LONDON and NEW YORK, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viacom veteran
Bob Bakish has been appointed President, MTV Networks International
(MTVNI), reporting to Bill Roedy, who will retain oversight of MTVNI in
addition to his global role as Vice Chairman, MTV Networks.
In the newly-created position, Bakish will take on day-to-day
management responsibility for MTVNI, including the local and regional
operations across Europe, Latin America and Asia-Pacific, as well as
International functions and business units. Reporting to Bakish will be the
managing directors of the key regions and MTVNI Chief Operating Officer
Alex Ferrari, who will continue in his current role.
A 10-year veteran of the company, Bakish is currently Viacom's
Executive Vice President, Operations and Viacom Enterprises, responsible
for Strategic Planning, Business Development, Famous Music, Viacom Plus and
IS&T. Bakish also heads up the company's cross-divisional marketing
council. MTV Networks is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).
In making the announcement, Roedy commented: "Bob's smart strategic
skills and long history with the company will be invaluable to MTVNI as we
advance our aggressive plans for driving growth and operating performance.
Leveraging his extensive experience in managing complex ad sales operations
also will be critical to shaping the next phase of growth for our biggest
revenue stream -- particularly in the digital arena."
"Bob has a history with MTV Networks, where he has rolled up his
sleeves more than once to collaborate and strategize across our division.
He brings those skills to the global market, in a newly created role that
will set us up for more focused growth and opportunity," said Judy McGrath,
Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks.
Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman added: "Bob's move from Viacom to MTVN
International reflects the importance of reaping the benefits of our
leading brand positions around the world as one of Viacom's key growth
opportunities. In working closely with Bill, Bob will help accelerate our
strategic focus on maximizing our positions in key markets and accelerating
expansion in areas like Digital Media, Ad Sales, Nickelodeon and Consumer
Products, while driving significant improvement in our international
margins."
Bakish said: "I'm excited to join one of the most dynamic and important
areas of Viacom's portfolio at a key juncture in its growth trajectory.
Having collaborated with MTV Networks International on a number of
projects, I already have a strong working relationship with Judy, Bill and
his management team and look forward to moving our global strategy
forward."
MTV Networks International is one of the fastest growing units of MTV
Networks, which has the world's largest portfolio of media brands, with 136
TV channels and over 200 digital media services. MTV is the most widely
distributed TV brand globally, with 496 million TV households, while
Nickelodeon is #1 in kids' TV reach, with 204 million TV households. In
2006, MTVNI became the top international mobile TV player, with 22 new
services launched across its MTV, Nickelodeon, VIVA, TMF (The Music
Factory), VIVA, and Paramount Comedy brands -- primarily in Europe.
In January 2006, Bakish was appointed to his role with the new Viacom,
having served as Executive Vice President of Operations for the former
Viacom Inc. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of MTV Networks Ad Sales, leading ad sales strategy
development, focusing on charting the company's course through an
advertising landscape shaped by consolidation at both the agency and client
levels, as well as the emergence of new ad categories and platforms.
MTV Networks International (MTVNI) Background
MTVNI includes the premier multimedia entertainment brands MTV: Music
Television, VH1, Nickelodeon, TMF (The Music Factory), VIVA, Flux,
Paramount Comedy and Game One seen in 546 million households in 171
countries and 28 languages via 136 locally programmed and operated TV
channels and 170 Web sites. The company's diverse holdings include
interests in television syndication, digital media, publishing, home video,
radio, recorded music, licensing & merchandising and two feature film
divisions, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies.
SOURCE MTV Networks International
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Related links:
http://www.mtv.com
CONTACT:
Bob Seely (London), MTV Networks
International, +44-20-7478-5274, seely.bob@mtvne.com; Lauren
Hurvitz (New York), MTV Networks, +1-212-258-8036,
lauren.hurvitz@mtvstaff.com
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