ITV

Tag: MTV

  • MTV Euro chief Simon Guild quits

    MTV Euro chief Simon Guild quits

    MUMBAI: The latest in line of executive departures at MTVN, MTV Networks Europe president and CEO Simon Guild announced his decision to not renew his contract. Guild has put in over 14 years as a broadcaster of niche channels including Nickelodeon, MTV, and TMF.

    “As my contract was up for renewal I decided it was time to look for something new,” Guild said in a statement to the press.

    MTV Networks vice chairman Bill Roedy said, “Over the past 14 years, Simon has been instrumental in driving the growth of the company’s European business, which has become the region’s biggest portfolio of leading multimedia brands under his leadership.”

    Guild also added that “I have had 14 great years at MTV Networks Europe and I am proud to have played a key role in developing the business, but I want to move on to new challenges.
    “As my contract was expiring, it seemed like a logical time to make a change. I know that I am leaving the business in the hands of some extremely capable executives across Europe with whom I have enjoyed working enormously.

    Over the next few weeks, I will work with them and the company’s leadership to ensure a smooth transition.”

    During his time at MTV, Guild helped to establish a vision for developing MTV Networks’ major brands, such as MTV and Nickelodeon, and expanded them across consumer products, digital media, events and marketing partnerships.

  • BBC World to cover specials on World Economic Forum

    BBC World to cover specials on World Economic Forum

    MUMBAI: News channel BBC World has announced its programming schedule for the World Economic Forum in Davos. A team of BBC reporters and presenters will be providing live news updates, in depth interviews and a special debate from the high level meetings in Switzerland from 24 to 28 January 2007.

    BBC World’s business team, headed by Manisha Tank and Declan Curry, will be broadcasting live for World Business Report from 0530 to 2230 GMT on Wednesday 24, Thursday 25 and Friday 26 January. They will be providing an insight into the issues under discussion, as well as meeting delegates in attendance.

    They include Intel CEO Craig Barrett, Egypt PM Ahmed Nazif, FlickR co-founder Catarina Fake and MTV International’s Bill Roedy.

    There will also be a series of one-minute vignettes produced throughout the week showcasing senior global business leaders attending the meeting. BBC World news presenters Nik Gowing and Jonathan Charles will be live in discussion with the biggest global names in government and business on the news bulletins throughout the period. They will also be presenting Davos Report – twice-daily 15-minute news programmes offering in depth coverage and analysis from the annual meeting.

    The BBC’s weekly multimedia phone-in programme Have Your Say will be broadcasting a special programme from Davos which will be aired on 28 January 2007. Presented by Bridget Kendall, the programme will look at the growing threat to the world economy from risks such as climate change, terrorism, pandemics and oil prices, and discuss whether these are a consequence of inadequate action by governments and business. Viewers’ and listeners’ can put questions to the studio guests, enabling a conversation across continents and broadcast platforms.

    On 26 January 2007 BBC World will record The World Debate: Climate Change as part of the official agenda at this year’s meeting, chaired by main presenter Nik Gowing. This special debate will be broadcast on BBC World on Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 January.

    The debate will ask a panel of key delegates about the sea change in public pressure for environmental sustainability, and why some leaders, and not others, are willing to take risks to implement radical climate change.

    The participants in the debate will include British Petroleum CEO Lord Browne, France Minister of Budget and State Reform Jean-François Copé, Kleiner, Perkins, Caufield and Byers (KPCB) partner John Doerr and Siemens president and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld.

    In the course of the discussion they will examine whether it is the politicians or the public forcing the urgency of the climate change debate. Other questions that will be debated will be, whether governments and political leaders are prepared to take the decisive measures to ensure trends are capped and reversed, and do governments have the skills and capacity to start doing what is needed?

  • MTV networks COO Michael Wolf quits

    MTV networks COO Michael Wolf quits

    MUMBAI: There seems to be no end to the executive departures at Sumner Redstone’s Viacom Inc. A day after Gail Berman resigned as president of Viacom’s Paramount Pictures, putting in less than two years in the organization, MTV Networks president and chief operating officer Michael Wolf is also leaving Viacom’s MTVN.

