Former Time Warner Cable chairman and CEO Glenn Britt died in his New York City home Wednesday morning after battling cancer. He was 65.
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Britt, who had retired from the pay-TV conglomerate in January, was diagnosed with a recurrence of his cancer two months earlier. He was diagnosed with malignant melanoma five years ago.
Britt ascended to the chief executive role for the No. 2 cable operator in the U.S. in 2001. Under his watch, the TWC went from being a Time Warner Inc. division with $6 billion in annual revenue to a standalone corporation with $21 billion in annual revenue and a $40 billion market cap.
Britt retired just a month before TWC made a merger deal with Comcast valued at more than $45 billion.
In a statement, current Time Warner Cable chairman and CEO Rob Marcus said: "Glenn left us with a legacy of innovation, integrity and inclusion. We were guided for many years by his strong belief that a company must be willing to reinvent itself to be successful; his commitment to saying what you mean and doing what you say; and his conviction that a richly diverse workforce--diverse in ethnicity, culture, beliefs, perspectives, experiences and lifestyles--is necessary to best serve our diverse customers and communities. He will long be remembered for his thoughtful and steady leadership through rapidly changing times in the communications field."
Time Warner Cable established a tribute site for its longtime chief executive that can be accessed here.
American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka also issued the following statement: "The ACA family was saddened to hear of the loss of former Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt. Glenn left his mark on the cable industry in ways that few others have over an executive career that spanned several decades and witnessed dramatic change. Our deepest condolences go to Glenn's family members and his colleagues at Time Warner Cable. Glenn and his loved ones will remain in our constant thoughts and prayers."
Britt joined Time Inc. in 1972, rising to become VP of Time Inc., in 1986 and VP of finance by 1988, before ascending to the role of president and CEO of Time Warner Cable Ventures.
Britt departed TWC with a compensation package valued at $118 million.
National Cable & Telecommunications Association President Michael Powell released a statement as well. "NCTA is devastated by the news of Glenn Britt's passing and offer our deepest sympathies to his wife Barbara, his family, friends and long-time colleagues at Time Warner Cable and throughout the cable industry," said Powell. "Glenn was one of the cable industry's best and brightest leaders who for decades led Time Warner Cable through a period of significant transformation and exciting innovation."
Britt's survivors include his wife, Barbara.
For more:
- read this Variety story
- read this Ad Age story
- read this Bloomberg story
Related links:
TWC chief Glenn Britt diagnosed with cancer
Time Warner Cable names Rob Marcus next chairman and CEO
Time Warner Cable's Britt: 'We brought broadband to America'