trying to sell me on the concept of settling disputes by spending money . Whether it was in the form of a legal settlement, or simply to buy someone a meal or a coffee to make amends … Read more
I’m a passionate advocate of research, and I’ve spent decades running staffs, negotiating literally billions of dollars of business with providers and clients, and garnering relationships and even some friendships with many I’ve dealt with. But being that I’ve spent most of that time outside of New York, and largely less involved in day-to-day negotiations … Read more
Just because I defended, apparently with a lot of blowback from Coastal Elites (of which I suppose I at least once qualified as), WBD’s informed decision to remove the letters HBO from MAX as of this summer doesn’t mean I don’t understand what and why shows worthy of being on it are so beloved. In … Read more
Of all of my career accomplishments, I relished my time as head of strategy and acquisitions for Game Show Network perhaps as much as any. While the network wasn’t as popular or as significant as some of my other stops were, I was being handsomely paid to indulge in a passion, rubbed shoulders with talent … Read more
I needed a drink and an escape last night. It’s that time of the month, so to speak. If you scroll down to the bottom of this entry, you’ll have an idea where my head, and my net worth, are at this writing. But at the advice of someone I respect, I’m trying to call … Read more