    Wolf left McKinsey to join the media group’s transition to the digital age but is leaving barely a year later.
    According to the company’s website, Wolf and MTVN president of affiliate sales and marketing Nicole Browning will be leaving the company.

    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.

    Browning oversaw 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.

    Earlier last week Wolf had revealed to the media that there was a “gap in perception” in the market about Viacom’s internet activities. He also added, ‘We’ve been able to accomplish a huge amount in the 15 months I’ve been here’. During his tenure, Viacom acquired a slew of internet gaming and film startups, including Xfire and Atom Entertainment.

    Wolf’s departure had been a subject of speculation since Redstone, Viacom’s chairman and controlling shareholder, ousted Tom Freston in September 2006 from his post as chief executive and replaced him with board member Philippe Dauman.

    It was widely believed that Freston, one of the MTV founders, was blamed for the company’s failure to acquire MySpace, the popular social networking site, and the perception that the cable group was being eclipsed by a new generation of youth-oriented media companies.

    In early 2006 Viacom’s research maven Betsy Frank exited the company after nearly a decade. Company sources pointed out that they would be working with Frank on a consultancy basis over a number of projects. MTVN president ad sales Larry Divney also stepped down on 1 April but would continue to be exclusive consultant to the network on their various projects.

    This is the latest in a long line of top ranking executive exits at Viacom’s MTV Networks which in hindsight could now be said to have begun with the resignation of MTV COO Mark Rosenthal in 2004 following Judy McGrath’s promotion to chairman and CEO of MTV Networks.

    The company’s January 2006 split from CBS has led to a huge upheaval in its top management ranks. Wolf’s departure is the latest in this series. MTVN will begin searches for a new COO and a new head of Affiliate Sales and Marketing immediately it has said.

  • Television maverick Mark Burnett to produce the 2007 MTV Movie Awards

    Television maverick Mark Burnett to produce the 2007 MTV Movie Awards

    MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV has announced that reality television producer Mark Burnett will executive produce the 2007 MTV Movie Awards.

    For the first time the show will air live on 3 June 2007 from Los Angeles, California. Golden popcorn wil be up for grabs in such eccentric categories as Best Kiss, Best Villain and Best Comedic Performance along with the debut of several new awards.

    The star-studded event is MTV’s irreverent nod to the typical awards shows celebrating the year’s best in movies, stand-out musical performances and more. The show has had its moments like sexy lip locking from the likes of Sarah Michelle Gellar and Selma Blair, and outrageous acceptance speeches such as Jim Carrey’s comedic rant surrounded by 60 angels.

    MTV president Christina Norman, says, “Mark has great ideas and vision for the movie awards, and I know he’s going to bring some fresh energy to the show. I can’t wait to see how his vision comes together to create a one of a kind experience for the movie awards, on television and on line.”

    Burnett notes, “I began my career at MTV with Eco-Challenge and worked closely with Salli Frattini on every aspect of that project. I love MTV and I especially love its Movie Awards, so when you combine MTV, Salli Frattini and movies it was easy to say yes. Adding a live element to the Movie Awards irreverence and spoofs, it simply means … anything can happen. Buckle your seatbelts!”

  • Dilip Jayaram leaves ESS for Procam International

    Dilip Jayaram leaves ESS for Procam International

    MUMBAI: After a long stint of over six years with ESPN Star Sports (ESS), Dilip Jayaram has decided to move on. He will be spearheading Procam International as its senior VP and would be groomed to take over as its COO in a year.
    He used to work with Buena Vista Television India earlier which used to manage the ad sales for ESPN, followed by a stint with MTV and SAB TV.

    In 2000 he came back to ESS as the regional head of the southern region, and in 2002 he moved to Delhi as the regional head for north and east. In 2004, DJ took on the portfolio of business development and innovations for ESS and was heading the team that was responsible for the
    launch of the Premier Hockey League in 2005. He was then promoted as ad sales director in June 2006.

