Ben Richardson has been promoted to senior vice president and general manager of Viacom International Media Networks Australia and New Zealand.

Richardson assumes leadership of VIMN’s Australia and New Zealand business from Katrina Southon, who has decided to leave the company after 17 years. 

In his new role, Richardson will be responsible for the strategic direction and overall management of VIMN’s Australian and New Zealand business, which includes linear and digital operations for all MTV, Nickelodeon and Comedy Central-branded businesses, as well as commercial partnerships, program sales, consumer products and other ancillary businesses.

Appointed vice president and general manager of Nickelodeon Australia in July 2011, Richardson is credited with spearheading the kid-friendly music festival “Slimefest.” He also led brand initiatives including the development of Nick Jr.’s Play Along with Sam and Didi & B, Nickelodeon’s partnerships with Tennis Australia and SeaWorld, as well as collaborating with other children’s broadcasters on a preschool marketing campaign for Foxtel, VIMN’s joint-venture partner in Nickelodeon Australia.

Richardson was previously vice president and general manager for VIMN Korea, a role he assumed after success in a variety of content and creative roles in India, Indonesia, Japan and Korea. He first joined VIMN in 2005 as content and creative director for Nickelodeon India after serving as executive producer for Channel [V] from 1995 to 2005.

“Ben has led Nickelodeon and MTV businesses all over the world, and his success over the past three years in Australia and New Zealand makes him an ideal choice to assume leadership of the entire portfolio,” says David Lynn, managing director and executive vice president, VIMN U.K., Australia and Eastern Europe, to whom Richardson will report. “He has been an ambassador of our brands for close to a decade, and I’m confident that he’ll take our business to new heights across Australia and New Zealand.”