Michiel Bakker Leaves MTV Networks UK & Ireland

From C21 Media:

Bakker turns back on MTVNI

Michiel Bakker, one of the original employees of MTVN Europe and currently executive VP and MD of MTV Networks UK and Ireland, is leaving the company after 20 years.

Bakker, who also held overall responsibility for both children's network Nickelodeon UK and Paramount Comedy, was the driving force behind the launch of new services MTV Overdrive and MTV Flux.

His role will be filled by Heather Jones, senior VP and MD of music and comedy, and Richard Tan, senior VP of finance and operations, until a replacement is found.

During his tenure in the UK, Bakker has steered MTV through some of the network's key developments in multi-channel television. In 2000 he established MTV Networks UK's advertising sales arm, Viacom Brand Solutions, and led the company in a drive towards investing in UK programming.

Bakker has seen the network grow from a single TV channel to a portfolio of multi-media brands, which he said managed to "spawn an entire generation" while never losing its cool.

"The company has a great and challenging future ahead of it but I have decided it is time to turn the music off and see where life takes me," he said of his decision to leave.

Bill Roedy, vice-chairman of MTV Networks, said: "As one of the first employees of MTVN Europe, Michiel helped establish far-reaching distribution for MTV across the continent. In recent years, Michiel has helped build our strong multi-brand portfolio of TV channels and digital media services in the UK making it our largest international business."


Antony Reeve-Crook
2 Mar 2007
© C21 Media 2007

Also, from Digital Spy:

MTV Networks chief quits

Following yesterday's announcement that 250 jobs were to go from MTV Networks, Michiel Bakker, executive vice president and managing director MTV Networks UK & Ireland, is to quit the company.

Dutch-born Bakker joined MTV in 1987 and set up MTV Europe’s Amsterdam office. He went on to launched broadband video channel MTV Overdrive and user-generated content channel MTV Flux. He was also responsible for kids channel Nickelodeon UK and Paramount Comedy.

Bakker said: "I have had a great time at MTV Networks. In my time here I have seen the company grow from a single TV channel to a portfolio of great multi-media brands, spawning an entire generation on the way and never losing its cool. The company has a great and challenging future ahead of it but I have decided it is time to turn the music off and see where life takes me."

He also established MTV Networks UK's ad sales division, Viacom Brand Solutions, and spearheaded the firm's investment in UK programming.

Heather Jones, senior vice president and managing director of music and comedy, and Richard Tan, senior vice president of finance and operations, will assume Bakker's responsibilities until a successor is appointed.

Bill Roedy, vice chairman of MTV Networks, said: “Michiel has played an important part in the growth of our business in the UK and across Europe over the past 20 years. As one of the first employees of MTVN Europe, he helped establish far-reaching distribution for MTV across the continent. In recent years, I’d like to thank Michiel for his tremendous contributions to our business and wish him all the best in the next chapter of his career.”

Bakker will leave his post in the next few weeks, but has not made a decision where he will go. His exit is the latest in line of recent departures that include MTV Networks UK and Ireland's vice president for commercial strategy & digital media Angel Gambino, MTV vice president of scheduling Rupert Morling, MTV Networks Europe president and chief executive Simon Guild and MTV Networks president and chief operating officer Michael Wolf.