Comcast taps 'Internet guy' to think outside the cable box

Comcast, which has lost millions of cable-TV subscribers in recent years, is seeking to grow revenue and subscriber loyalty in its core cable business with new products based on the convergence of services, such as public Wi-Fi hot spots, TVs that retrieve voice mail, and wireless-based home-alarm systems.

Marcien Jenckes, a self-described "Internet guy," is the man now assigned with taking this new-product development to a higher level. He has been promoted to executive vice president of consumer services over video, phone, Internet, and home products - a first for the giant profit-making cable division. One of several top executives at Comcast who cut their professional teeth at America Online, he reports to cable division chief operating officer David Watson. Jenckes began his career at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. He then worked for McKinsey & Co. in its telecom and media practice. He joined AOL in 2001 and launched its ad-supported consumer portal.