    Procam International organises the Standard Chartered Marathon in Mumbai (which incidentally has in four years found a place in the top 10 marathons of the world) and the Hutch Half Marathon in Delhi (which is the richest half marathon in the world). Procam is also involved with Under 17 Cricket which it manages under the aegis of over seven state associations and also runs the soccer leagues in Goa and Kerala.

    Additionally Procam has also done premium sports events in India like the Squash World Cup and Mr Universe to name a few. He says, “I have worked extensively with one vertical of sports with the best in the genre and have also gained valuable insights on the other side of sports during the Asia Cup in 2004 and the first two editions of PHL. I am now crossing over to the next aspect – that of owning and promoting sports events in the country?”

    Anil and Vivek Singh the promoters of Procam said, “His past experience with ESPN Star Sports, combined with his innate entrepreneurial initiative, gives him extensive knowledge of media and sports events covering the entire gamut from conception to execution. He has been responsible for some of the largest media deals in sport and has also been the chief protagonist of the PHL.

    Procam Mediatel, responsible for the live production of the Marathons, is also currently involved in creating
    innovative shows and concept formats for television.

  • Cyrus Oshidar quits MTV, Ashish Patil made MTV GM

    Cyrus Oshidar quits MTV, Ashish Patil made MTV GM

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks’ senior vice president (content and creative) Cyrus Oshidar has put in his papers.

    After ten years, Oshidar who formed one of the Old Guard at the iconic music channel brand, is teaming up with 37-year-old Alok Kejriwal, founder of Contest2Win, a site that aggregates contests and trivia for corporations. Kejriwal also owns sites like Media2Win and the just launched Games2Win.

    Following Oshidar’s departure, MTV Networks India vice president and GM creative and content Ashish Patil has been elevated and given additional charge as GM and business head of the music channel. Patil was earlier reporting directly in to Oshidar.

    Says Oshidar of his decision to move on, “I’ve done the advertising bit and the channel bit. I see the cutting edge challenge now being in the online space. Additionally, me and Alok go back a long way so there is a comfort level there as well.”

    Amit Jain, managing director – MTV Networks India, said, “Oshi’s uniquely wired mind has played a significant role in establishing MTV as an ‘unpredictably cool’ brand over the last so many years. It was surely his ingenuity that started the trend of a new genre of creativity – that of ‘not taking oneself seriously’.” Jain added, “Over the years, Oshi has nurtured many creative minds within MTV and we are confident that the legacy he leaves behind will be aptly taken forward by his exceptionally talented team.”

    Oshidar further added, All these years, what kept me excited was the fact that MTV is one of the very few brands in the world that give you the freedom to experiment and redefine the creative space – be it the ‘in-your-face’ humor or ‘laughing at oneself’ or ‘silly street lingo’. I’ll surely miss my friends and the sheer madness that MTV office stinks of.”

    As regards his new port of call, Oshidar will however, not be working full time at Contest2Win. He will be devoting three days a week there and the remaining two days of the week he hopes to work on a project-to-project basis in the area where he is most comfortable – consumer facing youth community communications.

    One of the other factors that prompted Oshidar’s decision to quit might well have been the scythe that went through the MTV Networks Asia Pacific Singapore headquarters in early October, which lead to 84 redundancies and coincided with the departure of MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Nigel Robbins and also saw regional functions and corporate roles decentralized from Singapore.

    Oshidar, who had been expecting to move to a bigger role within the MTV Networks system outside India, probably felt that he was stagnating in his current position.

  • MTV Intl is showcaing Jay-Z in series of specials

    MTV Intl is showcaing Jay-Z in series of specials

    MUMBAI: MTV’s music channels across the globe are presenting a special series of programming featuring hip-hop mogul Jay-Z in support of his highly anticipated new album Kingdom Come, which was recently released worldwide on Universal Music.

    MTV Live: Jay-Z and Diary Of Jay-Z is airing across MTV’s channels globally. The raft of programming gives MTV viewers access to the hip-hop exponent to celebrate his return to the stage.

