MTV Networks Names Hank Close President of U.S. Ad Sales

MTV Networks Names Hank Close President of U.S. Ad Sales

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), today announced that Hank Close has been named President of U.S. Ad Sales for MTVN. Close, who was formerly Executive Vice President, Ad Sales, MTVN Music/Comedy/Logo Group, will be responsible for managing MTVN's entire U.S. sales organization across all of the company's brands, providing clients with highly targeted marketing solutions that draw on the full range of MTVN's multiplatform offerings. Close will continue to be based in New York City and report to Michael Wolf, President and COO, MTVN.

"Hank is a terrific leader and a passionate advocate for our industry- leading brands," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks. "The entire MTV Networks Ad Sales team has been instrumental in our evolution from a collection of cable channels into a truly global, multiplatform entertainment company, and I am confident this tradition of innovation and expansion will continue under Hank's leadership."

"Hank has skillfully mined new opportunities and championed innovative multiplatform solutions that helped MTVN outperform the market in this year's Upfront," said Wolf. "He has the experience and vision to lead this organization's Ad Sales team through what will continue to be a dynamic time in our business."

In his new role as President of U.S. Ad Sales, Close will be adding Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, The N, TV Land and Spike to his responsibilities. Since February 2005, Close has served as Executive Vice President of Ad Sales for MTVN Music/Comedy/Logo Group, which includes MTV, mtvU, MTV en Espanol, VH1, VH1 Classic, CMT, Comedy Central and Logo. In this position, Close held primary responsibility for crafting new sales strategies for said channels and connecting clients with cross-brand opportunities to reach their consumers.

"MTV Networks has a stable of strong, differentiated brands that resonate with our viewers across virtually every platform," said Close. "I am looking forward to further leveraging our leading-edge content in both the linear and digital spaces, and providing our clients with even more ways to connect with our highly targeted audiences."

Earlier, Close was Executive Vice President, Ad Sales, for Comedy Central, which he joined in 1999. At Comedy Central, Close contributed to the network's transformation into the most successful comedy brand on television. Before joining Comedy Central, Close spent 12 years in ad sales at FOX. He also held positions at the A.C. Nielsen Company and CBS Inc., and served as Director of Research at J. Walter Thompson. Close sits on the boards of the Cable Advertising Bureau and Citymeals-On-Wheels.

Also announced today is that Sue Danaher, Executive Vice President and General Sales Manager for Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, The N, TV Land and Spike, has decided to leave the company.

"It is with the utmost respect that we accept Sue Danaher's decision to leave MTV Networks," said Wolf. "Her leadership has been an important factor in the success of our ad sales teams, and she leaves us well-positioned to continue our growth across all platforms. We thank her for her immeasurable contributions to the company and wish her the best."

Danaher has been with MTVN since 1993, where she joined as Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager, based in Los Angeles and leading MTVN's ad sales efforts for the regional offices. She became EVP and General Ad Sales Manager in October 2000, with responsibilities for all advertising sales strategies across all associated platforms -- television, digital and print -- for Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand and top-rated network for kids; Nick at Nite; The N; TV Land; and Spike.

Prior to joining MTVN, Danaher held senior positions at Young & Rubicam, Benton & Bowles, USA Networks and Turner Broadcasting Sales, Inc.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (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 120 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, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, with all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 100 interactive properties worldwide, including Atom Entertainment, GameTrailers.com, IFILM, Neopets, Xfire, Y2M, and online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services. MTV Networks also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: David Bittler of MTVN, +1-212-846-5263

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

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