CTAM TESTIMONIALS

Donia Bloxam
President/Consultant
DDK Consulting Services Inc.
CTAM - U 2009 Participant

“Harvard Business School's beautiful, park-like setting was dotted with ivy-covered stately Georgian buildings that hugged the Charles River on the Boston side. It was in this picturesque locale and at this renowned university that I had the privilege to take part in CTAM's week-long Educational Foundation's Executive Management Program.

The program was designed to improve our strategic and leadership skills, allow us to gain invaluable insight into key business challenges, in addition to invigorating our careers. It certainly lived up to its promise. I met 72 amazing and dynamic individuals - my fellow participants - who are an elite group of industry leaders from the United States, Canada, Brazil and Philippines. Some companies represented were Comcast Networks, Cox Cable Communications, Rogers Cable, Turner Broadcasting, Time Warner Cable, NBC Universal, among many others. The individuals were from many facets of our business including sales, marketing, programming, human resources, finance, legal affairs, operations and engineering, business development and IT. This diverse group provided several interesting points of views that surfaced during our many engaging discussions.

The Harvard administrative team was exceptionally organized. Five weeks prior to the course, we received our first e-mail indicating that a dedicated website would be available to us as a source of information about the facilities, the faculty, what we could expect, how to prepare for the program and the course materials. I was aware that there would be advance preparation required. I didn't realize how substantial an amount it would be. There were 16 case studies to be read ranging anywhere from 10 to 30 pages. In addition, there was an assignment for each case study that involved a series of questions to reflect upon. Each case study required two to three hours of prep time on average. It was stressed to me on several occasions, including as part of a discussion I had with Char Beales, President and CEO of CTAM National, that early preparation was essential in order to be best equipped to take advantage of the unique learning opportunities both inside the classroom and in the discussion groups.

The professors were unbelievable in their ability to challenge us to defend our arguments and analyses. They rarely lectured. Instead, they facilitated the discussion by asking questions, taking votes about a particular issue, encouraging debates and essentially driving the conversation. They exposed us to some very powerful analytic tools. The classroom environment, which was specifically designed so we could all see each other, provided us with the perfect setting to practice applying these tools. The case studies were built upon the fundamental practices of business including finance, marketing, leadership, operations, strategy, and more. We, through our preparation, were able to develop a set of recommendations which we would later defend in the classroom. This provided an opportunity for very engaging exchanges with the professor and with fellow participants as a result of the differing perspectives. The case study method was definitely a practical way to learn, in addition to being exciting and fun.

This experience has not only opened my eyes to endless possibilities as an entrepreneur, it has also opened several doors for my consulting business as a result of meeting these phenomenal individuals. Overall, the experience was extremely enlightening and humbling. Thank you so much CTAM Canada for this incredible opportunity. I strongly encourage you apply for the 2010 CTAM U scholarship.“ – Donia Bloxam

Mark Freedman
Senior Manager, Advertising Revenue
Rogers Cable
CTAM – U 2008 Participant

“CTAM's Executive Management Program (CTAM U) at Harvard Business School was an excellent opportunity to develop and enhance my understanding of strategic marketing and application business principles. The challenging curriculum was great preparation for the ever-increasing demands of a successful professional in the cable and television industry. The networking opportunities were invaluable. Relationships with 75 industry executives were forged over case study in small discussion groups, the larger class and occasionally over a beverage. The highlight had to be when William Kennard, former Chairman of the FCC and current Managing Director of the Carlyle Group gave a speech to the class. He spoke eloquently about private equity and was very honest and direct during the question and answer period. CTAM U was an incredible experience and I thank CTAM Canada for making it happen.“ – Mark Freedman

Gary Pelletier
Director, Product Marketing
Cogeco Cable
CTAM – U 2007 Participant

“The week spent on campus was an extraordinary experience. It was very stimulating to be immersed in an intensive academic environment along with 70 other senior executives from the cable, programming and entertainment industries. Every participant felt the same way, and each was eager to share experiences, knowledge and ideas on the current state of our industry as well as on the emerging trends that will shape our industry in the very near future.

One of the unique aspects of CTAM U, compared to a regular MBA class, is that the discussions surrounding even the standard marketing strategy cases with no direct relation to cable, ended up centering on how the ideas of the case relate to cable.” – Gary Pelletier

Mark Waschulzik
Director, Affiliate Marketing
Astral Television Networks
CTAM – U 2006 Participant

“The astonishment of being chosen to represent CTAM Canada at CTAM U quickly gave way to the reality that this was going to be serious business. The Program curriculum was designed to cover an array of material in the areas of Sales & Marketing, Finance, Strategy and Human Resources through case method of learning where participants discussed real-life situations that business executives have faced. While a number of cases dealt with opportunities that we in the Cable and Media industries have or are currently facing (…) there was also a focus on business opportunities and challenges faced by a diverse group of domestic and international companies outside our industry. (…) CTAM U is truly a life changing experience, both professionally and personally. I cherish the opportunity that I was given and wholeheartedly encourage each and every CTAM Canada member to apply to become the next Chapter’s participant at CTAM U.”” – Mark Waschulzik

Domenic Vivolo
Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales
Astral Television Networks
CTAM – U 2005 Participant

“The opportunity to learn from the top Harvard Business School professors who are specialists in their field and to share different perspectives with other key executives within the industry is something special. It is a privilege and an honour to attend such a program. I believe anyone who attends CTAM U comes away invigorated and a different person enriched by the experience. It is a fabulous opportunity and one which you will never forget”. – Domenic Vivolo

CTAM Canada
20 Bloor Street East
P.O. Box 75063
Toronto, Ontario M4W 3T3