    To promote the launch of Kingdom Come, MTV is featuring music videos and long form programming dedicated to Jay-Z including an exclusive 30minute or 60minute MTV Live performance from Milan featuring hit tracks Encore and 99 Problems.

    Additionally, a Diary of Jay-Z shot by MTV International on the artist’s African, European and Asian tour dates featuring the hip-hop icon on safari and meeting Nelson Mandela in South Africa and being dressed up by local tribes in Tanzania and Lagos. The diary also features footage of Jay-Z’s Royal Albert Hall performance in London; the first by a hip-hop artist at the venue.

    A documentary special, Jay-Z: Water For Life, filmed by MTV US in which Jay-Z partners with MTV and the United Nations to visit several regions around the globe that have been most devastatingly hit by the world water crisis will also air across selected MTV channels globally.

    MTV International senior VP talent and music, Jamie Caring says, “It’s a rare privilege to see a hip hop legend like Jay-Z doing such a big tour outside the US. Creating a host of must-see live music and diary specials to document Jay-Z’s travels and phenomenal live shows is a great example of the highly collaborative partnerships we do with A list artists these days. It’ll allow our TV and online audiences to connect with him like never before across multiple music brands and platforms’

    The programming complements the recent Jay-Z tour partnerships of MTV channels in France, Germany, Poland and Eastern Europe, Holland, UK, Australia, Africa, Korea, Thailand and Taiwan as well as dedicated broadband content and ticket competitions enabling fans to experience the ultimate thrill of Jay-Z’s recent comeback tour via their TV, PC or up close and personal.

    MTV.com in the US recently unveiled a Jay-Z fan site at jay-z.mtv.com. This Jay-Z ‘Video Vault Experience’ offers users a comprehensive timeline of his career through footage from MTV’s archives including all of Jay-Z’s music videos, dozens of live performances, every MTV interview, including never-before-seen interviews, and more.

    In addition, US fans can enter the The Jay-Z Platinum Experience contest at www.mtvjay-zplatinumexperience.com for a chance to live like a hip-hop superstar including a private helicopter trip to NYC, a private tour of the Island Def Jam offices, a personalised JAY-Z platinum album and NJ Nets tickets. The contest closes on 9 December, 2006.

  • MTV unveils Rubber Sing as Aids ambassador

    MTV unveils Rubber Sing as Aids ambassador

    MUMBAI: Fit Me baby One More Time! If You Wanna Rock Please Roll! These are among the words of cheeky and sage advice that music channel MTV’s new Aids ambassador Rubber Sing for its viewers.On the occasion of World Aids Day 1 December 2006 MTV unveiled its plans to create awareness about the menace of Aids. Rubber Sing its ambassador is an animated character in the shape of a condom. By singing, and playing the guitar and offers advice in a way that is entertaining. The ambassador was unveiled by Hollywood actor Rupert Everett ‘My Best Friends Wedding’ who is also the UN ambassador for Aids and by MTV VJ Sophia.

    MTV India VP, GM creative and content Ashish Patil says that the campaign is called ‘Listen To Rubber Sing’. Creatives featuring him will air on the channel from 1-7 December 2006. He will also appear in radio spots on Red FM as well as in print. MTV is is also using outdoors in the form of bus backs, hoardings.

    Online one has to choose a condom before one can enter the MTV India site. One can also get wallpapers, screensavers and words of advice. On the mobile one can SMS Rubber to 6882 for advice Patil says, “It is important that MTV not only defines a generation but also leads it. One half of MTV’s target groups 15-24 in India are HIV infected. So it is important that we play our part in getting the word out. While MTV is not an expert on Aids we know how to talk to young people. We will also be conducting road shows in terms of our VJs visiting popular youth hangouts. Over the next week we will have special half hour programming from 4:30 – 5pm. On 1 December at 9:30 pm we will be doing a Zindagi Zindabad initiative which basically aired clips from our music summits.

