BETHPAGE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC) today announced the promotions of two long-time senior executives. Brian G. Sweeney has been named President and Kristin A. Dolan has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Cablevision Systems Corporation. Along with these new positions, both were elected executive officers of the Company. These leadership appointments are effective immediately and Mr. Sweeney and Ms. Dolan will report to Cablevision Chief Executive Officer James L. Dolan. Mr. Dolan will no longer serve as president of the Company.
As President, Mr. Sweeney, who has been with Cablevision for more than two decades, will continue to work closely with Cablevision’s CEO on the long-term strategic direction and the overall management of the Company. He will also work with Ms. Dolan and the Company’s other senior executives on the day-to-day oversight of the Company’s operations. He maintains direct oversight of the Company’s key strategic initiatives, the engineering, technology and business intelligence groups as well as Cablevision’s local media properties, including Newsday Media Group and News 12 Networks.
In addition to working with the Cablevision senior executive team on the long-term strategy of the Company, Ms. Dolan, a 24-year veteran of Cablevision, will lead all aspects of the Company’s cable operations as chief operating officer. This includes responsibility for the entire Optimum customer experience from network management and product development to marketing and customer and field service for the Company’s residential and commercial Optimum TV digital cable, Optimum Online high-speed Internet and Optimum voice products. She also will continue to oversee Cablevision Media Sales, the Company’s advertising sales division.
In addition to his ongoing role as Cablevision Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, Gregg Seibert will continue to oversee the Lightpath business.
Cablevision CEO James L. Dolan stated, “Brian and Kristin have each played critical senior roles in our efforts over the past two years to reposition Cablevision as a leader in customer service and product innovation in this industry. Their decades of experience, strong leadership, technical expertise and sharp business acumen have helped to propel Cablevision forward during a time of great change.”
Regarding Mr. Sweeney, James Dolan said, “For more than 20 years, Brian has consistently demonstrated superb judgment as he acquired a deep understanding of our business, and built strong relationships internally and across the industry. He has worked by my side helping to drive the operational initiatives and the cultural change needed to achieve our goals. I have confidence in Brian’s exceptional capabilities and in his clear vision of Cablevision’s future prospects.”
Regarding Kristin Dolan, Mr. Dolan said, “Kristin has effectively guided a complete transformation of the Optimum experience for our customers in a fiercely competitive environment. She has a keen grasp of every aspect of the cable and advertising sales operations and a core commitment to putting the customer at the forefront of everything we do. As we move to capitalize on the significant opportunities that lie ahead for Cablevision, I am certain that Kristin will continue to provide exemplary leadership and operational focus as we work to meet our customers’ evolving expectations.”
Said Mr. Sweeney, “During the last two years, Cablevision has made substantial progress towards becoming a more efficient, customer-focused organization. I look forward to continuing my work with Jim and the entire leadership team to accelerate innovation as we identify emerging trends and opportunities for long-term, sustainable growth – for our employees, our customers and our shareholders.”
Ms. Dolan added, “I am very proud of what we’ve accomplished so far, and Cablevision’s future holds even more promise. Looking ahead, we will continue our efforts to deliver superior value and service to Optimum customers by providing expanded connectivity, unmatched products and peerless service. Those features will differentiate the Optimum experience for current and future customers.”
Brian Sweeney
Mr. Sweeney, 49, has held positions of increasing responsibility since joining Cablevision more than two decades ago. Most recently, he served as senior executive vice president, strategy and chief of staff to the CEO, overseeing corporate strategy and the Company’s key growth initiatives as well as the long-term planning process. Over the past two years, working closely with the CEO, Mr. Sweeney has driven operational efficiency and strategic alignment across all areas of the company.
Prior to this role, he served as senior vice president of e-media, where he helped to develop and execute the Company’s technology and engineering objectives, and provided development and operational support for Cablevision’s interactive and mobile applications, its broadband video delivery systems, and the consumer-oriented websites. Mr. Sweeney began his career in 1993 at Cablevision's programming division Rainbow Media (now AMC Networks) as vice president of information systems. While in this role, he was responsible for all application development and information systems support for the Rainbow-managed cable networks.
Mr. Sweeney serves as a member of Cablevision's board of directors, and is also on the board of directors at AMC Networks and The Madison Square Garden Company. He received his MBA in finance from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and his bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Virginia.
Kristin Dolan
A 24-year company veteran, Ms. Dolan, 48, most recently served as President of Optimum Services where she was responsible for the Optimum products, brand positioning and customer service. She led the Company’s efforts to transform the customer experience by introducing new products and product enhancements, including faster broadband speeds, the full deployment of the Onyx platform and an enhanced multi-room DVR product. Additionally, she has been instrumental in guiding Cablevision’s large-scale expansion of its Optimum WiFi network and continued investment in Cablevision’s broadband product.
Prior to this role, Ms. Dolan was senior executive vice president, product management, marketing and development, and led the reimaging and reintroduction of the Optimum brand as well as numerous product and service advancements.
Ms. Dolan began her career in 1990 with Cablevision’s Rainbow Media (now AMC Networks). She worked in a variety of sales and marketing positions with increasing levels of responsibility. In 2000, she joined Cablevision as vice president of field communications and was later named vice president of digital product management, where she led the development, launch and continued evolution of the company’s Optimum TV digital cable service. Ms. Dolan was then appointed senior vice president of digital product management, responsible for the Cablevision’s digital and analog video products, its high-speed Internet product and the strategic direction for the launch of Optimum Voice in 2003.
Ms. Dolan serves as a member of Cablevision's board of directors, and is also on the board of directors at AMC Networks and The Madison Square Garden Company. She received her M.S. in publishing with a concentration in marketing from Pace University and a B.A. in English from the State University of New York at Albany. She is currently a candidate for a master’s degree in English literature.
About Cablevision
Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC) is a leading media and telecommunications company, serving millions of households and businesses throughout the greater New York area. Providing quality products that keep customers connected, Cablevision offers Optimum-branded digital cable television, high-speed Internet and phone services as well as Optimum WiFi, the nation's most robust wireless Internet network. Cablevision’s Lightpath subsidiary is a premier provider of integrated business communications solutions for larger companies. Through its local media and programming properties – News 12 Networks, Newsday Media Group and MSG Varsity – Cablevision also delivers news and information created specifically for the communities it serves. Additional information about Cablevision is available at www.cablevision.com.