ViacomCBS Appoints Raffaele Annecchino President and CEO, ViacomCBS Networks International
10.12.2020 17:00:00 EET | Business Wire | Press release
ViacomCBS, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC, VIACA) today announced that Raffaele Annecchino has been appointed President and CEO of ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI), effective immediately. He succeeds David Lynn, who is stepping down and will depart the company following a transition period.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201210005567/en/
ViacomCBS has appointed Raffaele Annecchino President and CEO, ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) (Photo: ViacomCBS)
In his new role, Annecchino will oversee all of ViacomCBS’s media networks and related businesses outside the U.S. As part of this, he will be responsible for a portfolio of pay-TV entertainment brands and broadcast networks across six continents – including Channel 5 in the UK, Telefe in Argentina, Network 10 in Australia and Colors in India through a joint venture with Viacom18 – and work closely with ViacomCBS’s global streaming organization to help guide the continued international rollout of Pluto TV and the launch of Paramount+ in 2021. He will report to Bob Bakish, President and CEO, ViacomCBS.
“Raffaele is an entrepreneurial, results-oriented leader with a proven ability to transform businesses and drive growth across diverse markets,” said Bakish. “In recent years, Raffaele has taken on increased responsibility, demonstrating strategic and operational expertise that extends across a wide variety of geographies and platforms. His experience in expanding ViacomCBS’s international footprint, forging key partnerships and accelerating our push into mobile and digital platforms will be critical to building on our leadership positions across Europe, Latin America and Asia and realizing our global ambitions.”
Bakish added, “I want to extend my deepest thanks to David for his many contributions over the past two decades, from integrating the international portfolios of CBS and Viacom to overseeing the launch of Viacom International Studios, including the acquisition of Ananey and repositioning the division to enable the continued expansion of our global streaming offerings. I’m grateful for his dedication and leadership and wish him the best as he starts this next chapter.”
“It’s an honor to step into this role and help continue ViacomCBS’s strong momentum around the world,” said Annecchino. “We have an exciting opportunity to broaden the company’s reach through new, innovative distribution channels and partnerships, and I look forward to working with Bob and the rest of the team to execute against our growth initiatives.”
Over the course of his 23-year tenure, Annecchino has held a number of positions across ViacomCBS Networks International, formerly Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN). Most recently, he served as President of ViacomCBS Networks Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia (EMEAA), during which time he oversaw operations across a range of markets and led and coordinated VCNI’s mobile strategy globally. Among his achievements were the launch and acquisition of free-to-air channels in the key markets of Italy, Spain and Germany, and the creation of a new business unit in September 2020 to help drive ViacomCBS’s digital businesses across the EMEAA region, including capturing opportunities across free and pay streaming, advanced advertising and ViacomCBS Digital Studios International. Annecchino also led the expansion of Pluto TV in Europe with the recent successful launch of the service in Spain and the upcoming roll out in France and Italy in 2021.
Prior to joining MTV Networks International in 1997, Annecchino held positions at Turner International, Cartoon Network and CNN. He holds a Bachelor of Economics from the European Business School, London, UK, and an Executive MBA from the Instituto de Empresa International, Madrid, Spain. He completed the CTAM U Executive Management Program at Harvard Business School in 2016 and the CTAM Europe Executive Management Program at INSEAD in 2017.
Lynn commented, “It’s been an honor and a privilege to spend the greatest part of my career at ViacomCBS. From my early days at Comedy Central and Nickelodeon to more recently managing teams across our global portfolio, I’ve benefitted from working with the most dynamic, talented team in the industry – who in this most challenging year succeeded in transforming the business for the next important phase of growth.”
As President and CEO of VCNI and, before that, VIMN, Lynn was responsible for numerous strategic growth initiatives to diversify the company’s international business, which led to a significant increase in the company’s digital advertising and subscription revenues, among other achievements. As part of this, Lynn oversaw the launch of Viacom International Studios and the international rollout of Pluto TV and Noggin. Previously, he served as President of VIMN UK, Northern and Eastern Europe, where he oversaw Viacom’s global distribution strategy and led the acquisition of Channel 5 Broadcasting and its integration into Viacom. Before that, he was SVP, Managing Director, for Nickelodeon UK, where he strengthened its position in one of the UK’s most competitive viewing demographics, launching Nick Jr. and kick-starting its digital strategy.
About ViacomCBS
ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, CBS All Access, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents.
For more information about ViacomCBS, please visit www.viacomcbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.
ViacomCBS Networks International
ViacomCBS Networks International, a unit of ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC), comprises many of the world’s most iconic entertainment brands, including Network 10, Channel 5, Telefe, Viacom 18, ViacomCBS International Studios, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Network and Pluto TV. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS Networks International provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents and across more than 180 countries.