    “On air we will be having graphics, lower third innovations and bugs. For instance the channels logo has a ribbon. Our VJs will also mention the problem in shows they host. In an episode of our show Kya Baat Hai we have a sting operation of sorts. This sees an MTV employee pretending to be a client and asking a prostitute for a favour. Our show Super Select will also have messages inserted.”

    MTV VJs also appear in spots. One of them sees a VJ addressing the problem of men embarrassed of buying condoms. ‘Do you want to die of embarrassment or do you want to die of Aids?’ is the message. Another message attacks the misconception that Aids only affects homosexuals and prostitutes. Then how do you explain a five year old child dying of the infection? asks the message.

    Everett pointed out that the best way to deal with the problem is to talk about it. “We have to fight the problem of Aids together. I know that in India it is considered taboo to talk about sex in some quarters.

    This is something you’ll got from the British. Not talking about sex is a British tradition and I am surprised to hear people say that it is an Indian tradition. If you look at India before the British landed here India was more open to dialogue on sex. In that sense as a Briton I feel a little guilty that some of the effects of the British Empire are still being felt. It would help if Bollywood stars got into the act of spreading the message. It would give a face to Aids and help get the message out to some conservatives who try to pretend that the problem does not exist. Having said not talking about Aids is something that America went through in the 1980s.

    Throughout the Reagan era you never heard the Aids word. The only public personality who spoke was actress Elizabeth Taylor which is not surprising given that America is conservative.”

    When asked by this writer about the role a celebrity plays he pointed out that a celebrity helps get the message out that much faster. Of course having a celebrity makes the media more interested in what is going on. He also rebuffed the notion held be religious clerics that talking about sex is tantamount to propagating it. “Talking about sex helps demystify the subject. What might propagate sex is consumerism.By this I mean parents not having enough time for their kids and so feeling guilty allow them access to things like the internet.

    “So you have nude photos appearing on a child’s computer before he/she is mature enough. The problem with any religion is that clerics do not want to confront humanity as it is. They want to look at it as it should be – an idealised state. The other problem in India are your laws which make homosexuality illegal. So many of them have gone underground which it makes it that much more difficult to help them.Also I believe that legislation in India is going to change which will not only make the prostitute a criminal but also the client and the pimp. So that whole profession will go underground. So to reach out to them will that much more difficult.”

    In criticism of humanity as a whole he points out that Aids, which is an extraordinary disease, has shown humanity to be bigoted, judgemental and self-loathing.”It is amazing how much we hate each other. Sometimes I feel that we would rather let a person with Aids die rather than approach him and offer help. That being said my aim is to at least prevent the next generation from getting it. We also need to get treatment in the form of drugs to more people. Right now as I understand it only a fraction of Indians infected with HIV are undergoing drug treatment.”

  • MTV Networks’ Music & Logo Group launches ‘hyper-programmed’ online verticals

    MTV Networks’ Music & Logo Group launches ‘hyper-programmed’ online verticals

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks’ Music and Logo Group have announced an aggressive development of more than 20 “hyper-programmed” online experiences or vertical channels, that are web content plays designed for the interactive, on-demand environment.

    The channels, many of which have been in development for months, will debut in the first and second quarters of 2007 and will enable their users to explore and engage in their personal interests, obsessions and topics of choice by covering a range of subjects including: music genres and sub- genres, celebrity fashion and style, personal growth and faith and spirituality, among others, informs an official release.

    Delivering on a two-way proposition, audiences will be able to actively “hyper-program” a number of these vertical channels themselves through next- generation web tools that allow users to help discover, curate, edit and upload content. MTV, VH1, CMT and Logo will seek to acquire, partner on or organically develop the properties, depending on the topic.

    A number of verticals under development will serve as companion sites to existing popular television franchises and focus on relevant topics that resonate with their fans. For instance, a vertical built around VH1’s “Web Junk 20” is geared toward serving as a guide and daily source of viral videos, while others will be stand-alone creative propositions, without television companions, informs an official release.

    Earlier this year, as an experiment in this direction, VH1 launched a stand-alone site bestweekever.tv. As a companion vertical to the popular “Best Week Ever” TV franchise, this new site offers a selection of pop culture nuggets and includes a host of exclusive mobile and video content in real-time. The site also allows users to create their own front page gossip by uploading their own video and news.

