Viacom International Media Networks has appointed to brJill Offman as the new MD of MTV UK alongside her role of MD at Comedy Central.
She will lead the programming teams for both brands and be responsible for all original commissions and acquisitions, as well as research, marketing, communications and creative.
In her new cross-brand role, Offman will work closely with Ben Frow, director of programs, Channel 5, to increase the amount of content that can be shared between Channel 5 and either MTV or Comedy Central. Both Channel 5 and MTV UK. are fully-owned and operated by VIMN UK, which also majority owns and operates Comedy Central in the UK as a joint venture with Sky.
Offman takes over management responsibility for MTV’s operations managed out of the UK from Kerry Taylor, who has been promoted to become VIMN UK’s first chief marketing officer, giving her marketing oversight of all VIMN’s TV brands–Channel 5, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Paramount Channel, Spike and BET–in more than 30 countries managed outside of the UK.
“Jill has given outstanding leadership for Comedy Central, delivering consistently strong share growth and firmly establishing it amongst the very most popular TV channels in the U.K. with young audiences,” says David Lynn, president, VIMN U.K., Australia and Eastern Europe.
“Encouraging greater collaboration between our brands will allow them to compete more effectively for the attention of young audiences in a very crowded and fast moving TV market and allow us to identify new creative opportunities both for the brands and the amazing talent, like Jill and Kerry, we employ.”
In addition to her UK editorial and brand responsibilities, Offman will have management oversight of both the Comedy Central and MTV brands in more than 30 countries that form part of VIMN’s pan-regional operations, including Australia, Hungary and Russia. In this expanded management role she will report to James Currell, VIMN UK’s chief operating officer.
Both Offman and Taylor retain international management roles with VIMN. Offman is additionally brand and content lead for Comedy Central International in her role as senior vice president, comedy, VIMN, while Taylor is also SVP, youth and music, VIMN, giving her oversight of the MTV brand and its non-music programming outside the US. (Picture courtesy VIMN)
