Kelly Day Elevated to Lead International
Streaming
JC Acosta to Lead Ongoing Expansion of
ViacomCBS International Studios
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
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201020005683/en/
Press Kate Laverge Senior Vice President, Communications,
ViacomCBS Networks International kate.laverge@viacom.com
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