ViacomCBS Networks International Reorganizes Core Leadership Team
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New Simplified Management Structure Designed to Maximize Growth
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Brand Leadership Streamlined Under Kerry Taylor and Jules Borkent
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Expanded Pan-Regional Roles for Maria Kyriacou and Raffaele Annecchino
New York and London, January 14, 2020: ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC) has unveiled a management restructure of its international networks division, which is intended to leverage the company’s expanded operations post-merger to drive new growth opportunities across brands in key international markets. The reorganization will simplify ViacomCBS Networks International into two brand groups and three pan-regional management hubs, reporting to David Lynn, President, CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) .
VCNI Brand Leadership :
Kerry Taylor , currently Executive Vice President of MTV International and Chief Marketing Officer for VCNI UK has been promoted to Executive Vice President 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 has been with MTV International since 2007 and has been co-head of MTV International since 2012. Taylor is credited with reinventing the MTV international brand positioning, developing a successful global franchise strategy and commissioning content that drove international ratings success such as Geordie Shore , The Charlotte Show ; Ex on The Beach and Just Tattoo of Us .
Taylor will continue to work closely with Bruce Gillmer, Executive Vice President, 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 Vice President of ViacomCBS International Studios UK.
Jules Borkent has been promoted to Executive Vice President, VCNI Kids & Family , reporting to David Lynn and Brian Robbins, President, Kids & Family Entertainment, ViacomCBS Domestic Media Networks. Borkent has been with Nickelodeon since 2001, having led channel operations and content strategy including programming, acquisitions, originals and digital for Nickelodeon International, which has delivered continued growth during his tenure. Working in close alignment with Nickelodeon US, Borkent established the international programming council and manages a multi-million-dollar content investment across kids & family programming.
Lynn commented, “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.”
Lynn added, “Consolidating our international flagship brands into two groups will simplify our structure and more closely align our business with ViacomCBS’ U.S. brands, enabling us to share more content and resources across our different brands and extract maximum value from our content investment and libraries.”
VCNI 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. With focused oversight of ViacomCBS’s operations in its two most valuable international markets, including its free-to-air broadcast networks, Channel 5 and Network 10, Kyriacou will seek content and commercial synergies between the company’s portfolio of networks and streaming services across these English-language markets. Paul Anderson, who is CEO of Network 10, additionally becomes EVP, ViacomCBS Networks Australia and New Zealand with immediate effect, reporting to Kyriacou.
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. As President, ViacomCBS Networks Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia (EMEAA) , Annecchino will aim to deliver additional growth in European markets through the closer alignment of its operations across the continent as part of an EMEA structure. With a track record of driving market-beating growth from both on-screen and off-screen activities in the markets for which he currently has responsibility, Annecchino will focus on developing scale in the company’s operations in EMEAA in addition to continuing to be responsible for VCNI’s mobile strategy.
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. He is tasked with the ongoing expansion of ViacomCBS’s portfolio of networks, streaming services and associated businesses across the region including: its fast-growing Studios business in the Americas; Argentinian free-to-air broadcast market leader, Telefe; and, digital services including Porta Dos Fundos.
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 Vice President of Nickelodeon International. Gazzolo, who also reports to Lynn, assumed his new dedicated role on 1st January this year and is an integral member of the VCNI leadership team focused on two key growth areas.
David 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 & Managing Director of VCNI Asia Pacific, will be leaving the company, at the end of January 2020.
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.”
ViacomCBS appoints Paul Anderson to run combined operations in Australia and New Zealand
ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIACA, VIAC) today announced the appointment of Paul Anderson to lead its combined operations in Australia and New Zealand.
Anderson, who is CEO of Network 10, will additionally become Executive Vice President, ViacomCBS Networks Australia and New Zealand with immediate effect.
His appointment follows the merger of Viacom and CBS Corporation to form ViacomCBS Inc. As a result, Network 10, which has been part of CBS Studios International since November 2017, has been integrated into ViacomCBS Networks International and will now be combined with Viacom’s existing operations in Australia and New Zealand under Anderson’s leadership.
In his expanded role, Anderson will additionally have local oversight of Viacom’s family of flagship pay TV networks – including Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. – and a range of associated businesses, as well as retaining oversight of Network 10’s portfolio of free-to-air TV channels and digital platforms.
Ben Richardson, who is General Manager of Viacom’s existing networks operations in Australia and New Zealand, will now report to Anderson as GM, SVP, ViacomCBS Pay Networks and Network 10 Business Development, with a brief focused on commercialising the company’s combined assets in the markets.
David Lynn, CEO, ViacomCBS Networks International, said: “The progress that Network 10 has made under Paul’s leadership in strengthening its schedules, rebranding its portfolio and accelerating its streaming strategy has been impressive. I am convinced that operating our combined free-to-air, pay TV and digital assets as a single portfolio will add value to our business in Australia and I look forward to working with Paul, Ben and the rest of the team to bring an even more effective and engaging offer to local audiences.”
Anderson added: “I am thrilled to take on this new and exciting role. The ViacomCBS merger combined with Network 10 creates a unique and powerful media group in the local market, bringing together some of the most innovative entertainment and media brands in Australia and across the world. That will be great news for viewers and advertisers as we build a multi-platform business as part of this new global content powerhouse. I’m looking forward to working with our great team to capitalise on the many opportunities ahead of us.”
Book publisher Simon & Schuster is owned by ViacomCBS, with an ongoing series of Star Trek novels one of their big sellers. I wonder if Ten will collaborate with Simon & Schuster on any future projects, like spin-off books from Studio 10 and the new Friday night lifestyle show.
