MTV Networks Names Jason Hirschhorn Chief Digital Officer

MTV Networks Names Jason Hirschhorn Chief Digital Officer

NEW YORK, Oct. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), today announced that Jason Hirschhorn has been appointed the Company's inaugural Chief Digital Officer (CDO). Effective immediately, this new executive position creates a senior global leader of MTV Networks' digital media businesses and interactive strategy.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051027/NYTH259 )

In this new global role, Hirschhorn will be responsible for creating and implementing cross-company strategies for growing MTV Networks' existing and future brands -- including the music, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and Spike channels -- across all existing and emerging digital platforms.

Additionally, he will coordinate the business, product development and technical operations of MTV Networks' expanding portfolio of digital media businesses while overseeing new acquisitions in the interactive space, including the recently-acquired video destination IFILM. He will also work with corporate development and each brand on all merger, acquisition, new business and integration efforts.

Hirschhorn will report directly to the Chairman and CEO of MTV Networks, Judy McGrath, and will represent Digital on her executive Strategy Team. He will also work with corporate development and each brand on all digital merger, acquisition, new business and integration efforts.

MTV Networks has named a Chief Digital Officer in order to be better structured to leverage and scale efficiencies across all of the Company's digital operations and better positioned to deploy best-in-class technologies, best operational practices and shared expertise seamlessly across the business.

"Jason's entrepreneurial and executive strengths make him an excellent choice to lead MTV Networks' multiplatform efforts as our first Chief Digital Officer," said Judy McGrath. "As a true champion of all our broadband, wireless and online initiatives to date, Jason will play a critical role in helping our brands reach the next level of digital media while bringing new scale and speed to our collective efforts on the interactive front."

McGrath continued, "Wherever our audience goes, we need to be there, with the most compelling entertainment experience available. To achieve this, Jason will lead our efforts to build, buy and partner in the digital space so we can continue strengthening consumer loyalty to all of our brands. This appointment is an excellent creative and business opportunity for all of us."

"This new centralized role will help us identify, create and deliver new entertainment experiences and brands to our audiences as well as new business opportunities to our advertisers and partners," said Hirschhorn. "Our multiplatform progress to date, combined with our world-renowned brands and enviable strengths in programming, consumer insight and global reach, makes us well positioned to be a leader in the digital space. Whether it is through a broadband network, a wireless application, interactive television or online gaming, our goal is to live at the cross-section of entertainment and communications where we can continue delivering the most unique experiences to all of our audiences."

Most recently, Hirschhorn has served as Senior Vice President of Digital Music and Media for MTV Networks, where he was responsible for managing the online operations of MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT, mtvU, Comedy Central and Spike. He also supervised the overall growth and interactive strategies for the digital music and media operations at each network and played an instrumental role in extending these brands to all of the screens they live across today.

Previously, Hirschhorn was Senior Vice President of CMT.com and VH1.com. Prior to this appointment in May 2001, he served as General Manager of Sonicnet.com, a unit of the former MTVi and one of the top-ranked online music sites of the time. Before assuming management of the site, he was MTVi's Vice President of Product Development for Sonicnet.com.

Hirschhorn joined MTV Networks in March 2000 via the acquisition of his company, Mischief New Media, a leading web site design and content development firm he founded to serve the entertainment industry.

Hirschhorn holds a B.S. in International Business and Marketing from New York University's Stern School of Business. He also serves on the board of Computers for Youth, a nonprofit organization that provides low-income students and their families with home computers and the skills to use them.

About MTV Networks:

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 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, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS which includes LOGO, NOGGIN, VH1 Classic and 10 additional digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 90 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.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051027/NYTH259
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Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: Jeanine Smartt of MTV Networks, +1-212-846-7437

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/

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