NEW YORK (MTV press release) - Tom Freston, Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Viacom Inc, today named Judy McGrath Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks. McGrath, who will report directly to Freston, was previously MTV Networks Group President, responsible for MTV, MTV2, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central and the recently announced LOGO, set to launch in 2005.
Effective immediately, McGrath takes on Freston's previous role, which includes overall responsibility for the networks named above as well as Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Spike TV, TV Land, Noggin, The N, MTV Networks Digital Suite, MTV Networks International and all of the company's related consumer products and digital businesses, as he moves to his new post at Viacom. Herb Scannell, MTV Networks Group President, responsible for Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Spike TV, TV Land, Noggin and the N will report directly to Judy, along with Bill Roedy, President, MTV Networks International.
Freston also announced that, regrettably, Mark Rosenthal, currently President and COO, MTV Networks, has made the decision to leave the company.
In making this announcement Freston said, "Judy is the perfect fit for this job. Ours is a business of creative vision, smart brand building, unrelenting consumer focus and good execution. We are riding at an all-time high now, clearly the industry leader, and I feel very proud and fortunate to be able to turn this job over to Judy and very much look forward to seeing her influence on the company grow and grow."
McGrath said, "I couldn't be more excited and honored to take on this new role. Over the past 17 years, Tom set the tone for the most unique and vibrant culture in the media world. My top priority is to continue to make this the best place for talented people to do their best work. I inherit the strongest management team in the business in Herb Scannell and Bill Roedy, and I can't wait to get started on working with them and their respective teams to take MTV Networks boldly into the future. This will be fun."
Freston added, "It is with great respect and appreciation that we support Mark's decision to leave the company. He had a great career here over many, many years and, under his leadership, our sales and the corporate groups he manages have never been in better shape.
On the heels of what looks to be a record breaking upfront and a phenomenal year of growth, Mark leaves us extremely well-positioned for the future. We will miss him enormously and have a great deal of pride in his accomplishments here."
Judy McGrath takes the helm of MTV Networks with each of its businesses operating at record highs, from both a creative and business perspective.
MTV Networks reaches 400 million viewers in 164 countries and 18 languages through 94 channels worldwide. MTV Networks is an industry leader with an unmatched portfolio of cable network brands with a demonstrated ability to outperform industry peers and consistently deliver double-digit bottom line growth.
MTV, VH1, CMT, Comedy Central, MTV2 and MTVU, which Judy has been responsible for, and Nickelodeon Networks, under Herb Scannell, are unparalleled powerhouses, with big hits, record ratings, and great talent. MTV Networks International, under Bill Roedy, is the industry leader.
Under her direction, MTV grew from a maverick cable channel to a maverick global brand that has come to symbolize a culture, a style, an attitude and a vibrant musical landscape. From the beginning, Judy helped MTV bring the creativity of music, with its passion, originality and energy, to television.
She and her team have developed programs and events that have become cultural landmarks to young people everywhere, including the MTV Video Music Awards, the MTV Movie Awards, Total Request Live, The Real World, MTV News, Making The Band, The Osbournes and PUNK'D.
In addition to her achievements at MTV, Judy has worked to build and grow MTV2, now in over 55 million homes, to the foremost all-music video network, connecting with passionate music fans through franchises like SUCKER-FREE SUNDAYS and Subterranean. VH1 has reinvented its brand with new series like BEST WEEK EVER, I LOVE...and DRIVEN, and is coming off its most watched quarter ever. The same is true for Comedy Central, which is stronger than ever with the hit shows including RENO 911, CHAPELLE'S SHOW and of course, great election coverage from the Emmy winning THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART.
CMT is also enjoying its largest viewership ever, with the record-setting CMT Flameworthy Awards, and with a real, daily commitment to the new look and sound of country music, more popular than ever. And, LOGO, the first 24/7 advertising-supported television network dedicated to providing entertainment with an authentically gay and lesbian sensibility will launch in February 2005.
In addition, all of the company's branded music Web sites continue to set records, explore new technology, and offer deep connections to what's relevant in music, as well as a real community for fans everywhere.
McGrath is also known for continuing to drive pro-social programming as an integral part of the fabric of all the networks. From campaigns like the Peabody Award-winning Choose or Lose, and Emmy award-winning Fight For Your Rights: Protect Yourself, an AIDS Awareness campaign on MTV, Judy works tirelessly and creatively to raise young people's voices and address their issues in a meaningful way.
Over the years, Judy has put together a uniquely talented group of programmers, music-lovers, producers and writers who have set high standards for creative excellence and business leadership.
A member of the MTV family since its first days, Judy joined Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment Company, MTV Networks' predecessor company, in 1981 as a copywriter in MTV's On-Air Promotions department and made her mark with contests like "Devo Goes Hawaiian" and "One Night Stand with Journey." She subsequently moved up the ranks and became Editorial Director, MTV; Executive Vice President and Creative Director, MTV; and then President, MTV.
Before joining the company, Judy held positions as Copy Chief of Glamour magazine and Senior Writer for Mademoiselle Magazine.
