Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcast, Is Focused on Innovation and Entrepreneurialism
Chief Executive
Brian Roberts, Chairman/CEO, Comcast CorporationComcast Cable, one of two divisions of Comcast Corporation (the other being NBCUniversal), has 29 million customers and will continue to have a strong foothold as cable in general continues to innovate and diversify to maintain and grow its marketshare. Philadelphia-based Comcast is an $84 billion company with 159,000 employees worldwide.
In 2016, the year of its most recent annual report, the company increased revenue by 8%, operating cash flow by 7%, and generated over $8 billion in free cash flow. It also returned $7.6 billion to shareholders in dividends and share repurchases. Earlier this year, Comcast increased its dividend by 15%, split its stock and increased share repurchase authorization to $12 billion.
It’s cable business maintained its strength, gaining 858,000 new customers, or 29% over the previous year. Comcast continues to move into living streaming, with its $18 Xfinity service. The service is deployed to more than 50% of its video customer base, which grew by 161,000 in 2016.
NBCUniversal also had a strong year. In a company statement, Roberts said the division continued to deliver outstanding performance, with 17.3% revenue growth and 22.6% Adjusted EBITDA growth.
In his annual letter to the shareholders in the 2016 Annual Report, Roberts emphasized the company’s dedication to innovation and customer service.
Putting customers first, he said, the company’s culture “celebrates uniqueness and entrepreneurialism, while also encouraging connections across the organization that enhance our overall success.” He emphasized the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, and in September, Comcast NBCUniversal was named by Fortune as a top workplace for women. Comcast NBCUniversal is also ranked No. 4 on the 2017 Military Friendly Employer list.
Brian Roberts, Chairman/CEO, Comcast Corporation, is No. 34 on the CEO1000 Tracker, Chief Executive and RHR International‘s ranking of the top 1,000 CEOs of public/private companies.
Chairman (Since May 2004) and CEO (Since November 2002), Comcast
Previous Position: President
Company start date: 1980
First Position at Company: Comptroller
Age: 57
Education: B.S. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
We are in a period of rapid change. Customer needs, technologies, competitors and internal capabilities require companies to review and update their strategies for the new realities. In this workshop, strategy experts Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison will show you a systematic approach to strategic planning to help you refine or redefine your business strategy and approach including:
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