Studio 10, the novel. Can’t wait to read all about Brussel Sproutgate.
10 travlr has quietly launched
www.10travlr.com.au
There is also an app you can download from the iOS App Store, not sure if it’s available for Android.
The first tv show, 10 Travlr NZ premieres 4:30pm this Saturday 25th January on 10.
Wrong. The first show premieres 11.30am this Saturday 25th January on Peach.
You must be fun at parties 
No time to go, I’m too busy watching 10 Travlr
what is wrong stating the true fact.
It’s more the way you said it.
which was almost word for word I am guessing?
Starting a response with a blunt “wrong” will not make you many friends. Just sayin’
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10 Travlr takes off
Network 10 and Travlr’s co-branded travel marketplace, 10 Travlr , is now live.
On the 10 Travlr site and app, consumers can find travel and accommodation deals alongside specially curated travel content.
Features on the site include:
- The ability to mix and match airline and airfare options.
- Dynamic and static rate options for hotels, cruises, guided holidays, day tours and on-location experiences.
- Vouchers for local restaurants and health and beauty experiences.
- The ability to book VIP transfers, fast track passes through airports and tickets to ‘jump the queue’ at major attractions.
- An itinerary builder allowing travellers to curate and share personal itineraries.
As part of the launch, Studio 10 will unveil ’10 deals from 10 Travlr ’ kicking off Friday 24 January and featuring travel deals to destinations including Fiji, Thailand, Maldives, Australia, New Zealand, Africa and China; and on Sunday 26 January, I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here will launch its biggest consumer promotion ever giving audiences a change to win a trip to South Africa, thanks to 10 Travlr .
In addition, Network 10 will broadcast a two-part travel series in partnership with Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand called 10 Travlr New Zealand . The show, which premieres Saturday 25 January at 4:30pm on Channel 10, explores various travel experiences across New Zealand.
Network 10’s chief content officer Beverley McGarvey said: “Through our shows like MasterChef Australia , I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here and The Bachelor , we naturally find ourselves exploring beautiful destinations around Australia and the world, often inspiring our audiences to travel.
“ 10 Travlr encourages our audience to take that extra step and book their next holiday, which is a great way for us to extend their viewing experience in a unique and rewarding way. We’re really excited to be launching the brand across all our platforms today.”
Over the next few months, 10 Travlr will work with local industry and tourism bodies on initiatives to promote domestic travel to areas affected by the recent bushfires.
10 Travlr global commercial director Gordy Bayne said: “We’re really excited to be launching the first phase of the 10 Travlr partnership. Since announcing our partnership with 10 late last year to launch 10 Travlr , we have been overwhelmed with interest from the industry.
“Network 10 has a powerful network with an unrivalled combination of platforms and brands. The opportunities to partner with 10 Travlr are endless for the travel industry – from a dedicated TV show to a consumer competition, in-show integration to a podcast, curated editorial content to a digital hub – we’re well and truly open for business, ready to take consumers from screen to dream.”
10 Travlr is an accredited member of ATAS.
Fair enough, it appears you’re right but as others have said you could try and word things a little nicer on here to others to not come off so blunt in your replies.
I was basing it off what 10 promoted and as also stated in their press release above:
Network 10 and Western Sydney University announce the Network 10 Sandra Sully Journalism Scholarship
Celebrating Sandra Sully’s 30 years at Network 10
Network 10 and Western Sydney University today announced the launch of a new scholarship to support a Journalism student at Western Sydney University.
The ‘Network 10 Sandra Sully Journalism Scholarship’, valued at $7,500, will provide support for a student enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) degree at Western Sydney University. The student will also have the opportunity to undertake a tailored work placement in the Network 10 newsroom.
Network 10’s head of marketing strategy Jean Jenkins said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Western Sydney University and launching this scholarship with them. This is as much an investment in our audience as it is in the future of journalism.
“Developing deeper relationships with communities is at the heart of Network 10’s marketing strategy and we’re really pleased to be supporting the Western Sydney community in this way.”
Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, has commended Network 10 for its contributions, which will significantly advance the educational and career opportunities of the scholarship recipient.
“Western Sydney University has been ranked number one in New South Wales for employer satisfaction, recognising the preparedness of our graduates in entering the workforce with the skills that employers are looking for,” said Professor Glover.
“The Network 10 Sandra Sully Journalism Scholarship is an example of the University working with a leading organisation to provide an enriching, industry-linked educational experience.”
The launch of the scholarship aligns with 10 News First presenter and journalist Sandra Sully celebrating 30 years at Network 10 on Wednesday 29 January 2020.
Network 10’s director of news content Ross Dagan said: “The scholarship is a fitting way to acknowledge Sandra Sully’s outstanding contribution to journalism. Having been part of the industry over the past three decades, Sandra is passionate about the future of our profession. Along with Sandra, we’re proud to provide an opportunity for a talented and hardworking student to engage in a media career.”
Sandra said: “My career in journalism has brought me so much joy. I’m truly honoured to have this scholarship launched in my name to support an aspiring journalist to succeed in the field.”
The Network 10 Sandra Sully Journalism Scholarship is open to students who are commencing study or currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) degree at Western Sydney University.
Might as well have called it the “CBS Network 10 News First 30 Year Veteran Sandra Sully Broadcast Journalism Scholarship”.
If I’m reading the WSU fees correctly, the first year maximum fees for a student for this course for 2020 is $6,684. So the scholarship will cover the course fees.
Looking forward to the announcement of the “Network Ten Tim Bailey Bogan Weather Presenting Scholarship” at Mt Druitt TAFE as we approach the 30th anniversary of Bailey’s arrival at Ten.
He’ll pump that one out on Prime. 