MUMBAI: Viacom Inc. has announced that Brad Grey will step down from his role as chairman and chief executive officer of Paramount Pictures. The company is commencing a comprehensive search to identify a successor, and Grey will remain at Paramount for a period to support the transition.
Viacom president and CEO Bob Bakish, who would be present at the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference in San Francisco, on 1 March, will work closely with Paramount’s leadership team, including Marc Evans (President, Motion Picture Group); Andrew Gumpert (Chief Operating Officer); Amy Powell (President, Paramount Television and Digital Entertainment); Megan Colligan (President, Worldwide Distribution and Marketing) and Mark Badagliacca (Chief Financial Officer), to maintain momentum until a new CEO is appointed.
“Brad has overseen the production and distribution of some of Paramount’s most celebrated hits, and more recently championed the successful relaunch of the studio’s television division. We are grateful for his 12 years of extraordinary service and wish him every continued success,” said Bob Bakish. “Paramount has produced some of the most recognizable and cherished films in Hollywood, making it a key part of Viacom’s history, and our future. As we look ahead, I couldn’t be more excited by our early plans to re-energize the slate, more deeply integrate the studio and networks, and make the most of our incredible assets.”
“It has been my privilege to be a part of Paramount’s storied history, and I am grateful to Sumner Redstone for giving me this opportunity. I want to wish Shari, Bob and their entire team the best as they embark on Viacom’s next chapter,” said Brad Grey. “From the moment I came to Paramount in 2005, I saw myself as a steward of an iconic institution. In that time, it has been my great honor to work with a group of wildly talented storytellers. But above all, I am indebted to the wonderful people at this studio, whose creativity, professionalism and integrity are second to none.”
US$1.3 bn subordinated debt offering
Viacom announced that it has agreed to sell US$ 650 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.875 per cent fixed-to-floating rate junior subordinated debentures due 2057 at a price equal to 100.000 per cent of the principal amount thereof (the “NC5 Debentures”) and US$ 650 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.250 per cent fixed-to-floating rate junior subordinated debentures due 2057 at a price equal to 100.000 per cent of the principal amount thereof (the “NC10 Debentures” and, together with the NC5 Debentures, the “Debentures”).
The sale of the Debentures is expected to close on 28 February, 2017, subject to customary closing conditions. Viacom intends to use the net proceeds from the offering primarily for the repayment of outstanding indebtedness.
