Viacom's MTV Networks Announces Changes to Senior Management Team

Viacom's MTV Networks Announces Changes to Senior Management Team

President and Chief Operating Officer Michael Wolf and Nicole Browning, President of Affiliate Sales and Marketing, to Step Down

NEW YORK, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MTV Networks (MTVN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), today announced that Michael Wolf, President and Chief Operating Officer, MTVN, and Nicole Browning, President of Affiliate Sales and Marketing, MTVN, will be leaving the company.

Judy McGrath, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MTV Networks, said: "Michael's been a long-time strategic partner to MTV Networks, and we're grateful to have had his undivided attention devoted to our company for the past year. We accomplished everything we set out to do together, restructuring our Ad Sales and our Affiliate Sales and Marketing businesses for the multiplatform world by bringing in digital sales expertise and expanding the reach of our distribution strategy to include VOD, wireless, and internet partners. Michael completed a strong and actionable long-range plan, and brought some of our best and brightest minds in to the company. We know he has a lot to offer the media industry as a whole, and wish him all the best as he moves on to his next adventure."

Wolf said: "It was my pleasure to work with Judy and the entire team at MTV Networks. I feel great about all that we accomplished-from restructuring the company's Ad Sales and Affiliate Sales and Marketing businesses, to bringing in fantastic new people and leadership. It's very gratifying to leave the company with a solid roadmap for success and so well-positioned for future growth."

Regarding Browning's departure, McGrath said: "Nicole has masterfully and strategically led our Affiliate Sales and Marketing team, delivering tremendous results financially and operationally. She deserves as much credit as anyone for the industry-leading success of MTV Networks, and for expanding the reach of our brands across multiple platforms. I can't thank her enough for her work, and I wish her the very best of luck in her next act."

"I've been at MTV Networks for two decades, and have had the privilege to work with the very best that the media industry has to offer," Browning said. "I feel that now is the time to move on to new challenges and seek out new opportunities for my next leadership role."

Wolf led the company's business and technology operations, including Advertising Sales, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Business and Strategy Development, Business and Legal Affairs, Finance, Information Systems and Technology, and Production Operations. He also helped in developing and implementing the company's evolving multiplatform strategy to serve its audiences across all screens with the most compelling content.

Browning oversaw all the distribution activities of MTV Networks including MTV: Music Television, MTV 2, mtvU, MTV Tr3s, MTV World, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Spike TV, Comedy Central, Logo, TV Land, Noggin/The N, CMT, VH1 Classic, The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, and BET Networks including BET, BET Gospel, and BET J. In her role, she worked to strategically secure and maintain distribution for all of the MTV Networks, enabling million of people across the United States view MTV programming across all platforms.

MTVN's Advertising Sales, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Business and Strategy Development, Business and Legal Affairs, Finance, Information Systems and Technology, and Production Operations units will report directly to Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTVN.

MTVN will begin searches for a new COO and a new head of Affiliate Sales and Marketing immediately. Wolf will depart in February.

About MTV Networks and Viacom

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 135 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/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 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.

Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Engaging its audiences through television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom reaches its audiences wherever they consume content. Viacom's leading brands include the multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 135 networks around the world, as well as digital assets such as Neopets, Xfire and Atom Entertainment; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures; Paramount Home Entertainment; DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at www.viacom.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: Lauren Hurvitz, +1-212-846-8036, or Mark Jafar,
+1-212-846-8961, both of MTV Networks

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

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