Overlooking Horizon

Editor: Over the years, BROADCASTING & CABLE has garnered great interest, admiration and respect among the Horizon Media staff. One reason for that view was the thoroughness and balanced nature of your reporting with regard to the many complex issues facing our industry.

That view of your publication was grievously challenged when we received your Oct. 18 issue with the headline "Exclusive: The Only Guide to Media Buying Firms You'll Ever Need. We Rank the Top 10." Mr. Robins, hundreds of clients and billions of advertising dollars have entrusted their marketing analysis and media spending to firms outside the top 10 companies you mention. Firms like Horizon Media, MPG, Optimedia and others have earned the respect of their clients and the industry through their marketing and media prowess.

You suggest that your "top 10" list of media firms is "all you'll ever need." How would your cable readership react if you suggested to them that a "top 10 list" of cable nets were the only ones worth considering? Now, more than ever, clients need viable choices that reflect the changing needs of brands as they confront the new media realities.

Your publication seeks out senior-level Horizon management week after week to record our views and insights. Horizon Media represents some of America's most prestigious brands, and we are the largest and fastest-growing independent in the marketplace today. You owe it to your readership, our industry and your own editorial standards to do the work necessary to give your readers all the facts regarding the media-services industry.

Bill Koenigsberg, President and CEO, Horizon Media Inc., New York

Editor's Note: Koenigsberg is correct. Our touting of the top-10 list went over the top, and we inadvertently slighted other talented ad-buying firms. Our apologies.