Kelly Day Elevated to Lead International Streaming
JC Acosta to Lead Ongoing Expansion of ViacomCBS International Studios
MIAMI & NEW YORK-Wednesday 21 October 2020 [ AETOS Wire ]
(BUSINESS
WIRE)-- ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), a division of
ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC), has today confirmed the departure of one
of its longest serving executives, Pierluigi Gazzolo, who will step down
from his role as President, Streaming and Studios for VCNI at the end
of this month to focus on other interests.
During Gazzolo’s
tenure as President of Streaming and Studios for VCNI, he successfully
established the content proposition, team and go to market strategy for
the international launch of Paramount+ and expanded the roadmap for
Pluto TV internationally.
VCNI Streaming Leadership
Reporting
to David Lynn, President and CEO of VCNI, and working closely with Tom
Ryan, President & CEO of ViacomCBS Streaming, Kelly Day, Chief
Operating Officer of VCNI, will take over leadership of the division’s
streaming business as President of Streaming and COO of VCNI. In this
new role, Day will have oversight of the international roll-out of
Paramount+, a new premium SVOD service due to launch in 2021 across
Australia, Latin America, and the Nordics; as well as the ongoing
expansion of Pluto TV, following its successful launch in Latin America.
Regarding
Day’s expanded remit, Lynn added, “We are in the fortunate position of
going from strength to strength with this transition. With a truly
global streaming organization, it’s a pivotal moment in the evolution of
our streaming strategy, with the expansion of Paramount+ and Pluto TV,
both of which are critical to our future growth. Kelly has an enviable
track record of launching and growing streaming businesses and has added
a layer of extraordinary digital expertise to our management team in a
short space of time. Now, also, working closely with Tom Ryan, I’m
confident Kelly will accelerate our transition to becoming a more
digitally-led business, while seizing our global streaming opportunity.”
ViacomCBS International Studios Leadership
ViacomCBS
Studios International (VIS) will supply original content to the new
Paramount+ service in some markets, while continuing to supply scripted,
comedy and reality series to VCNI’s free and pay TV networks as well as
third party streamers and broadcasters.
Also, reporting to Lynn,
JC Acosta, who oversees VCNI’s operations in Latin America and Canada
as President, VCN Americas, will take on additional responsibility as
President, ViacomCBS International Studios.
Lynn added, “One of
our biggest achievements in recent years has been the formation and
expansion of VIS, which really couldn’t have happened without Pier’s
vision. In the past year, under Pier’s leadership he doubled the global
development slate, setting VCNI up for continued global success in the
studios arena.”
“Now with JC’s expertise in production and
development, coupled with his drive and dedication its incredibly
reassuring that JC will take over leadership of VIS,” said Lynn. “Given
JC’s intimate understanding of our Studios business, his connections and
his knowledge of the international content market, we couldn’t be
better positioned for continued growth.”
Gazzolo’s Tenure
Paying
tribute to Gazzolo, Lynn said, “While he will hate to be labelled as a
veteran, there’s no better word to describe someone who has dedicated so
much of his career to our company and who has benefited it so much with
his wisdom and experience. He’s a brilliant all-rounder who has played
in many positions for our team, but always with the same outstanding
results. It’s typical of Pier’s commitment that he’s stayed to oversee a
seamless handover to Kelly and JC, even though he’s been signaling his
interest in pursuing his own projects for some time. I can’t thank him
enough for his contribution to our business over many years. I know
everyone at VCNI will join me in genuinely wishing him well in his
future endeavors.”
Gazzolo commented, “I’ve grown up with this
amazing company. From MTV Latino, to MTV Networks to Viacom
International Media Networks to post merger ViacomCBS Networks
International. I’ve been honored to grow and evolve with ViacomCBS, and
I’m immensely grateful to have worked across so many regions and
divisions at the most dynamic media company in the world. I have
benefited tremendously from having worked with unparalleled leaders and
mentors, throughout my tenure, but especially in the latest chapter of
my term. Most importantly I’ve created wonderful close friendships in my
27 years with the company – and those will continue long after I leave
the building.”
About Pierluigi Gazzolo
Prior to taking up
his current role as President, Streaming and Studios in November 2019,
Pierluigi Gazzolo was President, Americas for Viacom International Media
Networks, which was renamed as VCNI after the ViacomCBS merger in
December last year.
Based in Miami, he oversaw a marked expansion
of the company’s operations across Spanish-speaking Latin America and
Brazil, spearheaded by two key acquisitions – ownership of Argentina’s
leading free-to-air broadcaster, Telefe (2016), and a majority stake in
Brazilian comedy producer, Porta dos Fundos (2017). Combining Telefe’s
studios business and Porta dos Fundos with VIMN’s existing production
activities in the region, Gazzolo formed VIS and secured its first sales
to both Netflix and Amazon Prime, as well as a host of other deals with
broadcasters and streamers across the region. Under his leadership, VIS
has expanded its production activities in the UK, Europe, and Asia.
At
the same time as leading the company’s operations in Latin America,
Gazzolo continued to lead Nickelodeon internationally, giving him
oversight of this critical brand in all markets outside the U.S. In this
role, he oversaw an increase in international supply to Nickelodeon’s
global content pipeline with locally developed shows being remade for
global distribution, including Talia in the Kitchen and Every Witch Way.
Previously,
Gazzolo was Chief Operating Officer for VIMN (2011 to 2014) and its
predecessor MTV Networks International (2009 to 2011), reporting in both
roles to Bob Bakish, who is now CEO, ViacomCBS Inc. Before 2009, he
held several different roles with the company including serving as
President of MTV Networks Latin America.
ViacomCBS Networks International:
ViacomCBS
Networks International, a unit of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC),
comprises many of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands,
including Network 10, Channel 5, Telefe, Viacom 18, ViacomCBS
International Studios, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount
Network and Pluto TV. In addition to offering innovative streaming
services and digital video products, ViacomCBS Networks International
provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and
advertising solutions for partners on five continents and across more
than 180 countries.
VIAC-IR
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201020005683/en/
Contacts
Press
Kate Laverge
Senior Vice President, Communications, ViacomCBS Networks International
kate.laverge@viacom.com
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