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Leader Showcase: Dan Darling

Monday, March 16, 2009

http://www.techlinks.net/leader-showcase?sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=228
TechLINKS

Biography:
Dan Darling is the Chief Information Officer of Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS. Inc), a division of Time Warner Inc. Over the course of 23 years with the company, he has been an integral force in the technical evolution of a local Atlanta UFH station into a global media giant. TechLINKS interviewed Dan and learned the personal story behind a career that is closely connected to the company’s history and mirrors the remarkable growth of an Atlanta icon.

Twelve years after moving with his family from sunny Oakland, California to small-town Ohio, Dan Darling found himself paying his way through college at Akron University and later Ohio State University. Working between semesters, he landed a job that would become the impetus for a lifelong career. “One of the jobs I took in college was in a television studio, and I think that’s what really ignited the fire – the realization that this is something I really enjoy,” says Darling. A year later, degree in hand, Darling followed his passion and immersed himself in the world of live television, initially as an on-location film editor.

“I traveled all over the world as a CMX editor doing live shows for an evangelist named Rex Humbard,” Darling explains. “That was my first foray into computers. I liked being able to affect change in a quick and creative way. At the time, they were just beginning to build television mobile units and moving them around the world created some unique problems. So, we took that idea and built out an air cargo container that would house a complete production, tape and transmission facility that we could put on a jet and take anywhere in the world — which we did very successfully for many years.”

Working in Miami in 1985, Darling got the call that would change his career - and life - forever. “In the spring of 1985, Turner Broadcasting recruited me. They were talking about building a new state-of-the-art production studio facility in Atlanta and I saw the opportunity to be part of a great new initiative.”

His instincts were dead on. Dan Darling was right where he wanted to be: on the front lines of a growing media giant.

Interview:
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Let’s talk about community for a minute. What’s your view of Georgia’s technology industry and it’s role in Turner’s success?
I sit on the Board as vice-chair of the Technology Association of Georgia and on the Board of the Georgia Film Commission, so I’m actively involved in the community on Turner’s behalf.

Again, it’s unique to have this size and type of media organization located in Atlanta for now going on 40 years. I think Atlanta has been a great place for Turner. The city has allowed us to grow and is a great partner… and the state has created tax incentives to encourage digital technology development. I think Atlanta benefits from having a lot of other great companies – including many strong technology businesses – based here that helped promote our growth. Together, we’ve made Atlanta both a technology hub and a Mecca for the brightest young talent… and it’s a great place to call home.