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Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced that Nicholas Walters has been promoted to VP, General Manager, VIMN & CIS (RCIS). In this newly created position, Walters is responsible for the strategy, development and execution of a full-scale local operation, and will manage VIMN’s newly opened Moscow office. In addition, Walters will continue to oversee the Corporate Development function for VIMN’s wider Emerging Markets region. Over the last 12 months, Walters has championed VIMN’s powerhouse brands in the RCIS market, building and developing relationships with new and existing business partners, resulting in a 70 percent increase in distribution across the region and seeing Nickelodeon Russia crowned ‘Best International Kids’ Channel.’ The business has also been driven by various strategic acquisitions, syndication and licensing partnerships. Highlights include the acquisition of kids’ property Kikoriki, one of the most popular animation series in Russia, and a terrestrial content deal with Russian TV network TNT, which will see 250 hours of localised Nickelodeon content distributed across the 30 million household-strong network. Kikoriki, for which VIMN acquired broadcast and digital media rights in early April from brand owner Riki Group, will premiere on Nickelodeon in Russia from 19 September and will be made available as part of VIMN’s sales portfolio at MIPCOM 2011. In his Corporate Development role, Walters will also continue to focus on business development initiatives across Emerging Markets, including the international roll out of Viacom Blink! following the brand new channel’s launch in Poland on 18 July 2011. Based between London and Moscow, Walters reports directly to Bhavneet Singh, Managing Director and Executive Vice President, Emerging Markets, VIMN, and is supported by Irina Nazarenko, Senior Commercial Manager, VIMN Russia. "Russia is major priority for VIMN, with good momentum building across the business,”commented Singh. “We also have a stretching set of targets for growth and Nicholas’ appointment will guide the company through its next phase of growth and expansion.” In his previous role as Senior Director, Strategy and Corporate Development, Walters was responsible for strategy across VIMN’s multi-brand portfolio of channels, events and digital assets in CEE, Russia, Africa, the Middle East and India. Walters joined MTV Networks International in 2006 following a consultancy stint within the Strategy Group at Accenture, a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, and began his career at Angel Marketing, having graduated from Oxford University. VIMN’s 24-hour Russian language Nickelodeon won the award for Best Kids TV Channel (Foreign TV category) at CSTB conference in Russia this year, and is currently available through a number of major cable, satellite and IPTV operators including NTV Plus, Raduga TV, Er Telecom, Akado, Rostelecom, Beeline and others. Nickelodeon fans in Russia can also interact with their favourite brand off-air through a dedicated localised Nickelodeon website (www.nickelodeon.ru). |