For Felipe Gozon, running a business wasn’t just about taking risks—it was about strategy, preparation, and knowing the competition inside and out.
As a seasoned lawyer before becoming CEO of GMA Network, Gozon approached the broadcasting industry the same way he approached the courtroom.
“As a lawyer, I have to research. I researched on my competitors. I read the books about them. I discovered how they conducted business, so that’s how I designed our strategy,” he says.
By treating GMA’s business like a high-stakes legal case, Gozon analyzed every detail—his audience, advertisers, and most importantly, his competition.
“Nobody knows that he will succeed when he starts to strategize. I study the business just like I was reviewing for the bar,” he explains. “I had to know the operation. I applied what my lawyering was. I had to know everything about the case, and then about the judge—that’s the audience and the advertisers.”
This meticulous research paid off. In 2005, GMA surpassed ABS-CBN, its biggest competitor, in ratings and revenue.
But winning in media meant making tough calls—and Gozon didn’t hesitate.
“Kung yung show talagang natatalo na sa ratings at nalulugi pa, kina-cancel ko yun. Ako chairman ng programming committee. I am ruthless when it comes to that,” he says.
His leadership style was hands-on, diving deep into programming decisions, company operations, and even knowing more about his employees’ work than they expected.
“They know, my people know, and sometimes I know more of their work than them. You cannot learn anything without studying.”
Beyond strategy, Gozon also believed in sharing success with his employees.
“I promise them that if we succeed, they will share in the success. Ilan ang bonus natin? I think we are giving three months or two and a half, plus yung CBA namin, may paternity leave na.”
With discipline, research, and relentless execution, Gozon transformed GMA into one of the most powerful media networks in the Philippines—proving that in business, preparation is everything.
This article includes quotes from an interview originally published by Esquire Philippines, authored by Henry Ong.
