President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Wolf and Nicole Browning,
President of Affiliate Sales and Marketing, to Step Down
NEW YORK, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MTV Networks (MTVN), a unit
of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced that Michael Wolf,
President and Chief Operating Officer, MTVN, and Nicole Browning, President
of Affiliate Sales and Marketing, MTVN, will be leaving the company.
Judy McGrath, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MTV Networks,
said: "Michael's been a long-time strategic partner to MTV Networks, and
we're grateful to have had his undivided attention devoted to our company
for the past year. We accomplished everything we set out to do together,
restructuring our Ad Sales and our Affiliate Sales and Marketing businesses
for the multiplatform world by bringing in digital sales expertise and
expanding the reach of our distribution strategy to include VOD, wireless,
and internet partners. Michael completed a strong and actionable long-range
plan, and brought some of our best and brightest minds in to the company.
We know he has a lot to offer the media industry as a whole, and wish him
all the best as he moves on to his next adventure."
Wolf said: "It was my pleasure to work with Judy and the entire team at
MTV Networks. I feel great about all that we accomplished-from
restructuring the company's Ad Sales and Affiliate Sales and Marketing
businesses, to bringing in fantastic new people and leadership. It's very
gratifying to leave the company with a solid roadmap for success and so
well-positioned for future growth."
Regarding Browning's departure, McGrath said: "Nicole has masterfully
and strategically led our Affiliate Sales and Marketing team, delivering
tremendous results financially and operationally. She deserves as much
credit as anyone for the industry-leading success of MTV Networks, and for
expanding the reach of our brands across multiple platforms. I can't thank
her enough for her work, and I wish her the very best of luck in her next
act."
"I've been at MTV Networks for two decades, and have had the privilege
to work with the very best that the media industry has to offer," Browning
said. "I feel that now is the time to move on to new challenges and seek
out new opportunities for my next leadership role."
Wolf led the company's business and technology operations, including
Advertising Sales, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Business and Strategy
Development, Business and Legal Affairs, Finance, Information Systems and
Technology, and Production Operations. He also helped in developing and
implementing the company's evolving multiplatform strategy to serve its
audiences across all screens with the most compelling content.
Browning oversaw all the distribution activities of MTV Networks
including MTV: Music Television, MTV 2, mtvU, MTV Tr3s, MTV World, VH1,
Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Spike TV, Comedy Central, Logo, TV Land,
Noggin/The N, CMT, VH1 Classic, The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, and
BET Networks including BET, BET Gospel, and BET J. In her role, she worked
to strategically secure and maintain distribution for all of the MTV
Networks, enabling million of people across the United States view MTV
programming across all platforms.
MTVN's Advertising Sales, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Business and
Strategy Development, Business and Legal Affairs, Finance, Information
Systems and Technology, and Production Operations units will report
directly to Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTVN.
MTVN will begin searches for a new COO and a new head of Affiliate
Sales and Marketing immediately. Wolf will depart in February.
About MTV Networks and Viacom
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the
world's leading creators of programming and content across all media
platforms. MTV Networks, with 135 channels worldwide, owns and operates the
following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2,
VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV,
CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL
SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these
networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its
audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than
200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless
and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements,
joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming
services can be seen worldwide.
Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with
prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Engaging its
audiences through television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom
reaches its audiences wherever they consume content. Viacom's leading
brands include the multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV,
VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, CMT: Country Music
Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 135 networks around the
world, as well as digital assets such as Neopets, Xfire and Atom
Entertainment; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures; Paramount Home
Entertainment; DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom
and its businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com.
SOURCE MTV Networks
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Related links:
http://www.mtv.com
http://www.viacom.com
CONTACT:
Lauren Hurvitz, +1-212-846-8036, or Mark
Jafar, +1-212-846-8961, both of MTV Networks
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