    Similarly, this past fall, MTV launched ‘Virtual Laguna Beach’, an entirely stand-alone virtual world tied to the TV series, and a first of its kind. Additionally, in June Logo acquired three stand-alone sites, AfterEllen.com, AfterElton.com and 365Gay.com independently complimenting Logoonline.com and serving the gay, lesbian bi and transgender audience, adds the release.

    “These serve as successful models for a new interactive, hyper-programming approach and represent the next phase in the evolution of media for consumers, from broadcast networks to cable channels and now to hyper-programmed verticals,” said MTV Networks’ Music and Logo Group president Van Toffler. “Just as MTV networks blazed new territory by establishing linear cable networks built around specific interests and lifestyles, we are now developing new online experiences around niche topics that resonate with our current audiences, as well as those subversive web surfers.”

    “These verticals can be viewed as ‘front doors’ into the wide spectrum of passionate and specific interests that reflect our audiences’ tastes and desires,” added Entertainment for the MTV Networks Music Group president and Logo president of Brian Graden. “Each project gives us a unique and liberating opportunity to indulge the unique aspects of Web 2.0 technology in an effort to do what we’ve always done well, super-serve niche audiences.”

  • Nick, MTV Family Group in the US unify magazine division

    Nick, MTV Family Group in the US unify magazine division

    MUMBAI: US kids broadcaster Nickelodeon and MTV Kids and Family Group have announced several promotions in its ad sales department and a unification of its magazine sales division.

    Among the promotions, Jim Tricarico has been named as Nickelodeon senior VP ad sales. Nelson Boyce is now The N VP, ad sales. Noreen Rafferty, Noelle Wojciehowski and Donna Sabino have assumed VP positions within the Nickelodeon Magazine Group. The announcement was made by Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group executive VP of 360 Brand Sales Jim Perry for into whom all five positions will continue to report.

    In addition, Perry will now lead the ad sales force for Nick at Nite, the night time basic cable network serving Adults 18-49, in addition to the other Nickelodeon/MTVN Kids and Family Group divisions including Nickelodeon, Noggin, The N, Nicktoons Network, Nick Online, Neopets, and emerging and digital media.

    Perry says, “As we broaden our reach with parents with initiatives like ParentsConnect.com and the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn, it makes sense to unify our sales team and to add Nick at Nite to our portfolio in order to have a more comprehensive offering for marketers trying to reach all demographics in the kids and parenting space.

    “We now have the most effective sales team in the industry to serve our marketing partners with 24-hour programs reaching preschoolers, kids, tweens, teens, parents and families.”

    Tricarico is responsible for the television sales of Nick at Nite, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons Network, Noggin and video-on-demand. Perry adds, “Jim knows the advertising sales business inside and out with close to 25 years of media experience under his belt. As we expand beyond kids into the parenting and family market, Jim will serve us well. He has had tremendous success building relationships with new partners and establishing our brand as the primary way for marketers to get their messages to a kids and family audience.”

    The Rafferty, Wojciehowski and Sabino promotions institute a merger between the previous advertising sales teams for the individual magazines, into one unified group that sells Nickelodeon Magazine, Nick Jr. Family Magazine and Custom Publishing to marketers. Rafferty assumes the role of Vice President, Associate Publisher of Nick Jr. Family Magazine, Wojciehowski is now Vice President, Associate Publisher for Nick Magazine and Custom Publishing Director for the Nick Magazine Group, and Sabino is Vice President of Strategic Development for the Nick Magazine Group.

    Perry says, “Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group have been tremendously supportive of the Magazine ad sales business. Both magazines will continue to play important role in our multiplatform efforts to reach kids and families.”

    “The promotions within the Magazine Group will unify the sales team, which takes a more client centric approach and allows us to take this business to new heights. Noreen, Noelle, and Donna have proven to be leaders in their respective areas. Working together, they will broaden the opportunities in both magazines for our partners and further our publishing business even more.”