ViacomCBS Networks International has unveiled a simplified management structure designed to maximise growth.
It will result in the creation of two brand groups and three pan-regional management hubs, reporting to David Lynn, president, CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI).
Kerry Taylor, currently executive VP of MTV International and CMO for VCNI UK, has been promoted to executive VP of VCNI Entertainment & Youth Brands reporting to David Lynn and Chris McCarthy, president of entertainment & youth brands, ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks. Taylor’s new remit will include international oversight of MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network and BET.
Taylor will continue to work closely with Bruce Gillmer, executive VP, Music, Music & Talent programming/Events ViacomCBS. Jill Offman who previously led Comedy Central and Paramount Network internationally will be dedicated to the international studio business, as executive VP of ViacomCBS International Studios UK.
Jules Borkent has been promoted to executive VP, VCNI Kids & Family, reporting to David Lynn and Brian Robbins, president, Kids & Family Entertainment, ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks.
Commenting on the appointments, Lynn said: Lynn said: “Kerry and Jules are exceptional creative and strategic professionals. Kerry brings equal parts marketing acumen and a genuine connection to the global youth zeitgeist that has driven MTV’s successful international franchise strategy and ratings success. Jules is a respected industry voice, who’s dedicated to bringing unique and diverse content to Nickelodeon audiences around the world.”
He added: “Consolidating our international flagship brands into two groups will simplify our structure and more closely align our business with ViacomCBS’ US brands, enabling us to share more content and resources across our different brands and extract maximum value from our content investment and libraries.”
In VCNI’s pan-regional leadership, Maria Kyriacou, who most recently was president of International for ITV Studios, will now join the newly expanded division on February 3, 2020 with a new brief as president, ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia, which includes responsibility for Ireland, New Zealand and Israel.
At the same time, Raffaele Annecchino, who is currently president of the division’s operations across Southern and Western Europe, the Middle East and Africa, will also take on an expanded role in the new structure, with additional responsibility for the company’s operations in Northern and Eastern Europe and key Asian markets.
JC Acosta will be the third of the division’s senior pan-regional leaders, having recently been promoted to become president, ViacomCBS Networks Americas. In this role, Acosta will be responsible for the company’s operations across Latin America – including the key markets of Argentina, Brazil and Mexico – as well as in Canada and the US Hispanic market.
Borkent and Acosta succeed Pierluigi Gazzolo, who prior to his recently announced promotion to president of Studios and OTT for ViacomCBS Networks International was president, VCNI Americas and executive VP of Nickelodeon International.
Lynn commented: “ViacomCBS is truly a global leader in terms of the quality, volume and range of content we produce and own and we aim to exploit the incredible pipelines at our disposal to deliver exceptional growth across international markets, not just for ourselves but for our partners as well. With Maria joining and with newly expanded roles for Raffaele, JC , Pier, Kerry and Jules we have an exceptional leadership team in place and a simplified structure that allows us to be more tightly focused on seeking out the most attractive opportunities to license our brands, content and IP in the highest value and fastest growing international markets, with a particular focus on accelerating our streaming strategy.”
As a result of these regional changes, Mark Whitehead, president & MD of VCNI Asia Pacific, will be leaving the company, at the end of this month.
Lynn added: “I am extremely grateful for Mark’s many contributions to our ongoing success. He has played the leading role in transforming our operations across Asia to the point where they have just delivered their highest ever rate of annual growth. Mark leaves us excellently positioned in key markets across the region to continue on an exceptional growth trajectory.”
