Gazzolo named President of its Americas for VIACOM International Media Networks

Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) announced the appointment of Pierluigi Gazzolo as President of its Americas division, giving him responsibility for its operations across Latin America, Canada and the US Hispanic market (Tr3s). Gazzolo, who has been acting as interim Managing Director for VIMN Americas since July, in addition to his role as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of VIMN, will move from New York to Miami to take up the Americas role on a dedicated basis reporting to VIMN President and CEO, Bob Bakish.
 
In his new role, Gazzolo will provide leadership for one of VIMN’s most important business divisions, spanning operations in markets across the Americas division including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Canada and US Hispanic (Tr3s).  He will oversee the ongoing expansion of VIMN’s portfolio of TV channels, including  today’s launch of the Paramount Channel in the region, as well as increased investment in original local productions for MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central branded networks. VIMN is also growing its non-linear presence in the region through innovative multiplatform products and services such as the Nick App and My Nick Jr.
 
In addition, Gazzolo will retain his role as the Nickelodeon brand lead for all markets outside of the U.S., with its centralized Programming, Marketing, Creative, Consumer Products and International Program Sales teams continuing to report to him.  The search for Gazzolo’s replacement as COO is currently underway.
 
“Pier has been an outstanding leader within our business for a number of years, and I’m thrilled he will now be focusing his talent and experience on the vitally important role of overseeing the Americas’ business full-time,” said Bakish. “Prior to becoming COO, he was instrumental in establishing our business across the Americas and setting it on a path to growth.  He is returning to take charge of a much larger operation that still has significant scope to expand. In addition, Nickelodeon has prospered internationally under his leadership – increasing its distribution, launching new products and services on TV and non-linear, and accelerating its licensing activities – so it’s great to ensure management continuity for this incredibly important brand for VIMN.”
 
Prior to this new Americas’ role, Gazzolo served as VIMN’s Chief Operating Officer since January 2011.  Reporting to Bakish, he was responsible for the oversight of VIMN’s strategic services across the company’s multiplatform operations outside the U.S., including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1 and VIVA, as well as Viacom’s U.S. Hispanic service Tr3s. In this role, he also led the Nickelodeon brand outside the U.S.  
 
Previously, Gazzolo was COO of MTV Networks International (MTVNI), where he established a new level of integrated operations, including the formation of the Nickelodeon International One Brand Team to co-ordinate international and pan-regional programming and marketing activity.
 
Prior to becoming COO of MTVNI in 2009, Gazzolo was President of MTV Networks Latin America (MTVNLA).  During his tenure, MTVNLA saw double-digit growth year on year, driven by more original productions and the expansion of its linear TV and digital offerings.