VIMN Selects Americas Prez

Viacom International Media Networks has appointed Pierluigi Gazzolo as president of its Americas division.

Gazzolo, who has been acting as interim managing director for VIMN Americas since July in addition to his role as chief operating officer of VIMN, will move from New York to Miami to take up the Americas role on a dedicated basis reporting to Bob Bakish, president and chief executive officer, VIMN.

In his new role, Gazzolo will provide leadership across the Americas division including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Canada and the U.S. Hispanic market. He will oversee the ongoing expansion of VIMN’s portfolio of TV channels, including the 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 multi-platform 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.  

“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,” says 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.”

Previously, Gazzolo was chief operating officer of MTV Networks International, where he established a new level of integrated operations, including the formation of the Nickelodeon International One Brand Team to coordinate international and pan-regional programming and marketing activity. In 2009, Gazzolo was president of MTV Networks Latin America.