National Cable & Telecommunications Association president Kyle McSlarrow will join Comcast as president, Comcast/NBCU, Washington. He will begin his new job next month.
"Mr. McSlarrow will have dual responsibilities in business operations and public policy in Washington, D.C. 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," said the company in announcing the move. "In addition, he 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."
McSlarrow announced last fall that he would be exiting the association to seek a job in the industry he had spent the last half a decade promoting in Washington.
He has said that, having turned 50 last year and anticipating resolution, at least in the short term, of the Title II fight, he felt ready, personally and professionally, to follow-through on his long-telegraphed plan -- at least to the NCTA board -- of getting into the business side of the cable business.
"Kyle has been a tremendous leader and tireless advocate for the cable and media industry in Washington, D.C," said Comcast chairman Brian Roberts in announcing the hire. "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."
McSlarrow joined NCTA in March 2005 and wound up spending much of his early tenure defending the industry from attacks on its business model (bundled channels vs. a la carte) and its prices from then-FCC Chairman Kevin Martin. His creed has been to avoid, whenever possible, asking government to step into the cable business.
McSlarrow has been one of the best-compensated association heads, according to the latest Washingtonian salary survey, with compensation of $2,214,896.
"On behalf of the entire NCTA Board, I want to congratulate Kyle and Comcast on Kyle's appointment to this prominent new position," said NCTA board chairman Patrick Esser. "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."
Esser said the search for a successor continues, with executive vice president James Assey continuing to manage the operations during the transition.
