NEW YORK (Reuters) - Here is a selection of quotes from executives at the Reuters Media Summit in New York this week:
TIME WARNER CABLE (TWC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER ROB
MARCUS
"I think anybody who tells you that they know what 2009 is going to look like, is probably telling you a story."
"You have probably heard every company who has spoken over the last probably two and a half, three months say their crystal ball is not working very effectively right now. It is very hard to forecast."
On the NFL network, which is not carried by Time Warner Cable:
"This is a network that's essentially based on eight football games and San Diego Charger cheerleader tryouts. There's not a lot else on there."
NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT ERIC
GRUBMAN
"We are a giant platform, a giant billboard. That giantness is real strength. Anybody who is either experiencing opportunity in this market or experiencing new competition and needs to set themselves apart, there's very few places to turn from the standpoint of the advertising model and they have very few places to turn that are very reliable on the sponsorship model. I like our chances in this market. That's a relative comment, not an absolute comment."
"In this environment where advertisers are feeling strained in their own budgets, that will show up on the P&L of our business partners. We are insulated from it in the short to medium term because of our television contracts. Nonetheless our partners are feeling it. Other partners are paying us sponsorship dollars and in an environment where everybody is looking to cut money, sponsorship is an easy place to cut."
HAVAS'S (EURC.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) MPG CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER STEVE
LANZANO
On the big four U.S. television networks:
Fox "continues to drive toward a much younger viewer and they continue to provide programing there. American Idol is just a runaway hit...Clearly they have these must-see shows that they have been able to promote and they can promote it within their sports, especially their NFL during the season. So if they keep coming up with those type of shows -- they are a little bit more edgy -- I think they will continue to do okay because they will have a much younger viewer."
"CBS has been able to come up with some comedies and dramas that continue to work...They've been able to lower their age a little bit. I think if they continue to do that, they will be okay. They will still be the largest -- probably still be number one in terms of total viewership and probably pretty close in terms of 18 to 49 and 25 to 54." Continued...
© Thomson Reuters 2009. All rights reserved.
| Health | Nov 09 - 12, 2009 | Health |
| Autos | Nov 02 - 4, 2009 | Autos |
| Middle East Investment | Oct 26 - 28, 2009 | Country Summits |
| Washington | Oct 19 - 21, 2009 | Country Summits |
| Global Wealth Management | Oct 05 - 7, 2009 | Financial Services / Exchanges |
