Nick chief to replace MTV's Bakker
MTV Networks UK's outgoing boss Michiel Bakker is to be succeeded by Nickelodeon UK chief David Lynn, while the network has also upped MD of music and comedy Heather Jones to a content role across its channels.
Lynn has been appointed executive VP and MD of MTV Networks UK and Ireland. Reporting to MTV Networks International (MTVNI) president Bob Bakish, Lynn will be responsible for all of MTVNI's UK operations including 17 channels, 16 websites and four mobile channels, spanning its MTV, MTV Flux, VH1 and TMF brands, as well as joint-venture businesses with BSkyB, Nickelodeon UK and Paramount Comedy Channel UK.
It was announced last week that Bakker was leaving the network after 20 years. Reporting to Lynn in a new role leading MTVN UK's music and comedy brands, Heather Jones has been promoted to exec VP, content and creative. Her responsibilities will encompass brand strategy for MTVN's music and comedy brands, including linear TV, digital media and the related UK-based production operations.
“Having orchestrated two of the UK’s hottest media brand successes in Nickelodeon and Paramount Comedy, David and Heather will be a dynamic, talented management duo to lead our biggest international business,” Bakish said.
Lynn is expected to take up his new appointment in the next few weeks and will continue to oversee the operations at Nickelodeon UK until his successor is named.
In other news, MTV parent Viacom said last week that it was making 250 redundancies at MTVNI across the UK, Latin America and emerging markets.
Jules Grant
8 Mar 2007
© C21 Media 2007
Also, from Digital Spy:
Nickelodeon's Lynn to head MTV
Following the departure of Michiel Bakker, MTV Networks has recruited Nickelodeon UK's David Lynn as managing director.
Managing director of music and comedy Heather Jones has also been promoted to a wider content role across its channels, as MTVN's executive vice-president, content and creative. Reporting to Lynn, she will be responsible for all TV, multiplatform content and brand strategy for MTVN's music and comedy channels.
MTV Networks International president, Bob Bakish, said: "Having orchestrated two of the UK’s hottest media brand successes in Nickelodeon and Paramount Comedy, David and Heather will be a dynamic, talented, management duo to lead our biggest international business."
Lynn starts his new role as executive vice-president and managing director MTV Networks UK and Ireland in the next few weeks, but will continue to oversee operations at Nickelodeon UK until a successor is named.
He said: "The brands that MTV Networks represents are among some of the most popular in the UK and globally...I am honoured and excited to be taking the helm of arguably the UK’s most exciting family of channels at a key stage in our evolution towards true multi-platform delivery."
In recent months, parent company Viacom has been shaking up its MTV Networks business globally and last week announced it would make 250 job cuts across its operations in UK, Latin America and emerging markets.
