Bob Bakish takes charge as President & CEO of Viacom

Viacom has appointed Bob Bakish as President and CEO and as a member of the Board, effective immediately. He has been serving as acting President and CEO of Viacom since November 15.

Prior to this, Bakish was President and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks, and its predecessor company MTV Networks International, since 2007, running MTV’s operations outside the US.

As per media reports, Bakish intends to focus on improving MTV as well as Comedy Central and the company’s Paramount movie studio. He will be seen offering a new direction to the media conglomerate’s MTV Network and Paramount as it has seen its stock price slide down due to underperformance.

In his almost two-decade long association with Viacom, Bakish has also served as EVP, Operations and Viacom Enterprises, and prior to that as EVP and Chief Operating Officer, MTV Networks Advertising Sales. Prior to joining MTV Networks, he was SVP, Planning, Development and Technology at Viacom. Before joining Viacom in February 1997, Bakish was with Booz Allen & Hamilton, where he was a partner in its Media and Entertainment practice.