VIAC-IR
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201210005567/en/
Contact information
Media:
Kate Laverge
Senior Vice President, Communications, ViacomCBS Networks International
kate.laverge@viacom.com
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Oscilloquartz delivers assured timing for mission-critical harsh environments with ruggedSync ™ Series OSA 55101.6.2026 15:00:00 EEST | Press release
Oscilloquartz today launched its ruggedSync™ Series OSA 5510, a ruggedized timing and synchronization platform engineered for defense and other harsh, mission-critical environments. Designed for deployment in tactical communications networks, mobile command centers (MCCs), aviation systems and other highly demanding operational environments, the OSA 5510 combines PTP grandmaster and NTP server functionality with synchronization assurance and resilient holdover in a compact MIL-qualified platform. Multi-band GNSS support, encrypted and authenticated timing options and environmental protection enable operation in contested and GNSS-denied environments where trusted synchronization must be maintained. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260601763766/en/ Oscilloquartz’s ruggedSync™ Series OSA 5510 delivers resilient, high-precision timing for mission-critical defense networks. “Our new ruggedSync™ Series OSA 5510 exte
Vertex Announces US FDA Acceptance of Biologics License Application for Accelerated Approval of Povetacicept in IgA Nephropathy1.6.2026 15:00:00 EEST | Press release
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated (Nasdaq: VRTX) today announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted its Biologics License Application (BLA) submission for povetacicept, an investigational engineered fusion protein and dual inhibitor of the BAFF (B cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation inducing ligand) cytokines, in adults with immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). The FDA has assigned a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of November 30, 2026. If approved, povetacicept will become the first commercialized therapy in Vertex’s emerging nephrology franchise. “The Phase 3 RAINIER trial is the largest conducted in IgAN and achieved full enrollment faster than any contemporary IgAN trial, reflecting the significant unmet need in IgAN and our urgency to bring povetacicept to patients with this serious disease,” said Nia Tatsis, Ph.D., Executive Vice President and Chief Regulatory and Quality Officer at Vertex. “With today’s FDA accepta
Winston Taylor Completes Historic Transatlantic Combination1.6.2026 14:01:00 EEST | Press release
Winston Taylor announces today that Winston & Strawn and Taylor Wessing’s U.K.-led business have officially launched as a single combined firm, creating a premier transatlantic law firm built for the needs of the businesses, people, and markets driving capital and innovation. One of the largest transatlantic firms, with more than 1,400 lawyers spanning the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East, Winston Taylor is built to meet clients’ evolving global needs for counsel. “As Winston Taylor, we are centered on a client-first approach and will be working shoulder to shoulder with our clients at the cutting edge of industry and ingenuity,” said Chairman Steve D’Amore. “With that common purpose, we are leveraging both strength and scale by integrating our teams and offices at record speed, working at pace to create a firm that is aligned, focused, and built for the day-to-day needs of our clients as well as their breakthrough moments.” Winston Taylor o
Kinaxis Appoints Kristin Russel as Chief Marketing Officer1.6.2026 14:00:00 EEST | Press release
Kinaxis® Inc. (TSX:KXS), a global leader in end-to-end supply chain planning and orchestration, today announced the appointment of Kristin Russel as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). Russel will lead Kinaxis’ global marketing organization, overseeing marketing strategy, corporate and market positioning, digital and brand marketing, communications and go-to-market initiatives. Russel will also take the main stage at Kinexions, where she will discuss practical steps organizations can take to move from decisions to outcomes in an increasingly complex operating environment. A tenured marketing executive and recognized industry leader, Russel brings deep experience scaling technology companies and building high impact brands. She joins Kinaxis from symplr, where she served as Chief Marketing Officer and led the development and execution of the company’s comprehensive marketing strategy across branding, digital and product marketing, public relations, community outreach programs, channel partne
Samsung Electronics Begins Shipment of Industry-First HBM4E Samples1.6.2026 13:57:00 EEST | Press release
Samsung Electronics, a global leader in advanced memory technology, has begun shipping the industry's first 12-layer HBM4E samples to major global customers, further strengthening its leadership in the next-generation HBM market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260601979564/en/ Samsung's 12-layer HBM4E Following the industry’s first mass production and commercial shipment of its industry-leading HBM4 earlier this year, Samsung now extends its HBM roadmap with the introduction of HBM4E samples, addressing the rapidly evolving demands of AI computing and hyperscale infrastructure. "Following the successful mass production of HBM4, Samsung has once again demonstrated its distinct technological edge with HBM4E," said Sang Joon Hwang, Executive Vice President and Head of Memory Development at Samsung Electronics. "Through our advanced manufacturing capabilities and preemptive infrastructure investments, we will con
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom